EXCLUSIVELY YOURS, SANTORINI

A couple travels to the famous Greek island in winter to find it completely bereft of tourists, an unlikely but ideal scenario for a honeymoon.

- HUZAN TATA

WE SIPPED ON OUR glasses of rosé and blue wine, sitting under a pergola at Pelican Kipos (pelicankipos.com), a garden restaurant with decor that comprised palm trees and vibrant blooms. The open-air eatery was empty except for one couple dining in a far corner. In that quiet moment, we knew that our Greek getaway was going to follow this tranquil template.

Just a little over an hour earlier, our 30-minute flight from Athens had touched down at Thira International Airport to kick-start the second leg of our winter honeymoon. As we walked out with our bags, my husband and I never imagined that we would get to experience our shared dream of living on our own private island in the middle of the Aegean Sea—even if just for two days. Santorini, the crescent-shaped volcanic locale famed for its sunset vistas and pristine white houses, is also known to be overcrowded with tourists and cruise ships that usually dilute the perfect romantic holiday. We were prepared for this, but the five-minute drive to our villa through empty roads painted a different picture. “It’s off season, almost no one comes to vacation here. You’ll find only locals who live on the outskirts. This island is all yours,” our driver explained in a thick Greek accent.