A sea of people have taken to their feet. Arms are extended, clutching camera phones, fingers hovering over the shutter buttons of cameras. A ripple of applause erupts and whistles of praise pierce the air. Here in the coastal town of Oia, Santorini, this standing ovation occurs nightly. The crowds gather in this same spot, strung between the tangle of narrow, winding flagstone streets for Greece’s greatest spectator sport – sunset-watching. And Oia is arguably the nation’s epicentre.

In 2018 this island of 16,000 inhabitants received more than two million visitors, not including cruise passengers, which accounted for up to 18,000 extra visitors a day. In a bid to combat overtourism, Santorini’s daily cruise ship arrivals have been capped at 8,000 since January, and numerous desalination plants have been set up to ease pressure on the island’s scarce water supply.

It’s easy to assume the influx has left the island’s residents feeling jaded, but this is
 far from the truth. Rather than locals wearied
 by tourists, we are met with a warm welcome and the kindheartedness for which Greece has long been renowned. From the kerasma (treat) that appears unsolicited at the end of every meal, on the house, to the hotel manager who insists on giving us a bottle of local wine to make up for our having to change rooms, everyone wants to brighten our day.

On my trip to Santorini, mornings are spent exploring tiny hilltop villages. Come afternoon we lounge on black-sand beaches and hop between the island’s many wineries. Evenings are made for watching sunsets and gorging on homemade food: creamy, tangy tzatziki mopped up with warm pitta, rounds of crisp, juicy, deep-fried domatokeftedes (tomato fritters, a local speciality) and fresh, colourful salads strewn with aromatic oregano and olives.

ISLAND EXPLORATION

This volcanic island might be Greece’s most well-known, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best, and a few nights is more than enough to explore what 
it has to offer. The Cyclades boasts 220 islands
 and each has its own distinguishable assets.
 Some older clients might dismiss the idea of island-hopping as a backpacker’s pursuit, but
 this quintessential Greek travelling experience is accessible to almost everyone, with modern ferries plying the Aegean regularly. Operators such as Sunvil will happily package up a multi-island break with all boat and ground transfers, so there’s fewer unknowns for your client to fret over.

Dudley der Parthog, Greece director for the operator, explains the Cyclades’ appeal with tips for agents selling them. “The Cyclades are perfect for the classic Greek island-hopping holiday as ferry links have improved hugely in recent years. There are many [islands] to choose from, ranging from lively and buzzing to traditional and quiet. As a general rule, the more difficult an island is to reach, the quieter it is. We recommend Santorini and Mykonos as good jumping-off points for lesser-known and less-crowded islands.”

Ensure clients are aware that the Cyclades Islands are a pricier Greek choice, he adds. “A holiday here is generally more expensive than a one- or two-week package to other island groups or the mainland. This is due to their popularity, combined with smaller accommodation units and higher transportation costs.”