Santorini, Greece
Santorini, Greece (Ancient Thira), May 24-28 202
INTRODUCTION
In ancient Greece, Philoxenia, meaning "friend to a stranger," was a highly valued concept. According to legend, Zeus would often disguise himself as a traveler to test human kindness. On one occasion, after being shunned by everyone, he was warmly welcomed by an impoverished couple named Baucis and Philemon. Despite their destitution, the couple happily shared their meager food and wine. Moved by their generosity, Zeus revealed his divine identity to them and asked what he could do in return. He granted the couple's wish to die together and be forever united. He transformed their hut into a temple with Baucis and Philemon as its keepers. They eventually died, transforming into intertwined trees eternally guarding the temple entrance.
While just a legend, the notion of Philoxenia is alive and well in Greece today. I experienced this dedication to generosity, courtesy, and hospitality first hand at seemingly every turn. I am thankful, as anything less and a bucket list trip could have turned out quite differently.
LODGING
The Lithi Luxury Resort is situated on the backside of the Santorini caldera in the north-central part of the island, and is an excellent option if you’d prefer a more relaxed time away from the hustle and bustle of Fira and Oia. Two of the islands main tourist hubs.
The resort offers an elevated view to the east, showcasing endless blue Mediterranean waters and unobstructed sunrises. Lithi offers 14 unique premium suites, private heated pools, and exceptional Greek hospitality. Other highlights include breakfast service on your private terrace each morning and parking provided directly next to each suite. Additionally, each room comes with a fridge stocked with a fine selection of local Santorini wines.
The hospitality was exceptional. Our flight was delayed, postponing our arrival by more than five hours. All it took was a quick message to ensure someone was there for our arrival, a full three hours past the normal closing of the front desk. Once on location, we were welcomed like family and given everything we needed. The cleaners and other staff were extremely accommodating through the rest of the stay, a pleasure to interact with, and communicated very well when coordinating times for breakfast delivery, pick-up, and room cleaning.
While Lithi is fantastic, there are a few things to note. It is located on a hill with a very steep grade. If you rent a vehicle, ensure it can climb the hill. Additionally, the location does not offer a view of the caldera as it faces east over the open sea. Lastly, the location on the mountain can be breezy. There were a couple of instances where we decided to move inside due to the wind. It can be chilly even when 25°C, especially in the evenings.
https://www.lithiluxuryretreat.com/
SITES
There are a variety of sites to visit on Santorini. The island is relatively small, so you can view a lot in a short amount of time. Here were three of my favorites:
The Santorini Caldera: The caldera is the remnants of an ancient volcano, and Santorini resulted from its violent eruption around 1650 B.C. It is a natural wonder to behold, and you can view it from nearly any point on the west side of the island. It is characterized by steep 300m cliffs ringing a 12x7km wide body of water where the volcano once stood. Catching a sunset from atop these cliffs is a must.
Church of the Prophet Elias and the Saint Mark Holy Orthodox Chapel: These two small chapels are located within 200m of each other atop a ridge overlooking both sides of the island. It is a short walk up moderate hills to reach, but the view is worth it. The chapels themselves are in the ubiquitous blue and white architecture and provide insight into the island's traditional roots.
Megalochori: This picturesque Greek village was personally my favorite place on the island. It has a traditional feel without the hustle and bustle of the rest of the island. There are several whitewashed churches, bell towers, and interesting things to discover around each corner and down each alley. Local neighborhood cats roam the premises, and are well taken care of. Also, Mr. Scoop serves up some decent ice cream!
FOOD
Food is as much a part of the travel experience as any other aspect, and it plays an important role in getting to know a place. Here are a few locations we dined at for consideration:
Wine Bar: Located in Imerovigli, this spot is renowned for amazing views of the Santorini caldera, and its sunsets. It did not disappoint; in fact, the sunset was the most beautiful I can remember witnessing. The caldera and distant islands provided a stunning backdrop, with the clouds arranging themselves just right to create a fiery spectacle. Even without the lucky sunset, the Wine Bar still proved to be an excellent experience. The cocktails are unique and tasty—I suggest the Passion Thai if you like rum. The food menu is relatively small but high quality. If you want the Kleftiko lamb, beware it sells out quickly.
A note, you must reserve a table in advance for this location. It is easy to do through their website. They will also provide blankets should the wind prove to be too much.
To Limanaki: To Limanaki is the antithesis of Wine Bar. Located on the western side of the island on Limanaki Beach, it blends the laid-back Greek way of life with delicious traditional food. Tzatziki, pita, chicken skewers, tomato feta, and grilled red snapper straight from the sea provided an excellent taste of local cuisine. Best of all, they offered us free dessert! More of that Greek hospitality on display.
https://www.facebook.com/limanakisantorini/
Vassaltis Vineyard: If you find yourself in Santorini, you must visit a winery. There are many to choose from, but I chose Vassaltis for its high ratings. We opted for the lunch menu with the wine pairing for 55 Euro per person. Quinoa salad, hazelnut pasta, and lamb were served, each paired with a matching wine. Each course was explained by a knowledgeable server. The location is open to the outside while offering pleasant sea and mountain views. You can of course buy any of their wine by the bottle. “Mavrotragano,” the red matched with lamb, was our favorite. Keep in mind that the food menu changes to match the local produce available. A reservation is required and can be made through their website.
NICE TO KNOW
Santorini is an ancient place not built for cars. The roads are small, not well maintained, and in some places outright dangerous. There are tight places to squeeze through, and it can feel like a maze in populated areas. Blind corners and bends are numerous, and parking is difficult. This is exacerbated by the tour buses and vans on the island. Despite being an experienced driver, I had to be on guard even with a relatively small Mini Countryman.
While I personally enjoy the freedom a rental car affords, I would not recommend it if you are not a confident driver. There are numerous taxis, buses, and other means of transport on the island, including buggies, 4-wheelers, and mopeds, which all seemed very popular.
In yet another example of Philoxenia, the Sixt at Santorini Airport was as helpful as Lithi in accommodating our late arrival. After calling ahead, they quickly agreed to stay past closing to ensure we got our vehicle. The airport itself is small, with only 6 gates. However this gives you more time to enjoy the island as security only takes minutes.
https://www.sixt.com/car-rental/greece/santorini/santorini-airport/
CONCLUSION
Santorini is a popular destination, and for good reason. The island boasts great weather, stunning vistas, delicious food, and, of course, the famous white and blue architecture. Above all, the welcoming nature of the locals stands out in my mind. While I am no Zeus in disguise, the accommodating and helpful nature of the people was the standout feature of this amazing destination.
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*Note: I am not affiliated with any locations mentioned in this article. Provided links are for your convenience, and everything written is my own opinion.*
