Finally, after 3 years without a proper week of vacation somewere, this year I´ve been in Santorini, a Greek island. I spent 1 week there, with my boyfriend and nothing more than 1 cell phone to send some sms to our parents. No tv, no internet, no modern things! Almost everything on Santorini looks like the inhabitants are still living in the ´50ies, and for me that´s what gives the island a cozy atmosphere. It is worthed to drive around, and it doesn´t take so long because Santorini is a tiny tiny island! You have to watch out, because the roads are old, narrow, many times on the edge of a cliff. The signs are not clear and there are not so many, and they drive like crazy!
The nature on Santorini is wild. Starting from the shape, a sort of crescent moon, and with the fact that it is a vulcanic formation, the island offers some amazing landscapes and views. The two biggest cities, Fira and Ia, are built on the high cliffs that face the volcan Nea Kamini. The view from these cliffs is amazing, and seing the white cities perched on the clifftop it´s fantastic.
The city of Ia from the boat
You can see the different geological eras:)
Beautiful flowers
Santorini – with Thira, Thirasia and Aspronisi – is a group of islands. It is what was left over from the last major volcanic eruption 3,600 years ago, when the island was inhabited by a prosperous civilisation similar to that on Minoan Crete. You can visit the archeological sites of Old This and Akrotiri to see the remains of this ancient civilisation. Unluckily, while we were in Santorini, Akrotiri was under mantainance, so we couldn´t visit it. The last volcanic eruption was in 1950, and the vulcan remains dormant. But don´t worry! The volcan is continously monitored by the Institute for the Study and Monitorning of the Santorini Volcano. Nowadays the only witnesses to the existence of the magma at a depth of a few kilometers under the island are the hot springs and the hot gasses that are emitteded at various part of the island. We went for a boat tour, and we had the chance to walk all the way up to the top of the little island Nea Kamini and enjoy the view of the zone. Then we jumped in the sea to swim into the hot springs. Here the water reaches 33 degrees, and they say that the sulfur is good for the skin. Remember to remove all you jewels when you swim in the hot springs, because they are going to get ruined.
The little harbor of Nea Kamini
View from the top of Nea Kamini
Hot springs:)
Another place I liked it´s The Red Beach. We drove there in a sunny day, and it has been very nice to walk the path that leads to the small beach, and then jump in the fresh limpid water to cool down a bit! You can also visit the White beach taking a taxi-boat. We didn´t do it, because we preferred to drive around alittle bit more.
And you abssolutely have to visit Ia! It´s a beautiful city on the edge ot the cliff, from where you can enjoy a fantastic view, and they say also the best sunsets! Ia is filled with small carateristic shops and places, and you can also find loads of dogs that sleep everywhere. In Ia we went to drink something in a bar that had an amazing view! We could have stayed there for ages! Let´s say, we didn´t buy an apartment only because you have to go up and down with your legs carrying bags and stuff! 
The Red Beach
View from the bar
A cozy bar
Of course you can find also sweet cats in Ia!
Ia
Me and my boyfriend:) Nice view behind us!=)
Built on the edge of the cliff. Up and down all day long!
It was coudy, but still a hot day!
Now let´s speak about food! I´m Italian, so I have to! I ate really well in Santorini. I tried the real moussaka (sort of lasagne with aubergine, minced meat and cheese), and it tasted really good! Of course I ate feta nearly every day! Olives paté, grilled mean, fresh fish, tsatsiki and other sauces, and lamb cooked in many different ways! Thanks to the sun, the veggies and fruit have a really good taste. On the island you can also find different kind of wine, and you can go visit the wineyards and do some tasting. The restaurants are usually rustics and stuffed with things, and this helps to create a very cozy atmosphere. Useless to say that I ate so much, that now I have to focus on loosing some kilos!
Little restaurant on the way back from The Red Beach (I don´t know precisely where). The view was amazing, the food was good and tasty, and the atmosphere cozy!
Some grilled chicken with red onions, potatoes, tomatoes, tsatsiki and pita bread
Restaurant Alexander in Kamari. One of my favourites! Food is amazing, they are funny and sweet, and it doesn´t cost so much!
Links:
- Kamari Tour, situated in Kamari where we stayed.
- Taverna Andreas, another fantastic reastaurant in Kamari. Remember also Alexander (they don´t have a website).
- The Thera Foundation, a little bit of history.
- Thira airport, the airport of Santorini.
- Santorini.info, for some general information.
- The good old Wikipedia!
