Santorini?

[jupiter2311]

Has anyone been? Any recs for restaurants, hotels? Things to do?
We'll be there about 4 nights, so any help is appreciated! Thanks!

[fernane]

4 nights is plenty to see and do pretty much everything there, lol. We spent 3 days in 2010 for our honeymoon. We rented a 4 wheeler for cheap to get around, enjoyed the black sand beach, hiked part of the caldera where they take you by boat and you also swim in the hot springs afterward (if you do this, take plenty of water and sunscreen, and know its a challenge!), enjoyed outdoor restaurants on the beach..it's an extremely gorgeous and relaxing place.

[hezzerlah]

We just got back, we loved it!
I agree, 4 days is plenty of time to see and do everything, especially if you rent a car. And I highly recommend renting a car, we had an absolute blast driving around the island. We stayed pretty much smack dab in the middle of the island at the Lilium Villas. They were really friendly and helpful, the hotel is gorgeous. It's hard to get a wifi signal in the rooms because the walls are those thick cave walls, but you can get it sitting around the pool or in the restaurant. As far as restaurants, there are so many great places... some more touristy than others. The best seafood we had on our whole trip to Greece was at a little place called Taverna Katina in Oia. You have to climb down all the stairs near the ruined castle, but they literally are pulling the fish out of the ocean in front of you. The seating is right on the water, we had to lift our legs up a few times when the waves came crashing in. There was another little place in Oia that was nice, I don't think you're going to go wrong with any of those places known for their sunsets... but Fanari's had great views, great food, and great service. It was one of the more memorable evenings because of the great conversation we had with the owner Vladamir. <--- Not Greek. lol
So, as far as what to do... The rental car company will give you a map with all the "must see" places highlighted on it, ours did anyway... They were really easy maps to follow, hard to get lost on an island, I guess. Hit up the red sand beaches and the black sand beaches. Check out the lighthouse and the monastery. Climb down all the steps in Fira and take a boat over to the active volcano and climb it. Swim in the hot springs. Ride a donkey back up the stairs. Eat a gyro. You have to rent a car and drive the crazy roads. See a sunset in Oia. Check out Akrotiri, the Minoan ruins.

Have fun!

[nova726]

May 17, 2012 9:45:06 GMT -5 hezzerlah said:

Ride a donkey back up the stairs.

:Y: We were only there as a stop on a cruise and we rode the donkeys down the stairs... up has got to be a million times less scary.

[dutchgirl678]

Before I answer this, holy crap nova726, your siggy is giving me seizures!

We went to Santorini for our HM in 2006. Loved it there! Where are you staying? We stayed in Imerovigli which was the perfect location for us. Close to Fira and still easy to get to Oia. We walked a ton. We rented a car for one day to drive to the red sand beach on the south side and Perissa on the east side. The best restaurant we ate at was just behind our hotel. I can't remember the name right now but the owners were so nice that we went there several times and got to know them a little bit.

[jupiter2311]

Thanks you guys!
Dutchgirl, we are staying in Oia at the Ikies Hotel. I'm very excited, I've been wanting to go to Greece for years. We're now confirmed, 3 days in Athens, 3 days in Santorini. Can't wait!