Overtourism is now impacting most holiday hotspots, with locals increasingly frustrated by the effect of visitors on their daily lives. In Spain, the problem lies in the soaring house prices and limited availability as landlords opt to rent their properties to hordes of tourists during peak season. A similar situation is unfolding in Greece , although the locals haven't been as vocal about it in recent months.
Just over six years ago, I jetted off to the stunningly tranquil Santorini for one of my best friend's weddings. Having visited other parts of Greece before, I was expecting friendly locals, fresh salads and scorching heat upon arrival. However, I was unprepared for the breath-taking beauty that this island possesses.
With minimal research done prior to my trip, I was initially intrigued by how peaceful the island seemed as I disembarked from the plane and jumped into a taxi to my weekend apartment. What a delightful little treasure, I thought, reports the Express . Upon arrival at this family-run apartment complex, I received the exceptional hospitality I was anticipating.
Hosts who were more than happy to customise the breakfast buffet to our liking, and offer us lifts into town if required. The first evening came around and being just a stone's throw from Thira, we decided to take a shuttle bus up to the capital for dinner and some exploration. As we sat at a white-washed bar, overlooking the sea, the sunset took our breath away.
From any vantage point in Thira, the .