The last few times I visited Santorini were disappointing. Even though I was there off-season, the crowds, coach parties, and fake wedding shoots, the over-construction and over-consumption all felt a bit too much. Instead of the poster child for Greece, Santorini had become a case study for over-tourism. But this summer is different. Without the cruise ships, day trippers, bucket-list checklists, and Insta frenzy, Santorini’s raw, natural beauty is back in focus. And it was mine, all mine, when i visited in June before Greece opened its borders. A once-in-a-lifetime that made me realise what a privilege it is to travel.