Best Trip Ever!

Greece | Jul 30 - Aug 8, 2023

Liana Beach Hotel is a beautiful boutique beach hotel located across the street from a gorgeous beach. The rooms are spacious and clean - each of our 3 rooms had small hot tubs on the balconies overlooking the courtyard and beach. Staff is very friendly and accommodating. Breakfast is fresh and delicious. We especially loved the beach chairs and private service reserved only for hotel guests on the beach. Tony (Tonino) was our excellent and kind beach server each day. He anticipated what we wanted and was always nearby. The pool area is also fantastic and typically where we would find ourselves after coming back over from the beach. The hotel is a very short walk either direction to restaurants, bars, mini-markets, laundry, etc. Well-appointed and located place we hope to return to someday!

Agali Houses is SO PRETTY! It is located on the beautiful Santorin cliffside overlooking the Caldera. Upon arrival, we were amazed by the tenacity of the butlers who met us at our van and toted our nearly 50 lb suitcases, 2-3 at a time, down the stairs to the hotel. We had many experiences in Santorini where we felt in lesser shape than our Greek friends but that fantastic service in particular we have discussed many times. Upon check-in, we were shown our rooms (3 rooms for 8 travelers). Beautifully decorated, very clean and all with private patios/balconies. The pool with the bar area was a hot spot but because Agali Houses is a boutique hotel, it was never too busy and we got to see some of the same people both there an at breakfast, which deserves its own review! Breakfast is served daily, included in the room rate and you can sit inside a beautiful and quaint dining area or outside overlooking the Caldera. Everything was very fresh and the staff kept it stocked and super clean. Fresh Greek yogurt with local honey alongside fresh melon was my daily favorite. Concierge was happy to help with any request and had great ideas for dinner. A walk up the hill and you have access to bars, restaurants ranging from street food to fine dining and mini-markets. Location was excellent and enabled us to go to Oia or to Fira and the southern part of the island with relative ease (it is a busy island!).

Vassilis and Katarina were such great guides, helpers, trainers and supporters! The E-Bikes are AWESOME. We did 13+ miles and got to tour, learn about and see so many beautiful areas...not to mention we stopped for wine and snacks midway through! Vassilis also took photos along the way and created a video of our family of 8, which he air-dropped to me within 10 minutes of our return. He must moonlight as a photographer, because the photos and video are quality work. We finished off our time chilling out at the black sand beach in front of the bike shop. They have a very cool location and set up. This is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

George outdid himself. Since this was a specially requested tour by us, George spent a week prior to our arrival doing research on Giannis's time in Sepolia. He showed us Giannis's court, but then took us on a walk to go by Giannis's childhood home, to the cafe that Giannis used to visit coming to or from the court and introducing us to the owner, Katie, who had lots of regalia in the cafe showcasing the success of a young man she knew long before he was famous. Then we saw some of the local schools that Giannis attended. My sons were over the moon and couldn't believe that they got to learn so much about their very talented and endearing sports hero! George really put in the work on this one and we sure appreciate it!!!

Rina Cave has the prettiest water we have ever seen and we are well traveled! The trip was great overall including the food - fresh Moussaka for lunch! Staff was very adept and they played the coolest music that we heard on the trip.