Santorini, Greece  |  |
5/8 and 5/9 We upgraded to business class for the 9 1/2 hour flight from Philadelphia to Athens. It was so nice having seats that make into a bed. After getting through Athens customs quickly, we checked in for our Aegean Airline flight to Santorini. A quick flight of 45 minutes and we were there. Cab picked us up and took is to Manos Small World, a lovely hotel in Firostefani overlooking the Aegean Sea. Yannis carried our bags down many steep steps to the hotel. Mr Thanassis greeted us and showed us our room. Waiting for us was a bottle of Santorini wine, a liter of water, and some lovely tulips. The room is very spacious and has a patio overlooking the sea and The island of Thirasia.
We walked around Firostefani (lots of steps, hills, pebbled walkway) and dined early at Remvi. I had moussaka and Mike had lamb in grape leaves, both delicious.
The sunset was gorgeous as there were a few clouds. We went to bed early (8:30 p.m.) and slept until 8:30 a.m.!
5/10 Breakfast was served on our patio; all homemade by Mr Thirassis' sister. We had a baked egg and feta dish as well as orange bread, crusty white bread, o.j., and coffee.
We walked to Thira (Fira) and looked way down below to where the ships anchor - although there weren't any ships today. Everyone has to be tendered in to shore. A cable car brings passengers to the top, or they can hike or take a donkey ride up.
Lots of shops, taverns, and small hotels all along the cliffs. We stopped back at our hotel to put sunscreen on and continued our walk to Imerovigli. It was mostly uphill, and we were looking forward to the walk back; all downhill. We found a tavern with 180' views of the caldera and had a Mythos beer. Very refreshing after our hike up the hill!
We relaxed back on the patio of our hotel before getting ready to go to dinner. Our friend, Tommy Varzos, who is Greek and has been here many times, said we MUST go to Taverna Katina, just past Oia in Ammoudi at the top of the island. Mr Thirassis walked up the steep hill to the road with us and got us a cab.
It was 25 Euro for the cab, which took us through Oia to Ammoudi Bay. Here we found 5 taverns, all serving fresh fish. We got a table right on the water at Katina and were served crusty bread with olive oil. The waiter took us over to pick out our fish. He suggested the sea bass, so we ordered that. We also ordered grilled octopus (delicious!) and a fish salad, which came as a dip and went well with the bread and octopus. The sea bass was amazing! So fresh and flaky! I was stuffed but couldn't pass up the baklava for dessert. It came cut in two so we'd each get our own piece and with vanilla ice cream. Delicious!!
5/11 We slept in again and enjoyed a wonderful breakfast of quiche with vegetables and feta cheese, a milk pie topped with cinnamon and powdered sugar, fruit, coffee, and o.j.
There were 5 ships in today so the towns were packed with people. We walked to Fira and looked around; got a gelato and walked back to Firostefani. Seeing the throngs of people and the 2 block long line waiting for the cable car to get back down to the ship reminded us of why we prefer to travel by land rather than wait in line to get off the ship and wait in line to get back on, spending only a few hours in each port.
After our walk, we sat on our patio and enjoyed a glass of wine and the beautiful view.
Dinner tonight was at Taverna Mama Thira. We had another Greek salad, tomato balls (Santorini is known for its cherry tomatoes), fresh grilled fish, and a wonderful dessert that tasted like apple pie in phyllo. Another wonderful meal and a fabulous day!
We walked around Firostefani (lots of steps, hills, pebbled walkway) and dined early at Remvi. I had moussaka and Mike had lamb in grape leaves, both delicious.
The sunset was gorgeous as there were a few clouds. We went to bed early (8:30 p.m.) and slept until 8:30 a.m.!
5/10 Breakfast was served on our patio; all homemade by Mr Thirassis' sister. We had a baked egg and feta dish as well as orange bread, crusty white bread, o.j., and coffee.
We walked to Thira (Fira) and looked way down below to where the ships anchor - although there weren't any ships today. Everyone has to be tendered in to shore. A cable car brings passengers to the top, or they can hike or take a donkey ride up.
Lots of shops, taverns, and small hotels all along the cliffs. We stopped back at our hotel to put sunscreen on and continued our walk to Imerovigli. It was mostly uphill, and we were looking forward to the walk back; all downhill. We found a tavern with 180' views of the caldera and had a Mythos beer. Very refreshing after our hike up the hill!
We relaxed back on the patio of our hotel before getting ready to go to dinner. Our friend, Tommy Varzos, who is Greek and has been here many times, said we MUST go to Taverna Katina, just past Oia in Ammoudi at the top of the island. Mr Thirassis walked up the steep hill to the road with us and got us a cab.
It was 25 Euro for the cab, which took us through Oia to Ammoudi Bay. Here we found 5 taverns, all serving fresh fish. We got a table right on the water at Katina and were served crusty bread with olive oil. The waiter took us over to pick out our fish. He suggested the sea bass, so we ordered that. We also ordered grilled octopus (delicious!) and a fish salad, which came as a dip and went well with the bread and octopus. The sea bass was amazing! So fresh and flaky! I was stuffed but couldn't pass up the baklava for dessert. It came cut in two so we'd each get our own piece and with vanilla ice cream. Delicious!!
5/11 We slept in again and enjoyed a wonderful breakfast of quiche with vegetables and feta cheese, a milk pie topped with cinnamon and powdered sugar, fruit, coffee, and o.j.
There were 5 ships in today so the towns were packed with people. We walked to Fira and looked around; got a gelato and walked back to Firostefani. Seeing the throngs of people and the 2 block long line waiting for the cable car to get back down to the ship reminded us of why we prefer to travel by land rather than wait in line to get off the ship and wait in line to get back on, spending only a few hours in each port.
After our walk, we sat on our patio and enjoyed a glass of wine and the beautiful view.
Dinner tonight was at Taverna Mama Thira. We had another Greek salad, tomato balls (Santorini is known for its cherry tomatoes), fresh grilled fish, and a wonderful dessert that tasted like apple pie in phyllo. Another wonderful meal and a fabulous day!
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