Influencer Wendy Barker thought she knew what she was doing in Santorini after several trips to the Greek hotspot.
But when she swapped DIY planning for advice from a high street travel agent, she discovered a completely different side to the island.
Instead of returning to the same bustling resorts and famous viewpoints, the content creator and her husband, Darren, were steered towards a quieter part of Santorini, packed with hidden beaches, traditional villages and family-fun tavernas – away from the usual crowds that swarm around the island.
The couple, who recently returned to the island to celebrate their 27th wedding anniversary, stayed in an adults-only hotel in Perissa located on the southeastern coast.
With its famous Black Sand Beach, whitewashed Timiou Stavro church and relaxed waterfront bars and restaurants, the charming seaside village is the perfect dupe for the overcrowded resort of Kamari.
Noting how her approach to booking holidays has shifted over the years, Wendy said: ‘When the kids were younger, we spent lots of time in Florida where my mum had a house, so those were our big, easy family holidays.’
Wendy Barker and her husband Darren recently enjoyed their 27th wedding anniversary in Perissa, a charming seaside village located on the southeastern coast of Santorini
Perissa serves as the perfect dupe for the busy resort of Kamari with its famous Black Sand Beach, whitewashed Timiou Stavro church and waterfront bars and restaurants
Pictured: Wendy and Darren snorkelling in Perissa
‘As they got older, we started travelling more in Europe, around the Med and the Canaries. We even went to places like Mexico on package holidays, so travel has always been a huge part of how we spend time together.’
Following the advice of travel agents at their local TUI store in Brighton, Wendy and Darren enjoyed a more authentic experience in Perissa, which included cycling through the villages of Megalochori and Akrotiri.
A far cry from Fira’s crowded terraces, they explored Megalochori’s winding alleys, traditional cave houses and shaded courtyards, while Akrotiri offered peaceful charm with its whitewashed buildings and rustic tavernas.
They even took a bike ride to the iconic 19th-century Akrotiri Lighthouse, a hidden gem Wendy admits she would have missed otherwise.
Wendy said: ‘It’s just not something I would have considered. But the views were sensational and the lighthouse itself was so beautiful. It was one of the highlights of the trip for both of us.’
Food was another revelation. The pair uncovered incredible restaurants like Metaxi Mas, tucked away in the hills above Kamari, and The Cave of Nikolas, which offered spectacular views of the sea.
Reflecting on their experience at Metaxi Mas, Wendy said: ‘We sat on the porch overlooking the sea, and the experience was unforgettable.’
‘The view was wonderful, the atmosphere charming and laid-back, and the staff were so welcoming. And wow, the food was sensational.’
At €60 to €80 for a full dinner for two with wine, the restaurant delivers true authenticity at a fraction of the cost of dining at more polished clifftop spots.
At The Cave of Nikolas, the couple feasted on simple, fresh seafood, hearty Greek salads piled high with feta and ripe tomatoes, washed down with refreshing beer for just €3.
During their trip, Wendy and Darren discovered hidden beaches, traditional villages and family–fun tavernas
Pictured: Church of the Holy Cross with a blue dome and a huge bell tower in Perissa, Santorini
Pictured: Perissa beach during sunrise
Pictured: The TUI team in Brighton, where Wendy and Darren visited to hear more about the authentic local experiences on their favourite holiday destination, Santorini
As dusk arrived, the couple sailed past Santorini’s volcanic cliffs on a sunset prosecco cruise.
Without her travel agent, Wendy doubts she ever would have stumbled across such a fulfilling experience.
She said: ‘Instagram is a great source of inspiration and shows you the highlights but it doesn’t show you everything. It felt like discovering an entirely different Santorini.’
Retail advisor Jo, who helped plan the holiday, says many travellers only experience one side of this popular island.
She said: ‘People often think they’ve “done” a destination like Santorini. But usually they’ve only seen one version of it.’
‘We help them flip that; whether that’s recommending a hotel we’ve stayed in ourselves, which was the case with Wendy and Darren. Or sharing tips we know from other customers, which we also did.’
‘Between our own travel and the feedback we get every day, we can point people towards the places and experiences they might never have found on their own, and that’s often what makes the biggest difference.’
For Wendy, the recommendations transformed a destination she thought she already knew. She remarked: ‘It’s a holiday we wouldn’t have put together in quite the same way on our own. We didn’t visit the most Instagrammable spots, but discovered the places beyond them.’
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