Philosophy
At Santorini Golden Tours, every journey begins with a relationship.
We don’t believe in standard tours or one-size-fits-all experiences. We believe in people, genuine connection, and moments that feel real.
We are Roula and Katerina, founders, local hosts, tour guides and experience designers, living in Santorini year-round. For us, our guests never feel like customers. They become friends, part of our everyday life, and very often part of our extended family. This closeness, trust and personal care are the heart of everything we do.
Our philosophy is deeply rooted in the Greek concept of Filoxenia.
The word comes from two Greek words:
“Filos” meaning friend and “Xenos” meaning stranger.
Together, Filoxenia means welcoming the stranger as a friend.
This is not simply a tradition in Greece. It is a way of life.
And it is exactly how we welcome you to Santorini.
We specialize in private Santorini tours, island experiences, food and wine journeys, and fully tailor-made itineraries.
You arrive as a guest
and leave as a friend!
Every experience is thoughtfully designed around your interests, your pace and your personal story.
We listen carefully.
We design with heart.
We create moments that last forever.
Santorini is not just a destination for us. It is our home.
We know its hidden villages, quiet corners, authentic flavors, family-run wineries, secret viewpoints, traditions and stories that never appear in guidebooks. And we love sharing them with you with care, respect and genuine love.
We do not focus on mass tourism. Our goal is to create meaningful experiences, real connections and friendships that continue long after your journey ends.
Whether you are a couple, a family, or a traveler searching for something truly personal, we are here to turn your Santorini dream into a beautiful reality.
Golden moments! Golden memories! Golden connections!
Our Promise to You
• Authentic local experiences
• Personal care and attention
• No crowds, no rush, no generic tours
• Memories you will cherish forever
Heart of Santorini Golden Tours
The people who welcome you as friends and create experiences with love, care and genuine Greek hospitality.
Roula
Roula
Katerina
Katerina
Ben
Ben
Get to know Roula
Roula – Founder, Local Host & Experience Designer
Roula is deeply connected to her roots, having grown up in Athens and chosen Santorini as her home, a place she loves and lives every day with genuine passion.
With a naturally artistic soul and a strong background in economics, she beautifully combines creativity with organization in everything she does. Her journey later led her to the world of wine and gastronomy, where she followed her heart and became a certified sommelier through WSPC, enriching her understanding of flavors, local products and authentic experiences.
For Roula, travel is about people, stories and meaningful moments. She loves meeting travelers from around the world, sharing beautiful food, discovering hidden corners of the island and turning simple moments into unforgettable memories.
Life shaped her with strength and empathy. Having faced diabetes from a young age, she became actively involved in a diabetic support association, always aiming to support others and thoughtfully design experiences for guests with special health needs with care, respect and discretion.
Her heart extends just as deeply to animals and quiet acts of kindness. Roula believes in helping wherever she can, often behind the scenes, guided by compassion rather than recognition.
Warmth, authenticity and a radiant smile define her presence.
She welcomes every guest not simply as a traveler, but as a friend.
“For me, every guest arrives as a stranger and leaves as a friend.”
Roula
Get to know Katerina
Katerina – Founder, Local Host & Experience Designer
Katerina was born and raised in Naoussa, one of Greece’s most celebrated wine regions ,a place where vineyards, tradition and passion for quality shape everyday life.
Her path first led her to study Tourism Business Administration in Thessaloniki, where her love for hospitality and meaningful travel began to grow. Soon after, her fascination with wine deepened, inspiring her to pursue professional wine studies through WSPC and fully immerse herself in the world of flavors, terroirs and authentic local experiences.
Today, Katerina lives year-round in Santorini, a place she proudly calls home.
She often travels back to northern Greece to visit her family and enjoy the mountains she loves, but her heart and everyday life belong to the island — where she designs unforgettable experiences for guests from around the world.
Before entering the world of wine and tourism, Katerina had already built an extraordinary journey in sports. For eleven consecutive years, she was the Greek Champion in Cross Country Skiing, representing Greece with pride at the Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City in 2002. Her discipline, resilience and passion continue to shape everything she does today.
With a naturally warm personality, strong communication skills and endless enthusiasm, Katerina loves sharing stories, knowledge and authentic moments with every guest she meets.
Whether guiding a wine journey, designing a tailor-made experience or simply welcoming travelers as friends, she brings heart, energy and excellence into every detail.
“Passion, dedication and authenticity are what turn experiences into lifelong memories.”
Katerina
Get to know Ben
Experience Team & Guest Care
Ben has chosen Santorini not just as a place to work, but as the place to call home.
Living on the island year-round, he has embraced its rhythm completely: the sea breeze, the peaceful mornings, the vibrant villages and the warmth of the local community. By his side is his lively little cat, whose playful energy fills his everyday life with joy and laughter.
Ben’s love for animals extends far beyond his own home.
Santorini is also home to Stray Paws Santorini, a dedicated shelter caring for the island’s stray cats and dogs, offering them safety, medical support and the chance for a new beginning. Ben actively supports the shelter and regularly visits to help care for the animals and assist the volunteers.
Many of our guests choose to join him on these visits as a meaningful way to give back, connect with the local community and make a real difference during their stay. Those who wish to learn more or support the shelter can also visit the Stray Paws Santorini website directly.
With his naturally positive energy and open heart, Ben has a rare ability to make people feel instantly comfortable. Guests often describe him as someone who feels like a longtime friend from the very first moment.
Whether coordinating experiences behind the scenes or welcoming travelers in person, Ben brings warmth, enthusiasm and genuine care into every detail.
For him, hospitality is about sharing happiness, creating connection and spreading kindness to people and to every living soul.
“Kindness is the most beautiful journey we can share with people and with every soul in need.”
Ben
Our Vision
At Santorini Golden Tours, every journey begins with a relationship.
We don’t believe in standard tours or one-size-fits-all experiences.
We believe in people, genuine connection, and moments that feel real.
We are Roula and Katerina, local hosts, tour guides and experience designers, living in Santorini year-round. Our guests never feel like customers; they become friends, part of our everyday life and, very often, part of our extended family. This sense of closeness and trust is the heart of everything we do.
We specialize in private Santorini tours, island experiences, food and wine journeys, and fully tailor-made itineraries. Every experience is carefully designed around your interests, your pace and your story. We take the time to listen, to understand what excites you, and to create something that feels personal, meaningful and unforgettable.
Our philosophy is deeply rooted in Greek hospitality warm, generous and sincere. We love sharing our favorite villages, local flavors, hidden spots, sunsets, traditions and stories that never appear in guidebooks. For us, Santorini is not a destination; it is our home, and we open it to you with care, respect and love.
Whether you are a couple, a family, or a traveler seeking something truly personal, we are here to design an experience that feels uniquely yours.