If there’s any lesson to be learned from Greece’s performance at the latest Leisure Lifestyle Awards, it’s this: never bet against a country that invented drama and keeps staging encores. For the twelfth year running, Santorini has strolled to the podium and claimed the top spot for “Best Island in Europe.” At this rate, the island might soon demand a trophy of its blue and white marble to spare everyone the suspense.
- Santorini was named “Best Island in Europe” for the twelfth consecutive year.
- Greece wins “Best Historical Attractions, International,” for the fourth year in a row.
- Awards organized by Global Traveler, FXExpress Publications’ leading U.S. travel magazine.
- Recognition cements Greece as a favorite for American tourists.
Santorini’s uninterrupted reign will surprise only those who’ve somehow avoided every travel influencer’s feed this century. As for the rest, the island’s volcanic cliffs and views over the Aegean have become the kind of tourist cliché that’s hard to parody—yet somehow always wins. Not to be outdone, Greece itself has snagged the prize for “Best Historical Attractions, International” for a solid four-year streak, reminding everyone that if you’re searching for ruins in style, the Parthenon won’t disappoint.
Prizes for the Jet-Set: Who Decides and Why It Matters
The Leisure Lifestyle Awards have all the trappings of a popularity contest on business-class steroids. Nearly 550,000 readers of Global Traveler magazine—a demographic heavy on CEOs and company owners—cast their ballots. These frequent flyers rack up an average of 18 domestic flights every year, and 93% go abroad at least as often as a regular person goes to the supermarket. Hotel stays? More than 80% of them cozy up in 4- or 5-star digs, notching around 210 nights annually. Clearly, these travelers know a continental breakfast from a continental drift.
- The survey ran from September 2024 to January 2025.
- Covered 67 categories of luxury, leisure, and lifestyle travel.
- Participants boast high incomes and business leadership roles.
- Most award-winners were announced in the May 2025 issue of Global Traveler.
When asked about Greece’s consistent wins, Francis X. Gallagher, Editor and CEO of FXExpress Publications, reassured those tired of suspense: “Our readers know the best in the travel industry, so these honors carry real weight.” That’s one way to say, “It’s not just a popularity contest—unless you count popularity as a serious qualification.”
The ceremony itself, which lands in Miami on May 22, might not feature the beaches of Mykonos, but it will have the head of the Greek National Tourism Organization’s North America office, Konstantinos Harokopos, in attendance. Presumably, he’ll accept the praise with the practiced humility reserved for perpetual winners.
High-Value Recognition or Just a Case of Déjà Vu?
Of course, the question of how seriously to take these awards lingers, like sandalwood incense at a Greek taverna. The numbers are impressive—half a million readers, most of whom are practically airborne for a living. The categories span everything from hotels to islands. Yet somehow, Greece keeps sweeping up, as if the whole operation is run by relatives of Odysseus.
- Santorini remains a top destination for American travelers in Europe.
- Awards underscore the ongoing allure of Greek heritage and luxury.
- Regular wins reinforce the country’s image in international tourism circles.
As Francis X. Gallagher so succinctly put it, “Our readers know the best in the travel industry, so these honors carry real weight.” Meanwhile, Santorini smiles coyly, knowing the view sells itself, even when it’s déjà vu all over again.
