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Utter romance: the seductive allure of Santo Pure Oia Suites & Villas

Nowhere does romance like Santorini. And no one does it like Santo Pure Oia Suites & Villas.

With award-winning suites and villas, stunning location and inspirational guest services, Santo Pure offers a luxurious haven of serene privacy and tranquility for couples wanting the most sublime Santorini experience – whether it’s a honeymoon or just a deliciously intimate break for two.

At Santo Pure we are passionate about what we do, and we pride ourselves on making every last detail of your stay indelible. The breathtakingly beautiful natural setting is already there; we do the rest.

Whether you’re dreaming of discrete and blissful privacy or exciting outdoor adventures, our expert team are on hand to turn your every dream into reality.

Santo Pure makes your moments unforgettable, from arrival to departure.  That’s why any booking of our honeymoon suites includes complimentary private airport transfers, a Moet & Chandon champagne and strawberries welcome, a flower bouquet and a complimentary massage for two. Booking a honeymoon suite the affable Guest Experience team will design a unique romantic ambience for your accommodation, with candles, rose petals and flowers.

Spacious and serene, our stunning suites make the perfect hideaway for two. As for all our deluxe range suites, a Honeymoon Suite offers uninterrupted views of the spellbinding Santorini sunset from your private pool or jacuzzi.  At Santo Pure your extensive secluded terrace is the perfect place for sun-kissed relaxation. Meanwhile, light-filled interiors, designed in fresh airy Cycladic style, feature artworks and furnishings reflecting a chic and refreshing ‘boho’ aesthetic.

At Santo Pure, our mission is simple: to deliver to our guests a truly idyllic experience that surpasses our guests’ expectations. Whatever your wish, our Guest Experience team is there to make it happen; from that special Santorini gift for your partner to arranging an exclusive caldera cruise. Revive in therapeutic hot springs on the volcano islet of Nea Kameni? No problem. Become castaways for a day on the tiny nearby island of Thirasia? Consider it arranged.

At Santo Pure pay extra attention to your health and well-being throughout your stay. We celebrate wellness. That is why at our award-winning Alios Ilios Restaurant you will find cuisine inspired by the Mediterranean diet, famous for its health-enhancing benefits.

Our gastronomic delights are a collage of Santorini’s culinary traditions, along with inspired interpretations of traditional Greek and Aegean specialities using the finest and freshest ingredients.

It doesn’t get more romantic than dinner for two at Alios Ilios Restaurant. As the sun begins to set, the horizon streaked red and orange, this is the place to be – to be served delicacies and a wonderful wine – for this is a Santorini setting to celebrate love like no other.

Plan your next vacations at Santo Pure and live an utter romantic getaway!

SAFETY AND PRIVACY COME NATURALLY AT SANTO PURE

Designed as an idyllic Cycladic island village, with elegant and spacious communal areas, from the reception area and lobby to the open picturesque alleys connecting our stunning suites – at  Santo Pure finding your own island of calm is guaranteed.

Spread across five suite neighbourhoods over an area of 32,000 m2,  Santo Pure is all about spaciousness and privacy. With 5 outdoor swimming pools to choose from (all with enhanced water recirculation and filtration, and enhanced protocols to ensure social distancing in the pool) guests can relax, safe in the knowledge that every detail has been arranged for their maximum comfort and safety. The new arrangements include poolside furniture settings to ensure a minimum of 2m distance between each sunbed/umbrella set.

This ‘safety first’ philosophy runs through every aspect of  Santo Pure’s operations – including food and beverage – with al-fresco dining choices at our main restaurant Alios Ilios and our all-day Akratos Poolside Bar. Airy, light-filled suites and gorgeous private villas – all with personal verandas, feature private pools and/or heated outdoor jacuzzis.

As stipulated by the Greek Government’s newly introduced safety protocols for all hotels in Greece following the Covid pandemic, this summer will see low occupancy operations at  Santo Pure ensuring appropriate social distancing can be seamlessly maintained throughout the resort at all times.

All aspects of Santo Pure’s hospitality offerings have been creatively adapted to meet the requirements of new safety standards without affecting our renowned customer service experience.

Guests can enjoy a ‘contactless’ experience whether it be checking in or checking out, and in relation to our fine dining options via room service, or in our specially adapted restaurants. Whether al-fresco dining, lunching by the pool, candle-lit private dining in your suite or enjoying your favourite cocktail while marvelling at the Santorini sunset, our kitchen and serving protocols are further enhanced to ensure the maximum food safety.

One of the largest award-winning spa and well-ness centres in Santorini, Anassa Spa completes the picture, and complies with all newly introduced operating standards, offering tailored services and treatments in these pristine conditions. The  Santo Pure fitness center may also be accessed for private sessions by appointment.

Lately,  Santo Pure is proud to have been accredited the ‘Principal’ level of the ‘Covid Shield’ certification scheme operated by TÜV AUSTRIA Hellas. The certification verifies that  Santo Pure is employing all appropriate measures and has created new infrastructure and customer service systems in line with current epidemiological guidelines for the prevention of Covid-19 and to limit the spread of the virus if cases were identified at the resort.

The awarding of Covid Shield certification means  Santo Pure has minimised the risks of Covid-19 transmission in all areas of its operations, and provides evidence of the hotel’s commitment to operate and provide services shielded from exposure to Covid-19.

The certification acknowledges Santo Pure’s tireless efforts to prevent guests and staff from potential exposure to Covid-19 and confirms the hotel’s determination to raise awareness in its employees, business partners, clients and visitors, about methods and resources available to ensure a safe and sheltered environment.

Santo Pure has acquired the Covid Shield accreditation as part of its Committed to Caring Health & Safety Program which further establishes  Santo Pure Oia Suites & Villas as a caring destination for safe vacations and demonstrates once more that guests’ health and safety are the hotel’s foremost priority.

Incorporating these special measures within our Committed to Caring Health & Safety Program ensures care, confidence, and comfort to all our guests in the current environment.

From the moment you arrive at  Santo Pure to the time we share farewells, a serene and safe stay is attentively crafted for you. Our personal care and attention to each and every one of your own needs, is always our priority.

WHY NOW IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT SANTORINI

The late summer of 2020 offers a unique chance to visit Santorini and experience its stunning delights in peacefulness.

Tranquil, serene, and above all safe,; Santorini holds out a special welcome for those wishing to embark on the Aegean journey this year.

The village of Oia, one of the most photographed destinations on earth for its beauty, is on your doorstep at Santo Pure Oia Suites & Villas. Fira, the island’s usually bustling capital (a lot calmer this summer), trickles into the villages of Firostefani and Imerovigli (the highest point of the caldera edge) and the delightful path that runs through these villages is lined with cafe and restaurant terraces – found in peacefulness this year.

Santorini delights
Beyond serene relaxation by our sun-kissed swimming pools, and sampling Santorini’s fine gastronomy, walking the caldera edge and taking in the breathtaking views is perhaps the most popular pastime for any visitor. A gentle stroll around Fira is spectacular, particularly heading north to Firostefani and Imerovigli along the caldera-edge pathway.

Wine tastings
Santorini is a wine lover’s paradise and most renowned for its crisp dry whites and the amber- coloured dessert wine Vinsanto. Both are made from and indigenous grape variety, Assyrtiko. Many vineyards, some dating back to the 19th century, host tastings and the award-winning Domaine Sigalas in Baxes is the closest to Santo Pure Oia Suites & Villas. For more details on the best boutique wineries check out [https://blog.santocollection.gr/2018/01/18/ little-boutique-wineries-santorini/]

Beyond the caldera
There is always more to find in Santorini. The laid-back east coast is less visited than the west, with black sand beaches, sun-beds, water sports, and taverna-lined promenades. Red beach, located near Akrotiri village and just a few steps away from the famous prehistoric site, is one of the most scenic beaches you can find on the Island. Beyond the beach there’s more. The island’s interior is dotted with pretty vineyards and colourful traditional villages like Pyrgos that show a glimpse of an older, simpler Santorini life.

The great outdoors
Few Mediterranean destinations offer such a diversity of activities in such a stunning natural environment as Santorini. On land, hiking and horse riding offer the chance to explore parts of Santorini ‘off the beaten track’, and in the azure and pristine waters of the caldera and beyond, enthusiasts of diving, windsurfing and sailing will be richly rewarded. Find out more [https:// blog.santocollection.gr/2020/05/28/santorini-postcard-escape-nature/]

Tours
Santorini has a huge variety of tours available including winery visits, archaeology tours, sunset- watching and more. One of the most popular options is a cruise of the caldera’s volcanic islands Nea Kameni and Palia Kameni. An exhilarating dip from a boat on a caldera cruise is an unforgettable experience.

Santorini and Santo Collection are ready to welcome you – a sunlit haven of peace and privacy.

Ferries and high-speed catamarans link Santorini with Athens’ port of Piraeus, Crete and the Cycladic islands. Santorini Airport has year-round flight connections with Athens and direct European connections have been reinstated.

YOUR SANTORINI POSTCARD: ESCAPE IN NATURE

Live out your dream to discover the unseen Santorini with these five outdoor activities

Santorini is a head-turner destination for its astonishing natural allure, imposing sceneries, volcanic-sand beaches, rich history, colorful cultural life, zig-zag stair-paths and dazzling panoramic sunsets.

This destination bucket list offers many opportunities for outdoor activities that uncover the beauty of the lunar-terrain island to its full extent. If you are a seeker of adventure, our Guest Experience Specialists have crafted just for your five experiences that will fulfill your desires, needs and interests.

Hiking 

Hiking is a win-win experience – not only do you get to really take in the the explosive identity of Santorini with its eternal beauty, idiomorphic  architecture, cultural life and sites, but it’s also a great way to keep fit. Regardless of your fitness levels, age or the pace you’d like to hike at there is a path waiting for you to cross it. Most visitors to Oia will just hike on the 300 steps from Ammoudi to the heart of the village. But adventure continues to other hiking routes. The hiking trail from Oia to Fira for example, is an easy-to-medium route that offers stunning views of the craggy rocks sceneries of the island. The best time to take the hike is in the early morning, to avoid the midday heat. The route is properly marked at the most critical junctions.Explore also other popular hiking routes on the island:

  • Across the caldera, from Fira to Oia (10.9km / 4h, easy hike)
  • Emborio to Ancient Thera and Perissa (11.5km / 4h15′, moderate level)
  • A circular walk in Foinikia (4.5km / 1h30′, easy hike)
  • From the caldera to Akrotiri and Vlychada beach (4.2km / 1h15′, moderate level)
  • Circular walk around Pyrgos (5.4km / 1h45′, easy hike)
  • Crossing Nea Kameni (2.6km / 1h00′, easy hike)

Windsurfing

Windsurfing in the Caldera of Santorini adds an amazing seascape backdrop to an already exhilarating aquatic sport. The dark sandy beaches, the white and blue overhanging the amazing cliffs above, and unbelievable wind conditions year-round make Santorini a kind of windsurfer’s haven. You may find windsurf rentals & lessons at Monolithos Beach & Avis Beach.

Diving

Santorini is renowned for its volcanic landscapes and superb views of the caldera. Apart from what your eyes feast on at surface level, you can discover the allure of Santorini’s underwater world too. Since Santorini was formed by an ancient volcano, the island’s dive sites are mostly positioned in the lagoon where 400-meter cliffs drop off into the deep blue. While there are dozens of pristine dive spots to temp freedivers or SCUBA aficionados, our Guest Experience Specialists create a selection of the top dive sites in Santorini, just for you.

Adiavatous Reef, inside the rim of the caldera, near the volcano, is home to a fantastic variety of sea life.

The Caves, is situated on the south coast of the island. Enormous boulders and swim-throughs, as well as spectacular underwater canyons and caverns make for a picturesque and eye-opening experience.

House Reef, is a shallow dive attraction famous for being home to nudibranchs and lots of other invertebrates, as well as hermit crabs and other crustaceans.

The Volcano is a spectacular diving site, noted for its stunning volcanic rock formations, and for the wreck of a tour boat that lies at an easily accessible depth of only 18 meters.

Sailing

Sailing the Aegean is a rewarding activity for many visitors to Santorini. Either you book a boat tour, or rent a yacht, this is a must during your stay. Our Guest Experience Specialists will reveal you the secrets of this volcanic island from a different point of you. In Santorini you will find a range private, semi private, and guided tours. They follow several itineraries for unique luxurious excursions as well as the adventurous sailing tours. Give in to your wanderlust and embark on a reviving sailing experience through the endless blue of the Aegean waters. You can opt to enjoy a day tour with diving under the sunlit sky of Santorini or set off on a cruise into the beautiful sunset imbued by its splendid colors.Horse-riding Imagine a stunning sunset over iconic Santorini’s cliffs. Now imagine one of the most unforgettable experiences in the world from horseback.  You can ride along beautiful beaches, alongside the Caldera, through the meandering streets of the traditional village of Megalochori , through naturally fascinating uncharted territories such as the unique landscape of Vlychada or through verdant vineyard trails.

Horse-riding

Imagine a stunning sunset over iconic Santorini’s cliffs. Now imagine one of the most unforgettable experiences in the world from horseback. You can ride along beautiful beaches, alongside the Caldera, through the meandering streets of the traditional village of Megalochori , through naturally fascinating uncharted territories such as the unique landscape of Vlychada or through verdant vineyard trails.

YOUR SANTORINI POSTCARD: OUR FAVORITE BLUES

Our Guest Experience Specialists guide you to Santorini’s five emblematic beaches

The beaches of Santorini have an otherworldly appeal and are a blessing on this enchanted island. Each beach has its own character and unique features, but most have dark lava sand, and crystal blue waters. Here’s a list of Santorini’s five emblematic beaches recommended by our Guest Experience Specialists:

Red Beach

By many accounts the most beautiful beach of Santorini, the Red Beach is at least one of the most scenic you will find on the island. It is located near Akrotiri village, just a few steps away from the famous prehistoric site. The beach has taken its name by the red volcanic rocks towering over in mesmerizing contrast with the sapphire colour of the sea.

Kamari

One of the most famous beaches of Santorini, Kamari Beach lays at the foothills of the Mesa Vouno Mountain. It is a Blue Flag, well-organized beach, with all kinds of facilities. Here you’ll find all sorts of bars and restaurants, nightclubs, and shops, as well as a delightful promenade.

Perissa

Perissa Beach is located at the foothills of Mount Mesa Vouno on the southern part of the island. Perissa is all about a typical Santorini beach. It is a black volcanic pebbles and clean waters, perfect for windsurfing, scuba-diving and parasailing. Perissa is a well-organized Blue Flag beach with lifeguards on duty and all kind of facilities, while you can also a few quiet spots for those that prefer a dose of privacy.

Vlychada

Also known as the Moon Beach, a well-deserved nickname for its spectacular lunar landscape, Vlychada Beach enjoys a striking location on the south coast of Santorini in an area dominated by impressive cliffs and shallow waters. Like most beaches of Santorini, it has black volcanic sand and pebbles, while its emblematic landscape adds an otherworldly character to this beautiful beach.

Perivolos

A famous location for wedding ceremonies and receptions, Perivolos Beach is located on the south-east coast of Santorini, not far from the village of Perissa. It is a lively destination, with beach parties galore and vibrant nightlife.

Photo Tours: An Alternative Way to Explore Santorini

Is there a better way to discover this amazing crescent-shaped isle than to explore it looking through the camera’s lens? Santorini, or Thíra since ancient times, is actually a small group of islands including Thíra, Thirassiá, Asproníssi, and Palea and Nea Kaméni. Dazzling for their sunset vistas and traditional Cycladic white houses, blue-domed churches, and hilltop windmills, the island group is one of the most photographed places on Earth.

From picturesque Fira, the capital of Santorini, to the stunning volcanic beaches at the base of the island, this place is a photographer’s dream come true. Take Fira, along with Oia perched high up on the rim of the famous volcanic caldera. The uniqueness of the geography where mountain and sea meet is simply breathtaking. Professionals and amateurs flock to Imerovígli and Firostefáni, also located high above on the cliffs that make up the so-called “Caldera’s eyebrow,” which is, in fact, the balcony of Santorini.
Some companies offering photo tours of Santorini are creative enough to combine two or three activities to make the experience truly remarkable. For instance, wine tasting and photography tours – the two make sense because the vineyards of the island have unique character considering the history and background, the architecture, the way grapes are cultivated etc.

The seaside is another treasure of the island. The deep blue waters, the red, and black volcanic sand beaches, the amazing rock formations, and the moonscapes are other-worldly. You can book a photo-tour to volcanic Milos, to capture the sun playing off the arches around the central caldera or the surrealistic rock formations that islet is known for. Or perhaps, a digital magazine of photos of picturesque villages is what you seek? Milos, Santorini, and the other islands are a perfect choice for this, and for its geology, hot springs, and wild goats even.

Photo tours of Santorini also help visitors experiencing this beautiful island. Surveying the landscapes, getting to know the customs and the environment, being part of the cultural fabric of the place, these and more aspect are good reasons to integrate photo tours into your agenda. Santorini is a creative paradise and a cultural and learning one as well.

You can take part in every conceivable photography tour here on Santorini. There are boat tours, underwater photographic tours, night sky photo escapades, romantic sunset photo sessions, walking photo tours, and tours where you get your own personal, professional photographer.

Santorini is so beautiful that even amateur images captured with a smartphone camera can look like something out of a magazine.

Cover photo: by Kyler Boone on Unsplash

Horse Riding in Santorini: Experience Sunsets on Horseback

Imagine a stunning sunset over iconic Santorini’s cliffs. Now imagine one of the most unforgettable experiences in the world from horseback. It’s possible to make even the most memorable moments even more momentous with a horseback tour along the rim, winding down through narrow village streets, exploring the heart of Thira.

Booking a horse riding tour of Santorini is definitely a unique experience to be remembered. For travelers who thrive on journeys beyond the beaten path, the horseback adventures on Santorini are a real differentiator. Local companies offer custom tours on thoroughbreds through the meandering streets of the traditional village of Megalochori, in the cliffs and in the unique landscape of Vlychada. Although the most common horseback riding adventures on Santorini are along a beach (Vlychada), equestrians can choose to gallop along through awe-inspiring gorges or picturesque vineyards, and even to the archaeological site of Akrotiri, among other interesting destinations.

On horseback, visitors get a different viewpoint as they explore the spectacular villages, vineyards, hidden beaches, and as they ride along the caldera while watching the sunset. There are even combo-tours for riding and wine tasting, not to mention custom excursions for either new or experienced riders.

While some might think Santorini via horseback a novel or unrealistic excursion, it’s important to remember the horse in all Greek tradition. Remember Bucephalus, the legendary warhorse of Alexander the Great, as you ride the old dirt roads of Oia or explore the hidden ravines down toward the waiting volcanic beaches. You can also enjoy private horse rides with a romantic dinner along the way. You can even get married on horseback if you envision your Santorini visit as a true once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Ask our guest experience specialists when you stay at Santo Pure Oia Suites & Villas to recommend you the riding tour that best decribes your preferenceces and organise it for your and your loved ones.

We urge you to avoid riding donkeys, as the animals are now under governmental protection.

Solidarity Portrayed in Children’s Smiles

The General High-School of Santorini is supported by Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa and the NGO Agoni Grammi Gonimi through the innovative “WeAreTheEnviRonment” Program.

The first year of the innovative environmental program “WeAreTheEnvironment” has successfully been completed proving that the joint private and public initiatives aiming for the common good, can substantially contribute to local communities.

The program “WeAreTheEnvironment” came to life in July 2018 and inaugurated by the award-winning Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa hotel in Santorini, member of Metaxas Group of Companies, and the Greek Non-Profit Organization Agoni Grammi Gonimi.  Based on the pillars of Education and Social Service, the main focus of the Program is to raise awareness of the importance of the environmental protection against the improvident use of plastic. This program also succeeds in bringing entities and companies together, realizing thus the UN’s Seventeenth Sustainable Development Goal on “the partnerships for the common goals”.

Initially, the students of the three High-Schools of Santorini attended a series of environmental workshops under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs and with the participation of the environmental organizations “Archipelagos – Institute of Marine Conversation”, “Hellenic Oceanographers Association”, “Aegean Rebreath”, “iSea” and “Greenest”. The second phase of the program included the design of the ecofriendly cloth bag ‘’WaterBag’’, which was distributed at specific selling points and supporters of the program, not only in Santorini island but all over Greece.

In 2018, 300 eco-friendly “WaterBags” bags were sold. The sales revenue supplied the General High-School of Santorini with necessary equipment. Some indicative equipment that students now have at their disposal are air-conditions, sports equipment, projector for presentations, refrigerator as well as equipment for the sports tournament. The donation took place in a gathering at the courtyard of the school in which the Teachers Association of the General High-School, representatives of Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa and the Supporters of the program were present. The genuine advocates of the program, however, were the children smiles and their happily shaped faces.

“We wish to thank everyone that has contributed to this program, so that we can stand here today. We are delighted to embrace environmentally focused actions, while both the students and the Teachers’ Association are delighted with the aims that this program fulfills.”, Mr. Antonis Karamolegos, Manager of General High-School of Santorini stated.

The General Manager of Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, Mr. Manos Borboudakis, addressing to the students, said: “The hope of this beautiful island depends on you, your generation and your willing to make the white the dominant color of your everyday life, by simply doing today your best for a better and sustainable tomorrow. Through this program, we did the least possible aiming to contribute to your environmental education. Besides, in all the hotels of Metaxas Group the support of the local communities, in which we operate, is the basis of our philosophy.”

During the delivery of the donation, Mr. Stefanos Nollas, the President of the N.P.O Agoni Grammi Gonimi, said: “We create solidarity branches through the partnership of the public and private sectors involving schools, shops, wineries, hotels, and consumers across the world. We are greatly joyous for this action. Now, we focus on the environment through our actions. The past generations have created the phenomenon of the tourism bloom in the island of Santorini, the next generations though are called to find solutions for its sustainable development.”

The innovative program “WeAreTheEnvironment” renews its promise and continues its actions the forthcoming year through the sale of the eco-friendly “WaterBag” and new actions.

The selling points and valuable supporters who participated and embraced the Program for 2018 are: the Ammos Stores, the Brusco Restaurant, the Domaine Sigalas, the Estate Argyros, the Mediterranean Dive Club, the Oia Vineyart restaurant, the Poniros Jewellery, the Santorini Arts Factory and the Tomato Industrial Museum “D. Nomikos“,  the Santorini Nautical Club, the Santo Wines – Union of Santorini Cooperatives, and the hotels of the Metaxas Group of Companies – Santo Maris Oia in Santorini, Candia Maris and Creta Maris in Crete. The program is also supported by selling points across Greece, such as the Benaki Museum Shops, the Gallerie Marneri in Athens, and the Idea Café and Emporium in Skopelos. Official transport supporter is the Blue Star Ferries.

If you wish to learn more information and support the “WeAreTheEnvironment” program and the “WaterBags”, you can visit the website waterbags.gr, follow the WaterBags on Instagram @Water_Bags or just send us an email to info@waterbags.gr

 To download high-resolution photos from the donation event please follow the following link: https://goo.gl/wEhw5q

 

Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa is crowned as the “Best Resort Spa” in Greece and Europe

Santorini’s newly-built all-suite hotel, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa was honored in the esteemed “World Spa Awards” institution, by being awarded for a second consecutive year as the “Greece’s Best Resort Spa” and also receiving the “Europe’s Best Resort Spa” award.

Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa in its only third year of operation responds to the demanding standards of a world-class award institution, which stands as a flagship for the wellness tourism, continuing this way to be acknowledged among the leading hotels and resorts in Greece and Europe. Having at the core of its philosophy a combination of high-quality services and personalized hospitality, the special designed facilities of the Santo Maris Oia Luxury SPA, focus on the balance of human body, mind and soul offering an experience of holistic relaxation and rejuvenation. Moreover, its well-rounded wellness programs are inspired by Greek elements and products.

The 4th Annual World Spa Awards Ceremony took place on a glamorous celebration on Friday, October 26th in the Maldives, at the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort.

The CEO and Group General Manager of Metaxas Group of Companies, Mr. Andreas Metaxas, stated after the reception of the awards:

“This double-winning makes us feel both proud and honored. I wish to heartfeltly thank our guests. The trust and preference they have shown on us during our three-year presence on the magnificent island of Santorini, motivate us to constantly enhance the quality of the services we offer. The excellence of the Santo Maris Oia Luxury SPA constitutes the best promotion for the wellness tourism in Santorini and Greece.”