I recently enjoyed a lovely stay in Greece. The sun, the people and the food are all inviting, encouraging one to truly connect and unwind from the rest of the world. I began my travels on the island of Santoríni. It was everything I expected and more. Whitewashed buildings, stacked towns and corridors and views of the caldera cannot be beat. I stayed at the lovely Rocabella Santoríni, nestled on the island and tucked away from the traffic and tourists of the towns nearby. My room had a spectacular view of the sea and was equipped with my own plunge pool — it was spectacular. The hotel boasts three pools for guests to enjoy in case the personal plunge does not satisfy. The hotel has wonderful made-to-order breakfast service, and the crisp air rolling in off of the side of the mountain is refreshing.

The staff at Rocabella Santoríni was extremely accommodating, assisting me with my luggage issues (some of my luggage was missing for a minimum of three days, some even longer!). If you are in need of a personalized shuttle service, they have a van that is quite comfortable for individuals or small groups to go anywhere, whether it is the airport, ferry port or shopping, for a small fee. The restaurant and room service have quite a bit of healthy options as well as decadent ones. Each morning I enjoyed the elixir juice, which gave me an extra pep in my step daily. If you are contemplating a destination wedding or want to host a special event, Rocabella Hotel and Spa Santoríni has many options to celebrate your special day. I viewed two weddings while I was there, and even as a bystander, I could see the events were executed flawlessly, with the views enhancing already magical events for the bride and groom.

Only a 2.5-hour ferry ride away, the island of Crete is the country’s largest island, filled with vineyards, beaches and mountains. The island had a different vibe than Santoríni. My accommodations for this leg were at Domes Noruz Chania, an Autograph Collection Hotel by Marriott. The adults-only resort was conveniently located just a short drive from the airport, right on a soft, sandy beachfront. I stayed in a Wellness Loft, which included a complimentary massage (the spa services are not to be missed), and an outdoor, private Jacuzzi tub with views of the ocean. The property has two large swimming pools; one is separate from the other side of the resort and is a “quiet area,” so no loud music or chatter; it’s a calm spot to read or relax. If you are seeking an engaging atmosphere, do not fear. The other pool is next to the major amenities such as the restaurant, poolside bar and the beach. The beach lounge chairs with umbrellas are equipped with service buttons so you never need to take the jaunt back and forth to the bar should you need a cocktail.

The valet service was convenient, and they brought the vehicle around any time I needed it; just a quick call and they had it waiting. The restaurant on site has quite the spread for breakfast — a lovely buffet with fresh options, local fare included. In the evening, the restaurant’s selection is delicious and service impeccable.

Both locations were wonderful. A welcome departure from the business of life, a trip to Greece is cleansing and rejuvenating. If you happen to travel to the islands of Santoríni or Crete, I highly recommend these fine properties.

— Stephanie Makowski, account executive