Santorini

Santorini is a volcanic island in the Greek Cyclades, its whitewashed, blue-domed villages of Oia and Fira perched on cliffs above a caldera formed by one of history's largest volcanic eruptions. It's smaller and more dramatic in landscape than mainland Greek cities, built almost entirely around the caldera view and a tourism economy that swells dramatically each summer. Unlike Athens, there's no ancient capital history here, the island's fame is entirely about the setting.

Fava, a yellow split pea puree unique to the island, and tomatokeftedes, tomato fritters made from the island's intensely sweet local tomatoes, are the dishes to seek out beyond typical Greek taverna fare. Assyrtiko, a crisp white wine grown in volcanic soil, is the island's signature export. Sunset in Oia draws crowds every evening, arrive an hour early for a spot if that's the plan.