Santorini The little lounge at Vilanculos is a fantastic way to start and end a stay at Santorini and really makes a difference in helping guests shake off the flight. The short flight from Nelspruit to Vilanculos makes Santorini a fantastic add-on to any SA safari. I loved the converted bakkie transfer from the airport and the short stop to get some cashews. I also think it’s great that there is a bigger closed vehicle and the Prada for guests who are feeling less adventurous or on rainy days. With the new helicopter offer, this could be a great way of arriving, especially if combined with a scenic flight, and the luggage going by road. There are so many room options to choose from that the property is perfect for couples, honeymooners, friends travelling together, and families. The main areas are contemporary, elegant, breezy (or can be closed for the wind), sun filled and have amazing views over the ocean. With spacious surrounds, there are many nooks for guests to take a bit of a “time-out” and spend some time by themselves. A self-help kitchen and ice-cream fridge really adds to a “home away from home” feeling. On arrival, all guests are offered a 15-min complimentary hand or foot treatment. This is a great way to introduce guests to the spa and entice them to book some appointments. The spa team are terrific, and I found it to be a very relaxing experience. The rooms are all a bit different in layout, but each offer an aircon, and a private balcony with amazing views. The I-Pads in the rooms are a welcome change from the normal brochures and a great idea in our current technology driven society. The butlers / hosts assigned to guests personalises the stay for all guests. Beach access is via a winding path through Santorini’s indigenous gardens toa private gate from where a flight of stairs leads down to the beach. Several cabanas with loungers and bean bags can be found right on the beach and the host is eager to bring down a refreshing drink to ease the heat. There are a lot of spaces around Santorini giving guests the opportunity to dine somewhere new every day if they prefer. Pre-dinner drinks at the rooftop sala bar is a winner. The Veggie Garden lunch was amazing. Dinner at Paraiso Escondido was a special treat and the grilled crayfish was amazing. The addition of the bigger catamaran is a wonderful acquisition. Although the walk out to the catamaran can be quite some distance during low tide, it was an interesting walk as there were some local children catching crabs, and local fisherman and their boats dotted around. The complimentary island excursion is a faboulous activity. Due to the rain before we got there, the water was a bit murky and visibility was not great, however, we still had a wonderful time snorkelling and saw plenty of interesting marine life. The picnic lunch that was set up on the island was excellent. The highlight of my trip was the cultural experience. To me, it was a bit of a village orientation. Seeing the town, driving past the markets (with an option to walk), going from the bustling town centre to the beach road, seeing the oldest hotel in town, and especially meeting Helder and hearing his story was an exceptional experience. It was a bit of a deviation from the traditional village / school option and made for a fun (and lighter) activity. Should guests prefer, they can also do the Chigamane school visit if they would like to have more information about giving back. We had a wonderful talk with the lady from Santorini Footprints and the various projects.