A look at new boutique hotels and resorts located on less-visited Greek Islands.
For seasoned Greece-bound travelers, the “Mykonos or Santorini?” debate has been replaced by a different question this summer: “Where to next?” The Cyclades’ newest boutique resorts invite visitors to venture beyond the area’s most popular tourist destinations, where unique experiences await. Here are three islands to consider.Gundari, located on the small island of Folegandros, is among the latest luxury properties opening in time for the peak summer season.
“It’s an island that still has very much a strong soul,” says Gundari founder and chief executive officer Ricardo Larriera. He compares Folegandros’ appeal to what the nearby Santorini was like 30 years ago, before the island’s popularity soared, leading to its main towns becoming overrun with hotels, nightlife appeal and tourist-driven shops.
Gundari, which began welcoming visitors in May, is Folegandros’ first luxury resort. Larriera, who’s based in Australia, first visited the island several years ago at the recommendation of a Greek expat friend. Blown away by the location’s natural beauty and intimacy of the local community, Larriera saw an opportunity to bring an elevated boutique hotel to the island.
“Our positioning is focused on giving people a really raw, nature and dramatic landscape-based luxury experience,” he says, adding that Gundari will appeal to a more independent luxury traveler — someone who’s comfortable with taking a chance on a less-trodden location, and taking theiritinerary into their own hands. Leading up to the opening, resort bookings were led by American and British travelers, a signal of international appetite for a new summer destination in the area.
Folegandros’ main town and “crown jewel” is Chora, located on a high cliff with winding maze-like streets, originally constructed to ward off pirates. Today, the vibrant town boasts charming restaurants and bars, free from car traffic. Other island attractions include the Church of Panagia, secluded beaches, and scenic vistas well worth the trek.Kéa is one hour from Athens, making it the closest Cyclades island to mainland Greece: 30 minutes by boat, 15 by helicopter.
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