Industry Insider: The Cyclades with Kalia Konstantinidou, Founder of Empiria Group
“Some of the best experiences happen when you stop trying to control the day too much and allow the islands to guide you a little.”
Kalia Konstantinidou
Founder, Empiria Group
Founded by Kalia Konstantinidou and her husband Antonis, Greece’s Empiria Group has grown from its origins at the Vedema resort in Santorini to encompass properties across Santorini, Paros, and Milos, each designed to reflect the distinct character of its surroundings.
On Santorini, the group operates four addresses: Vedema, the founding property set within the village of Megalochori; Mystique, a Luxury Collection hotel carved into the cliffs of Oia; and Istoria, a Design Hotels member on the shores of Perivolos Beach, which this year expanded with a second chapter, Istoria Cliff, a cave-style retreat in Firostefani. On Paros, Parīlio, an intimate Design Hotels member, is surrounded by amber fields and natural rock formations; and Cosme, a Luxury Collection resort, offers a more social, gastronomic energy. And on Milos, opening this June, Eréma arrives as the group's newest addition: 41 all-suite accommodations on the island's southeastern coast, each with a private pool and panoramic views of the Aegean. The properties share a philosophy of emotional connection and respect for the places they call home. "Each property came from love for the places themselves and a desire to share the emotions they gave us. We didn't travel somewhere and say, 'Oh, we need that in Greece.' We simply gave Greece to the traveler," Kalia says.
Kalia's background spans shipping and communications, but she describes hospitality as "a very natural extension" of a lifelong interest in how people connect to places. The result is a collection that feels like "a family of very distinct personalities connected by shared values." We sat down with her to explore those personalities, island by island.
Kalia’s Recommendations | Santorini
Ambrosia (Oia) — Mediterranean cuisine with sweeping caldera views and a timeless atmosphere.
Metaxi Mas (Exo Gonia) — Beloved for its warmth, generous mezes, and authentic village spirit.
Megalochori — An unspoiled traditional village; Kalia's personal happy place on the island.
Perivolos Beach — Volcanic black sand and crystalline water; quintessential Aegean summer.
Ammos Boutique — Carefully curated Greek brands, a local favorite for three decades.
Santorini Fava — “One of the dishes I always encourage guests to discover, traditionally served with olive oil, capers, and slow-cooked onions.”
Kykladitisses Exhibition (Archaeological Museum of Thera) — A meaningful exploration of Cycladic women's history and cultural legacy.
Santorini: Drama and Depth
Santorini is the island that launched Empiria, and Kalia's relationship with it runs deep. "There is something very cinematic and atmospheric about Santorini," she says. "The volcanic landscape, the dry soil, the light, the ancient history, and that never-ending feeling of standing at the edge of the caldera." The group's Santorini properties each offer a different lens on the island: “Mystique embraces the dramatic energy of the caldera, while Istoria reflects a softer and more grounded side of Santorini through its connection to the beach and local rhythms. And this year, we have Istoria Cliff, which opened in Firostefani, with amazing caldera views. Vedema is something else altogether. It’s the mystique and authenticity of a village, the other side of Santorini.”
For dining on the island she calls home, she returns again and again to Ambrosia in Oia, which offers Mediterranean cuisine, caldera views, and what she describes as an atmosphere "inseparable from the soul of the island." Equally beloved is Metaxi Mas, in the village of Exo Gonia: "I love the warmth of the welcome, the generosity of shared mezes, and the feeling of gathering around a table that brings people closer together."
Her personal happy place on the island is Megalochori itself, the unspoiled village where her family home is located. "It's a carefree place where children can play in the streets and every neighbor is a friend." For a more active escape, she loves Perivolos beach, with its volcanic black sand and crystalline water. And when it comes to wine, she encourages guests to go beyond the well-known producers and spend time discovering the island's smaller wineries.
Paros
Blue Oyster — Let Yiannis do the ordering. No further instructions needed.
Siparos & Thalassamou — Two more local favorites where you're in very good hands.
Kosmos Cocktail Bar (Naoussa) — A nightcap with local energy that can last until morning.
Lefkes — The island's former capital; marble streets, frozen-in-time tavernas, and a genuine sense of history.
Todd Marchand (Lefkes) — An exceptional local ceramicist.
The Antique Stop (Naoussa) — Museum-quality finds in a boutique setting.
Fish & Wine Festival & Kapetaneika (Naoussa) — A celebration of the island's maritime identity and traditions.
Paros: Cycladic Balance
North of Santorini is comfortable, lived-in Paros, which Kalia says "feels balanced and sophisticated without losing its sense of everyday island life.” Parīlio reflects that contemplative energy. "It's understated and connected to simplicity, nature, and slower living."
Her favorite spot on Paros is the hilltop village of Lefkes, the island's former capital, where marble-paved streets, leaning whitewashed houses, and rickety tavernas have survived centuries largely unchanged. "The history In Lefkes appears frozen in time," she says. For ceramics, she sends guests to Todd Marchand; for antiques, to The Antique Stop in Naoussa. Both Parīlio and sister property Cosme house an Anthologist boutique, offering a selection of pieces rooted in cultural preservation.
For dining, Kalia’s approach on Paros is refreshingly simple: "Just go to Blue Oyster and let Yiannis the owner do the ordering for you. Same goes for Siparos and Thalassamou. You are in incredibly good hands." Evenings, she says, are best spent wandering slowly through Naoussa, seeing where the night takes you, before ending with dinner outdoors and a late nightcap at Kosmos Cocktail Bar.
Milos
Embourios Tavern — Understated authenticity right at the water's edge.
Astakas (Klima) — Colourful fishermen's houses, the sea beside the table, and an atmosphere that is both elegant and deeply grounding.
Kyra (Plaka) — Genuine Cycladic character, all day long.
Yalos — The island's most sophisticated kitchen, warmed by owner Christos' welcome.
The Sulfur Mines — An eerie, cinematic industrial landscape best visited at sunrise.
Plaka — Wander for local artists, photographers, ceramicists, and mineral-inspired creations.
Milos Cultural Festival — Cinema, music, gastronomy, and folklore in Plaka each summer.
Milos: Elemental and Unhurried
Of the three islands, Milos is the one that feels most apart. "Milos is more untouched," Kalia says. "The geology shapes everything here, from the swim spots to the sunsets." Eréma, Empiria's newest property, which opens in June, was designed to honor that spirit, with volcanic stone, open horizon, shifting light, and a sense of restraint. "Space, privacy, proportion, and material quality matter more than excess," she explains.
Her restaurant recommendations on Milos reflect that same unhurried quality: Embourios Tavern for its understated authenticity and seaside setting (“the water of the sea is literally lapping at your feet”); Astakas in Klima for the colorful fishermen's houses and the sea directly beside the table; and Kyra in Plaka for its genuine Cycladic character. For something a little more spirited, Yalos delivers what she calls "the most sophisticated food on the island, paired with Christos' warm smile that wins it all."
For something to average visitor misses, she points guests toward the island's sulfur mines, "a captivating, eerie industrial site featuring ruins of old buildings, rusted equipment, and mining tunnels set against colorful yellow and orange cliffs," and recommends visiting at sunrise for maximum impact. Evenings, she hopes, will soon center on Eréma's new restaurant, led by chef Yiannis Kioroglou. "I hope it becomes a gathering place for everyone on the island."
When to Go, and How to Combine
Kalia's favorite times to be in the Cyclades are May and September. "In May, the days are growing longer. In September, it feels like a beautiful continuation of summer. I like to think of them as stolen summer days."
For guests looking to combine properties, she suggests beginning in Paros for its vibrant, cosmopolitan energy before moving to Santorini, where the contrast between Istoria's beachfront ease and Mystique's caldera drama offers two entirely different emotional experiences of the same island. Vedema, tucked into Megalochori village, adds a third register entirely. Milos and Eréma, she says, pair naturally with any of the other properties because the island feels so distinct, providing a counterpoint to everything that came before.
Whatever the itinerary, her advice is the same: leave room for the unexpected. Seek out a local panigiri, the traditional village festivals where music, food, dancing, and community converge, and be willing to follow the rhythm of island life wherever it leads. "The true essence of a Greek island reveals itself when you step beyond the expected itinerary and surrender to the local rhythm of life," she says. "Following the music, the celebrations, and the spontaneous moments that make the Cyclades feel timeless and alive."
