TAKE A BREAK IN SANTORINI

Departure in the morning from Paris to catch a direct flight to the Santorini island with my friend. When we arrived on the island, we shared a taxi with a French couple because there are few buses going into the city center and we did not want to waste time waiting. After dropping our suitcases at the hotel, we went to visit Fira. A typical Greek white city located in the center of the island. Take a walk in the pedestrian streets to discover the shops, at the top of the cliffs. A perfect location to stay and explore the island as most buses leave from there. Then, we did one of the main activities of the island, we sat on a terrace at the edge of the cliff with an amazing view on the sea and admired the sunset. The colors reflecting on the water and on the white facades of the cities are breathtaking. Not to miss!

The next morning, we left all day by boat to discover the volcanic island in front of Fira. An island of various colors, and a turquoise blue sea. Then we bathed in a source hot natural water source due to the volcanic earth nearby. The color of the water (red) is unusual but it’s nice. If you are lucky, you can admire curious goats watching you from the top of the cliff. On our tour we visited Thirasia. Restaurants, a little touristic down, a city at the top of the cliffs with few inhabitants. The city can be visited in 15 minutes but there is a beautiful view of Santorini.

On the third day, we did one of the the island walk not to be missed between Fira and Oia. This one allows you to discover nice little towns and diverse landscapes. Several breathtaking views. Oia is more touristic than Fira, but still keeps this charm thanks to the architecture of the city. There is a small atypical library, Atlantis Books, in the heart of the city that will delight literary people. We were able to discover the Ammoudi harbor which is at the foot of Oia and is full of charm. Red cliffs with a color of blue water, and the white facades of the harbor.

We visited Akrotiri, a former historic island town near the beach. An hour is enough to go around and discover how the Greeks used to live. There is much more explanation about how they lived in Akrotiri than in Thera. In the afternoon, we went to the Red Beach and the Black Beach. Unique beaches in the south of the island. A boat allows you to access at the various beaches (the red beach is the first one accessible by bus). I don’t recommend you to walk between the two beaches as it is not very interesting in terms of landscapes and views. Back in Fira, we tested the wine tasting. To do for a small evening to discover the Greek wine.

Price of the entry Historic city Akrotiri: €12
Price of the boat: €5

For the last half day in Santorini, we went to Ancient Thera located at the top of a valley of Santorini. These are ruins of an old Greek village. A walk by a discreet path is accessible from Kamari, and you can go down on the other side, to reach Perissa. The duration of this ride lasts in total between 2h30 – 3h. Then we took the bus to the airport, back to Paris.

Price of Ancient Thera entrance: €4

A destination that will not disappoint you on several aspects: a perfect weather, small towns typical of the island, a culture to discover, a gastronomy to taste, varied landscapes. Everything is there to spend a few days of happiness in Santorini.

Direct flights at good prices exist from Paris, about 3 hours and 45 minutes, and about €200 if you take them in advance. On site, it is quite easy to go to different places by bus. No need to rent a car or a quad if you have time. Bus journeys generally do not exceed more than €2,50.

High season is to be avoided (from May to September). There are many people in the pedestrian streets of small towns, which are not very wide. And not to mention the prices. By cons in low season April / October / November, the climate is still favorable and there are less people. You can discover the island in peace and have the best tables on the terraces for the sunset without being there 4 hours before. Months with favorable weather to visit the Santorini island.

Villa Koronios,
Thera 847 00, Greece
Price : €22,50 / person / night
Bed & Breakfast website : click here

The dreaming and classic accommodation in the Santorini island is, of course, the suite with swimming pool / private Jacuzzi, and views of the sea and the sunset. But you have accommodations 5 minutes away by foot from downtown, and there are 2 to 3 times cheaper (and more for some hotels). These accommodations have no views on the sunset but it is quite visible on the terraces of restaurants. There are many accommodations with breakfast included.

Currency: Euros

Budget of 1 person for 5 days in the Santorini island. This budget correspond to sleep in a Bed & Breakfast, eat at restaurants, and enjoy some activities (example: boat trip, entrance to museums).

• Boat trip to have a view on the whole island and swim in a natural hot spring
• Thera ruins on top of a mountain to imagine the life of the ancient Greeks
• The Fira – Oia walk that offers breathtaking views of the Santorini island every minute
• The Red Beach with heavenly colors and transparent water
• Wine Tasting at the Villa Renos Restaurant Cafe Bar (Fira 847 00, Greece), a good place to do this experience at a good price and with a beautiful view. In addition, the manager of the restaurant is very welcoming