Before taking this trip, it seems almost everyone is an expert on Santorini. After all, it is a small island in the Aegean, though inhabited by less than 16,000 residents.
Traveler 365 has an interesting list:
Santorini receives over 2.2 million tourists a year, though the last year was hardly negligible.
There are more churches than houses here, though many of the churches are small and private.
Wine is more plentiful than water here, due to the dry climate.
Santorini is the only inhabited caldera in the world.
I like this, over 100 varietals of grapes are grown here.
Until 1960, they had no electricity, just donkeys and fishermen.
Santorini is the southernmost of the Cyclades.
The unique architectural style is “white cubes” though many were destroyed in the 1956 earthquake.
Some people think this is the lost island of mythological Atlantis.
The entire island is volcanic rock (reminds me of the Big Island).
Santorini has some secret hot springs. And no cliff jumping for me either!
I also hear there are secret nude beaches! Did you know that, Webb?
Santorini has 16 wineries, and some of the finest wines in Greece. Wine has been made here for over 3000 years.
Santo Wines has an 18 wine flight! But only about 10,000 bottles of wine are made annually.
Most beaches are black sand, or just off white, but one is RED! There is even a Virgin Beach.
Don’t ride the donkeys!
The eggplant is white here, not purple.
The movie theater is an open air cinema.
The island is 35 square miles, or 91 square kilometers.
Fava is the most famous dish here, actually a yellow split pea puree.
Greek yogurt is real here.
My Santorini insider says Domaine Sigales is the winery to visit.
No doubt, the food and wine are big attractions here, along with the view.
My first trip to Greece was scheduled for 1971. I was planning to meet a friend there, but something really life changing happened along the way. Now, 50 years later, here I am. So now you know, when I say go, please go!!!
Let me just say this island is simply unique, beautiful, relaxing, and a tinge touristy. But they welcome us with open arms, they love Americans, and our $$!!
I ate a big breakfast when I arrived at the hotel, aptly named Volcano View. So, on my first venture into Fira town, I finally stopped for a glass of white wine, as Santorini is famous for their white wines. After the first glass, the manager gave me another to try. And he said if I brought my friends here, we would get a free bottle of their famous Assyrtiko wine!
But this is a small island, and I hope not to catch the dreaded “island fever” so prevalent in places like Hawaii, Bora Bora, and Tahiti.
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