Santorini

Hike down the steps to Ammoudi Bay at Oía’s port to find a pristine swimming area lined with family-owned tavernas. Ammoudi is the best of them, especially for the small plates, like the fresh anchovies marinated in vinegar, salmon tartare, and prawns with ouzo and orange. The view is basically dinner theater, as sailboats and fishing vessels make their way back and forth across the water as the sun goes down.

The location in Oia is a big selling point for Katikies Kirini Santorini, which is more or less a living, breathing postcard-perfect village of typical Cycladic buildings carved into the sides of the cliffs. The hotel itself is dreamy, too. The minimalist, all-white guest rooms have super comfy beds, and there’s a spa on the property for facials and massages—a rarity for hotels in the Cyclades.

On the rim of Santorini's Caldera, each room at this small hotel is unique, decorated with original Greek art and a private balcony that looks over the surrounding villages and the Aegean. What makes Heliotopos so memorable, though, is the staff. Whatever you need—whether it’s booking a car, scheduling a boat tour, or even help tracking down lost luggage—they’ll make you feel like you’re the most important person in the world.

A staple on the island since 1922, Aktaion is the place to feel cozy and familial. The menu makes use of the best local ingredients to serve up all the classic Greek hits (the moussaka, vegetable fritters, and homemade pasta are all outstanding). Make a reservation and ask for a table outside so you can watch the sun set over the Caldera.

Glistening waters, domed ceilings, whitewashed terraces from which to take in awe-inducing sunsets... everything one would expect from a lavish Santorini getaway is right here. For optimal seclusion, book the airy honeymoon suite where your very own plunge pool offers sweeping views of the Aegean sea and the tiled showers are built for two. Mediterranean fusion cuisine can be savored in the intimate setting of the Grace Santorini restaurant (watch Chef Spyros Agious prepare local seafood and tantalizing fresh fare in the open kitchen) or al fresco by the pool. Prep for a day of sightseeing (or doing nothing at all) with a champagne breakfast.