Beauty & The Greek

Turquoise sea, ancient streets, blue-domed buildings that dazzle in the sun… Greece is a photographer’s dream, and Danielle Lagos gets to strike a pose on two of its most picturesque islands

- Danielle Lagos

Sitting on a veranda overlooking the sparkling lights of Thira, capital of Santorini, a welcome sea breeze makes the stifling heat of the day a distant memory. The restaurant is full of people – young, old, couples, families, and dialects aplenty – feasting over plates of grilled meats, moussaka, seafood, pita breads and dips. There is a weathered man strumming a guitar to one side of the room, singing Greek ditties, when the sound of smashing plates abruptly hits the air. “Opa!” exclaims a lady at a nearby table. The shattered porcelain isn’t a sign of celebration but the result of a waiter losing control of his tray, much to the manager’s annoyance. It’s all very unintentionally Greek – but it’s still a nice touch to a girls’ getaway in Greece.

My two best friends and I have found time to spend a week island hopping between enchanting Santorini and Mykonos. If I could smash a whole collection of white china to show my excitement I would, but I don’t think the manager would like that either. Right now, with plates of tzatiki, moussaka, lemon chicken and seafood sprawled out in front of us, and the dazzling view of Santorini in the foreground, you can understand the fuss surrounding this European hot spot. Pick up any postcard of Greece and I bet my bottom euro it’s of Santorini and its stunning white building scattered cliff tops, panoramic ocean views and iconic cobalt blue domes. I’d also bet my last souvlaki skewer it’s of the island’s best known town, Oia. About a 30-minute bus ride from Thira, Oia is famous as a wedding and honeymoon getaway – and you’re almost guaranteed to stumble across at least one pair of these lovebirds during your visit.

Models & urchins