Getting There
So after six nights in magical Mykonos, it was time to set sail for stunning Santorini! We booked our boat tickets in advance and collected them at the ticket office in Mykonos town a few days before we left. I highly recommend this, as it’s a little chaotic to say the least at the port! There are crowds of people and no queue systems and its a bit of a free for all getting on board – you literally walk on where the cars drive, abandon your bags and hope for the best! Once we were on though, our cruise across to Santorini was perfect. We opted for business class seats (approx €70) for that added bit of comfort and hardly noticed the time go by – the express crossing was only about 90 mins.
Where to Stay
I can’t say enough good words about our beautiful hotel, the Ilioperato in Imerovigli. It truly was a slice of heaven! It’s a family run hotel nestled on the cliffside with a stunning view of the Caldera and the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen, I mean EVER! Anyone who followed me on instgram will have witnessed the spam! Roza and her team looked after us so well and we enjoyed every minute of our stay – from breakfast served on the balcony in the morning to breathtaking sunsets in the same spot every evening, we really were spoiled!
Imerovigli is a small town located between tourist hotspot Oia and the capital, Fira and if you have an option to stay here, I’d definitely recommend it. It’s nowhere near as busy as Oia but the sunsets are just as beautiful and we ate in so many gorgeous restaurants. It’s still within walking distance of Fira and a thirty minute taxi away from Oia. If I was going back again, I’d choose it in a heartbeat.
Food & Drink
The food was amazing in Mykonos and Santorini did not disappoint either! Our hotel recommended some gorgeous local spots, which we sampled over the first few nights. Some favourites included:
+ White Lounge for it’s breathtaking views and broad menu options.
+ Anogi for traditional Greek cuisine a little off the beaten track. I think this was my favourite meal of the whole trip. Amazing value too and the house rosè was around €11!
+ Argo in Fira for more beautiful views and stunning souvlaki.
+ V Lounge for cocktails with a seriously impressive view. Be sure to book this one in advance to get a front row seat.
+ Sunsets in Oia for that all important sunset view. Definitely book this one in advance and watch in amazement as the crowds line the streets hours before sunset!
Things to do
We did a day trip around the island on a catamaran with Santorini Yacht Club and it was a gorgeous day out! For €90pp, we cruised around to different parts of the island, taking in the hot springs and a couple of beaches, with free flow drinks and a delicious BBQ lunch along the way. It was 15 people max per cruise, so not overcrowded at all. We had plenty of space to lounge and soak up the sea air! There are sunset cruises available too, which would be equally fab!
No trip to Santorini is complete without checking out those iconic domes in Oia. Be prepared for crowds and a queue, but what’s ten minutes waiting when you get to take in the postcard perfect view!
I mentioned the walk from Imerovigli to Fira earlier on and I’m just going to let the below snaps speak for themselves – some of the most breathtaking scenery I’ve ever experienced! You can walk to Oia also but this is more of a hike so, needless to say, my wardrobe (or mind) was not prepared for a 2.5 hour trek!
Final Tips
Speaking of wardrobe, its the same story as Mykonos. Heels are not necessary – lots of steps, cobbles and walking make flats much more desirable. It gets windy in the evenings, so bring a wrap or light jacket/cardigan and don’t forget those bobbins and clips to secure your hair!
The Verdict
I have been asked so many times since coming home if I preferred Mykonos and Santorini, and I still cannot give you a straight answer. I loved the boho vibe of Mykonos but Santorini was so breathtakingly beautiful…I’m torn! If you can do both, I 100% recommend it! I’m already dreaming of future visits.
I know from chatting on Instagram that lots of lucky people have trips coming up, so if you have any questions at all, just drop me a message here or on insta 🙂
Until next time..
Laura x
