Hideaways' Review
How could Santorini, with its sugar-cube architecture sprinkled atop dramatic cliffs and its heat-tinged Mediterranean climate, fail to be a magnetic destination? And how could Vedema, a cool and exclusive study in white tucked away in a sleepy town on the island’s mainland, fail to be the hideaway of choice for accomplished travelers? Removed (but not remote) from the bustle and nightlife of nearby Fira, Vedema is really a self-contained village, a cluster of whitewashed and pastel residences linked by black lava cobblestone paths and sequestered from the world by a stone wall. Each private apartment, done in typical Cycladic style with graceful arches, is airy and streamlined inside, with whitewashed walls, stone floors, and expansive bathrooms with whirlpool tubs.
Vedema is rich both in history and in amenities. Candlelight flickering in the ALATI Restaurant and adjoining Canava Wine Bar illuminates the rough stone walls of a 400-year-old winery, carved from the Thiran earth; you also can dine on the terrace overlooking the vineyards themselves. Ask the staff for the best tour to the island's highlights, or let yourself be chauffeured by private minibus to one of the island’s signature black-sand beaches, complete with private beach umbrellas and bar service. Indulge yourself with a massage in the full-service spa, linger over breakfast while feasting on the poolside view, maybe even charter a yacht for a refreshing sail—whatever your wish, the attentive staff is ready to make it happen. |