Part 2 - Santorini - with photos that open and a spot to leave a comment!

While I loved the entire trip, I think that our 3 days on the island of Santorini were my favourite. This is where the history of our destination choice becomes silly. My friend Don and I have known each other for almost 45 years. One of the movies we saw was likely one of the worst of all time, called Summer Lovers. (look it up) One good thing about this movie was the gorgeous scenery, and it was mostly filmed on Santorini, and has apparently contributed to the island’s increase in tourism in the past decades. So of course we HAD to go there.

I had researched taking the ferry from Athens and read such horrendous reviews that we decided to fly there. It was very affordable, so we took Aegean Airlines from Athens to Santorini. The check in process was excellent and there was the opportunity to buy additional checked baggage online at a much lower price than at airport check-in. The seats were comfortable and there was lots of legroom in Economy. We were only 30 minutes in the air after we had been loaded onto buses both to and from the aircraft in Athens.

Upon arrival, we were met by our driver who we had booked through our lodging, the Reverie resort. Jani picked us up in the rain and took us the 10 minutes to the resort with our vast collection of luggage. Reverie is located in the village of Firostefani, just a ten-minute walk from Fira, right outside the centre but close enough to easily wander around. It is not situated on the Caldera’s edge but exactly above it. The Reverie is fine but not fabulous – the online pics don’t demonstrate the somewhat unsightly views from the balconies – the setting is off the main road so it’s a little noisy but okay – it was perfect for pickups and drop-offs of taxis and tour vans.

The resort is run by a family – their greeting was great – Nicolina introduced her husband and her mother – Mom makes the liqueur and chocolates served to us on arrival – she explained the map of the island while our bags were being taken upstairs to our rooms. The bed was comfortable and the shower was perfect – there were 2 tables in the room with electrical outlets and a kitchen – so the room was perfect to work in. The balcony was cute and has a high table and chairs so it was perfect to work on too. The pool was small and cold but clean – so since it was warm enough for me, I had to take a dip in late October which shocked the owner. (okay, it was super cold but really refreshing) Breakfast can be pre-ordered through their app and is delivered to the room and was very good. Here’s the link for pics https://reverie.gr/gallery/

Our first full day there, we took the Santorini private tour that we had booked through Trip Advisor/Viator. It was actually provided by Aris, owner of Cyclades Shine, his own tour company. We had a small list of places we wanted to go, and then, since we learned he is a Santorini native, I asked him if he could take us anywhere else that he thought would interest us, which turned out really well. He also provided a lot of information about what it’s like to live there and especially about the economic conditions. For example, did you know that on Santorini, a doctor makes less money than a tour guide? Here’s a summary of the places we went:

“Popular places to visit in Santorini include the iconic caldera and the sunset views in Oia, ancient sites like the Akrotiri Archaeological Site and Ancient Thira, and the volcanic beaches of Perissa and Kamari. You can also explore picturesque villages, hike between Fira and Oia, and discover the island's volcanic history through boat tours and hot springs.

Iconic sights and villages:

Oia:

Known for its postcard-perfect views, blue-domed churches, and breathtaking sunsets. The old castle is a popular viewing spot.

Fira:

The capital, offering dramatic volcanic views and a hub of activity. Don't miss a walk along the caldera rim.

Pyrgos:

A traditional village perched on a hill, with classic Cycladic architecture and panoramic views, especially from its Venetian castle.

Imerovigli:

A village on the highest point of the caldera cliffs, offering stunning scenery.

Beaches and volcanic wonders

The Caldera and Volcano:

Take a boat trip to explore the volcanic crater, sail to the hot springs, and visit the island of Nea Kameni.

Perissa and Perivolos Beaches:

Famous for their long stretches of black volcanic sand, and they offer plenty of beach bars and restaurants.

Red Beach:

A unique beach with dramatic red cliffs and deep blue waters.

Ammoudi Bay:

A picturesque fishing port located below Oia, known for its seafood tavernas and swimming spots.

History and culture

Akrotiri Archaeological Site: A Minoan city preserved by volcanic ash, often called the "real-life Atlantis".

Prophet Elias Monastery: Located at the island's highest point, offering incredible panoramic views.

Midway through the tour, we stopped at a restaurant for lunch recommended by the guide – we were treated to chicken off the grill handed to us outside as we entered the restaurant by a guy who looked like the Greek Gordon Pinsent. The waitress described him as “like our Father” and it was clear that this was a family restaurant. Our plate was toasted pita bread, fries (cooked in olive oil), shredded chicken, tzatziki, tomatoes, and grilled peppers and it was delicious.

Our dinners on Santorini were accessed through the back gate of the resort, where we were immediately in a laneway full of shops leading to restaurants galore. That whole experience was so unique. Our dinner locations were as follows:

1st dinner – Remvi -overlooking the Aegean sunset, cruise ships, and yachts – very expensive but good - https://remvirestaurant.gr/gallery/

2nd dinner – at Fanari -similar setting but a long hilly walk from the resort – we were thankful to catch a taxi back to the resort – just to get to the taxi stand (at McDonald’s) it took up and down climbs through the alleys of shops and restaurants – we had spaghetti Bolognese and tomato balls – plus seafood risotto and lots of wine

3rd dinner at Vanillia – it was a very windy night but this restaurant was just behind our hotel with another nice view – they had outstanding tomato fritters and chicken