Immersive Family Experiences Rooted in Local Culture, Creativity and Connection
Empiria Group introduces ‘Kinship’ and redefines family travel on the islands of Santorini and Paros
Symposion Cultural Center – a hidden gem in Santorini where families can dive in mythology and ancient music. Credit: Empiria Group
Empiria Group invites families to travel not simply together, but deeply — with intention, curiosity, and cultural immersion. By launching its own take on the family club concept—Kinship—this forward-thinking hotel group is going beyond the typical “kids club” and instead encourages meaningful hands-on, cultural experiences that cater to the whole family, reimagined through the lens of Greek heritage, creativity and connection.
Both Vedema, a Luxury Collection Resort in Santorini and Parīlio, a Member of Design Hotels in Paros introduce an immersive family programming that invites kids and parents to engage in experiences together – not apart, with the goal to encourage deeper connection through shared discovery and screen-free moments that matter.
At Vedema, family travel unfolds within the stone walls of a 400-year-old wine estate — a setting that calls for slowing down and tuning in. Here, days are shaped by shared discovery: from music and mythology to cooking, language, wellness, and the land itself.
- Music and Mythology Workshops: Partnering with the island’s Symposion Cultural Center, a hidden gem just steps from the resort, families can dive in mythology workshops and intimate live performances that revive the ancient Greek tradition of the symposium — combining music, storytelling, and the art of play. Children can even learn to craft musical instruments from natural materials, offering a tactile, unplugged experience that sparks creativity.
- Cooking Classes: Vedema’s chefs invite guests into the kitchen for hands-on cooking classes where they can experiment with local ingredients, age-old recipes and culinary techniques.
- Greek Lessons and History: Daily Greek language lessons are available, in addition to guided visits to the nearby Atlantis Museum that spark imagination. Here, kids and adults can learn about the Minoan history of Santorini, the myth of Atlantis or view Plato come to life in an animated hologram.
- Introduction to Self-Care: At the resort’s serene Elios Spa, kids and teens aged 6 to 14 can indulge in mighty mini bliss treatments, with specially designed hand, foot and scalp massages or facials, as a gentle introduction to the rituals of self-care.
- Hiking Trails: For those with energy to spare, guided hikes across Santorini’s lesser-known villages at higher heights such as Imerovigli, Skaros and Pyrgos reveal the island’s volcanic terrain and cliffside vistas.
- Farm Visit: A visit to the island’s Nomikos Farm offers a window into traditional agricultural practices, inviting families to engage and bond with the land and each other, through seasonal harvesting and farm tastings.
- Local Tomato Workshops: Additionally, the former Nomikos tomato paste factory, the Tomato Industrial Museum in Vlychada, is transforming family visits into hands‑on journeys through Santorini’s agricultural heritage. Multilingual audio guides, interactive digital displays, family cooking demos and workshops invite all ages to smell, touch, taste, and explore the museum’s rich industrial past and learn everything about the local cherry tomato variety – a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product since 2006 – one of the most famous and traditional products of Santorini.
- Horseback Riding: Finally, families can experience an unforgettable adventure along Santorini’s southern coast. A journey through the charming village of Megalochori, where stables nestle among the island’s famed vineyards, all along the scenic trails that lead to the dramatic Eros beach towards a hilltop where riders of all ages are in for a treat.
Horseback Riding in Santorini: an unforgettable adventure along the island’s southern coast
Just across the Aegean, on the understated, design-forward island of Paros, Parīlio offers its own approach to family immersion and meaningful joyful connection. Here, Cycladic calm meets authentic local interaction.
- Loom Weaving: At the home of Marigoula, a traditional artisan in the picturesque village of Marpissa, families are welcomed into the world of loom weaving or argaleios in Greek— a near-forgotten craft dating back to 1858.
- Parian cuisine & Cooking Classes: Led by Parīlio’s culinary team, cooking classes spotlight the flavors of Parian cuisine, highlighting seasonal produce and simple techniques. Additionally, an immersive and memorable evening filled with music, and authentic local traditional cooking, families can visit the picturesque village of Lefkes and enjoy a hands-on experience at the renowned Agnadio Restaurant.
- Greek Lessons: In-house Greek language lessons offer an approachable way to connect with the local culture.
- Wellness & Movement: Here too, children can indulge in tailored youth spa treatments at the newly expanded Elios Spa, before heading out for activities like cycling, horseback riding, or water sports — ensuring days are filled with both motion and meaning.
- Cultural Exploration: Guided cultural treks through the ancient marble quarries of Marathi, where the Parian marble was once curved, families can reconnect with the island’s history — culminating in a visit to Emmanuel Fokianos’ contemporary marble workshop.
- Environmental & Sustainable Visits: A visit to Petra Farm, an organic, family-run oasis, offers a taste of Paros through heirloom produce and traditional harvesting. Meanwhile, Paros Park — an 800-acre peninsula of wild trails, historic caves, and amphitheater performances, connects nature with cultural heritage, all maintained by a pioneering volunteer network.
Left: Petra Farm is an organic, family-run oasis. Right: Marigoula, a traditional artisan in Paros where families are welcomed into the world of loom weaving. Credit: Empiria Group
Through these curated experiences, Empiria Group’s vision comes to life: where children are not simply accommodated, but welcomed as fellow explorers. Kinship is about intention, responding to a growing trend in travel for modern families that seek to bond, grow and explore – together. It becomes a place where family time is redefined not by itinerary, but by shared discovery, rooted in place, culture, and connection.
For more information on Parīlio, please visit: www.pariliohotelparos.com and follow on Instagram @pariliohotel. Rates start from €380 and vary based on seasonality.
You can view the hotel’s activity guide here.
For more information on Vedema, please visit www.vedema.gr and follow on Instragram @vedema_resort Rates start from €331 and vary based on seasonality. You can view the resort’s activity guide here.
About Empiria Group
Leading privately-owned hospitality group, Empiria Group was created in 1989 by Antonis Eliopoulos, and joined by his wife Kalia Konstantinidou. Empiria Group successfully manages three awarded five-star hotels and several luxurious villas in Santorini, two five-star hotels and a villa complex in Paros, as well as a boutique hotel in Peloponnese. Each property, with distinct character and personality, offers elevated experiences, whilst being underpinned by four key fundamental values of finding joy, always elevating, exuding passion and being a leader in the field. These values direct Empiria Group’s soul and ensure that it delivers on its purpose of creating space for joy for the global sophisticated traveler. With a strong sense of location in the most exclusive destinations, Empiria Group draws inspiration from the surrounding abundant Greek nature, exemplifying heritage and provenance. By emphasizing sublime regional architecture, holistic wellbeing, and meaningful experiences that reflect the local culture, Empiria Group immerses guests in the carefree state of mind that defines the authentic Cycladic Island life. For more information, please visit Empiria Group I Instagram: @empiria_group
About Parīlio, a Member of the Design Hotels
Parīlio the first branded five-star hotel on Paros, is a serene sanctuary, where design soothes, and silence speaks. Honoring the island’s distinctive Cycladic heritage, it balances stillness and movement, perfectly aligned with nature’s pace. Its 46 suites and villas – thirteen of which are brand new for the 2025 season – showcase architectural simplicity—sculptural in form, tactile in materiality, and immersive in their connection to the surrounding nature, designed by the Athens-based Interior Design Laboratorium.
At the heart of Parīlio’s culinary philosophy is Chef Thanos Feskos, a visionary who in his career has led restaurants to earn two Michelin stars, and a Michelin Green Star. Guided by principles of zero waste, sustainability, and an ethical supply chain, Feskos showcases the finest local and seasonal ingredients using a meticulous technique. The dining experience spans Parōn, where the name pays homage to Paros and the Greek word παρόν (meaning “the present”) – a living, breathing example of how food and place are inextricably linked. Additionally, Mr. E Restaurant, and Circe Bar offer a unique expression of Paros’ rich gastronomic heritage.
Designed as a space of quiet restoration Elios Spa, named after the Greek word for the sun (ήλιος) offers a sanctuary of light and earth. In a nod to the island’s ancient wellness rituals, treatments incorporate wild-harvested botanicals and holistic techniques passed down through generations.
At Parīlio, every detail embodies a commitment to balance, sustainability, and the unique energy of the Cycladic elements – sun, light, shade, breeze. It’s a space to pause, breathe and flow – an immersive escape that resonates deeply with the essence of Paros.
For more information, please visit www.pariliohotelparos.com I @pariliohotel
About Vedema, a Luxury Collection Resort
Tucked away in the medieval village of Megalochori, Vedema, a Luxury Collection Resort, holds the distinction of being the first Luxury Collection property in Santorini, originally opening its doors in 1993. Built around a 400-year-old winery, this extraordinary retreat has evolved into a Cycladic haven that feels more like an authentic island village than a hotel.
A stylish, family-friendly resort Vedema features 74 spacious suites and villas within handcrafted cottage houses, honoring the island’s architectural heritage with whitewashed walls, arched doorways, and expansive terraces. Recently, the resort unveiled new suites and villas, adding modern touches that blend seamlessly with its timeless charm. Many accommodations feature private jacuzzis or pools overlooking tranquil vineyards, offering guests a traditional living experience and immersion in the island’s serene beauty.
At the heart of Vedema lies Alati, the resort’s signature restaurant. A centuries-old winery, this evocative space now invites guests to savor Mediterranean cuisine or enjoy intimate dining in an exclusive medieval setting. The culinary offerings extend to Trataro, Pergola, Circe Bar and Canava Wine Bar for immersive wine tasting sessions, each delivering inventive flavors, in an area regarded as Santorini’s Tuscany.
Guests are encouraged to embrace the island’s way of living. Vedema’s two tranquil swimming pools, the outdoor open-air jacuzzi and the cave-like Elios Spa, nestled within the winery’s storied cellars, provide profound relaxation. Here, understated luxury meets cultural authenticity, weaving Santorini’s heritage and modern elegance into every experience.
For more information, please visit www.vedema.gr I @vedema_resort