Santorini is one of the most impressive places we have visited. We are staying within the main town of Fira, about a five min walk to the main tourist area atop the amazing clifftop overlooking the crystal clear water of the Aegean sea...truly stunning.
The sunset is a major attraction with tourists getting in early to secure front row views from the restaurants. The trademark white & blue churches (catholic & orthodox), restaurants, hotels and retail stores (mainly jewellery) are scattered along the cliff face so there's plenty to see & eat oh and we have to mention how good the souvlaki are here (gyros as they're known here and one of the more cheaper dinner options at around 2 euro each!) Ads is impressed at the selection of beer and is now a fan of 'Mythos' but who wouldn't be at €1.80 for 500ml!!
We hired an ATV for 3 days and saw pretty much the whole island. Each place is as good if not even more beautiful than the last. Our stand out places where Kamari beach (Dan loved the shopping...cheaper than touristy Fira) and Oia where we swam at a secluded beach and happened to be sunbaking next to Justine Hennin-Hardine and her french entourage. Infact, because the access into the sea is from high rocks, Justine even gave Dan her hand helping her out of the water (Italians should avoid this beach due to minimum height requirements) but saying that it was Dan's fav beach on Santorini. It is about a ten min walk around the big cliff that separates it from the marina. You can even swim out to a large rock about 10 metres from the shore where we also sunbaked. Others used a side of this rock to jump & dive off (inc Justine!)
There were only about 30 people so it was so quiet & relaxing (the complete opposite of Barcelona). We then headed back to the small marina and had a greek feast at the waterfront restaurant. You can get used to this lifestyle very easily!!
There was also what they call a 'white beach' & 'black beach' on the other side of the island. The white beach is what we're used to in Australia with white sand (as most European beaches have pebbles instead) and the black beach had black sand & we don't recommend that experience given it was a little windy & we felt like we'd been dirt bike riding by the end!! Oh and most beaches charge you to sit down on a deck chair, €5 is about the standard rate!
Getting around on the ATV was great fun (as was riding on the right side of the road) and a good way to see all of the island's beaches.
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