Living the high life in Santorini (Thira)

Living the high life in Santorini (Thira)

Santorini is high on the list of the world’s most beautiful places. It is consistently ranks among tourism hotspots, luxury destinations, most visited islands and friendliest places. It is supposedly the source of the legend of Atlantis and is the most recognizable of the Greek islands with its high cliffs, white cavelike dwellings, idyllic blue and white domed churches and its crowning glory, the villages of Fira and Oia which cling to the jagged remnants of a volcanic crater – “the caldera”.

Santorini’s simmering volcano erupted in 17^th century BC to create this geological wonder which more recently has become the signature image of the Greek Islands and one of the most photographed landscapes in the world. It is very beautiful by day and wondrous at sunset.  

 

Needless to say, the rich and famous flock to luxury, but discrete, hotels on the cliff face to savour the superlative views while contributing to the chic atmosphere. The Lovies, on the other hand, visit such places but opt to stay in more modest quarters further south at Kamari Beach. This is another lovely location but we will save its virtues for the next blog installment. For the moment, we will dwell on the caldera because we had the opportunity to visit with Melbourne relations who conveniently stayed in this exceptional neighbourhood. We thank Jane's niece Rebecca and her husband Rob for hosting us at Oia at their luxury pad with private balcony and plunge pool.

They also coaxed us out of “budget” mindset to join them on a luxury catamaran afternoon-evening cruise to view the awesome island vistas from the water. 

These two “Luxe Guide” devotees also introduced us to another beautiful part of the world, the Amalfi Coast of Italy, for their wedding in 2010.

Oia is stunning. Cars and buses are restricted to the perimeter so gorgeous boutiques, tiny food stores, groovy bars, chic restaurants and other classy retail establishments are accessible only by foot. The downside is that the heat is punishing. The heat of the sun is absorbed and then reflected by the whiter than white concrete walls, rooftops and paving. There is little escape from it except indoors or in your private plunge pool. The relentless heat does not deter the daytrippers from visiting cruise ships or other parts of the island. They are completely mesmerized by the place and no wonder.

A couple form Perth WA on our catamaran cruise had been married in Oia the day before – no family, no friends - just the two of them and a marriage celebrant. They were not the only ones. From sunrise to sunset, couples from all corners of the globe appear from the deepest  and narrowest of  lanes shadowed by photographers snapping shots of the happy couples in this most romantic of settings.

Reality kicks in for us when it’s time to retreat to our humble digs in Kamari Beach. But as you can see it is no "pov" dive.

We pile on to the local bus, packed in like sardines, for the 10pm service to the southern end of the island.