Santorini

Skaros Rock

The trail to Skaros Rock started with a long hike down many, many steps before then going up many, many more steps. We went, as do many others, to watch the sunset. We got lost on the way back, and ended up on the wrong trail, which we discovered was part of the Oil to Fira trail that we planned to walk later in the week. Nonetheless, this trail led us to Fira where we found our Air BnB without too much trouble.

Oia

We spent a couple of nights in Oia, city famed for its whitewashed, blue-domed buildings unique in architecture, built into the hillsides.

My favorite thing there (by far!) was Ammoudi Bay! 300 steps, straight down along the steep cliffs, took us to the stunningly beautiful Agean Sea on Ammoudi Bay.

Fun Fact: This is where Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Two) filmed the friends jumping off the cliff into the blue water at the end of the movie!

My daughters jumped from the high cliff of the Sisterhood fame, while I dozed on rocks below, swam, and braved jumping from a much smaller cliff.

We rode donkeys back up the never-ending steps! The donkeys are available for a few euros and are always a welcome sight! We also went down to Ammoudi Bay to eat at one of the several restaurants there and enjoy the view of the sunset, again riding the donkeys back up while enjoying the view.

“That’s a mem’ry I don’t mess with…” Lee Brice

Fira to Oia Hiking Trail

A wide variety of magical views met us all along the hiking trail from Fira to Oia! Six and a half miles— it took us around four hours with a some photo stops and other distractions along the way— through canyon views, hotels, churches, cacti, and a vendor selling pretty painted leather bookmarks; with whistling wind, cobblestone streets, dirt trails, pieces of highway, and a blazing searing hot sun! We stopped at a pretty little church and had lunch on the steps— sandwiches and chips we’d brought, and a most welcome cold coke from a vendor on the trail. After more miles and miles of the blazing hot sun, we happened upon a small shade where we had a snack, then continued the last leg of the trail into Oia. We walked around Oia a bit and my daughter went back to the (really cool)bookstore there to get a book she had wanted— The Iliad in Greek and English. Then we caught a bus back to Fira to our Air B n B, where we settled in happily with a take-out pizza for the night!

Slideshow: Fira to Oia

Caldera Sailing Adventure

We sailed around the caldera on a 5 hour tour, seeing the “red beach, black beach and white beach” as well as trying out the volcanic hot springs, and taking a swim in the blue, blue Agean Sea. A wonderful grilled lunch was served, as well as drinks and snacks throughout the day.