A European Summer is scarcely complete without a stint in Santorini, the famed volcanic island of the Aegean Sea. Covered in clusters of bright white buildings sitting by cliff edges with royal blue dome roofs, it's not hard to understand why watching a sunset from this iconic setting is on many a bucket list. But beyond the picturesque architecture, salty bays, friendly donkeys and olive trees, you'll find a wealth of history, numerous festivals and plenty of things to do when not submerged or beside the sea. The nights might see you watching a film at an open-air cinema or combining ouzo with steamed mussels and souvlaki. By day, you can escape the heat in an underground wine museum, marvel at days gone by at the museum of Ancient Thera and the Icon and Relics Collection of Pirgos. Just don't leave the island without walking from Oia to Amoudi Bay for a spot of freshly caught octopus, well worth the exhaustion for the scene at the end. The summer months seeing many festivals taking over the island, such as the Megaron Gyzi Festival or International Music Festival. Another highlight of the island's festivals is the annual Ifestia, where fireworks are used to symbolise the greatest volcanic eruption to ever scar planet Earth, which took place in Santorini in the 2nd millennium BCE, making the island what it is today. A unique landscape with rich culture and rugged beauty, Santorini is a place famed for its postcard perfection and idyllic lifestyle.