We love a journey pattern, and nothing—really, nothing—beats the chance to go to Greece at any time of 12 months, for any purpose. However one thing I discovered lacking from the overwhelming majority of those bouncy, high-energy movies I’d scroll by was the messaging that Greece’s beautiful, historical Cycladic islands are the unique epicenter of serenity and calm, too.
On a current abroad journey, I used to be fortunate sufficient to find that the islands of Ios and Santorini are a must-sea (erm, see) for anybody in search of a wellness-focused Mediterranean trip. And do not be tricked into pondering summer season is your solely choice! In the event you and crowded cobblestone streets don’t mesh properly—particularly when a high-UV index is concerned—the magic of Greece within the fall is unmatched. Tons of solar and seafood; full quiet and serenity.
Right here, our favourite wellness-focused properties in Ios and Santorini—all of which champion sustainability, prioritize peace and art work, serve five-star farm-to-table Greek delicacies, and supply limitless alternatives so that you can immerse your self in silence. (Except for the sound of the Aegean sea that’s proper exterior your window.)
The place To Keep in Ios: Calilo
Calilo—situated on the island of Ios, which is conveniently between Santorini and Mykonos—is essentially the most well-curated, considerate, and distinctive wellness resort on the planet, and that’s mentioned with zero drop of superlative. Upon seeing it, questions like: Did I create this place in my thoughts? got here to thoughts instantly.
How one can describe. Image a backdrop of deep blue Aegean ocean tucked between two cliffs, with a luxurious resort (carved from the native rock) perched atop an untouched seashore. Calilo is cradled by 1,000 acres of protected land and 6 miles of golden sand and cerulean sea. The feeling of being immersed in heat, magnificence, and nature is omnipresent on Calilo’s property, which can be residence to a glowing new spa and health heart, two top-notch eating places, a church, and 30 of essentially the most breathtaking suites ever constructed.
Every part at Calilo is pure; then add dazzling, fantastical.
Water, mild, and artwork are the three central themes of Calilo. The primary two come built-in by the situation—the property’s proprietor, Angelos Michalopoulos and his spouse Vassiliki Petridou be sure that each inch of the land’s rustic, breathtaking magnificence is preserved. However the aspect of art work is what provides Calilo its soul—and character.
“The philosophical mission of Calilo is to supply a product the place structure and artwork are used to uplift the lives of our friends by offering them with a joyful, constructive, carefree, and playfully quaint bodily and emotional surroundings to chill out, let their guard down, suppose much less, and really feel extra,” says Michalopoulos, additionally a self-taught author, sculptor, and painter. “Through the means of conceptualizing and creating Calilo each as a bodily place and an emotional one, the distinctive magnificence and emotional depth of the land pushed us to understand how a lot we should attempt to make life lovely for others.” Michalopoulos’s creative imaginative and prescient is Calilo, and vice versa—an apt anagram of the phrase Create a Life You Can Fall in Love with.
Each nook, cranny, sofa, tile, teacup, slipper, corkscrew, and in any other case square-inch of Calilo is awe-inducing art work. Belief: This gem of the Cyclades is setting a brand new customary for elite journey locations in terms of design and creativity.
Property highlights:
- 30 suites, every individually-designed with ornate marble interiors. Every has its personal panoramic sea views and footsteps-from-the-sand seashore entry, plunge swimming pools, swim-up bars, and romantic day beds.
- Calilo’s land conservation challenge has planted over 70,000 bushes and bushes across the island of Ios to this point restore the habitat that had beforehand been burned by wildfires and deforestation. As well as, the household has invested closely within the Elektra olive tree challenge, the place they’ve planted over 550 historical olive bushes that they had saved from being bought for wildfire in Athens. Company can ‘undertake’ and identify a tree and comply with it all through its journey of life through the years.
- 5-star eating options the freshest greens, seafood, and contemporary fruit from the earth every day. The sky is the restrict: Beehives provide honey to drizzle on native goats’ cheese; they produce additional virgin olive oil from their very own olive groves. Menu objects showcase scrumptious native Greek specialities, in addition to wines and spirits.
- Immaculate spa options a lot of stress and tension-easing remedies that focus on sleep high quality, vitality, muscle tissues, skincare, and extra.
- Train choices abound! Greet the day with a solar salutation on the sand, hit the flowery new health heart, or take a meditative stroll, meandering coastal trails scented with thyme and oregano, earlier than winding down with yoga nidra on the finish of the day.
- As a result of donkeys are an extinct species in Greece, particularly within the Cyclades, Calilo’s house owners created an on-site donkey sanctuary devoted to their preservation. Additionally they have rescued canine who have been affected by the wildfires in Athens.
- 99 p.c of the land that Calilo is on is undeveloped in an effort to maintain Ios’ pure magnificence. The land that has been developed has been performed so in an environmentally-friendly method with building materials extracted from the bottom of the particular constructing website, together with marble and stone granite.
The place To Keep in Santorini: Andronis Arcadia and Andronis Idea Wellness Resort
Santorini is gorgeous—suppose white buildings, blue rooftops, and cobblestone streets perched far atop volcanic cliffs and Aegean ocean for miles. For these in search of a resort that’s steps away from the middle of Oia, Santorini’s sweetheart metropolis, the best-in-class for wellness (and every little thing else) is Andronis Arcadia.
Arcadia is the most recent addition to the Andronis household of five-star resorts, villas, and retreats in Santorini. Regardless of its proximity to the various magical retailers and eating places of Oia, the property is secluded and quiet. (All of the extra paramount while you uncover that each suite on the property consists of an ocean-facing terrace and personal plunge pool.)
One other enormous win for wellness right here is the quantity of area every suite has—the lavatory alone may match a dozen New York Metropolis-sized flats (says my “NYC math”). And but: the floor-to-ceiling home windows, pure materials, and minimalist design all draw the eyes outwards in the direction of the solar and sea. The one problem you’ll face at Andronis Arcadia would be the job of selecting when to enterprise out of your room and when to only sit again, chill out, and benefit from the view.
Property highlights:
- Andronis Arcadia is situated on the perimeter of picturesque Oia, a straightforward stroll from the village heart, however far sufficient away to make sure peace and privateness. It consists of 119 suites and villas each with its personal personal pool, located to seize the views of the Aegean sea and the island’s unforgettable sunsets.
- Room features a pillow menu (!)
- Three large, beautiful swimming pools on-site cater to adults, youngsters, and everybody in between.
- There are two eating places at Andronis Arcadia. Watching the solar rise at Pacman Sundown Restaurant as you spoon the world’s most beautiful home made Greek yogurt (topped with native kiwi jam and chia seed granola) is a should. Discover extra scrumptious Greek delicacies and lovely views on-site at Beefbar Santorini, which faces the caldera and its gorgeous sunsets.
- 60 p.c of the suppliers for meals and beverage are small companies from the island.
- Eco-friendly automotive choices can be found for extra environmentally aware transportation.
Andronis Idea Wellness Resort
It’s no secret that Greece is a nation long-recognized for its wellness practices—lots of the planet’s longest-living individuals name the Greek island of Ikaria residence. Andronis Idea is a ravishing, immersive expression of why the Mediterranean way of life is so carefully linked to longevity.
Andronis Idea is nestled on a quiet street in Imerovigli, a smaller metropolis on the island’s coast. The 28 pool suites and villas are constructed to seize the sundown over the Aegean sea in the direction of the caldera. This place is for peak tranquility and rest. Whereas each side of Andronis Idea astounds—and a go to to Kallos Spa is a should—essentially the most unforgettable half about your keep right here would be the immersive views. Really: Reserving a room right here will get you a front-row seat to a few of the most scenic components of Santorini, 24/7.
