Santorini : travel diary

End of September, 5 days free, I flee to Santorini.

Greece has always attracted me, I have been assiduously in the past to the mythical Crete, seen Rhodes and last May Corfù of which I will speak soon. But Santorini has something special. First of all this impressive half moon shaped caldera that wherever you are embraces you and watches you, from Oia to Thira to Akrotiri.
The dark volcanic earth in multi-colored stratums takes you almost to prehistoric times, a museum of natural history in the open air.


The characteristic white localities of Oia and Thira with blue roofs churches perched on the back of the slope are truly fabulous.
Above all Oia is magical, in a particular point where the houses are joined by a series of mills lined up down the hill.

Both from Oia and Thira you can descend to the sea level along steep , winding staircases.

You go up again with the poor donkeys (there are donkey gadgets everywhere) or with a cable car (only in Thira) or on foot paying attention to the continuous passages of the animals , fortunately announced by their nice bells. In the ascent several times I felt overwhelmed by

a donkey herd , happy to get down quickly without heavy tourists on their backs.

Between the two i recommend the descent to Amoudi bay from Oia, more scenic and spectacular with its faraglioni and with the possibility to swim rather than the quaint little port of Thira full of taverns.

I spent 2 days in Thira but I would not do it again.Too much tourist even if beautiful.Up to a certain time in the morning still untouched but then invaded by cruise passengers who shoot photos everywhere.

The first glimpse from the center of Thira on the caldera , however , is priceless ... breathtaking , it really seems to fly with the sea and the ships below.

The village of Akrotiri remained in my heart. I stayed at villa-galinia.gr and I would stay there again.
From there, after a day at the archaeological site of Akrotiri, very well kept (I recommend visiting with a guide) or to the wonderful Red Beach

really spectacular, I took the pedestrian pathways between narrow streets and white houses and reached the center where ensure an evening refreshment.
Enjoy both Portobello grill Restaurant and the most renowned Theofanis Tavern.


Also Karterados is another quaint village where I spent the first night, I remember the kindness of the owners of Babis Hotel who waited my flight late for more than an hour without problems and the next day took me to the bus station of Thira , all for free.
Is this simplicity and availability of the Greeks I have known that has captivated me, a timeless willingness on a human scale.
I always move on the bus and I must say that they are efficient and on time, filled with all us disoriented tourists but precise in their hellenistic chaos.You can do the ticket on board and they show you where to go down remembering everyone's destination, incredible.

Writing these lines I relive the breath of island life  : waking up and seeing dawn to the east, shaking with the meltemi i, the north wind of the Cyclades, breathing the barren but fertile land (renowned different grapes) and the strong contrasts of nature that order
your day and give it an harmonious rhythm , wait for the sunset to the west.

Talking about the sunsets , all quote the very famous from Oia. I have not savoured it but in any case also from Thira or Imerovigli is enchanting, slow , I would say almost biblical , and gorgeous also from the lighthouse near Akrotiri in the south.

I hope to have transmitted a small part of the wonderful emotions that I felt here ... and how there is the ill of Africa, now I feel the same for this unique island.


https://youtu.be/enuQa_YSn5I


If you have questions, do not hesitate ...