On our September 2022 trip to Santorini we wanted to see places off the beaten path so decided to take a personal guided tour. For our experience we choose George from Vacation Into Premium, click on the link here. George was highly recommend to me and we now see why. Right from the start, George seemed to click with what we were looking for. We decided on a custom private tour. Since we had been to Santorini before, we wanted a tour someplace different and off the beaten path. We also wanted a unique place to see the sunset. George inquired where we had been before and then made the tour accordingly. I highly recommend George and Vacation Into Premium.
George picked us up promptly at our hotel. We immediately liked him. Easy to talk with and professional, he is very knowledgeable about everything Santorini. We were excited for him to show us new places.
First Stop
The first place George took us was a beach on the east coast of Santorini. This hidden gem was amazing. When thinking of Santorini most people think blue domes, luxury hotels on the caldera, and busy towns. This beach was totally different. The white sandstone along the beach contrasting with the blue water made for dramatic scenery. In addition, George knew just where to go to enter into the sandstone drifts and show us a very different side to Santorini. As you can see in the photos, very beautiful. George also explained how the geology of the area and how it changes with the elements.
Red Beach
Our next stop was the famous Red Beach. We had never been here either and admired this from above. We choose not to go down to the beach as I had been having knee problems and the area is not known for its stability. Although there is a distinct path, there are warnings about rock falls that have been dangerous in the past.
Continuing On
Our next stop was on the West side of Santorini. This area was so impressive. The view is spectacular, especially through an opening in the rocks overlooking the sea. The opening is slowly eroding and you can barely appreciate that it was once heart shaped.
Down a rock slick path you will find a beautiful church. The view here is also spectacular. Perfect for photography.
Sunset
Last we stopped at a perfect place for the sunset. After parking the car, George led us down a path to a secluded area to watch the sunset. Not only was the sunset amazing here, but it was amazing we were the only ones there! After the sunset, George drove us back to the hotel. We felt very fortunate to have seen these hidden gems of Santorini and were grateful to George for taking us on this tour.
Conclusion
Our Santorini custom tour was off the beaten path, just as we wanted. It was even more spectacular than we had hoped. These are places we wouldn’t have found on our own. We also learned so much about Santorini from George. If you like these areas, or want to see even more of Santorini, contact George at Vacation Into Premium. In addition to the custom tour we had, there are several other tours that look very amazing. Also note, Vacation Into Premium provides transfers. We utilized their service to deliver us to and from our hotel. I highly recommend this group and we will definitely hire them again for all of our transfer needs this fall when we return.
Diary of a Gen-X Traveler recommendations for hotels, restaurants, and tours are based on our own experiences. We do not receive compensation for recommending any of these nor are we affiliates of any hotels, restaurants, or tour companies. The only places/experiences we recommend are places have personally been to and experienced.
If you want to read more of my posts on Greece you can click on the following links!!
2022 Trip
Delfino Blu Hotel, Corfu, Sept 2022
Shopping in Old Town Corfu, Sept 2022
Exploring Old Town Corfu, Sept 2022
To the Top of Angelokastro, Sept 2022
NW Coast of Corfu by boat, Sept 2022
Exploring the Beaches of NW Corfu, Sept 2022
Hike to Giali Beach, Corfu Sept 2022
E-Bike Tour of Meteora, Greece Sept 2022
Hike to Ypapanti Monastery, Greece Sept 2022
Ancient Delphi, Greece Sept 2022
Wow! I don’t really know what else to say, except that the “off the beaten path” parts of Santorini are breathtaking. So are your photos, and I couldn’t pick a favorite if I was paid to do so. I hope these places remain off of the beaten path. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful place.
I hope they do too. That is why, urged than the Red Beach, I didn’t identify them or make a map. As crazy as Santorini is at sunset it is nice to know. There are many places that you can still find your own solitude.
wonderful skies and rock formations!
✨🦋🐍🕊🐉🗝⚖🕯🤍⚛🎐🎋🙏✨
It was so awesome to see! Definitely did not expect it!
So beautiful. I love the picture os the bells above the ocean. Maggie
Hi Maggie! Thanks! That is my favorite one too!! Lori
Wow – places on Santorini that aren’t hoppin’! Great idea to hire a private tour.
The next day we drive a dune buggy and found some more out of the way places that were not at all touristy. Love these kind of places!
Your pictures are stunning, especially with those bright blue skies. Looks like you picked a great spot to watch the sunset. What a great way to end the day. Sounds like you had an amazing tour.
It truly was a great tour!
Wow, off the beaten path indeed. I’ve never seen photos like this from Santorini.
It was amazing! Each time we go we look for unique spots but these were the best!
Fantastic. Awesome photography!
Thank you!
It’s beautiful – so nice to see some of the sights of Santorini we don’t get that many photos of on social media!
Thanks. It is fun to find hidden gems at famous places!
Loved the bells. Especially how you photographed them.
The bells were my favorite too!
These are some spectacular photographs of Santorini, which definitely aren’t that common on TV or Social Media.. Thanks for unveiling a hidden aspect of Santorini.. 🙂
Coming to the geological features, its quite surprising to see the volcanic (?) rocks suffering some heavy erosion from the wind.. I may be wrong, but Santorini is a Caldera and might have witnessed a recent eruption within some 5000-7000 years timeframe, so such a heavy erosion was unexpected.. But again, the rocks don’t appear to be basaltic, so not so sure..
One more thing I noticed is some inscription on those rocks.. Did you see them? Maybe some further study is required on those, will be happy to learn..
Thank you so much for your enlightening post.. 🙂
Hello! I am not sure of the inscriptions but this part of Santorini was on the opposite, sure of the Caldera. Maybe that is why there is erosion, although I am sure there is volcanic debris on the entire island. It was a very porous and malleable rock for lack of a better word. Limestone like. We love to find out-of-the-way places wherever we go! Plus less people is always good in my opinion! Thank you for your comments!
Oh yes, I am fully on board with the objective to explore the unexplored and not just travel for selfies with the usual biggies.. I love your blog, helps me learn something new from you, be it regarding geology, archaeology or culture.. 🙂 Thank you for sharing..
Though I am still not convinced how come a soft limestone rock exists where there is an active volcano.. Something to do with compacted volcanic ash (maybe?) which is prone to erosion (but not limestone).. not sure..
I am not sure why the soft rock is there either. Could be compact ash. I do not have a geological background at all! Very interesting landscape though!
Indeed.. and great discussion.. 🙂 thank you once again.. 🙂
I am preparing a report on a place from literally another side of the planet.. some blog posts have come up too, which I hope you will find entertaining (hopefully 🤞🏻) .. I invite you to have a look at my blog as well and share your expert opinions.. 🙂
Hi.. Hope you are doing well.. 🙂
Just released a post on a topic which closely relates to this.. Hopefully you will find it decent.. 🙂