This trip to Santorini took place after our weekend in Venice and our adventure in Crete, which have already been the subject of an article on this blog. Santorinini, this Trêcque island that we all dream of visiting. You know, that with the white houses hanging on the cliff, and from where we observe the breathtaking sunsets.
It all started early in the morning in Heraklion, our place of departure, with a ferry crowded with a few hundred passengers. It was also the first time that we have been traveling by boat as large, and this crossing was an experience in itself. The Aegean Sea, the sound of the wind, the view of the water … All this already sets the tone for the day that is announced.
Once at the port of Santorini, we were immediately impressed by the organization. Tourists, spread over different buses according to their language, were welcomed by very passionate guides. The latter told us lots of anecdotes on the island, its history, its legends, making the visit even more interesting.
The road from the port to the top of the hill, in the mountains of Santorini, is anything but classic: narrow, winding, with a steep slope. A real adventure for bus drivers. But they managed everything with a master’s hand, and the reward at the top was breathtaking: an incredible panoramic view of the sea, the port, and all these boats that wander there.
The bus immediately took us to the famous OIA district. The latter is a bit like the symbol of Santorini. The white houses, aligned on the cliff, all of the same height, create a magic landscape. The labyrinth of roads, alleys and small paths allows you to get lost with pleasure.
OIA is a postcard par excellence. White houses often equipped with a private swimming pool, which plummeted towards the sea. Most buildings have been transformed into shops, restaurants, cafes, or guest houses.
And here, you absolutely have to taste an ice cream with exotic flavors, sold all over the village. Taking selfies and photographing these iconic houses is an essential step in OIA. It is impossible to withstand such exercises.
After the visit of OIA, we joined the bus to visit another district more in the center of Santorini, where we took a short break. Lunch was taken here, in a restaurant perched on the cliff, with a terrace offering a spectacular view of the ocean and the boats that dance below.
The afternoon ended with a slightly unusual visit: a natural swimming pool at sea, born from an old volcano. To do this, return to the port to embark on a boat that looked like a “pirate boat”. The crossing, about thirty minutes, led us in this pool with warm waters, a perfect place to relax while enjoying the exceptional landscape.
This little getaway in Santorini will long be engraved in our memories. Between breathtaking landscapes, stories told by our guides, and this turquoise sea as far as the eye can see, it was simply magical.
Rasamy
