Santorini and the amazing Astra Suites and Voreina Gallery Suites, the valuable members of Trésor Hotels & Resorts boutique collection, fascinated the Italian Vanity Fair. The explosive beauty of one of the most magical islands of the world enchanted the Italian editor Luca Dini, who visited the island after an invitation of Trésor Hotels & Resorts.

In the following article, the editor describes with a unique way the beauty of a destination that “has no need of Instagram’s filters”. Enjoy it:

One moment, one island

By Luca Vini

Just like flying in a bathtub hanging over a balloon, 300 meters above the sea. This is the magic of Santorini, the island that during spring and summertime has no need of Instagram’s filters.

I land on the island at dawn, at the time when a fine veil of fog covers everything, and I struggle to realize where I am. I struggle to understand if these mounds of dirt and stone, covered with intricate very low sparse bushes, are vines: in the desert climate that the only moisture guaranteed is the night dew, Assyrtiko, the local wine variety, is grown low, in order to capture the mist, tied in a woven basket so that the grapes are protected from the wind. I struggle to imagine what's on the other side of the crest of this mountain the machine gently climbs on.

When I arrive at Pyrgos and Voreina Gallery Suites, I reach the private terrace washed by the rays of the morning sun and at turning around, I could fall in the turquoise small swimming pool from the excitement. A few hundred meters ahead of me an amphitheater of blue sea and precipice opens up, a view I could never imagine on my way here from the airport. Also, the houses of the “flying” villages of Santorini seem covered with a white glaze.

Hundreds of thousands of years ago, there was a gigantic volcano here, which, after a powerful eruption, imploded and collapsed, sinking the crater 400 meters beneath the sea and leaving everything around an emerged ring. The volcanologists call it caldera. Sixteen centuries before Christ, the settlers of Akrotiri - a beautiful Minoan Pompeii -  realized that something was about to happen and left.

It is especially in Imerovigli, the highest of the villages of the islands, that you get the vertigo feeling of being perched above the abyss. Swimming in the infinity private pool of one of the whitest Astra Suites, you get the feeling of flying in a bathtub hanging over a balloon, three hundred meters above the sea.

The caldera offers an equally spectacular view from below, from one of the boats of spectral shapes and vibrant colors: white pumice, olivine green, red, purple and black lava rock.

The landing in Oia is spectacular, full of terraced streets, white walls, cobalt blue domes, and a very popular sunset. Too popular: better wear comfortable shoes and walk on the scenic trail that runs alongside the cliff, leading to Fira, the capital.

The night falls and the caldera becomes a black mirror surrounded by garlands of lights. But the colors are still at the table. A Pyrgos, away from the hustle of Fira, Selene restaurant serves explosive yellow orange and red psychedelic tomatoes, round white balls of Chloro, the local cheese; and then fresh fish and tasty meat, accompanied by fava - puree made with a type of grass pea that grows only here - and sweet white aubergines of the island.

But, first of all comes the aperitif. Always in Pyrgos and Santo Winery,which transforms the fruits into the white and mineral Assyrtiko wine, with a citrus scent, or into the excellent sweet Vin Santo wine. Do not bother to ask if the name has come to our side of the Mediterranean along with the Crusaders who dedicated the island to St. Irene - hence Santorini. I sit on the terrace overhanging the precipice, with bowls of olives and cold meats in front of me, while the sun falls between the islets of Aspronisi and Palea Kameni. This is the most beautiful sunset of Santorini. And when you see the apricot, raspberry and plum colors of the sky, you will understand that Instagram has no need of filters here.

SUITES OF HIGH ALTITUDE

Astra Suites, among the 25 "Top Hotels of the World" and "Most Romantic Hotel 2014" by Condé Nast Johansens, and Voreina Gallery Suites in Santorini, are both part of the collection of Trésor Hotels & Resorts: 29 boutique hotels in Greece, in ultra-chic and popular places such as Mykonos or niche such as Lefkada.

From: Anthi Sasmatzoglou

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