Santorini Mozambique

Dining

The magic created in our Santorini kitchen is enchanting. Food is sensual and it is the intricate colours, flavours and aromas that entice our tastebuds. At Santorini, our local chefs produce this magic variety of tantalising tastes throughout your stay. With a wide selection at breakfast, a 3-course lunch and 4 courses at dinner, it’s a sensory explosion. Our vegetables and herbs are from the Villa’s own garden and the option of the day’s fresh sea harvest complements the daily menus.

You’ll notice some special favourites scattered through the pages of our guest book, making mention of the homemade sticky granola at breakfast; the piping hot and oozing chocolate fondant at dinner, homemade ice creams any time of day and not forgetting the wicked Irish coffee after dinner. Our chef transforms from Joao to ‘Giovanni’ when lighting up the pizza oven for a casual courtyard lunch. A gourmet selection of toppings and thin crunchy pizza bases are ready for you to personalise your own tasty creations. Another highlight amongst our guests, making one feel completely at home. Those who appreciate wine will enjoy discovering Santorinis’ wine cellar, located off the guest kitchen. While a good range of excellent wines, spirits and malts are included in the daily rate, a selection of premium wines, champagnes and spirits are available for those who wish to spoil themselves further.

What takes the Santorini dining experience to another level is the way that it is presented. Our local Chefs have created a great following with their personalised daily butter art subtly presented at every meal. Imaginative, thoughtful table settings and where you eat are as much of a delight as what you eat. Dine in the courtyard while listening to the water trickle through the overflow pebbles or dine by the martini pool while watching the magnificent colours of the moon rise. Paraiso Escondido, our open-air boma offers enchanting dining under the stars, where guests are treated to Greek-style meze platters of savoury and sweet, and a bottle of champagne to enjoy the late afternoon and evening. A private, romantic and alfresco beach picnic, for breakfast or lunch, promises scrumptious food with an assortment of wraps, salads and fruit or vegetable skewers for delicious and easy eating. There are so many options and we are happy to create the unique experience of your choice for every meal.

Facilities

For the Children

Our team love the hum and excitement of a family arriving at the villa. The adventure that awaits and the memories that are taken back home are irreplaceable and treasured. Our exclusive Villa da Praia is a perfect option for bigger families whilst The Chapel for smaller families. In the main villa, Bazaruto and Benguerra Suites are a lovely option for families with kids of 12 years or older. These suites are on the lower level of the main villa where the entire family will have complete privacy. Santorini is fogged monthly and there are mosquito nets on every bed. The rooms are sprayed every evening at turndown and there is additional repellent complimentary for guests to use. Childminding and Cots for the little ones are available on request.

Kids simply love Santorini and it’s easy to understand why – with an abundance of activities, deliciously presented meals and our friendly Santorini Family to assist, the choices to fill the days are endless. Kids love to stand up paddling right in front of the villa or kayaking a little further out. Daytripping to the islands and snorkelling amongst the abundant colourful fish and coral reefs of the archipelago or simply floating around the pool on pool pillows and creating sandcastles on the raked beach beneath the villa. Our activity room is packed full of equipment for complimentary use.

On rainy days, youngsters are enticed indoors for baking, crafts and colouring-in activities and after a long day in the sun, exhausted kids can collapse on the TV room couches for movie night and be treated with bowls of popcorn and treats. Our chefs prepare special meals for the younger (or fussier) kids presented colourfully and thoughtfully based on personal preference. There is always a selection of tasty snacks throughout the day and a special treat on their pillow at night.

Activities & Excursions

Nicknamed the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean, the Bazaruto Archipelago is a much-coveted travel destination in Mozambique. It is known for its white sandy beaches, glistening turquoise waters and some of the best scuba diving in the world. As one of the largest marine reserves in the Indian Ocean, the archipelago supports over 2000 species of fish, as well as dolphins, whales, turtles and sharks. It also holds the largest population of Dugong in Mozambique.

The archipelago consists of 5 islands: Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Banque and Santa Carolina. It is a birders paradise, with a recorded list of over 180 species. You’ll also find 45 reptile and amphibian species; Suni antelope, red duiker, endemic butterflies and the characteristic Samango monkey on the islands within the national park. Being on the mainland, our guests have the opportunity to experience everything this magical place has to offer. From spending a day out on the magical waters surrounded by the flamboyance of flamingos to exploring the colourful markets and local shops of Vilanculos town. We have an assortment of kayaks, stand up paddleboards, snorkelling gear, fishing gear and even a gym in a bag for a quick workout session on the sunset patio as the sun rises above the silhouette of Magaruque Island. These are all complimentary, onsite activities.

Helicopter Flights
Experience the allure of the Bazaruto Archipelago from above. While relaxing aboard with the Captain’s full attention, passengers can experience the Bazaruto Archipelago with its scenic wonders. From the elegance of flamingos, the amazing sea life such as Dugongs, crystal clear waters, white-sand beaches, beautiful sunsets, golden dunes, historic lighthouses and pristine islands to nature’s artwork in the form of ripples in sand and water.
Flight options available on request

KiteSurfing
Whether you’re a total beginner or want to push your kite surfing skills to the next level, there is a range of courses to meet your needs. Best of all – the kite surfing school will come to you and your lesson will be here on the shores of Santorini.

Mozambique Horse Safari
Vilanculos is renowned for its superb variety of white sand beaches, alluring golden sunsets and tall palm trees. The beach stretches for tens of kilometres allowing the riders plenty of opportunities for exhilarating canters and long trots. The views from the towering cliffs overlooking the Bazaruto Archipelago are extraordinary and will be a memory you will never forget. Mandy Retclaff, the writer of 104 horses owns the beautiful stables a 45-minute drive from Santorini. There are a variety of rides along the coast and inland that cater for beginners to experienced riders. The spirit of fun and adventure runs deep at Mozambique Horse Safari so saddle up and enjoy a truly unique African adventure on our wonderful horses.

The fishing village
The fishing village ride is a full day adventure with the beautiful horses of Mozambique horse safaris. You will ride out to the village where you eat a traditional Mozambican lunch of Maya-a, grilled fish, fresh crab and refreshing coconut water. The local children treat you to a sing-a-long and dancing. Some donations of pencils etc are given to the children and 10% of the cost of your safari goes to the village. This activity doesn’t run every day and is subject to availability.

Scuba Diving
The waters around the Bazaruto Archipelago World Heritage Site and National Park are an ecological paradise. At 1400km², it is one of the largest marine conservation areas in the Indian Ocean. Odyssea Dive are a Padi Certified Dive Centre that offers fantastic diving opportunities in an underwater world ranking alongside Australia’s Great Barrier Reef – the Bazaruto Archipelago. With sites at a depth of 12 to 30 m and visibility up to 40 m, you will find reefs teeming with life, including dolphins, humpback whales, whale sharks, sharks, manta and spotted eagle rays, game fish, green turtles and giant lobster. The endangered dugong of which only a very small number still exist swims in the shallow crystal clear waters that are also home to starfish, soft and hard corals, anemones, seahorses and an array of beautiful tropical fish. Other dive sites are located on the seaward side of San Sebastian (south of the islands on the mainland peninsular), a point jutting out in line with the islands. From San Sebastian, the mainland curves southwest to form a large bay which is protected from rough seas by the point and the islands.

Santorini Dhow Experience
Adopt a slower pace and set sail on Santorini’s traditional dhow, a hand-crafted wooden vessel with distinctive lateen rigging. The ancient art of dhow travel has been practised in this region for centuries, where fathers have passed on the craft of skippering dhows to their sons through generations. Still used today, it is a vital part of everyday life in Kingfisher Bay. Dhow travel is relaxed, simple and unhurried – the perfect way to experience a sunset in Mozambique. Shared sundowners are available on Santorini’s dhow, but it can also be booked exclusively for the quintessential romantic sunset cruise. Settle into comfortable cushions for a laid-back sundowner drinks experience, complete with canapés from Santorini’s chefs.

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