Desiterra: An Oasis of Serenity on the Other Side of Santorini – Α place with a Zen-like calm and tranquility [photos]
Welcome to the lesser known side of Santorini and no place is better to embrace it than Desiterra, an oasis of serenity on an island known for its crowds
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It’s not difficult to understand why Santorini is on nearly everyone’s bucket list: the Aegean island is known the world over for its spectacular sunsets and its dramatic panoramic vistas of blue sea, white-washed buildings, and volcanic cliffs.
As the sun dips below the horizon every evening, the streets of Fira, the island’s capital, flood with rivers of tourists crowding up to the edge of the cobblestone streets to hold up their cellphones and cameras to catch the breathtaking moment so they can show it to off to their friends back home. That’s the Santorini most people know.
But the island has another side too: a quieter, relatively unspoiled one that the crowds don’t always experience. The landscape behind and below the busy streets of Fira dips gently to the sea below to beaches of black pebbles and sand—some of them developed and covered with lush beach chairs and sun worshipping tourists; others a bit more roughly hewn with pumice stones and wind-carved volcanic cliffs.
Rolling hills covered by the island’s renowned low-hanging grape and tomato vines fill the land in between, dotted with white barrel-roofed structures. The air is soft, the light, golden. Instead of sunsets, this area, facing east, is where the sun emerges from the Aegean every morning, explosively turning the sky into ribbons of red and orange.
Welcome to the lesser known side of Santorini and no place is better to embrace it than Desiterra, an oasis of serenity on an island known for its crowds. Over 20,000 plants native to the island grace the meticulously cared for gardens and the deep blue Aegean, sparkling under the Greek sun, is visible from almost every vantage point.
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Desiterra -a blend of the words, “desire” in English and “terra,” the Latin word for land- is a place with a Zen-like calm and tranquility, luxurious in almost every way, but unpretentious at the same time. The staff caters to your every whim with graciousness, professionalism, and a smile. This is not a place where people who want to be seen flock; instead, it’s a place where people who want to relax recharge in privacy in one of the 24 sun -soaked and elegantly appointed 1, 2, and 3- bedroom villas and suites, each with an infinity pool that faces towards the sea and a private flower filled garden. Each villa -constructed of stone, wood, glass, and metal- is built to honor the style of the Cycladic islands-soft curves, stone walls, barrel rooftops, and a white and neutral color palette.
Beyond that, touches of the island’s historic past are everywhere too -each of the villas, for example, is named after one of the Bronze Age frescoes found in the village of Akrotiri in 1967 by famed archeaologist Spryridon Marinatos, who speculated that the island just may have been the location of the lost mythical city of Atlantis. Each villa’s aesthetic is inspired by a different frescoe uncovered in Akrotiri- the Lilies, the Papyrus Flowers, the House of the Ladies, the Blue Monkeys, the Dolphins of the Aegean, the Boxers, and the Fisherman, to name but a few.
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Even the resort’s common areas are soul -soothing- you won’t want to leave the resort’s main infinity pool lined by chaise longues and comfy armchairs and white pergolas covered with gauzy white drapes that flutter in the breeze. You can swim up to the cocktail bar, sit on a submerged stool, and order a delicious cocktail whipped up by Christos, the bar tender. My favorite: 3-Pieces, made with a blend of London dry gin, cucumber, passion fruit, and lime juice, and garnished with a sprig of mint. Or, you can just lie under the pergola and gaze at the expansive blue sea before you.
Desiterra is clearly a labor of love, created by hotelier Dimitris Tryfonopoulos and Vivian Bouzalis. The couple spotted the empty plot of land on a trip to the island when they were dating -and where they decided to wed. They imagined how they could transform this place into a magical beacon of serenity where guests could lay back, relax, and allow themselves to unwind and clear their heads.
“We kept returning to the island, exploring it from one end to the other,” says Dimitris. “There is no part of the island that we have not been to.”
But this little corner of this breathtaking island stole their hearts. “It spoke to my soul and my mind, and my wish, from that very first moment, was to one day create something of my own here, a hotel built with my highest standards that will worthily promote Santorini and provide a unique, unforgettable Greek experience for its visitors.”
And that is what they’ve done: created a magical spot where a guest can luxuriate in an atmosphere of tranquility on an island otherwise well known for its famous sunsets and incessant buzz of activity. You may not get a front row seat from your veranda to watch the sun dip below the horizon here since Desiterra is on the eastern side of the island. But, and this is a big but, the colors of the sky change subtly and magically in front of you here too, at sunset, but especially at sunrise. If you’re so inclined, you can even watch the sun rise like a fiery ball over the sea right from your bed.
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The excitement of Fira and its glorious sunsets are also easily accessible, so you won’t miss a beat. The town’s famed eateries, cafes, and bars with their magnificent views of the caldera are only a mere 10 minutes away by taxi – and the staff will call one up for you whenever you need one. And when you come back as the taxi whips around the peak of the hill and you get a look at Desiterra below, all lit up as if it’s been sprinkled with fairy dust, you’ll sigh with pleasure. Fira, be damned.
In truth, guests don’t have to wander any further than the pool to indulge in first class, gourmet meals. The chef, Panayiotis, creatively serves up dishes that show off local ingredients and Greek cuisine – from the salads featuring the island’s lusciously sweet tomatoes to perfectly prepared lamb chops and simply grilled fresh fish, boned right at your table. The shrimp saganaki, a zesty tomato sauce sprinkled with feta cheese smothers succulent morsels of shrimp is a must. The hotel also hosts a low-key Greek night featuring authentic island music and dancers that encourage guests to get up and dance with them and a Greek menu served up with a tasty twist. On another night, a talented trio of musicians fill the air poolside with cool and breezy jazz beats.
Demetris and Vivian won’t rest on their laurels though—they have plans to expand. A new restaurant is coming, more villas, a full-service spa, and possibly, even a Desiterra winery.
So, if Santorini is on your bucket list and you want to experience the world-renowned beauty of this amazing island, but aren’t crazy about fighting the crowds to do so, Desiterra may be the ticket you seek – laid back luxury, secluded serenity, and magical surroundings where your every desire can blossom.
For more information, check out the resort’s website: desiterra.gr
Or call +30 22 86 02 17 35 or send an email to [email protected]
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