Trust me, 20+ Greek islands in, I didn’t need Condé Nast Traveller to tell me this, but it’s nice to get a stamp of approval from the top travel tastemakers in the game, nonetheless:
Europe’s top island getaway right now, according to the prestigious travel publication run by some of the industry’s leading editors, is the laid-back, still partially-secret, postcard-ready Naxos, a Santorini dupe I feel most Americans are still sleeping on.
Worry not, we’re here to fix that.
In a ranking of Europe’s Best Islands for 2025 by CN Traveller, the Cycladic gem placed first with a score of 95.71, ahead of Mediterranean powerhouses Ibiza, Capri, Hvar, and yes, even Mallorca.
If you’re looking at this wall of text slightly befuddled, as you’ve maybe never heard of Naxos before, allow me to introduce you to one of Greece’s dreamiest summer escapes:
5x The Size Of Santorini, 5x The Fun
The first thing that will stand out to you as you pull up to Naxos with the ferry, either from party-heavy Mykonos or Instagrammer-colonized Santorini, is how lush and green it is.
It is the largest island in the Cyclades island group, which includes the famous duo, and unlike its smaller—but way more popular—counterparts, it packs quite the diverse landscape, paradisiacal beaches, and mountainside choriá that effectively look frozen in time.
That’s just Greek for ‘villages’. Sorry, had to flex my little-to-nonexistent knowledge of Greek while we’re at it.
Back to Naxos, chances are your first stop on the sun-drenched island is Naxos Town, or how locals call it, Chora. If you love Santorini for the whitewashed alleys, the Venetian fort, the cute harborside promenades, and the plethora of boutiques and tavernas, you’ll love it here.
Particularly because it’s way more lowkey, and not nearly as chaotic as Oia, although those hilltop viewpoints atop Kastro, the local castle dating back to the 13th century, are just as epic.
Of course, if you’re in Chora, you can’t miss out on sunset by Portara, the iconic giant marble doorway sitting on a tiny islet connected to the harbor by a causeway. It’s the last-surviving bit of what used to be a much larger temple, and the symbol of Naxos.
Before you go ahead and grab those flight tickets, make sure you run a little destination check on the Entry Requirements Checker page, especially if it’s Europe you’re headed to. This includes Greece.
Whether it’s mandatory fingerprinting or pending travel permits that will change how Americans view travel to Europe forever, there’s a lot you need to catch up on and prepare for ahead of flying.
Why Naxos Is Europe’s Top Island Getaway
No pun intended, Chora and its Portara are merely the gateway to Naxos, the island.
Which by the way, is the largest by far in the Cyclades, being 27 miles north to south, and roughly 15 miles east-to-west. In other words, it is about 5.5 times larger than an island like Santorini, so don’t go on thinking you can do it justice as a day trip or over a long weekend.
Condé Nast Traveller called it first, and I can vouch for them.
Naxos’ best-kept secrets are inland, like Aspeiranthos, a beautiful mountain village with marble-paved streets, stone houses, and mountain views for days, or Halki, a chorio dotted with neoclassical townhouses, best known for its local liqueur.
Speaking of that liquid courage, Vallindras Kitron Distillery, right in the heart of the village, has free entry, and you can get a guided look at the old copper stills, and if the owner’s feeling particularly generous that day—a yassou and efcharisto go a long way here—even taste all 3 kitron types.
Chora is the “capital on the coast”, but if the mountainous inland of Naxos had a main hub, that would be Filoti, the largest hinterland village. Great atmosphere, taverna-backed main square, and a maze of chalk-white alleys surrounded by verdant valleys.
Filoti also sits at the foot of Mount Zas, the highest mountain in the Cyclades, and if you’ve packed your hiking shoes, the uphill trail offers some truly spectacular views over the whole of Naxos, and even onto neighboring islands like Paros and Antiparos.
Etched onto the slopes of the mountain, the Cave of Zas is a must-see for Greek mythology enthusiasts: the Ancient Greeks believed Zeus grew up there to hide from his own father Cronus.
Wondering how safe Greece is to visit at the moment? The country scores 90 out of 100 on the Traveler Safety Index, a tool based on self-reports by travelers who’ve actually been, instead of some vague government advice that’s too broad or generic.
Check it out below:
Greece’s Best-Kept Secrets Are Here?
Before we get to Naxos’ paradisiacal beaches, I just have to tell you about my favorite cultural pit stop on the island, only a 9-minute drive from Mount Zas: the Temple of Demeter, perhaps the best-preserved ancient site in the Cyclades…?
It’s a beautiful Hellenic sanctuary, with more than just a handful of columns scattered hither and thither, and the visible skeleton of a marble temple. And the countryside surrounding it? Mamma Mia. Just stupidly gorgeous.
Seeing you’ve driven all the way back to the southwest–central part of Naxos, where all of the best beaches are, you might as well go for that afternoon dip after all the action-packed sightseeing.
From the best, it’s only 4 miles to Agia Anna, a long, soft golden sand stretch backed by tavernas and boutique hotels, and a slightly further 5 miles to Plaka Beach, yet another sandy strip with some development, not much, and just-enough infrastructure to not feel completely overrun, but not too crowded.
For something a bit more rugged and remote, and arguably more scenic than the main resort beaches, Alyko is set on a protected natural area on the south-western side of the island, framed by dunes, cedar forests, and a basically one rocky cove for every few souls that venture out this way.
Naxos is CN Traveller’s top pick for summer 2026, but if you’ve got a few more days to spare on your Greek island-hopping adventure, maybe you’ll want to go even more niche, even wilder and proper remote, and hit up the tiny, volcanic outcrop that is Folegandros instead.
I called it all the way back in March 2025 already: it truly is paradise… without the Santorini crowds.
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
We arrived in Salt Lake City for what is usually our favorite Deer Valley window: post-Sundance calm, lighter crowds, and long, groomed mornings. When Jenn was teaching at Alta, this was her secret season to slip over to Deer Valley for perfectly manicured corduroy without peak-week chaos.
This year, however, winter had other plans. It was the driest season in Deer Valley’s recorded history, and we found ourselves standing outside in short sleeves waiting for our Uber. Brown hills flanked I-80, and the air felt more like April than February.
So instead of chasing powder, we shifted gears. This became a spring-skiing weekend, built around smart terrain choices, strategic timing, and Deer Valley’s newly expanded East Village. What followed was a three-day itinerary that proved you don’t need fresh snow to have a memorable ski weekend. All you need is infrastructure, grooming, and a plan.
Arrival and Check-In: East Village and the Grand Hyatt
We avoided Sundance traffic by taking US-189 toward the newly developed Deer Valley East Village. Construction cranes still punctuate the skyline, but the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley stands fully finished and confidently modern at the base.
From the road, we could see thin white ribbons of groomed runs streaking down the hills above a mostly snowless base area. The sidewalks were dry, but the mountain itself told a different story.
The expansion more than doubles Deer Valley’s footprint to 4,300 skiable acres and includes 10 new lifts, among them a 10-person gondola. This side of the resort is supported by roughly 80 miles of new snowmaking pipe and over 1,200 high-efficiency snow guns. Water is drawn from Jordan Reservoir, with only 1% of available allocation used, and approximately 80% returning to the reservoir by season’s end.
In a drought year, those numbers matter.
Gear Made Easy: Ski Butlers at the Grand Hyatt
We’ve used Ski Butlers in Park City before, but the integration at the Grand Hyatt makes the process especially seamless. Instead of trekking to a ski shop, we met our representative in the hotel’s lower-level ski locker room for fitting and locker assignment.
At the end of each ski day, we left our skis at the shuttle drop-off. Adjustments and tuning tweaks between days were handled without friction. For a spring weekend where conditions change throughout the day, having that flexibility made a real difference.
Luxury on a ski trip often comes down to eliminating hassle. This setup does exactly that.
Dinner Close to Home: Remington Hall
Our first evening stayed close to the hotel with dinner at Remington Hall, the Grand Hyatt’s signature restaurant. The space feels polished but relaxed, an elevated mountain steakhouse without the stiffness.
The menu leans into regional flavors with bison, Mountain River elk, and Niman Ranch steaks. The braised bison short rib, served over fresh polenta in a rich red wine sauce, was deeply satisfying after travel. Our steak with béarnaise and spicy rigatoni held their own, but the starters and dessert rounded out the experience. The tiramisu was light enough to justify finishing it, even after a full meal.
It set the tone for a weekend where dining would be as intentional as skiing.
Day One on Snow: Exploring the East Village Expansion
While the base area looked dry, conditions on the mountain were impressively maintained. Deer Valley’s grooming is legendary for a reason, and in a low-snow year, it becomes the defining factor of the experience.
The East Village expansion introduces two new peaks into the Deer Valley footprint. Keetley Express climbs 1,400 feet to Keetley Point, while the 10-person East Village Gondola ascends 1,800 feet to its midstation on Big Dutch Peak before continuing to Park Peak at 9,350 feet. From there, it’s easy to connect toward Baldy Mountain at 9,400 feet.
New signature routes are already establishing themselves. Green Monster is a 4.8-mile green run that weaves between Park Peak and Baldy Mountain, nearly 40% longer than Park City Mountain’s Home Run. Its blue counterpart, Age of Reason, parallels most of the route, allowing skiers to alternate between mellow cruising and more engaging terrain.
For stronger skiers, Redemption Ridge delivers three miles of double-blue skiing off Park Peak. On a warm spring day, this is terrain you want to time carefully, hitting it once the surface has softened but before it turns firm again.
Spring Strategy: How to Ski It Right
With warm temperatures and limited natural snowfall, we approached each day as we would in late March.
We started on east-facing slopes early, allowing the sun to soften the surface before moving to south-facing terrain mid-morning. By afternoon, west- and north-facing runs provided a more consistent snow texture.
Much of the new terrain faces east, making it ideal for the first chair. However, as the day progresses, some exposed sections can firm up. We used Carbonite as a testing ground before committing to Redemption Ridge, which is steeper and more exposed. If Carbonite feels off, Green Monster offers an easy bailout option. There’s only black bailouts for the first two miles of Redemption Ridge.
One standout feature is Corduroy Lunch. Each day at noon, a curated selection of freshly groomed runs near the East Village Gondola midstation opens after being held untouched all morning. It’s a clever way to enjoy first tracks without the early alarm.
You should always check the grooming report. In spring conditions, it’s the difference between silky corduroy that was groomed overnight and frozen boilerplate.
Finally, elevation is very important for spring skiing, as lower slopes warm up faster than the upper mountain but can get slushy more quickly. We have always loved Deer Valley’s inclusivity for beginner skiers, with green connectors throughout the resort and green runs off almost every lift, but the Pinyon Express opens the peaks to everyone. The Park Peak expansion allows skiers of all levels to experience high-mountain skiing, especially as the lower runs slush out.
Midday Indulgence: Chute Eleven Yurt
When the skiing gets tough, the not-so-tough après-ski. Mid-afternoon, we pivoted from vertical to culinary elevation at Chute Eleven Yurt in Empire Canyon. Dining at Deer Valley has always been part of the culture, and the yurt leans fully into that ethos.
We opted for the seafood tower, red king crab, Maine lobster, oysters, jumbo shrimp, and caviar, paired with champagne. It was technically lunch, though it felt like an occasion. A live DJ added energy, creating an atmosphere that was both celebratory and distinctly Deer Valley.
Pro-Tip for skiing Utah: Always carry your ID on the mountain. All 21+ venues scan identification, regardless of how seasoned you may appear.
Afternoon Energy: The Vintage Room at St. Regis
Is second après-ski a thing like second breakfast? If not, it should be! We celebrated our après-après-ski at the St. Regis Vintage Room. There was a little skiing in between, as we had to ski back to the Grand Hyatt first, but that only took two lifts and two runs. Getting to Snow Park was a breeze with the Hyatt shuttle, and then it was only a funicular ride up to the St. Regis.
I would describe Chute Eleven as pure decadence, and the Vintage Room as pure energy. The place was packed with beautiful people rocking out to a high-octane DJ. I never would have thought that you could mash up Dolly Parton with Kanye, but it worked. Of course, we had to try their signature drink, 7452 Bloody Mary, so named for the bar’s elevation.
Fireside Dining at Empire Canyon
We observed some integration issues between classic Deer Valley and the new East Village when we wanted to get to dinner. We are accustomed to Deer Valley’s complimentary on-demand ride services, but the Hyatt shuttle only runs between the hotel, downtown Park City, and Snow Park. As such, there were no shuttles available to get us to Fireside Dining at Empire Canyon.
In retrospect, we might have been better served going to the Cast and Cut seafood buffet at Snow Park. We learned that Uber can pick you up from the St. Regis front door, so we didn’t need to take the funicular down and wait in the parking lot. They also offer complimentary valet parking at Fireside Dining in the evening if we had rented a car.
Once we got there, Fireside dining was as magical as we remembered, with an alpine-inspired menu featuring four courses served and cooked around four fireplaces. Of course, we opened with raclette cheese paired with special touches we recognized from Chute Eleven’s charcuterie like the sweet and spicy fig mustard.
Luckily, we scheduled a sleigh ride after the first course, so we had room for delicious cheese soup, and then the dual main dishes of lamb and roast beef. Dessert was challenging, but we were able to try everything with prodigious sharing and small plates.
Ski With a Champion: A Smarter Way to Spring Ski
Another pro-tip for spring skiing on new mountains is to ski with a local. They know from experience which runs are in good shape and how they change throughout the day. Deer Valley has an excellent ski school and free guided ski tours with mountain hosts. We wanted to try something extraordinary, so we opted for their Ski With a Champion program, where we were paired for half-day with a world-class snowsport athlete.
We met Fuzz Feddersen, a freestyle skier who competed in the 1994 Olympics, at the East Village Gondola at 9:00. He could tell my skiing aptitude after my first turn, and we were back on legacy Deer Valley terrain after the first run.
Fuzz explained that every Ski With a Champion day is different. “People all show up with their own idea of what they want,” he told us. “So I try to customize it—whether that’s helping them ski a little better, finding the best snow on the mountain, or just giving them an experience where all they have to do is follow me. I wear a bright coat so they don’t have to think about crowds or lifts or where to go next. If the snow’s right and they’re up for it, I’ll even take them to spots they’d probably never find on their own.”
Fuzz could use the ski-school lane, which didn’t really matter on a low-snow Monday. However, his knowledge of the mountain enabled me to have my best day skiing yet. Sure, I had one day of skiing under my belt, and it was five degrees colder, but I was comfortably carving (or at least Wedge Christying) down a wide variety of blues that intimidated me last season. That, plus some truly entertaining lift conversations, made for a memorable morning.
Lunch at The Sticky Wicket, Silver Lake Lodge
Midday refueling brought us to The Sticky Wicket, tucked upstairs inside Silver Lake Lodge and leaning fully into nostalgic ski culture. If you remember peeling lift-ticket stickers off your jacket in the ‘90s and being left with that stubborn “sticky wicket,” you’ll appreciate the playful retro vibe. Our friend’s old-school one-piece ski suit didn’t just fit in, it felt like a featured exhibit.
The Wicket serves Royal Street Café’s full menu alongside a proper bar program, which means you’re not choosing between quality and convenience. After a full morning skiing with a champion, we weren’t interested in a rushed protein bar situation. We settled in for real food, craft cocktails, and the kind of easy mountain conversation that stretches lunch longer than intended.
Fortified and unhurried, we clipped back in for the return to East Village. From mid-mountain, it’s an easy flow: McHenry’s 2.6-mile green, often paired with Homeward Bound for a 4.5-mile cruise, delivers a scenic, confidence-building glide. A quick spin up Aurora, and we were back at the new base area with just enough time to make our afternoon appointment at the Grand Hyatt without feeling rushed.
It’s the kind of lunch stop that fits neatly into a well-paced ski day: fun, flavorful, and logistically smart.
High Chocolate at the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley
Après shifted from spirited to sweet with High Chocolate at the Grand Hyatt, and this may be one of the most unexpectedly indulgent rituals of the weekend. Think high tea, but with serious cocoa credentials.
The chocolate begins with beans sourced from Ecuador and processed locally in Park City. A thick, velvety 70% cocoa base is poured dramatically over airy cotton candy, which dissolves into the cup before fresh cream is added to taste. The result is deeply rich without tipping into cloying, a grown-up hot chocolate that feels entirely worthy of the setting.
Like traditional high tea, the presentation includes an array of sweet and savory bites substantial enough to blur the line between dessert and meal. Flaky puff pastry with brie immediately caught my attention, and the lobster rolls made a compelling argument for staying longer than planned.
It’s decadent without being kitschy, and exactly the kind of elevated detail that rounds out a spring ski itinerary. After long groomer laps and strategic sun-chasing, ending the day with something this thoughtfully crafted felt less like excess and more like proper pacing.
Crystal Balance DAO at St. Regis Deer Valley
Late afternoon brought us back up the funicular to the St. Regis Spa for the Crystal Balance DAO treatment, a well-timed reset after two full spring ski days
The treatment blends targeted bodywork with CBD oil and a sound bath component, striking that balance between physical recovery and mental decompression. After navigating firm morning corduroy and softer afternoon terrain, our legs and hips were ready for focused attention.
Jenn’s massage therapist, Brodie, was excellent. He asked thoughtful questions about how and where we had been skiing and tailored the pressure accordingly, working deliberately through fatigued quads and tight lower back without turning the session into a punishment. The CBD oil added subtle muscle relief, while the sound bath element created a surprisingly effective mental reset.
We left feeling noticeably lighter and looser, restored but not sedated. On a spring itinerary where conditions demand a little more from your body, building in recovery like this isn’t indulgent. It’s smart planning.
Dinner in the Alpenglobes at Stein Eriksen Lodge
Dinner at Stein Eriksen Lodge unfolded inside their signature Alpenglobes, private, snow-globe-like dining structures that feel equal parts cozy and celebratory. Yes, it felt slightly ironic settling into a “snow globe” without fresh snowfall outside, but that thought disappeared as soon as the first course hit the table.
We began with Farmer Jones’ baby beets, artfully plated with hazelnut emulsion, kumquat, goat cheese, and maple vinaigrette, a dish that was as balanced as it was beautiful. For mains, we chose Parisienne gnocchi layered with wild mushrooms and vegetable bordelaise, and Rocky Mountain elk tenderloin finished with macadamia nut relish and bordelaise. Both dishes leaned refined without losing their alpine grounding.
Service here is where Stein Eriksen quietly separates itself. Our sommelier guided us through selections from what is widely regarded as Utah’s largest wine cellar, offering pairings that elevated each course without overpowering it. Our server knew the menu intimately, pacing the meal with precision, while the bell staff seamlessly coordinated a shuttle into Park City proper so we could reconnect with the Hyatt transfer.
It was polished, thoughtful, and effortlessly handled, exactly the kind of dining experience that anchors a well-built ski itinerary.
Final Morning Spa Time at the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley
We reserved our final morning for Agaci Spa at the Grand Hyatt, easing out of ski mode and into departure mode with intention. After two full days of vertical, and one very effective DAO session at the St. Regis, this felt like the final polish on a well-built trip.
Agaci’s design leans modern and serene, with clean lines, soft lighting, and mountain views that keep you connected to where you’ve just been. It’s not over-the-top opulent; it’s calm, grounded, and thoughtfully executed.
The massage therapists were skilled and high quality, confident in technique, attentive without hovering, and clearly experienced in working with active bodies. This wasn’t a generic relaxation rubdown. It was precise, professional bodywork that targeted lingering tightness while still allowing space to unwind. Pressure was adjusted intelligently, transitions were seamless, and the pacing felt intentional from start to finish.
We left feeling reset rather than sleepy; loose, aligned, and ready to travel. Afterward, packing was effortless, especially knowing Ski Butlers would handle gear pickup. It was exactly the kind of quiet, restorative send-off that makes a ski trip feel complete instead of rushed.
Final Thoughts: A Spring Itinerary That Works
This was not a powder weekend. It was a spring ski weekend; built around timing, grooming reports, infrastructure, and intentional pacing.
Deer Valley’s East Village expansion delivers meaningful terrain, serious snowmaking investment, and seamless lift integration. Add in the resort’s culinary depth and service standards, and the result is an itinerary that feels polished and complete—even in the driest winter on record.
Snow helps. Strategy helps more.
And with the right plan, a spring weekend at Deer Valley can be just as memorable as a storm cycle, especially when you build it thoughtfully.
Disclosure: A big thank you to Deer Valley Resort and Visit Park City for hosting us, setting up a fantastic itinerary, and usage of some of the images throughout (image credit in hover text).
Safeguard your digital information by using a VPN. We love NordVPN as it is superfast for streaming Netflix
Stay safe on the go and stay connected with an eSim card through AloSIM
OurPacking Favs:
We LOVE Matador Equipment for their innovative products and sustainability focus. Their SEG45 is a game changer when you need large capacity while packing light.
Travel in style with a suitcase, carry-on, backpack, or handbag from Knack Bags
Packing cubes make organized packing a breeze! We love these from Eagle Creek
Like it? Pin it for later on Pinterest!
Hi! We are Jenn and Ed Coleman aka Coleman Concierge. In a nutshell, we are a Huntsville-based Gen X couple sharing our stories of amazing adventures through activity-driven transformational and experiential travel.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
