AN influencer was left stunned when she visited a perfect replica of an iconic Greek island – in a desert some 2,600 miles away.
Aurélie Bouti, 31, was able to enjoy the famous white-washed buildings and turquoise waters of Santorini – without ever setting foot on the Greek island.
The French travel influencer visited the Anantara Santorini in the UAE – a copy of Santorini – but instead of stunning views at the Aegean, visitors can gaze upon the sand dunes.
After China’s replica of the idyllic Greek island, it was the Emirate’s turn to try to recreate Santorini’s unique vibe.
The luxury resort, located in Ghantoot between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, may not have Santorini’s distinctive volcano but boasts great sea views of the Persian Gulf.
Aurelie admits she was sceptical before visiting as she struggled to grasp the concept of a Greek island vibe in the UAE.
But after travelling to the fake Santorini, she loved the relaxed vibe and the lack of crowds squeezing to get the perfect sunset photo.
The influencer described it as “the perfect mix of Greek vibes and Arab opulence without the tourist crowds of the Greek island.”
And as a bonus, the weather in Abu Dhabi is warm all year long even in the winter – unlike Santorini where it gets quite windy.
She told The Sun: “You have to be realistic, nothing is comparable to the island of Santorini, it is one of the most beautiful islands in the world and it is unique.
“I was ultimately very pleasantly surprised because the ‘marriage‘ between these two cultures was very well coordinated.
“The Emirati establishment had no pretension of wanting to compare itself to Santorini and that is what I liked the most.
“In my opinion, the experience is much more complete if you know both destinations.
“The advantage of Abu Dhabi is also that the temperature in winter is very nice.”
The different rooms at the resort are even named after Santorini’s traditional villages – Thira, Oia and Perissa.
And the cuisine is inspired by the Cyclades – with visitors enjoying traditional Greek favourites such as fava, souvlaki and the famous Santorini wine.
The most affordable room at the exclusive 22-key adults-only hotel comes at a whopping £620 a night.
That’s more than double the price of an average room in Santorini during high season.
Speaking to CNN, Rachid Bakas, the property’s general manager, explained that the reason for the high price is that the hotel is exclusive.
He said: “This gives you that intimacy, this gives you that privacy. It’s a hideaway – which you might not have actually in Santorini because especially in summer, everywhere is packed, everywhere is busy.”
Other holidaymakers have flocked to a Santorini dupe built in China – 4,400 miles away from the Greek island.
Yasmin von Roon, 27, was left stunned when she discovered the resort of Dali’s Ideal State – an exact replica of Santorini.
Sprawling across 3700 acres on the side of the Cangshan mountain range, the popular resort looks over the lake Erhai – almost like the picturesque Oia.
The resort has copied the island’s iconic whitewashed cobblestone alleyways and blue windows.
It’s a hideaway – which you might not have actually in Santorini because especially in summer, everywhere is packed, everywhere is busy
Rachid Bakas
The Dali boasts clear skies and a laid-back vibe while visitors can enjoy an icy frappe in the sun – just like in Greece.
The sunny Greek island is a particularly popular wedding destination for Chinese couples – which could be why nearly £1billion was spent to recreate its copy in the Yunnan province.
Italian-German content creator Yasmin von Roon stumbled upon the unique spot while solo travelling.
The content creator told The Sun she first saw photos of the area circulating on Chinese social media.
She said: “Being nearby the beautiful Dali old town, I couldn’t resist seeing it with my own eyes!”
The Dali has become a popular tourist resort – especially for those who cannot afford the pricey authentic- and has various hotels, shops and restaurants that bear a resemblance to the Greek ones.
The TikToker, who is studying International Affairs and Global Governance at Zhejiang University in China, reckons that while the replica is quite convincing – nothing could be compared to the original.
She added: “Having visited Greece several times, including Santorini, I can appreciate the allure of the Chinese replica.
“It’s situated in one of China’s most picturesque locations, and the ambience, complete with sipping frappés, exudes a laid-back vibe reminiscent of Greece.
“There were couple doing their wedding pictures there, just like in the authentic Santorini.
“While the setting is stunning, the essence of Greece is irreplaceable.
“While the replica showcases the visual aspects well, such as the architecture and coastal setting, the cultural and historical depth of the original is unmatched.”
She said she sees Dali as a “gesture of admiration and an opportunity for those who cannot travel abroad to experience a taste of Greece.”
Chinese media describes Dali as a “resort town features beautiful landscapes and Santorini-style buildings, attracting many couples to take wedding photos.”
THE replica of Santorini in Abu Dhabi is not the only copy of a city or a monument.
While China is known for its fascination with copycat cities, there are other places that attempted recreating sites.
