Santorini, Greek isles

Santorini is widely known because of its beauty, breathtaking views, traditional villages perched on top of impressive cliffs and blue domed churches. But that is only part of the islands charm. We had the loveliest time on Parisi Beach dipping in the Aegean Sea and being served refreshments and pitas whilst lazing on beach chairs under umbrellas.

There are three options to get to the top of Santorini, in order to reach Fira, the island’s capital. The easy option is a 5 minute cable car ride which costs  4. The second option is a little smelly and I felt it was far too cruel to consider. For  5 one can ride a donkey up the steep cliffside or thirdly one may choose to climb the 588 stairs on foot whilst dodging the donkeys and the little gifts they leave behind. We opted to take the cable car and then took a walk through the narrow pedestrian streets on the top. We did however make our decent at the end of the day on foot. It was no minor feat dodging tired, grumpy donkeys and their piles of poop. I was extremely relieved when we finally made it to the bottom of the cliff without being kicked or bitten.

We had started the day with a visit to Oia, a picturesque settlement on a cliff overlooking the amazing caldera (the crater of the volcano). It was here we saw the most published picture in the world of the white washed, blue domed church and enjoyed spectacular views of beautiful terraces and boutique hotels hanging on an impressive cliff over the deep blue of the sea.

It is a little daunting sharing the path with the donkeys. 

We also visited the Prehistoric Akrotiri Archaeological Site which has just recently been reopened after years of constructing an enclosed dome over the top of the ruins. Stepping back in time we walked the streets and saw their homes as they may have been before the volcanoes great eruption.