Island time: forgetting the clock on Paros and Santorini

Nowhere does timelessness quite like Greece… [View in browser]( [Image]( [HOTELS]( [INSPIRATION]( [OFFERS]( Where should you go to flee time? There are no wrong answers to that question, but there's one trick that works for almost everyone: go somewhere with enough history to put everything in perspective. When you're in a place that measures its past in blocks of a thousand years, it's a lot harder to feel stressed about the here and now. Kalia Konstantinidou and Antonis Eliopoulos, founders of [Kanava Hotels](, know all about this. The pair own a string of covetable stays on Santorini and Paros, islands where time feels a lot less pressing. Over the decades, they've perfected the art of the timeless stay, blending soothing interiors with rugged nature and soul-stirring Greek hospitality. We'd say you should rush to one of their hotels immediately, but in this case, it would be more fitting if you went in your own time… [VIEW THE COLLECTION]( [Alternate text]( THE MARBLE ISLE [PAROS]( Once famous for its translucent marble (used for the Venus de Milo and Napoleon's tomb), Paros is an alluring island of golden beaches, quaint villages and rolling hills. The capital, Parikia, is home to a Byzantine monastery dating from AD 326, and is a bustling warren of taverns, cafés and boutiques, all interwoven with Cycladic houses painted white and blue. In the northeast of the island is Naoussa, a winsome fishing village famous for its harbour of bobbing boats and nigh-perfect summer weather. [Alternate text]( [PARILIO HOTEL]( The newest addition to Kanava's collection, Parilio Hotel nods to classic Cycladic design with its arched windows and porcelain-white façade. Overlooking lunar-like hills and the Aegean Sea, the suites sport terracotta-toned fabrics and textiles by Moroccan brand Lrnce. Perhaps our favourite feature is the cross-shaped pool, a must for a destination that gets so much sun. [VIEW HOTEL]( [Alternate text]( [ACRON VILLAS]( This collection of two-to-five bedroom villas overlooks Kolympithres beach and the fishing village of Naoussa. Entirely in tune with Paros’ peaceful feel, they have soothingly minimal interiors, sun-trapping terraces and private pools facing the glittering Aegean. Down in the village, you can stroll the labyrinthine lanes and sample Greek wine and grilled seafood in the many traditional tavernas. [VIEW HOTEL]( [Alternate text]( VOLCANIC VISION SANTORINI A snowdrift of cliff-hugging homes set against a cerulean sea – it's a sight that's been stealing hearts for generations. Santorini's world-famous coastline was created during a spectacular volcanic eruption in the age of the Minoans, creating a giant caldera that wouldn't look out of place on the moon. For the classic experience, head to Kanava's hotels on the west of the island, where the cliffs reach 300m in places. For something a little different, consider Istoria Hotel in the southeast, a barefoot stay bordering a black-sand beach. [Alternate text]( MYSTIQUE Skirting the edge of the caldera, Mystique splices Cycladic romance with the ruggedness of nature. The hotel is a tour de force of Santorinian architecture, laced with cobbled pathways that run between cream buildings with organic curves. From your terrace or private plunge pool, you’ll have uninterrupted views of the Aegean Sea and Santorini Volcano – adding a dash of unfettered wilderness to the otherwise cloister-like ambience. [VIEW HOTEL]( [Alternate text]( ISTORIA HOTEL Deftly sidestepping any hint of cliché, Istoria Hotel showcases a different side to Santorini. Instead of being perched on the rim of the caldera, this former mansion skirts a beach of black volcanic sand, which can be the backdrop for private dinners and evening horseback rides. Barefoot luxury is the name of the game here – there's a sandy-floored restaurant, poolside bar and a Balinese spa that uses organic oils produced on the island. [VIEW HOTEL]( [Alternate text]( [NAFSIKA ESTATE]( Centred around a five-bedroom villa, this secluded estate has split-level terraces, a private pool and even a helipad. Designed to make the most of the volcanic landscape, it has no immediate neighbours and skirts the very edge of the caldera. You'll have a butler and private chef from sister property Vedema, ensuring there's an expert to man the grill so you can give your full attention to the technicolour sunsets. 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