SANTORINI, GREECE | Stefan James Vlog

Santorini is considered to be one of the most beautiful and romantic islands in the world.

While Tatiana and I were in Greece we decided to take a boat to this tropical paradise. Nestled in the Aegean Sea, Santorini was formed as the result of a massive volcanic eruption. What remains are colourful cliffs surrounded by crystal blue water and white sand beaches.

The picturesque sunset views, amazing food, and white-washed buildings that rest on the caldera-edge clifftops made this a trip that we will never forget.

Are you ready for a sneak peek of our Santorini vacation?

Watch the video below:

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Santorini Greece needs no introduction.

This is the island of all islands. Santorini is an archipelago of five islands that are part of Greece. Tatiana and I went from Athens to Santorini by boat. From the moment that we arrived, we were in awe of this place.

What's not to love about Santorini? The hot sun, blue skies, turquoise waters, pristine whitewashed buildings and churches, and the rainbow of colors provide no shortage of “pinch yourself” moments. There is a reason that Santorini was voted one of the top honeymoon destinations in the world. Love is everywhere. Literally.

The people of Santorini are so welcoming. It’s a huge part of what makes Santorini such a special place to visit. The local population is close to 11,400 but they get around 500,000 tourists every summer. As you can imagine, it can get very busy in high season, so be prepared.

If you prefer fewer crowds, it may be better for you to visit in low season, which is November to April. However, the ideal time to go to Santorini is between April to early November. That is when you will get the best weather.

If you are an adventure lover, there are a lot of things to do in Santorini. For example, you can go diving in the Aegean Sea, hiking from Fira to Oia, sailing on a catamaran tour, or cliff diving at Amoudi Bay. If you are the type of traveler that enjoys relaxing by the beach, high-quality beach resorts are abundant in Santorini.

There are so many colorful beaches to explore with water that is perfect for swimming. Some of the best ones are Perissa Beach, Red Beach, Ammoudi Bay, or Kamari Beach; where Tatiana and I went.

Renting a four wheeler to explore the island is a popular way to check out the different towns in Santorini.

However, we decided to rent a car so that we could travel longer distances. One of the most picturesque views of the ocean was when we drove up the coast to visit Oia Village. Oia is considered to be one of the most famous villages in all of Santorini.

This quiet village is perched on top of a huge cliff that overlooks the island of Thirassia. During the day, we explored the town. Everywhere you go looks like a real-life photograph. It's fair to say that Santorini captivated all of our senses.

If you love to shop, Oia Santorini is the place to go. You will find a maze of streets that house fancy boutiques, arts and crafts, silver and gold jewellery, textiles, leather goods and more. Almost every storefront has an amazing view of the island. Prices range from low to high, so you can either buy a small souvenir or treat yourself to an expensive piece of clothing or jewellery. Tatiana and I bought some matching bracelets as a way of supporting the local artists.

When we are shopping, sometimes we come across expensive items that we really want to buy, but we hold back. We are both doing well and can afford to buy these things but we choose to use these experiences as motivation to work even harder. The end goal for both Tatiana and myself is to be at a level of financial freedom where we won't ever have to think twice about big purchases.

There are more effective things that we can put our money towards right now, like investing in our businesses.

Materialistic items aren't on the top of our priority list. The next time that you find yourself wanting something that you can't afford, know that its OK to feel frustrated. Use that emotion as fuel to continue achieving success so that you can buy whatever it is that you want in the future.

There is no shortage of to-die for food options in Santorini. Throughout our time on the island, we had one delicious meal after another. One of the best meals that we had on our trip was at a place called Avocado. This is a gluten-free restaurant that is located in a small town called Imerovigli.

The food was amazing – every dish was fresh and made with organic ingredients. Besides well-known Greek food, like souvlaki, Greek salad, and spanikopita, we were surprised at how much diversity there was in terms of food options. Everything from white eggplant, to tomato fritters, to fava beans, to cured meats. There is something for everyone, whether you are a meat-eater, a vegetarian or a vegan. Your tastes buds won't know what to do with themselves.

Let's not forget about the local wine. Because of its climate, Santorini is considered to have some of the best wine in all of Greece. It is a way of life, so much so that it isn't weird to see people drinking it with every meal.

After shopping, Tatiana and I hit up Kamari beach which is entirely covered by black volcanic sand.

This is one of the most popular beaches in Santorini, which also makes it the most crowded. Despite this fact, we found it to be super clean. There are literally hundreds of beach daybeds and patios where you can enjoy the ocean views.

The best part about the beach is that they have everything that you need – amazing restaurants, beachfront hotels, bars, cafes, and plenty of water sports if you want to be more active. Tatiana and I chose to lounge by the beach, reading our books and suntanning.

After we enjoyed an epic dinner, Tatiana and I took a short drive to Kamari village, where we watched a movie in the Cine Kamari Open-Air Cinema. Set amidst a canopy of lush trees, the atmosphere inside the cinema is idyllic. Before the movie starts, they have beautiful music playing. You can enjoy the local beer or wine and snacks while you are waiting for the movie to begin.

Because this is a very popular tourist destination, I suggest that you get there early because the good seats fill up quickly. There is a different movie playing almost every night and they are all played in English with Greek subtitles.

This was a movie experience that I will never forget. I can't think of anything more romantic than watching a movie underneath the stars on a beautiful Greek island with my love.

There are so many places to stay in Santorini.

It has something to suit every travel need and budget, whether you are looking for a charming Airbnb or a luxurious beach front villa with balcony access to the beach. If you are looking for a beach front hotel, the best ones can be found in the villages of Oia, Fira and Imerovigli.

Traveling is the best education. That's the beauty of living a laptop lifestyle. At any given moment, you get to decide where you want to go and what you want to do.

By exploring new places and cultures, not only have I broadened my worldview, but I have also become a more patient and open-minded person in the process.

Tatiana and I will never forget our Santorini vacation.

I couldn't leave one of the most romantic places on earth without proposing to the love of my life. I had everything planned in advance. It was a picturesque moment. The candles were perfectly placed in the shape of a heart around us, the gazebo was covered in rose petals, and the sky was lit up with colours of fluorescent orange and pink.

As we watched the sunset over the panoramic ocean view, I got down on one knee and asked Tatiana if she would do me the honour of spending the rest of her life by my side. She said yes! When you find your forever person, don't let them go.

Santorini proved to be one of the most romantic places on earth. We found our little piece of heaven. Do yourself a favour and commit to chasing sunsets in Santorini on your next vacation. You won't regret it.

Are you ready to start living the laptop style? CLICK HERE for instant access to my free course! 

Do you want to learn 4 lessons that I learned from traveling around the world? CLICK HERE to read the article that I wrote on Medium!