Best luxury resorts in Southern Europe for a milestone anniversary?

My spouse and I are planning to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary this upcoming summer and want to splurge on an unforgettable getaway somewhere in Southern Europe. We are looking for exceptional service, stunning sea views, top-tier dining, and ultimate privacy. Does anyone have personal recommendations for elite resorts in places like the Amalfi Coast, Santorini, or the Algarve? We are willing to spend top dollar, so I want to know which properties actually live up to the five-star hype.

Happy 10th anniversary! For the ultimate splurge, look no further than Le Sirenuse in Positano. The service is genuinely unmatched, and watching the sunset over the Amalfi Coast from your private balcony while eating at La Sponda is an unforgettable milestone experience.

My husband and I celebrated our 8th anniversary at Canaves Oia Epitome in Santorini, and it completely lived up to the hype. Absolute privacy, stunning caldera and sea views, and the infinity pool in the cliffside villas is breathtaking. Plus, the dining onsite is Michelin-quality.

If you want privacy and top-tier luxury, book a cliffside suite at Villa Treville on the Amalfi Coast. It feels exclusive because it only has about twenty rooms, and the private beach club area carved into the cliff is pure magic for a romantic getaway.

Another incredible option in Santorini is Grace Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection. Request a suite with a private plunge pool facing the caldera. The staff literally remembers your preferences within hours of arrival—true five-star hospitality.

If you decide to venture slightly outside your initial list, Vila Vita Parc in the Algarve, Portugal, is phenomenal. Their two-Michelin-star restaurant Ocean is out of this world, and the clifftop setting overlooking the Atlantic offers stunning views without the massive crowds of the Amalfi.

Whatever you do, make sure you plan your logistics carefully. While luxury resorts often arrange private transfers, if you plan on exploring multiple regions, you might want to look into Best ways to get around Europe by train: Interrail pass vs individual tickets? to save yourself some travel headaches.

We stayed at Andronis Luxury Suites in Oia, and while it's gorgeous, the foot traffic walking past can sometimes infringe on the privacy. If absolute seclusion is your main priority, Epitome is a better bet since it's located just outside the main village.

For the Amalfi Coast, Il San Pietro di Positano is the gold standard. Every single room faces the sea, they have a private elevator down to a hidden swimming cove, and the Michelin-starred Zass restaurant is perfect for a milestone anniversary dinner.

If you end up renting a luxury car to drive along the coastlines during your trip, definitely check out Planning a road trip: Best tips for renting a car and driving in Europe? first because the narrow coastal roads can be quite nerve-wracking!

Another hidden gem for absolute privacy and top-tier dining in the Algarve is Vila Joya. It's an intimate boutique resort right on the beach with an incredible two-Michelin-star restaurant. Far more relaxing than the bustling parts of Italy or Greece in the summer.

Congratulations on a decade together! Whichever property you choose, make sure to email them well in advance and mention it's your 10th anniversary—high-end resorts like Le Sirenuse or Grace Hotel always go above and beyond with complimentary champagne, rose petals, and room upgrades if they are available.