Santorini, Greece

September 21-26, 2023

Early morning flight out of Naples, Italy direct to Santorini. Our only good option was a 6:05 am flight so that meant a 2:30 wake up, packed up and taxi at 4:00 am to the airport. Pouring rain with lots of thunder and lightning prior to takeoff but only a light rain for the takeoff on this Ryan Air flight. Good 2 hours flight and smooth landing along the Aegean Sea on the Eastern side of the island. Private car to the hotel and arrived at the On The Rocks Hotel well prior to our check in time but spent the day walking around town, had some lunch and was able to check in a little early. WOW, this place is spectacular with stunning views overlooking the Western side of the island right above the Caldera. Here’s a little bit about a Caldera:

(Santorini’s half-moon-shaped bay is the center of the caldera (a cauldron-like volcanic depression), which collapsed after a volcanic eruption during the Minoan civilization, eventually leading to their decline, just like Pompeii. Indeed, the eruption was so massive that it seems to have caused significant climate perturbations; it was possibly one of the biggest volcanic eruptions on Earth. The outer edge of the ancient volcano gave birth to Thira, the main island. Subsequent eruptions during the 16th and 17th centuries are responsible for the creation of the islands Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni. Furthermore, excavation works done at the site of Akrotiri have shown that the island, at the time named Kallisti, was the cradle of an advanced civilization dating back to 4000 BC.)

Getting back to the first days lunch, we stopped at a little local deli and market that looked like gyros were the top items. Boy, we tried a chicken and a pork gyros with a greek salad, olives on the side and everything was delicious. Turns out we visited Jimmy’s Gyros a few times on this trip and it was right around the corner from our hotel. Also, the market sold wine and we picked out a nice Pinot from Greece with the help of the owner and bought a bottle. Again, we made it back there a few times to buy more wine.

One day we rented a Polaris side by side to go explore the island. Spend the next six hours traveling the pothole filled narrow roads into some small tourist towns. Visited Red Beach, Black Beach along the south end of the island. The black sandy beach was pretty cool, very soft black sand that stretched along the seashore filled with chairs and umbrellas waiting for more tourist to arrive. Stopped at a winery for some wine tasting, the Santo Wines built in 1911 had spectular views and decent wines. Pat noticed a very small sign along the road that pointed to a Tomato Industrial Museum. We turned down the windy road and headed towards the water on this part of our MMT. We came accross the museum, went in and took the self guided tour for 6 euros and learned how they made tomato paste and sauce for many many years in Santorini. Who knew we would have a tomato tour in Greece. Back on the road to explore the town of OIA on the most Northern tip of Santorini. This high end tourist town was very crowded along the narrow steep streets filled with all the top shops in the fashion world. Back to the hotel while continuing to explore the islands Eastern side.

The walk over to Fira is about 1 1/2 miles away on a footpath full of steps up or down on every step. As we approached the town, we could see the four cruise ships emptying thier tourist to spend the day walking around the town. Three ways to get up the very steep long hillside from the ships at the bottom to the town on top. One was to take the cable car, two was to get ontop a donkey and have a slow bouncy ride to the top or three, walk the path and the 588 steps to the top. It was really more because most of the steps were big enough you needed a second step to get up. After walking theu crowds and small walkways, it was time to head back to our hotel and keep getting more steps and exercise before it got to hot.

Sunday was set aside to take a sunset dinner cruise with Santorini Yacht Sailing, this 45 foot catamaran with a crew of 4 proved to be a great way to spend time on the water. We had a 1:30 pickup at the hotel and a van ride over to OIA to the Ammoudi Harbor, baorded the vessel and set off for the day. Toured aroud the dormant valcano and small island that made up the Caldera. Saw Red and Black beach, stopped at two swimming spots, had a very nice early dinner with wine, beer, soda, water and plenty of time to chat with the 18 passengers. This was a really fun group and that made it a special trip along with the crew that were fantastic, especially Joe (go figure). The sunset over the water was a bit hampered with clouds and haze but still enjoyed it before heading back to the harbor.

Monday is some pool time, loved the Magma Ruins and the Santo-Rin cocktails and a relaxing lunch, packing up and getting ready for our ferry ride over to Athens on Tuesday afternoon. Foggy morning but great afternoon and evening. One last bottle of wine in the terrace enjoying the spectacular views.

Next stop is Athens!!!!!