Santorini holidays

Indulge in sumptuous cuisine in cliffside restaurants and savour a slice of the Cycladic islands' authenticity. Thanks to Santorini's volcanic soil, which encourages the growth of local cultures, the most sumptuous dishes, enriched with Greek flavours, are on the menu.

Fava is one of Santorini's most famous dishes - the word fava refers to the yellow split peas that make up the purée, which is drizzled with olive oil, lemon and chopped onion. It is usually served with freshly baked bread. Cheese lovers can enjoy Santorini's best cheese, Chloritiri, a creamy goat's cheese served with delicious salads.

The Lycabettus restaurant is located on the edge of a reddish cliff overlooking the Aegean Sea. It's a majestic option for couples who want to rekindle the flame by indulging in Mediterranean cuisine, particularly fascinating at sunset. Another interesting option is the Cave of Nikolas restaurant, a family-run business offering a unique experience in the hand-built cave of Nikolas. This charming taverna, located at the western end of Akriotiri beach, serves traditional Greek dishes prepared using recipes that have been home-made for generations.

Ouzu is the national drink of Greece. It is often obtained by partial distillation or by blending with natural herbs such as cinnamon, cloves, chios or fennel. Best served on the rocks or with water, it's an exceptional drink to accompany seafood with special flavours, such as marinated anchovies or succulent octopus.

Santorini is renowned for its wines, as the country boasts some of the finest vineyards in the world. One of our favourites is the oldest, the Gavalas winery, run by a five-generation family, which offers an intimate wine experience with three tasting options in the Santorini village of Megalochori.

There is no shortage of vintage bars and stylish restaurants, most of which are dotted around the enchanting cliff-lined coastline. The PK Cocktail Bar is a sensation, with three levels of seating overlooking the magnificent Caldera, all complemented by splendid service.

Greek music is divided into four types: Dimotiko, Kantada, Nisiotika and Rebetiko. Dimotiko is part of Greek folklore and traditionally features a number of musical instruments, including drums, bagpipes, lute, violin and dachares (tambourine). Kantada originated in Kafelonia and was introduced in the early 19th century. It is romantic serenade music, always played on guitar or mandolin.

Nisiotika is heard at almost every festival. Each region of Greece has its own version of nisiotika, and on Santorini the Greeks are accompanied by violin, clarinet and guitar, as well as a unique dance regime. Rebetiko offers rhythmic scenes in bars and clubs. Surprisingly, it was once the forbidden music of the Greek urban blues, introduced by the excluded Greek population. In the 1950s, the genre was brought back to life in Athens, played on bouzouki (an oval-shaped stringed instrument), guitar, ntefi (a leather tambourine) and ziya.

Football may be Greece's national sport, but water sports and athletics are an important part of the Greek way of life. Every year, the Santorini Experience event has been attracting tourists since 2015. You'll witness swimming events in the vast waters of the Aegean Sea and two running events on the magnificent Caldera ridges. The swimming course is designed by the one and only national open water swimming coach, Nikos Gamelos, while the runners have a picturesque course designed by the great former national marathon champion, Nikos Pollias. Clearly, it is the iconic Cycladic architecture and breathtaking scenery that make this unique sporting event truly majestic.

From elegant boutiques to art galleries and souvenir shops, stroll through an area lined with bright white patterns etched with handmade ceramics or chic antiques, and everything in between. You'll find unique pieces for your home decor in Santorini's pottery and ceramics shops, which are full of authentic handmade items such as beautiful plates and collections of pots, vases and carefully carved bowls. The biggest shopping parades take place in Fira, where you can immerse yourself in style in an abundance of boutiques ranging from elegant clothes to gilded jewellery and haute couture accessories. Fira is Santorini's shopping capital, so you can explore and shop to your heart's content.