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Greece Trip In-Game Thread
Posted on 5/21/23 at 1:56 pm
Posted on 5/21/23 at 1:56 pm
Only posting because a few TB poster are heading this way this summer.
I’m in Santorini now on our second night/first full day. Flights were smooth, had a hiccup in Newark because some slob OD’d on muscle relaxers and puked all over himself right as we were pushing back from the gate. A wheelchair and 2 hours later we were off. Still made my connection in Frankfurt and arrived in Santorini on time 16:50. We were the only plane at the airport, bags arrived quick and grabbed the rental car and off we went.
Staying in an AirBnB in Firostefani. Couldn’t be happier with the location. Centrally located, quiet, and literally 50 feet from a terrace where people gather to take panoramic pics.
It’s been cloudy and raining both evenings so no sunsets yet.
We spent most of the day in Oia, very cool small streets with shops everywhere. They start to run together after a while though- dresses, scarves, magnets, trinkets, repeat.
The views are great, expect crowds at most major pics of blue domes. Most people wait in line except the Asians and Indians who just ignore you and take their pics right in the background of people who’ve been waiting. Talked to a few shop owners that say it will only get worse come high season.
Had lunch at Ammoudi bay- grilled octopus right off the boat- “chef’s kiss”
Walked around Megalochori for a bit then headed home to get ready for dinner. Sunset dinner on a terrace, but no sunset.
So far the food has been great, all local staff very nice and accommodating. They say around August near the end of tourist season and the heat that most shopkeepers lose their patience. We saw huge ships docked off the harbor today and 90% of them head straight to Oia. They stand out like sore thumbs.
Can’t drink tap water, so we use bottles to brush our teeth. Also can’t flush TP so if you have to take a grumpy try to time it before you take your shower. Our shower water tastes/ smells like saltwater straight from the ocean.
So far it’s been great. Tomorrow we are heading south the explore the cliffs/beaches as well as Fira proper.
I’m in Santorini now on our second night/first full day. Flights were smooth, had a hiccup in Newark because some slob OD’d on muscle relaxers and puked all over himself right as we were pushing back from the gate. A wheelchair and 2 hours later we were off. Still made my connection in Frankfurt and arrived in Santorini on time 16:50. We were the only plane at the airport, bags arrived quick and grabbed the rental car and off we went.
Staying in an AirBnB in Firostefani. Couldn’t be happier with the location. Centrally located, quiet, and literally 50 feet from a terrace where people gather to take panoramic pics.
It’s been cloudy and raining both evenings so no sunsets yet.
We spent most of the day in Oia, very cool small streets with shops everywhere. They start to run together after a while though- dresses, scarves, magnets, trinkets, repeat.
The views are great, expect crowds at most major pics of blue domes. Most people wait in line except the Asians and Indians who just ignore you and take their pics right in the background of people who’ve been waiting. Talked to a few shop owners that say it will only get worse come high season.
Had lunch at Ammoudi bay- grilled octopus right off the boat- “chef’s kiss”
Walked around Megalochori for a bit then headed home to get ready for dinner. Sunset dinner on a terrace, but no sunset.
So far the food has been great, all local staff very nice and accommodating. They say around August near the end of tourist season and the heat that most shopkeepers lose their patience. We saw huge ships docked off the harbor today and 90% of them head straight to Oia. They stand out like sore thumbs.
Can’t drink tap water, so we use bottles to brush our teeth. Also can’t flush TP so if you have to take a grumpy try to time it before you take your shower. Our shower water tastes/ smells like saltwater straight from the ocean.
So far it’s been great. Tomorrow we are heading south the explore the cliffs/beaches as well as Fira proper.
10
Posted on 5/21/23 at 2:01 pm to slinger1317
I’m one of those few and appreciate this thread! I’ll be following.
Posted on 5/21/23 at 2:05 pm to slinger1317
In. Grateful for the info. Leavin in 10 long days and I’m counting down. Have a great trip !
Posted on 5/21/23 at 2:07 pm to slinger1317
Also , temps don’t look to be going much over 70 for the highs. I’m wondering if we’ll even want to swim.
Posted on 5/21/23 at 2:11 pm to jkylejohnson
We planned on doing a cruise and swim, but cancelled once we saw the weather. It’s chilly in the morning/evening. A few rays of sun poked through midday to warm up but the water is way too cold to swim and we didn’t want to spend $$$ to go out to the hot springs in cloudy weather.
Looks like we won’t get a Santorini sunset, but weather looks to clear up later when we are in Naxos.
Looks like we won’t get a Santorini sunset, but weather looks to clear up later when we are in Naxos.
This post was edited on 5/21/23 at 2:14 pm
Posted on 5/21/23 at 6:20 pm to slinger1317
Bummer about the weather. I may follow suit on the boat excursion if it’s too cold to swim. It was like 200 pp. luxury caldera sunset cruise we booked on viator.
Posted on 5/21/23 at 8:18 pm to jkylejohnson
They are having a string of highly unusual weather that is apparently freaking out the locals. They get the amount of rain in a year that London might get in 2 weeks, but apparently it has been significantly rainier and cooler than usual lately.
Posted on 5/21/23 at 9:25 pm to slinger1317
Have a great trip.
I like these detailed trip reports. Keep them coming.
I like these detailed trip reports. Keep them coming.
Posted on 5/21/23 at 9:32 pm to slinger1317
Sounds a lot like my experiences in Ammoudi and Oia
Posted on 5/21/23 at 11:55 pm to slinger1317
I’m always amazed how much of the developed world you can’t drink the water in but every rural small town in America has a water plant capable of safe water.
Posted on 5/22/23 at 12:17 am to jkylejohnson
quote:
Also , temps don’t look to be going much over 70 for the highs. I’m wondering if we’ll even want to swim.
Even during the middle of the summer, that water is freezing cold.
Posted on 5/22/23 at 6:32 am to Fun Bunch
quote:
They are having a string of highly unusual weather that is apparently freaking out the locals. They get the amount of rain in a year that London might get in 2 weeks, but apparently it has been significantly rainier and cooler than usual lately
Interesting. Well I guess we’ll just make the best of it. Cooler temps might be a good thing for hikes and what not. I’ll just be happy if we can get some good sunsets.
Posted on 5/22/23 at 7:37 am to slinger1317
Wherever you eat a meal, get the tomato fritters.
Posted on 5/22/23 at 1:50 pm to slinger1317
We were in Santorini at this exact time last year. Surprised it rained on yall. They said it rains just a few inches during the entire summer months.
We stayed in Firostefani as well. The public bus HQ is there. Buses are nice and stupid cheap (like $1.50?)
If you are going to do a sunset dinner in Oia make sure to call and get a reservation. They book up quick.
Also the trek to the red beach on the southern part of the island can be somewhat treacherous if you decide to head that way.
As far as swimming.. The water is cold this early but so worth it if you love being in the water. Crystal clear dark blue water with almost no waves usually.
We stayed in Firostefani as well. The public bus HQ is there. Buses are nice and stupid cheap (like $1.50?)
If you are going to do a sunset dinner in Oia make sure to call and get a reservation. They book up quick.
Also the trek to the red beach on the southern part of the island can be somewhat treacherous if you decide to head that way.
As far as swimming.. The water is cold this early but so worth it if you love being in the water. Crystal clear dark blue water with almost no waves usually.
This post was edited on 5/22/23 at 1:53 pm
Posted on 5/22/23 at 2:34 pm to slinger1317
Back in the apartment tonight after dinner. Interesting night last night- quite a bit of rain and we lost power. Apparently 95% of the island was in the dark from about 3-5 AM this morning. Wouldn’t have been so bad except that our flat has an emergency backup light that is basically and LED light bar shining right in our faces. We sat up like Clark Griswold’s neighbors when he finally figured out the switch on his Christmas lights.
Anyway, nice breakfast near our apartment and then we walked to Fira. Nice town but mostly the same as Oia without the polish. Trinkets everywhere and sundresses/swimsuits for sale. We left after about an hour and drove out to Red Beach. The last 10 mins of the drive was insane, basically a dirt road steep as shite through the valley and then it spits you out at a little beach bar that accesses the beach. Black lava rocks and cold water, but the red lava wall was very cool. We had planned on hitting black/white beaches as well but figured it’s the same thing so we skipped. The wife was pretty queasy on the drive. We set off along the eastern coast of the island to Perissa.
The Eastern side is nice because it seems like the “forgotten” side if you believe the travel websites. Plenty of vineyards and white buildings dotting the flat coastline. Nice contrast to the cliffs on the Western side.
Perissa was nice, a little more beachy with plenty of restaurants and bars and beach setups. The weather was chilly and foggy so we just spent a few mins here then headed out.
Our best stop was the village of Pyrgos, our AirBnB host recommended a cafe at the top of the hill. Pyrgos is very elevated and near the middle of the island. We wound our way through narrow stairways past small shops and houses of locals. At the top was Franco’s Cafe. We had 270 degree views of the eastern side of the island, but again clouds and rain put a damper on the views. I can image on a clear day this would be an awesome spot to have a midday beer. We obliged ourselves anyway :)
We then drove to Oia to pickup a piece of jewelry my wife bought the day before. Enjoyed our visit with the jeweler and his staff. The owner designs and builds his own jewelry and his nephew is the lead salesman. Excellent people, we told the owner we were from Louisiana and be said he has friends in Abbeville. What a world!
We stopped in Imerovigli on the way out of Oia. It was the last town we haven’t seen. We walked the maze of cave suites with great views of the entire caldera. It is the highest point in the island but even at 4 pm the fog covered just about everything. Certainly this area will have amazing views on a clear day.
We had dinner in Imerovigli at Athenian House. Super upscale, 5 course tasting menu. But honestly not our thing. I can appreciate the art of the food and ambience but the pretentious atmosphere permeates the whole place. Twice my wife didn’t finish her course and was met with near disdain from the waitress that couldn’t understand that just because she didn’t clean her plate that she still enjoyed the dish.
Anyway, the sky cleared up a little we could actually see the moon tonight. Breakfast near our apartment tomorrow then catching a noon ferry to Naxos.
The forecast is looking better, just in time for a beach day or 2.
Anyway, nice breakfast near our apartment and then we walked to Fira. Nice town but mostly the same as Oia without the polish. Trinkets everywhere and sundresses/swimsuits for sale. We left after about an hour and drove out to Red Beach. The last 10 mins of the drive was insane, basically a dirt road steep as shite through the valley and then it spits you out at a little beach bar that accesses the beach. Black lava rocks and cold water, but the red lava wall was very cool. We had planned on hitting black/white beaches as well but figured it’s the same thing so we skipped. The wife was pretty queasy on the drive. We set off along the eastern coast of the island to Perissa.
The Eastern side is nice because it seems like the “forgotten” side if you believe the travel websites. Plenty of vineyards and white buildings dotting the flat coastline. Nice contrast to the cliffs on the Western side.
Perissa was nice, a little more beachy with plenty of restaurants and bars and beach setups. The weather was chilly and foggy so we just spent a few mins here then headed out.
Our best stop was the village of Pyrgos, our AirBnB host recommended a cafe at the top of the hill. Pyrgos is very elevated and near the middle of the island. We wound our way through narrow stairways past small shops and houses of locals. At the top was Franco’s Cafe. We had 270 degree views of the eastern side of the island, but again clouds and rain put a damper on the views. I can image on a clear day this would be an awesome spot to have a midday beer. We obliged ourselves anyway :)
We then drove to Oia to pickup a piece of jewelry my wife bought the day before. Enjoyed our visit with the jeweler and his staff. The owner designs and builds his own jewelry and his nephew is the lead salesman. Excellent people, we told the owner we were from Louisiana and be said he has friends in Abbeville. What a world!
We stopped in Imerovigli on the way out of Oia. It was the last town we haven’t seen. We walked the maze of cave suites with great views of the entire caldera. It is the highest point in the island but even at 4 pm the fog covered just about everything. Certainly this area will have amazing views on a clear day.
We had dinner in Imerovigli at Athenian House. Super upscale, 5 course tasting menu. But honestly not our thing. I can appreciate the art of the food and ambience but the pretentious atmosphere permeates the whole place. Twice my wife didn’t finish her course and was met with near disdain from the waitress that couldn’t understand that just because she didn’t clean her plate that she still enjoyed the dish.
Anyway, the sky cleared up a little we could actually see the moon tonight. Breakfast near our apartment tomorrow then catching a noon ferry to Naxos.
The forecast is looking better, just in time for a beach day or 2.
Posted on 5/22/23 at 2:54 pm to slinger1317
Actually staying in Imerovigli, and I had planned on eating at Athenian House, which a high end tasting menu is most definitely our thing, so that's interesting 
Posted on 5/22/23 at 3:11 pm to Fun Bunch
quote:
Actually staying in Imerovigli, and I had planned on eating at Athenian House, which a high end tasting menu is most definitely our thing, so that's interesting
Yeah I’m not a foodie by any means, but wanted to splurge and have a nice dinner on our last night in Santorini. Supposed to be the best restaurant with the best sunset views on the island.
They have 2 options for the 5 course menu, plus the option to a la carte and make your own 5 courses. Our waitress did not explain that so we got stuck with dishes that we didn’t care for.
For $400 we had a decent meal but honestly we had better meals the previous 2 nights at nice restaurants for a quarter of the price.
I’m sure it’s easy for a foodie to read this and think we’re just some dumb rednecks but we actually can appreciate nice things and are well travelled. But it’s hard for that to come through in a message board post. I’ll chalk it up to a lesson learned and move on.
We did have a great time with the couple next to us from Seattle as well as the African bus boy. By the end of the night we had him laughing that they were going to cane us for not eating everything on our plate.
This post was edited on 5/22/23 at 3:12 pm
Posted on 5/22/23 at 4:04 pm to slinger1317
quote:
For $400 we had a decent meal but honestly we had better meals the previous 2 nights at nice restaurants for a quarter of the price.
Which restaurants?
Posted on 5/22/23 at 4:49 pm to Fun Bunch
Appreciate the good info. We’re staying in Imerovigli as well at a place called Absolute Bliss. I doubt we do any high end dinners but def want to find a place with a view in Oia one night we’re there. I guess I’m gonna make the drive over to BR this coming Friday so I can get my dumbass IDP. Prob not necessary but I’m a worry wort with shite like that.
Posted on 5/23/23 at 1:46 am to Fun Bunch
We are staying in Firoatefani. The first night we ate at To Briki. Rooftop dining, shrimp linguine and lamb shank were great. It is more of a casual setting. It is in a house that 2 brothers grew up in and then turned it into a restaurant. One of the brothers spent 10 mins at our table talking about growing up here, tourism etc. Very engaging and the pasta was on par with what I’ve had in Rome. We are actually here now having breakfast before we catch the ferry to Naxos.
The other meal was at Remvi. It is a little nicer place, we shared a Lobster Pasta for 2. Beautiful views and engaging staff.
The Athenian House was a great place, but the staff seemed new, they have only been open 2 weeks this season. One of the servers apologized to us for messing up the setting. He said he was new to the job. I have no complaints about the food, it was all excellent. Just not exactly what we enjoy for that price.
The other meal was at Remvi. It is a little nicer place, we shared a Lobster Pasta for 2. Beautiful views and engaging staff.
The Athenian House was a great place, but the staff seemed new, they have only been open 2 weeks this season. One of the servers apologized to us for messing up the setting. He said he was new to the job. I have no complaints about the food, it was all excellent. Just not exactly what we enjoy for that price.
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