A holiday three months later than planned - and even more anticipated after a summer of uncertainty with travel advise changing on a weekly basis - was finally here. Stepping off the aircraft into afternoon sun and being hit by that balmy Mediterranean heat was certainly worth the wait. Our private airport transfer whisked us from Thira's small airport to the beach resort of Kamari, on the island's south-east coast. Here we had three days of well-earned down time, strolling the beach promenade, soaking up the sunshine and taking refreshing dips in the Aegean Sea. Kamari's beach is made from volcanic black sand and stones, but the island has some white beaches too which can be explored by bus or hiring a car.
Santorini is a very small fishhook-shaped island 18 kilometres in length. From the hilltop village of Pyrgos Kallistis and Profitis Ilias - the highest point of the island - there are 360-degree panoramas which you can experience on our self-guided itinerary - Santorini and Naxos Discovery. In recent years Santorini has become a victim of its own success, and at certain times of the year the tiny island has struggled to cope with the huge influx of tourists and cruise ships. Autumn was the perfect time to visit and enjoy the island how it was even just ten years ago.
My partner and I enjoyed Santorini's most popular hike (also on the Santorini and Naxos Discovery itinerary) The caldera trek from Fira to Oia is 11 kilometres and takes around four hours. Usually we recommend doing this hike on your first afternoon back in Santorini and timing it perfectly with the famous Oia sunset, however as it was so hot we were advised to complete the walk and arrive in Oia no later than 11am before the sun burned through the morning clouds. We set out early and took our time, ensuring we absorbed the magnitude of the caldera cliffs and the height of the footpath above the sea.
One of our highlights was a fine dining experience at the beautiful clifftop village of Imerovigli, along the coast from the capital Thira, which has mesmerising views of the Caldera, Therasia and Oia. In our opinion the sunset at Imergovigli is just as spectacular as those seen at the castle in Oia, and without the hordes of tourists that flock to capture images on their cameras. In both towns you can enjoy watching the sun casting an orange glow over the whitewashed buildings as it sets into the sea.
I have never visited anywhere comparable to the Caldera - with entire resorts built on a cliff edge. The contrast between the different colours was astonishing; the white cave-style hotels tumbling down the cliffs, the aqua marine infinity pools and fuchsia Bougainvillea cascading over cobalt blue roofs and culminating in the chocolate-coloured cliffs touching the ocean - everywhere you look is another awe-inspiring view. I could not think of a better place to switch off from the world and recharge my batteries.
Contact us to book, or find out more about our walking holiday to Santorini & Naxos.
