Santorini Minimoon

DAY 1 ARRIVE IN SANTORINI

There are several flights a day from London to Santorini, but with a short stay ahead, you’ll be booked on an early morning flight, landing around lunchtime. Clear customs, collect your bags, then take your twenty-five-minute transfer to your hotel. After your early start, keep the afternoon unhurried. A late lunch in the hotel’s restaurant is a good place to start, perhaps followed by a deeply soothing massage – in our experience, wedding planning can be rather full-on. Once relaxed, spend the rest of the afternoon lazing by the most picturesque infinity pool, where the surrounding views do most of the work.

Rouse yourself before sunset – you won’t want to miss it – and taste your first of the island’s famous evening light with a drink in hand. If preferred for dinner, our expert local Concierge will reserve you the most romantic table in the most romantic restaurant in Oia, the (you guessed it) most romantic town on the island.

With sweeping sea views and delicious contemporary Greek cuisine, if you hadn’t already married, you’d find the urge to do so irresistible here. Wind down the evening in one of the relaxed bars in Oia, with recommendations in our detailed destination Dossier.

DAY 2 WONDERS AND WINE-TASTING

Today, set out on a small group tour that explores Santorini beyond its famous views, delving into the island’s landscapes, history, and food. Your first stop is Pyrgos, a traditional hilltop village and the highest point on the island, where winding lanes and far-reaching views provide a quieter alternative to the busier caldera towns.

From here, continue to the archaeological site of Akrotiri, an ancient settlement preserved beneath volcanic ash and often likened to a Bronze Age Pompeii. Exploring the covered walkways gives a vivid sense of daily life before the eruption that shaped the island as it is today. The route then follows the island’s southern coast, passing the sculpted white cliffs of Vlichada and the black sands of Perivolos Beach – a striking reminder of Santorini’s volcanic origins.

Later, you’ll pay a visit to one of our favourite vineyards on Santorini, in the village of Megalochori, where lunch – and, of course, wine – is served. Local blends are uncorked and uncovered during the meal and, with your new-found knowledge, you’ll know to always look out for Santorini’s crisp Assyrtiko grape on future wine lists.

DAY 3 CALDERA CATAMARAN CRUISE

This morning, transfer to Vlichada Marina to board a small group catamaran for a five-hour leisurely cruise around Santorini’s caldera. From the water, the island’s dramatic volcanic cliffs feel even more imposing, rising sharply above the deep blue sea and revealing the vast circular rim that has become one of Europe’s most iconic sights.

Sail along the coast past Santorini’s red and white beaches, with time to swim, snorkel and relax, on deck as you go. The route continues by the Akrotiri Lighthouse and towards the volcanic islands and hot springs, where warmer waters make for a particularly inviting dip. Later, you’ll pass Thirasia before arriving beneath the cliffs of Oia at Ammoudi Bay.

Throughout the cruise, meals and drinks are served on board – think light appetisers, salads and a freshly prepared barbecue – while towels, masks and snorkels are also provided.

DAY 4 FAREWELL, SANTORINI

To make the most of your minimoon, you’ll be booked on an evening flight home, leaving the morning free to enjoy the island at a slower pace. You might decide to stretch your legs on the popular two-hour hike from Oia to Imerovigli, set along a well-marked trail and easy to do independently – it’s a great way to explore the island’s rural side and walk off any ouzo overdose.


Afterwards, head back to the hotel for one last long, late lunch. Take a final look across the caldera before your private airport transfer arrives in time to catch your four-hour flight back to London, landing later the same day.