Katharos Beach - one of the best beaches in Santorini. Follow signs out of Oia village and it is a 15 minute walk.

It is hidden away between rocksides and cliffs of the island, with some amazing layers of stones acting as your backdrop. Never crowded and no annoying umbrellas/deckchairs to rent. Black sand and amazing waves.

On the way down to the beach there is the Katharos bar, a great relaxed and unpretentious place. Not tacky, not commercial or overstyled (unlike the rest of the island) - open bar, canvas roof, lots of cushions and chilled music. Again, I've never seen it crowded. Great place to have a drink after the beach.

The whole area makes a great change from the rest of Santorini - busy, busy, busy. Those famed sunsets of Santorini refer in fact to those at Katharos beach.

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A rocky island rearing out of the Aegean, a short boat ride and a world away from Santorini and Mykonos. Hora is the picture-perfect sugar cube Cycladic capital of Folegandros, all narrow alleys and painted balconies, clinging precariously to the edge of the cliff.

Friendly, laid-back and well off the beaten track, Folegandros also boasts some great secluded beaches, though you may need to do some mountain-goat style scrambling to reach them. Not sure why I'm sharing this tip, actually ... shush, don't tell!

Regular ferry services operate from Santorini, the journey takes around 1 and a half hours.

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