The Art of Arrival: Mediterranean Stays That Stayed With Me

Canaves Oia Epitome, Santorini, Greece

Why I love it: I’ve returned to Canaves Oia Epitome more than once because it feels like a sacred pause—where the architecture, the light, and the rhythm of the sea conspire to create something deeply personal. Of all the sunsets I’ve witnessed in Santorini, the one where I got engaged here holds a sacred place in my heart. The sky was painted in layers of coral and gold, and as the Aegean shimmered below us, time seemed to pause. We were on our private terrace, barefoot and wrapped in the hush of twilight, when the question was asked—simple, tender, and unforgettable. That moment, framed by the scent of jasmine and the soft clink of wine glasses, turned the resort into a personal altar of memory. It’s why I return: to revisit the feeling, the view, and the quiet magic that made everything feel eternal.

Micro-tip: Reserve the terrace table at Elements Restaurant and let the chef curate a tasting menu inspired by the sea. Ask for the wine pairing that includes Assyrtiko from nearby volcanic vineyards—it’s crisp, mineral-rich, and unforgettable.

Interesting fact: Unlike most Santorini resorts, Epitome is built on flat land just outside Oia, allowing for expansive suites, unobstructed sunset views, and easy access without the steep climbs. It’s also one of the few properties on the island where every suite includes a private pool.

Highlights:

• Private pools in every suite and villa

• Rooftop infinity pool with panoramic sunset views

• Family-friendly villas with curated kids’ programs

• Tranquil location just outside Oia’s bustle—ideal for those seeking serenity with access

• Elements Restaurant: a culinary ritual rooted in Cycladic flavors and seasonal artistry

• A deeply romantic setting for proposals, vow renewals, and memory-rich milestone

Grace Hotel, Auberge Resorts, Santorini, Greece

Why I love it: Grace Hotel feels like a cliffside altar to light and silence. The way the architecture disappears into the caldera makes every moment feel reverent.

Micro-tip: Book the Champagne Lounge at golden hour—ask for the corner seat with uninterrupted views of Skaros Rock.

Interesting fact: The hotel’s infinity pool is one of the most photographed in the Cyclades, yet it never feels performative. It’s a place to be, not just to be seen.

Highlights:

• Infinity pool overlooking the caldera

• Michelin-starred dining at Varoulko Santorini

• Private plunge pools and hammam-style bathrooms

• Intimate, adults-only atmosphere perfect for vow renewals or solo reflection

Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, Tuscany, Italy

Why I love it: This estate is a masterclass in legacy. I’m drawn to its devotion to heritage—every stone, vineyard, and fresco feels like a love letter to time.

Micro-tip: Request the sunrise Discovery Walk through the vineyards with a local guide—it’s quiet, misty, and deeply grounding.

Interesting fact: The estate includes a restored medieval village and Italy’s only private golf course.

Highlights:

• Private Brunello winery and wine academy

• Restored farmhouses with private pools

• Cooking classes in the organic garden

• Ideal for families, honeymooners, and legacy-seekers

Sani Asterias Resort, Halkidiki, Greece

Why I love it: It’s rare to find a resort that balances barefoot intimacy with family-friendly grace. Sani Asterias does it effortlessly.

Micro-tip: Book a private dinner on the beach—barefoot service, candlelight, and a curated Greek tasting menu make it unforgettable.

Interesting fact: The Sani Festival brings world-class musicians to perform against the backdrop of ancient ruins.

Highlights:

• Marina-front suites with direct beach access

• Michelin-starred dining and in-suite spa treatments

• Curated kids’ programs and multi-gen experiences

• Access to the larger Sani Resort ecosystem with nature trails and cultural events

Coquillade Provence Resort & Spa – Luberon, France

Why I love it: Coquillade is my Provençal sanctuary. The scent of fig trees, the ochre trails, the rosé at sunset—it’s a sensory symphony.

Micro-tip: Rent an e-bike and ride through the lavender fields at golden hour, then return for a Tata Harper facial and herbal tea in the spa garden.

Interesting fact: Founded by the creator of BMC bikes, the resort’s cycling center is one of the best in Europe.

Highlights:

• 2,000 sqm spa with hydrotherapy and hammam rituals

• Cycling adventures through vineyards and hilltop villages

• Pool Suites with private gardens and Jacuzzis

• Seasonal gastronomy and rosé tastings under the stars

Kimpton Aysla Mallorca, Santa Ponça, Spain

Why I love it: It’s playful, soulful, and full of movement. I love the blend of Balearic design with modern wellness rituals.

Micro-tip: Try paddleboard yoga at sunrise, then grab a cruiser bike and explore the local market in Calvià.

Interesting fact: The Maison CODAGE spa offers personalized skincare formulas blended on-site.

Highlights:

• Wellness-focused design with halotherapy and hydrotherapy

• Balearic cuisine fused with Asian technique at Saba Restaurant

• Cruiser bikes, paddleboard yoga, and local market excursions

• Ideal for creatives, wellness seekers, and active travelers

Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni – Lake Como, Italy

Why I love it: This is cinematic elegance at its finest. I feel like I’ve stepped into a Visconti film every time I walk through its frescoed halls.

Micro-tip: Attend one of the jazz nights under the vaulted ceilings—bring a silk wrap and let the music carry you.

Interesting fact: The hotel has hosted royalty, artists, and philosophers since 1873.

Highlights:

• Neoclassical architecture and lakeside gardens

• Murano chandeliers and frescoed ceilings

• Private boat tours and lakeside dining

• Perfect for romantics, artists, and legacy dreamers

One&Only Portonovi, Montenegro

Why I love it: Portonovi is where vitality meets indulgence. The fjord-like beauty of Boka Bay feels ancient and elemental.

Micro-tip: Book a Chenot Espace wellness consultation, then rent a sailboard for the afternoon—Montenegro’s coastline is best experienced from the water.

Interesting fact: Montenegro’s first ultra-luxury resort, located at the gateway to the UNESCO-listed Bay of Kotor.

Highlights:

• Chenot Espace wellness and vitality programs

• Private beach access and sunset-facing suites

• Asian-style tapas at Tapasake Club

• Ideal for wellness seekers, families, and design lovers
  

Les Hortensias du Lac, Hossegor, France

Why I love it: Les Hortensias du Lac will always hold a sacred place in my story—it’s where I found out I was pregnant for the first time. I remember standing barefoot on the balcony, the lake still and silver in the morning light, holding the news like a secret between me and the pine-scented breeze. That moment—quiet, tender, and wrapped in the hush of possibility—turned the resort into more than a retreat. It became a threshold. A place where life shifted, where memory rooted itself in the scent of salt and the softness of linen sheets. I return not just for the beauty, but to honor the beginning of something eternal.

Micro-tip: Book the Sensory Day escape: a myBlend facial, body ritual, and lunch overlooking the lake. Then walk the pine-lined trail to the surf beach at golden hour—it’s a ceremony of scent, light, and wind.
Interesting fact: The spa spans 450m² and was designed as an extension of the basin landscape, with blond stone, light wood, and sand-colored finishes. It features a Nordic bath, hammam, herbal tearoom, and treatments powered by myBlend and L:A Bruket—two of Europe’s most innovative wellness brands.

Highlights:

• Lakeside infinity pool framed by pine trees

• Holistic spa with sauna, cold plunge, hammam, and outdoor Nordic bath

• Sustainable, fish-forward cuisine at Les Hortensias restaurant

• Direct access to surf beaches and forest trails

• Ideal for wellness seekers, solo travelers, and couples craving quiet luxury

• A deeply personal setting for reflection, renewal, and life’s quiet thresholds

Must-see and do

A poetic guide to the moments worth pausing for, the rituals worth repeating, and the details that turn travel into legacy.

Santorini, Greece:

• Walk the cliff path from Imerovigli to Oia at sunrise.

• Micro-tip: Start just before dawn with a linen wrap and a thermos of Greek coffee. Pause at Skaros Rock for a moment of silence as the caldera blushes awake.

• Dinner at Elements Restaurant, Canaves Oia Epitome.

• Micro-tip: Request the terrace table with unobstructed sunset views. Let the chef curate a Cycladic tasting menu paired with Assyrtiko from volcanic vineyards.

• Private catamaran cruise around the caldera.

• Micro-tip: Time it for late afternoon. Bring a silk scarf, a journal, and ask the captain to anchor near the hot springs for a quiet swim.

Tuscany, Italy

• Wine tasting at Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco’s private Brunello winery.

• Micro-tip: Ask for the vertical tasting experience and request a bottle to be labeled with a personal message—perfect for gifting or legacy keepsake.

• Sunrise Discovery Walk through Val d’Orcia.

• Micro-tip: Wear soft-soled shoes and bring a small pouch for collecting olive leaves or vineyard stones. They make beautiful, tactile prompts for future rituals.

• Cooking class in the estate’s organic garden.

• Micro-tip: Choose the seasonal harvest menu. Ask to include truffle shaving or saffron infusion for a sensory-rich experience.

Provence, France

• Cycling through lavender fields from Coquillade Provence.

• Micro-tip: Go at golden hour. Pack a small satchel with rosé, goat cheese, and a linen napkin for a spontaneous picnic.

• Tata Harper facial and Nordic bath ritual.

• Micro-tip: Schedule it after your ride. Bring a favorite scent or mantra to layer into the experience—this is a moment for renewal.

• Visit Roussillon’s ochre cliffs.

• Micro-tip: Wear white. The contrast against the rust-colored earth is stunning in photos and feels like walking through a painting.

Mallorca, Spain

• Paddleboard yoga at Kimpton Aysla.

• Micro-tip: Go at sunrise. Ask for a playlist that includes Balearic ambient tracks and bring a small towel infused with essential oils.

• Explore Calvià’s local market.

• Micro-tip: Look for handmade ceramics and local almonds. They make beautiful gifts or grounding objects for your own rituals.

• Dinner at Saba Restaurant.

• Micro-tip: Request the chef’s tasting menu and ask for a seat near the garden wall—where the scent of citrus drifts in with the breeze.

Lake Como, Italy

• Private boat tour from Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni.

• Micro-tip: Time it for late afternoon. Bring a silk wrap and ask for prosecco on board. Glide past villas with stories older than memory.

• Jazz night under the frescoed ceilings.

• Micro-tip: Dress in something that makes you feel cinematic. Sit near the back for the best acoustics and ambiance.

• Garden stroll at sunrise.

• Micro-tip: Bring a small notebook and write one line for each flower you pass. It’s a beautiful way to turn observation into poetry.

Montenegro – Boka Bay

• Chenot Espace vitality consultation at One&Only Portonovi.

• Micro-tip: Begin with a grounding ritual—barefoot on the beach, a few deep breaths, and a sip of herbal tea. Let the consultation be a ceremony of self.

• Sailboard or superyacht charter.

• Micro-tip: Ask to anchor near Perast and swim in silence. Bring a linen robe and a waterproof pouch for keepsakes.

• Tapasake Club at sunset.

• Micro-tip: Request the corner table with views of the bay. Let the server guide your order—this is a place to surrender to flavor.

Need to know:

• Seasonal timing matters:

• While summer offers vibrant energy and sun-drenched days, shoulder seasons (May–June and September–October) are ideal for travelers seeking intimacy, fewer crowds, and golden light. Santorini’s sunsets are just as breathtaking in October, and Tuscany’s vineyards glow with harvest magic in late September.

• Pack for ceremony, not just style:

• Bring linen layers, silk wraps, and something tactile that makes you feel beautiful—whether it’s a handwritten journal, a favorite scent, or a scarf that’s seen other sunsets. These destinations invite you to dress not just for the weather, but for the moment.

• Book early, especially for milestones:

• Properties like Grace Hotel and Canaves Oia Epitome are favorites for proposals, anniversaries, and vow renewals. If you’re planning a milestone, book at least 6–9 months in advance and request sunset-facing suites or private dining setups.

• Wellness is deeply rooted:

• Resorts like One&Only Portonovi and Coquillade Provence offer transformative wellness programs. If you’re craving restoration, consider booking a multi-day vitality or detox package. These aren’t just spa treatments—they’re rituals of renewal.

• Local rituals to embrace:

• In Santorini, wake early and walk the cliff path from Imerovigli to Oia before the town stirs.

• In Tuscany, ask for a private wine blessing ceremony at Castiglion del Bosco’s chapel.

• In Provence, time your visit with the lavender bloom (late June to mid-July) and ride through the fields at golden hour.

• In Mallorca, visit the Calvià market for handmade ceramics and local almonds—perfect for gifting or grounding your own rituals.

• Language and connection:

• While English is widely spoken, learning a few phrases in Greek, Italian, or French adds warmth to every interaction. A simple “Kalimera,” “Buongiorno,” or “Bonjour” opens doors and hearts.

• Ceremonial add-ons worth considering:

• Private yacht charter in Montenegro’s Boka Bay

• Sunset vow renewal at Canaves Oia Epitome

• Lakeside picnic curated by Villa Serbelloni’s chef

• Cycling and rosé pairing experience at Coquillade

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Europe page.