Today is my final Europe recap. I saved Santorini for last not just because it was my final destination but it was also my favorite. During my tour, we stayed in Santorini for 2 1/2 days unfortunately those days were met with cloud cover, rain and high winds. Even the locals were freaking out about the weather claiming it was highly unusual for that time of year. We toured the entire island by bus and about got sweep away when we climbed to the highest point. From there we went to the red beach, black beach and ended with a short wine tour and sampling. That evening we drove to the northernmost part of the island to the town of Oia. Oia is known for its spectacular sunsets, but sadly the clouds didn’t clear and no sunset was seen. Instead we spent the evening huddled together trying to keep warm.
After leaving Santorini, I couldn’t get the island out of my mind. I had dreamed of Santorini. Pinned dozens of photos. I went to Europe with visions of Santorini and none were fulfilled. Santorini was cold and gray. I left disappointed and a little sad. A day after leaving I checked the weather in Santorini, and it was sunny with not a cloud in the sky. I couldn’t get the island out of my mind and decided to extend my trip. Two others from the group were going back to Santorini, which made the decision that much easier. I will forever be thankful I did this. Santorini went from being a huge disappointment to being the best part of my entire trip.
The next four days were an absolute dream. I stayed in a cliffside hotel with a pool overlooking the sea. I visited two more black beaches, hiked down to the red beach, toured a microbrewery, viewed the Oia sunset. I finally tried a Santorini dish translated to “tomato balls.” Santorini grows their own cherry tomatoes which makes these fried tomato fritters crazy delicious. I was really impressed with the food in Santorini. It is one of the few Greek islands with a large agriculture. They grow cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, vineyard for days, grape leaves, white eggplants, capers and fava, which is closer to a pea than our fava beans! I sampled tons of local cuisine and some of my favorites were definitely moussaka, fava dip, tomato balls and eggplant dip. Santorini produce gets its unique flavor from the volcanic soil of the island. I would go back to Santorini in a heartbeat. I’m pretty sure I left part of my heart in the city.
Santorini (from left to right)
Top: View from my first hotel | Highest point of Santorini. It was a little windy | Just posing
Middle: Jump | Halfway down to the Red Beach | Fava dip aka my Santorini obsession
Bottom: Action shot of me getting doused by a wave | Dancing on the bar | Iconic two domes in Oia
Santorini: Round two
Top: Sunset from my new hotel | Red beach on a sunny day | Hiked all the way to the bottom
Middle: Kamari Black sand beach | Toured the Santorini Brew Co and picked up some “roadies” | Tomato Balls
Bottom: View from my new hotel | Santorini cliffside at night | Off-roaded to get to this secluded beach
Santorini continued
Top: Moussaka. Basically lasagna with potatoes | Walking the streets of Oia | Amazing Oia sunset over the city
Middle: Posing | Loved the eclectic Atlantis Bookstore in Oia | Had to dance on the bar one last time
Bottom: Capturing a double selfie | Attempting a little yoga on a 300 ft cliff | My final Santorini meal
Hope you enjoy the pictures and have a great weekend!
x vanessa
