Things to do in Santorini.....

October 3, 2015.  Santorini, Greece.

So what does one do in the most beautiful place on earth?  We have been busy exploring and enjoying this amazing little island (only 6 km wide at the widest point and 19 kms long) and here are some things we found:

1. Wander.....

Wander along the little stone paths and streets. Follow them as they wind around. Take a little set of stairs this way and that and see where they go. I guarantee at pretty much every one you will discover some new view or treasure that takes your breath away.

2. See how many churches and domes and steeples you can find. They claim there more than 250 on the island.  I think we have found a lot of them.

3. Take photos of colored doors. or gates.  Many are blue but I have found green, red, even a purple one today.

4. Go shopping. Poke in the many little shops and galleries along the way. Linen shops and cotton shops and silk shops. Shoes, scarfs, bags. Souvenirs and knicknacks as well as beautiful ceramics and pottery. Tons of jewellery shops, both highend and low. You can buy wine, ouzo or olive oil. T-shirts, sweaters or hats. Gifts for the kids, the hubby or friends. Or just treat yourself.

 

5. Go see some history. Whether its the old castle ruins right here in Oia where everyone gathers to watch the sunset, or the excavation site in Akrotori you will learn something of the island's history. Drive to Emperio to the Venetian Castle and the half dozen churches around it...(why would you need so many huge churches in a small town like this?)

 

6. Stop for a break. Have a cold drink and people watch. Listen to the multitude of languages as people from all over the world mix in the friendly little streets. Have a piece of apple pie with ice cream, dripping with honey. Or a Greek salad, or some filo pastry.

7. Go to a beach. There is the Red Beach and the White beach and the Black beach. Because of its volcanic foundation and history the soil make up is radically different around the island. Black lava rock, red lava, limestone. These all break down to similar colors of sand. Mesa Pigadia Beach is shiny black pebbles that sing as the tide stirs them and they tumble together as the water ebbs and flows.  Or, if you are energetic, climb down Katharos Beach or Ammoudi Beach far below the caves of Oia, but remember you have to climb back up again! (Or take a donkey.)

8. Ride a donkey.  Donkeys are used here to haul freight up and down the narrow paths and stairs where vehicles can not go. I saw one with 12 cases of beer on it back going down a narrow set or steep stairs!. They transport people up the stairs from the beaches below. You can take a donkey tour between the towns of Fira and Oia or in the mountains.



Or just pretend.....

9.  Taste some local wine.....  Take a wine tour or just rent a car and discover the many local wineries on your own. Wines here are different because they are grown in the black volcanic soil and it is very dry here so they get most of their moisture from the humidity in the summer. The native grape is called Assyrtiko. The Santorini variety wine is a protected wine strictly regulated in its production.  Another called Nichteri (meaning all night long) , so named because it is very hot in the daytime so they work at night to make the wine. Boutari, Gravalas, Vinosantos...... and many more wonderful and welcoming wineries.

10. Crash a wedding photoshoot. There are numerous weddings here. Everyday you will see brides in front of churches, on steps, on cliffs, walking down the streets, pretty much anywhere. Beautiful white dresses and veils billowing in the wind.  Play paparazzi and steal a shot here and there, just for fun.

11. Gather to watch the sunset over the caldera, again. As the evening approaches make you way to the ruins and the wall on the west side of Oia. Join the hundreds of visitors who perch or lean on the walls, unhurried, watching the sky gradually turn pink, then orange, then red. Watch the giant ball sink in the sky. Then as it disappears the rosy glow paints the white buildings beautiful pastel shades of pink, purple and orange. Then make your way to your favorite restaurant for a long, leisurely dinner of Greek specialties like Moussaka, Souvlaki,  Greek meatballs, octopus, seafood or pasta.....
The end to a perfect day.

The restaurants on Ammoudi Bay.

 

 

The most beautiful place on Earth...

Sept 29th. Santorini.

I recently read an online story that claimed the most beautiful place in earth was Santorini, Greece with its cobalt blue waters, bright white houses and brilliant blue rooftops. I saw the photos everywhere. Too spectacular to be real.


I dreamed of seeing it in person. Of taking photos that would be as breathtaking and memorable.

We travelled by ferry on Wednesday. A five hour ferry ride, the sea was angry and the wind was blowing. It was very rough and for a while I was searching for the handy little bag in the seat pocket. But it passed and I survived.

The Greek ferry, Sea Jets, is not as luxurious and comfortable as our BC Ferries.  Crowded, it feels more like a bus. Rows of opeople with nothing to do but sit in their assigned seat. No restaurant, just a small snack bar where you can get a sandwich and a cup of tea or coffee. No outside decks to walk around on or gift shop to browse and kill time.

We dock in Santorini early afternoon and by 3:00 we are having lunch by the pool, despite still wicked winds.





























We settle into our new home away from home, The Marizan Caves, so named because they are built into the side of the cliff which is really the crater of an ancient volcano which formed Santorini a gazillion years ago.

t is lovely and welcoming and the service is superb. They meet us at the port and take us to the spectacular town of Oia, where we will stay. Here the porter really is a porter.He grabs all of our bags and carts them up a steep winding stairway to our room.  I ask how many times a day he does this, he replies, "All day!"

 


We have a spacious suite with a little kitchen that they stock everyday with ham, cheese, fruit, yogurt, juice. And every morning at 8:00 they leave us a basket of freshly baked bread on the table of our deck, a cozy spot overlooking the Aegean Sea. 

 

Oil is the little village that is symbolic of Santorini, sitting high on the tip of the island overlooking the Caldera, or the blown out volcano now filled by the Aegean Sea. The water is emerald and cobalt mixed together. The shore and beaches are a mix of black volcanic sand and red lava rock. The buildings climb the side of the mountain, carved into the rock sides.

Little stone pathways wind around with short sets of curving steps. These are lined by shops and restaurants.

We spend the rest of the day exploring the area then gather back at our place as sunset nears. In Kia sunset is a big deal, everyone makes their way to the wall on the west side to watch the sunset over the sea, reflecting its light behind the beautiful white buildings. We have a front row seat from our deck.

Santorini promises to be everything we imagined.  We have three and a half more days to see......  Come With Me......