Ouzo, Schnapps, Rosé & Prosecco

[Gem56]

Church of the Holy Apostles - dated to around the late 10th century

 

[Gem56]

Tavernas and market stalls in Monastiraki Flea Market

 

[Gem56]

The Club Lounge at the Intercontinental - a lovely place to return to after a day of wandering around the ruins

 

[Gem56]

You can purchase a 24 hour pass in Athens for €4.50. This covers the trains, trams and buses. We bought it from the railway station.

 

[Gem56]

Flew with Aegean Airlines from Athens to Santorini. We first had to return the hire car to Gold Car Rentals, (booked through Easy Rent Cars) which was a shuttle drive away from the airport. We thought we’d allowed plenty of time, however the traffic was heavier than expected and with one wrong turn, it all became a little stressful – something I like to avoid these days.

We had some issues with checking in our luggage, which JV will tell you about. Then when my bag was going through security screening they found my jar of vegemite and wouldn’t let me take it. I tried my best to convince them it was not a liquid, but to no avail. So as to not lose it, I raced back to the check-in counter with my carry-on bag. Of course, the security staff were telling me that if I missed my flight it was my responsibility. I really didn’t need to be told something I already knew however it did add to the stress of the situation. Back at the check-in counters the queues were considerably long – of course they were!!! All over a jar of vegemite! All’s well that ends well my Mum always told me and thankfully this time she was right.

The aircraft was a typical Dash 8 Q400 so no need for photos we thought. It was quite bumpy and consequently no service.

 

[Gem56]

We had just enough time to check out the Aegean Lounge.

 

[Jacques Vert]

We had some issues with checking in our luggage, which JV will tell you about.

The story is here: UA status match - benefits during trial period

 

[Gem56]

Santorini

We’ve all seen photos of Santorini however the beauty is not captured in photographs, – no matter how good the camera is – IMHO. Despite the very chilly evenings and even some days, we had a wonderful time here. We hired a car from Auto Union (again booked through Easy Rent Cars) and headed off to town.

After reading a report from @Pushka, we decided we too would book at the Theoxenia. As Pushka said it is positioned perfectly – right in the middle of town with magnificent views from our verandah. A fairly basic room, however the position more than made up for it. Sorry, forgot to take photos. The room includes breakfast and comes delivered to your room at the time you desire.

Parking is a huge issue in Fira (Thira) however there is a perfect (but congested) parking area only 220m from the hotel, situated out the front of Aressena (sister hotel to Theoxenia) and Atlantis. Access to this is not so clear and the entrance to the street indicates “No Entry”. There is a sign in Greek underneath that apparently says “unless accessing hotels” or something similar.

Breakfast tray

 

[JohnM]

They probably considered your vegemite to be not a liquid but rather a gel, which are also not permitted. You must be hooked on the stuff if it was >100mL!

 

[drron]

We lost a 105ml tube of vegemite a couple of months after the liquids ban came in.BNE security staff insisted it was a liquid.Many reports around that time of vegemite being confiscated.

 

[Gem56]

It was great having a car because it gave us access to the rest of the island - north to Oia, Ammoudi Bay, then on another day Santo Wines for a tasting, the lighthouse on the southern end of the island and lots in between. The majority of our time here it was overcast and of course that has a huge impact on photos.

Oia

 

[Gem56]

Fira or Thira - whatever takes your fancy I think

 

[OATEK]

Brings back great memories of our week in Santorini a couple of years ago. We used the buses and found it thoroughly entertaining as well as a good system for getting around.

 

[Major]

I remember lots of cruise ships in the caldera when we were there

 

[Gem56]

I remember lots of cruise ships in the caldera when we were there

Don't remember any ships in on our day of arrival, however there were at least 3 ships, one day 4, on each of the other days. This is shoulder season and it was quite busy, certainly wouldn't want to be here in July or August.

 

[Gem56]

Ammoudi Bay

These guys all reverse down the hill - I guess it's easier than reversing up the hill.











We had lunch at this fish restaurant - sorry don't have the name of it.







It was lovely to sit and watch the comings and goings for a couple of hours.

 

[Gem56]

Looks like yet another pre GFC construction, of which there are many






Apparently the last eruption was in 1950


I'm just loving the spring time flowers!




Red Beach




Taken from near the lighthouse

 

[Gem56]

Our last day I rode the donkey down to the old port (JV walked – he’s got a Step challenge happening, so this was his opportunity to race ahead) and we then caught the cable car back up to the top. The sky was clear and so the water was beautiful. The wind however was freezing.

 

[craven morehead]

Our last day I rode the donkey down to the old port (JV walked – he’s got a Step challenge happening, so this was his opportunity to race ahead) and we then caught the cable car back up to the top. The sky was clear and so the water was beautiful. The wind however was freezing.

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Spectacular photos !!

 

[ellen10]

Beautiful photos. Santorini must go on my list!