The sky illuminates with orange, violet, and pink hues. On the steep caldera cliffs, blue domed chapels and chalky white buildings take on a romantic glow. Then, the sun disappears slowly underneath the water. Such sunsets are discoverable on the volcanic Santorini Island, a Greek Cyclades island in the Aegean Sea. Along with its heavenly views, Santorini’s quaint villages, hotels, food, hospitable locals, and pleasurable activities make it highly coveted. One to visit Santorini Island  is renown photographer Christina Tan who shares her tips and advice on exploring  the island’s northern village of Oia and its surrounding areas.

From thousands of years ago until the 1950s, Santorini Island endured devastating volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. In the 1600s BC, Santorini suffered the Minoan Eruption, one of Earth’s largest volcanic eruptions to date. Despite significantly transforming Santorini’s topography, the results are far from devastating. Its reverse crescent moon-shaped land where clusters of whitewashed buildings lay nestled atop vertiginous cliffs, is one of plenty reasons why Tan deems it ‘beautiful from every angle’.

Those looking for where to visit Santorini Island should look no further than its Canaves Oia Hotels. Established in 1985 by the Chaidemenos family, the chic hotels are now frequented by top celebrities including Beyoncé, Jennifer Lawrence, and the Kardashians. Such an A-List clientele is evident that stays here are first-class.

CANAVES OIA LUXURY SUITES

In Oia, Canaves Oia Luxury Suites has been one of the most coveted hotels in Santorini since 1995. Situated on Oia’s highest hill point on a rocky cliff, deep blue caldera water and open sky views are accessible from every corner. Santorini’s classic colour theme is evident in its design, as its white exterior and selection of crystal blue pools give a pristine and fresh look. Its 13 rooms and suites carry the same theme with a selection of 5-star amenities. These include a complimentary bottle of wine and fresh fruit upon arrival, a great start to a lavish stay.

The Presidential Suite is reminiscent of a 60m² whitewashed Greek chateau, whilst the Infinity Pool Suite is 45m², sporting a modern design. ‘The suites are both very luxurious. I immediately loved their white colour theme and linen bedding’, says Tan. Indeed, both suites come with 24-hour room service, a private veranda, pool, and an al fresco dining area with a personal waiter serving Mediterranean and Greek cuisine. At their luxury spa, guests will love their Bali Paradise Rasul Ceremony, that incorporates a full-body massage using a mixture of cream and fragrant lemon, papaya, and frangipani essential oils to leave the entire body feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Canaves Oia Luxury Suites’ Petra Restaurant, combines Greek-style dining with magnificent views. Its open-air location between a pool and the cliff’s edge blends man-made and natural beauty, and its tables are warmly lit with floor lamps. Executive Chef Vassilis Roussos and his team ensure no palette is left unsatisfied, serving ‘out of this world’ food and wine. One of their desserts is the Exotic Mastiha, a classic Greek treat from mastic tree resin, served with lime-coconut sorbet, banana passion cream and Skinos foam. Petra is one of the restaurants in Santorini hosting weekly live music, cocktail nights, and food-tasting events for one-of-a-kind visits and as Tan says ‘Petra has an amazing location and view facing the sunset’, it’s what makes the whole experience ‘very romantic’.

CANAVES OIA EPITOME

Located on Oia’s outskirts on the cliffs above Ammoudi Bay, a small fishing town of powder white buildings and boats floating stagnant on the water, Canaves Oia Epitome promises privacy and a stunning view of the caldera and the sunset. If the privacy wasn’t already appealing, the spectacular view makes the hotel even more sought after. Introduced in 2018 and among the best hotels in Santorini, its dark pebbled archways and walls enclose an enormous infinity pool facing directly out to sea. Sun loungers and tables are placed on a floating deck around the infinity pool for guests to enjoy the sun between pool dips.

Neutral colours and contemporary furniture make up its 24 suites and villas of varying sizes and amenities. The Aqua Retreat Two Bedroom Pool Villa  is a 100m² two-level haven within the hotel’s pebbled walls. Its interior is spacious and has an open plan, leading outside to two private chillout areas with double sun loungers, sofas, and a heated pool for serene moments under the sun. The villa’s most appealing feature  an extra first-floor pool, visible from a glass wall through an archway on the inside of its ground-floor bedroom.

Part of Canaves Oia Epitome, the Elements Restaurant blends European and Greek cuisines prepared by Executive Chef Tassos Stefatos and his staff. The restaurant has an open plan concept with candlelit tables within its stone archways. Dining here is enhanced by their additional Elements Experience Tables out on the hotel’s floating deck. The restaurant exhudes sophistication from its design to its creative dishes. One dish, known as Caldera Sea, blends traditional Tarama noodles with algae and sea urchin for an authentic seaside feast.

CANAVES OIA SUNDAY SUITES

For tranquillity among Oia’s buzz, Canaves Oia Sunday Suites have cracked that balance regarding where to stay in Santorini since they opened in 2017. The hotel is about a five minute walk from Canaves Oia Luxury Suites, nestled on the cliffside and cut off from the hustle and bustle of the outer world upon arrival. An assortment of nautical décor gives it its distinct look, from statues of spread-winged seagulls to dried up coral. The only thing missing is the sand!

Its eight suites are decorated with nautical-themed artwork and ornaments, all varying in size with state-of-the-art amenities. But, one suite in particular has a bit extra to offer. This is the Master Suite with Infinity Pool. Along with its capacious infinity pool, the 45m² suite boasts two private verandas with glass balconies and a lounging area. The hotel’s staff are commended for their personable service, attention to detail, and dedication to creating special stays in Santorini Island. Regarding their attention to detail, newly-weds and honeymooners have reported discovering their suites festooned with romantic candles and rose petals upon arrival.

The Canaves Oia Sunday Suites lauded eatery is the  Veranda Raw and Bubbles Restaurant, one of the only restaurants in Santorini serving Greek cuisine with a Japanese twist. Situated al fresco on the cliffs, the dramatic views of the Aegean and the ‘famous Santorini sunset’,  creating a perfect romantic evening. Its tables match the hotel’s white exterior, decorated with candles and champagne ice buckets. Their Lobster Spaghetti is a favorite dish as is their attentive service.

The things to do in Santorini are exclusive to the island and are the cherry on top to an already memorable trip. Few have the luxury of glimpsing a caldera up close, as well as the wonderful sensation of viewing the sunset right from the heart of globally adored Greek villages.

The Volcanic Island Cruise with Hot Springs Visit is an adventure unlike any other in Santorini Island. A sleek catamaran boat whisks guests away to the untouched volcanic island of Nea Kameni to traverse the landscape and its active crater. The catamaran then docks on Palea Kameni island, its hot springs inviting guests to dip in and relish their warmth. The final stop is at Thirassia island for another swim and exploration of its main village, Manolas. Manolas is perched high on the cliffs, its traditional white settlements accessible from a winding staircase from Korfos, its port below.  Oia is internationally renowned for being the island’s best sunset viewpoint, making this part of the tour the perfect end to a busy day of activities.

Wandering the villages of Oia, Fira and Imerovigli is a fabulous way to take in Santorini’s beauty. The walk between Oia to Fira is approximately two hours, with Imerovigli another clifftop village of immaculate white buildings, in between. Oia is more of a cosmopolitan’ destination with plenty of cafés, restaurants, and high-end shops along its high street. Though Fira has some quieter corners, its centre is even busier, with vibrant bars, nightclubs, and boutique jewelleries. Imerovigli is the most traditional village, home to picture-perfect houses lined uniformly across the cliffs, authentic Greek eateries and Skaros Rock, the remains of a 13^th – 19^th Century castle.

For closer looks at the sunset in Santorini, one of the best things to do in Santorini is to visit the Oia Castle of Agios Nikolaos. Built in the 15^th Century, a devastating earthquake in 1956 left the castle in ruins. Now, it is the prime location where people flock to enjoy irreplaceable views and ‘applaud the sunset’.

Like fellow Greeks and Greece-lovers, Christina Tan is among the many who can’t get enough of Santorini Island. Its sophisticated accommodation, eateries and activities make falling in love with the island effortless, from the first glimpse to the last.

Photos credit Christina Tan