Santorini - A fairytale came true

Leave everything behind and get ready for a fairytale adventure. Santorini is the most popular island in Greece. It may be the most popular island in the world. There are few travel destinations that combine spectacular scenery, ancient cities, amazing restaurants, some of the world's best wine, and an active volcano and Santorini has all this together and even more. If you want to feel the real luxury lifestyle, you should definitely visit Santorini.

Santorini (Greek: Σαντορίνη, pronounced [sandoˈrini]), classically Thera, is an island in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km (120 mi) southeast of Greece's mainland. It is the largest island of a small, circular archipelago which bears the same name and is the remnant of a volcanic caldera. The island includes several cities and villages and here is a list: Fira (capital of Santorini), Oia, Firostefani, Imerovigli, Pyrgos, Akrotiri, Emporio, Messaria, Megalochori, Finikia, Mesa Gonia, Karteradas, Ammoudi, Athinios, Vothonas.

There’s no denying about the uniqueness of this destination or its huge allure. So get ready, follow my suggestions if you want to have a magical trip even once in your life. Personally, I visited Santorini to celebrate my birthday; I was searching something special for my day and I got it. I have spent three beautiful days there with two best friends and that trip is unforgettable and incomparable for us.

First of all you should decide which villages you want to visit. Two of them are the most important ones: Fira which is the capital of the island and Oia which the most beautiful and famous place. Both of them have some advantages: Fira is famous for its nightlife but if you ask me it is pointless to visit Santorini for partying, there are many party cities in the world and for sure Fira is not the best, that’s why I would recommend to stay in Oia. It is also known as ‘Apano Meria’ or ‘Anomeria’ and the inhabitants are called ‘Apanomerites’. Perched on the northern tip of the island, the village of Oia reflects the renaissance of Santorini after the devastating earthquake of 1956. Restoration work has whipped up beauty and you will struggle to find a more stunning Cyclades village. Built on a steep slope of the caldera, many of its dwellings nestle in niches hewn into the volcanic rock. You must visit it once in your life but not more than 2-3 days.

Not surprisingly, Oia draws enormous crowds and overcrowding is the price it pays for its good looks. There you can see the most beautiful sunset in the world. At sunset the town feels like a magnet for every traveler on the island, you even would die for this views of the golden sunset.

How to get there:

It is easy to reach Oia by plane, there is one airport in Santorini - JTR. You can take a flight from Athens ‘Eleftherios Venizelos’ airport to Thira and flight lasts about 45 minutes. You can use Ryanair which is cheap and flies twice in a day or local airways like: Olympic Airways or Aegean Airlines. From airport you can take a shuttle, which should be booked in advance; we used Drossos shuttle taxi and paid 30 euros, service was amazing and driver was a super nice and polite person; we liked it so much, that used the same on our back way.

You can also reach Oia by ship cruise. You can take Ferries to Santorini from either the port of Pireaus or Rafina. To go to Pireaus, you can take the X96 bus which departs every 20-40min from the airport. Allow about 60-90 minutes for the trip to the port and bus ticket is 2. 90 euros or you can take taxi which is about 15 euros.

There is three kind of ferries: Normal (the cheapest but slow), Blue Star Ferries and the fastest, High-speed ferries and it should take 5 hours to Santorini. So, the decision is up to you.

About architecture of Oia:

Oia typifies the white-painted houses of the Cyclades. In many cases they are built directly into niches. In Oia there are two types of dwellings, the cave houses dug into the volcanic rock on the Caldera cliffs, and the Captains houses. The cave houses used to be the homes of ship crews, whereas the Captains houses belonged to the affluent class of ship owners.

Many of the churches in Oia were dedicated to tailors. The village is noted for its white and blue domed houses. The houses are painted in white lime water so that the rainwater which falls over it runs down and can be collected. The other reason for painting the houses white is for aesthetic purposes. The other explanation given is that during the Ottoman rule of Greece, which lasted for over 400 years, Greeks were not allowed to fly their white flag.

Must see places and things to do:

• Watch the Sunset in Oia – many people go there just to see this magical sunset and the best view is from Oia castle.
• Explore the Paths, Alleys, and Stairwells of Oia – and just enjoy by the views.
• Windmills – with the marvelous views.
• Byzantine Castle Ruins – very different and beautiful Orthodox churches.
• Atlantis Books in Oia – cozy and nice place, which worth to visit.
• Amoudi Bay and Armeni Bay – places where you can swim but it is rocky beach and if do not swim well be carefully. There some nice restaurants where you can try different kind and fresh sea products.

  

• Church of Panagia
• Mnemossyne Gallery
• Oia Gallery
• Ride the Donkeys – it is funny thing, if you like riding then why not to try?!

Other attractions: Day Trip or overnight trip to Ios, cable car from Old Port to Fira, outdoor cinema in Kamari.

Where to stay?

We stayed at “Stelios room”, a very nice and cosy hotel, with amazing service and people. We loved them because of their hospitality and the way they treated us. The hotel is at the beginning of Caldera so you need just a two minutes’ walk after the taxi and it is very convenient in case you have heavy luggage.

Also, I would love to advise to stay at ‘La Perla’ five star hotel, one of the most luxurious hotel in Santorini, with astounding infinity pool, amazing service and gastronomy. We loved their company.

Where and what to eat?

Greek cuisine is one of the best in the world especially if you love cheese, Olive and sea products. Even I tried Octopus first time in my life but it was worth the risk.

There is a list of food which you must try during your stays:

• Mousakka - It’s like a pasta-free lasagna. Sautéed eggplant, minced meat, tomato, onion, garlic, potato, béchamel sauce and grilled cheese, layered and usually covered with cheese.
• Greek Salad - Famous all over the world, but the Greeks still do it better. Dressed with olive oil, vinegar and lemon juice. I loved it so much, I was eating every day during my trip in Greece.
• Souvlaki - Means a skewer, so this is any meat grilled on a skewer (lamb, chicken, pork, etc).
• Saganaki - Deep fried cheese. Do I need to say anything else?
• Tirokroketes/ Sfougat - Golden melt-in-your mouth fried cheese balls.
• Tzatziki - Basically it is a sauce made of yoghurt and cucumber seasoned with garlic. Goes great with meat, vegetables, pita, or just by itself with a spoon.
• Baklava – traditional Greek dessert, with amazing taste, one of my favourites.
• Loukoumades - For those who are waiting for the sweets, try these.
• Greek yogurt – Greece is famous for it, try with honey, it is amazing.
• Greek coffee – I am coffee lover, and Greek coffee is one of the best coffees in the world. Drink it with a beautiful view, you will enjoy it even more, trust me.

  

• Ouzo – Greek traditional shot-drink; and it is strong.
• Santo wines – try white dry, it is nice. Not as cool as Georgian wine but still good.
• Taverna Katina – Top rated restaurant, service should be like this. Views are stunning. It is an ideal place after swimming at Amoudi bay due to it is on the way. I was there with my friends after swimming and when they understood that it was my birthday they brought a birthday cake with candles and staff members sang for me. It was unexpected, we were pleasantly surprised and I will never forget this, because sometimes little things can make you happy!

  

• Skiza cafe – For breakfast I totally recommend it. A café with amazing view and sweets. We enjoyed so much there. Take a sit on the terrace, it is the best thing you can do in the morning.
• Kastro Oia – nice restaurant with beautiful views.
• Terpsi Restaurant - ideal for a luxury dinner, you will spend nice time there and I chose that place for my birthday; food and views are amazing.

  

• Lioyerma Lounge Cafe Pool Bar – the only swimming pool which has access for outcome people, due to infinity pools are just for hotels guests and it is impossible to swim even if you pay.

  

• Gyros – Greece is unimaginable without gyros, I am not fan of it but trust me, you have to try it exactly on that place, you won’t regret it. I am very satisfied and happy that I ate it, even in that case if ‘Vakelebi’ won’t receive me back.
• Lolita’s Gelato – oh, I am crazy about ice-cream and that place is really first-rated. I don’t remember how many of them I have eaten; lovely place.

  

To sum up, this trip was one of the best trips of my life with my girls, a real lifetime memory and experience. We loved Greek people and their hospitality. We were surprised, people are so polite and almost everyone speak English, which is really convenient for tourists.

Santorini was like a dream, other world. Golden sunset, amazing views, Caldera, nice architecture, amazing people and gastronomy. What else would you dream for your fabulous holidays?

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