One day trip to Santorini, Greece

Hello travelers!

Today I'm sliding down the memory lane back to the summer of 2011. It was my second summer season working on Crete island and my first as an entertainer in the "Animation Team" of a hotel. Great atmosphere, friendly customers, talented colleagues, incredible places that I visited and so many parties, maybe too many: all of these made my summer one to never forget.
Overall it was my 5th summer working in Greece and that year I started in Rhodes as an entertainer but the things didn't go quit well so I decided to try my luck in Crete. All said and done I have to admit it was a better choice and I was also lucky. But today we're going to focus on one of the best one day trips of that summer: Santorini!!

It was a crazy night at work having a great dance show and afterwards dancing in the hotel's club until very late. After just 3 or 4 hours of sleep I had to be fresh and ready to jump in the bus to Heraklion. After many stops to pick up customers from different hotels we end up on the ferry boat to  the incredible island of Thira.

We left Heraklion behind us around 7:30AM and we enjoyed a little nap on the boat. After 2 hours and a half we arrived to Santorini. I remember a very small harbour at the bottom of the mountain, a lot of tourists from different countries and the heat which was already rising fast.

The road from the harbour to Oia, our first stop, was an adventure. I must congratulate the greek bus drivers for their skills, patience and control. The road is made of so many curves at a high angle and it is also very narrow. Thank God I am not afraid of heights.

"Santorini was named by the Latin Empire in the 13th century and is a reference to Saint Irene, from the name of the old cathedral in the village of Perissa – the name Santorini is a contraction of the name Santa Irini." (Wikipedia) Once we arrived in Oia(or Ia) we truly felt the high temperature. I remember that 20th of July with its real feel 44 degrees Celsius.

"The town is noted for its white and blue domed houses. The houses are painted in white lime water so that the rainwater which falls over it runs down and can be collected. The other reason for painting the houses white is for aesthetic purposes. The other explanation given is that during the Ottoman rule of Greece, which lasted for over 400 years, Greeks were not allowed to fly their white flag. In defiance, in Oia they painted their entire housing complex in white with domes giving the village an effective white perspective and elegance."(Wikipedia)

We had around one hour and a half to explore the streets of Oia. Our first stop was the Church of Panagia of Platsani and the Caldera Square.

The streets are crowded and the heat is taking over. I feel like I am in a gigantic oven. Thank God for the beautiful view of the Caldera, an Oia classic.
There are many souvenir shops, bars, restaurants and art galleries on the streets. See some of them in the pictures below.

Our journey continued and after beautiful views of monasteries and windmills on our road, we arrived to Fira. The central square of Fira is called Plateia Theotokopoulou, with a bus and taxi station, banks and pharmacies.

"From Fira there is a panoramic view of the 18 km long caldera from southern Cape Akrotiri to northern Cape Ag. Nikolaos, plus the volcanic island Nea Kameni at the center with Thirassia Island. Large cruise ships anchor in the small harbor between Nea Kameni and Fira." Wikipedia

We have only one hour to spend here and admire this beautiful town. I decide to walk a bit along the streets, buy couple of souvenirs and have a cold beer on one of the many beautiful bars above the sea.

After a short ride we arrived to Perissa where we were amazed by the beach with black sand. There are couple of restaurants on the beach and we entered in one of them to have lunch, fresh seafood and local white wine. After one hour and a half of swimming and sun bathing we were back on the bus on our way to the ferry.

Around 5:30PM we embarked on the ferry and we arrived in the evening back to Heraklion. I was a little disappointed regarding the sunset. I was expecting an explosion of colours but, aw well, this is the only thing I got:

Overall Santorini is an amazing place to visit and there are many other attractions on the island. I would recommend you to visit it in May or early June and at the end of September, beginning of October. During the high season it's very hot, the streets are crowded and frankly it's also more expensive. If you decide to go on a one day trip from Crete to Santorini be prepared to run, run, run, you know how it goes with the organised trips: 1 hour here, 1 hour there, 10-20 pictures, faster, people, faster...and that's it! One day it is not enough to truly experience such a wonderful place as Santorini. I would love to go back there again!

More about one day trips to Milan and Bergamo you can find HERE!!! 
Looking for a weekend getaway?! Why not trying Larnaca in Cyprus?! Find more details about my trip to the island of love HERE!!!

Until next time, travel well, everywhere!

Beldi

Weekend Getaway in Larnaca,Cyprus

Hello travellers!
Spring has taken over the fields and the cities and even though the last couple of days we had a short kind of winter touch here in Romania, now the sun has come back and it's shinning even brighter! In my country, as well as in most of the post comunism countries, we celebrate 1st of May as the Work Day and how else we could celebrate it but not working! So, it's time to make plans, organise small trips, clean the barbeque or visit a new place for the first time. For those of you whom chose the latter I will let you know couple of things about my weekend getaway to Larnaca, Cyprus with a short trip to Agia Napa and maybe I'll wake up your wanderlust!

My holiday in Cyprus took place at the end of March, a few springtimes ago, and it was full of new adventures, friendships, history, great food and big smiles. I arrived Friday afternoon in Larnaca and the evening started with a walk along the seaside. The so-called "Foinikoudes" is the promenade along Athenon Avenue on the seafront; a row of palm trees lines either side of it. The atmosphere is relaxed, the streets are not crowded, just perfect for what I was expecting.

On my walk I passed Larnaca Marina, Europe's square with the government buildings and I stopped for a tea at Moti Mahal.

The night falls over the city as I make my way to the hotel to refresh myself and then I hit the streets looking for a good time on the dancefloor in one of the clubs. It's 5 in the morning when I head home after too many shots, greek dances and a portion of pastas with sheep brain. (don't ask) :))

Saturday started after lunch with couple of hours in the sun near the pool. Later that day I went for a walk and I explored the yachts and boats from Larnaca Marina. After a great dinner in one of the many restaurants on the seaside I had the chance to visit the surroundings of Hala Sultan Tekke. The Muslim shrine is situated on the west bank of Larnaca Salt Lake. Hala Sultan Tekke is a listed Ancient Monument. The night view over the lake and the planes taking off near by is a beauty.

On a cloudy Sunday I had a great meze lunch in a fish tavern near the sea, followed by a walk on the beach. Despite the moody weather I had a lot of fun listening to the sound of waves and taking pictures of lemon trees and the beach.

In the evening I arrived in a deserted Agia Napa. During the summer there are plenty of clubs to choose from. I had a colleague who told me about the crazy night life there. This time the streets were empty and a drizzle made me retreat myself in a coffee shop.

Going back to Larnaca I walked in a club with traditional music and lots and lots of napkins which flew over the dancers. The cypriots as well as the greeks love to dance, eat, drink and have a good time. I enjoy myself maybe a little too much waking up the next morning with a headache from too many drinks.

On a sunny Monday, my last day there, I went to visit The Fort of Larnaca and The Church of Saint Lazarus.

Larnaca has been inhabited since the 14th century B.C. when the Mycenaean-Achaeans Greeks founded a small town. Much later, the Byzantines constructed a small fort near its harbour. Between the years 1382–98, during the reign of James I, the small Byzantine fortification located near the harbour was upgraded to a more substantial castle.

Throughout British rule the castle was used as a prison where they installed a gallows to execute prisoners. The last execution took place in 1948. After the Cypriot independence the castle itself was converted into a museum, while the castle courtyard was converted into an open-air theatre, accommodating 200 people. Antiques from Early Christian, Byzantine, and Post Byzantine Cyprus are exhibited in the western room of the museum whilst Byzantine wall paintings are exhibited in the central room and medieval pottery, utensils, and weapons occupy the eastern room.(Wikipedia)

Couple of hours later it's time for lunch on the seaside and shopping for souvenirs.

On my walk I arrived in front of The Church of Saint Lazarus, a late-9th century church. Tradition says that the place of Lazarus' tomb was lost during the period of Arab rule beginning in 649. In 890, a tomb was found in Larnaca bearing the inscription "Lazarus, four days dead, friend of Christ". Rain started pouring over Larnaca for a while pushing me in the first coffee shop for a frappe.

I saw a beautiful sunset on my way back to the airport and I arrived back to Bucharest later that evening.

A great cityscape planned with couple of weeks ahead is ideal for those of you searching for a low budget holiday. I recommend you a 3stars hotel not too far away from the city center and pay attention for cheap flight tickets.
I heard that the best time to buy tickets is from mid-January until early March. Try to purchase your tickets on Tuesdays from 2 to 4 pm. Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons are the times of the lowest flight ticket prices. Find more tricks HERE.

Looking for another cityscape?! What do you think about Bergamo and Milano?! Click HERE to find more!!

Or if you are ready to book your summer holiday here are 10 reasons why you should choose the amazing island of Kefalonia!

Until next time, have a great day!

Beldi