tnorcros

Well – I loved Santorini so much that I’ve gone back. And again I stayed in Imerovigli at Xenones Filotera. There are a few tips that I wanted to get written down again before I forget them! (They are as much for me as for you!)

This trip was 3-10 July 2008 and it is the very beginning of high season.

Tomatoes: Don’t miss out on these. Santorini has some really amazing fresh tomatoes.
Restaurant: Try Captain Dimitri’s Taverna Tel: +30 22860 82210 at the Amoudi port in Oia. It’s a long walk down – and back up again (300 steps!) but well worth it. It’s highly recommended and a lot of local Greeks eat there so it really is the authentic choice. The restaurant is owned by Dimitri and his Canadian wife (So no language problems here if you speak English!)

If it’s not too windy – head over to Pyrgos and follow the signs to Franco’s cafe (not to be confused with Franco’s bar in Fira). Franco’s cafe is part of the castle at the top of Pyrgos. A completely new way to enjoy the sunset and some very light snacks and fantastic drinks. Try their spiced tea!

The bus is an excellent way to get around and costs only €1.40 for a single journey. Compare that to anywhere from €8-€15 for a taxi.

Scooters: You’ll need to have a motorcycle/scooter license in order to rent a scooter in Santorini – but many places have 4 wheel ATV’s for rental as well. These go for €25 for a day or €30/24 hours if you keep them for several days.

In general scooters and ATVs can be pretty dangerous especially at night – the roads are very narrow and the busses and the taxis make it pretty crazy!

And I’m sure that I’ll think of more things – but at least I got the essence of my trip so that I can remember again for next time!

Take CASH!!! They only accept cash for tickets to enter the Acropolis and the walk to the cash machine is all the way back down – and then back up again!

If you’re going to Santorini and looking for the quiet getaway spot – Imergovigli is the place. High up on the cliff most of the resorts here have an excellent view of the caldera – and that means a beautiful sunset every evening.

If you stay in one of the resorts with kitchenettes – you can do so much to make this place like a home away from home.

When doing your shopping, walk along the path to Imerovigli town – but don’t be fooled into thinking the Mini Market is the only option – keep walking. Just 200M further along is a complete grocery store with everything you could want.

I stayed at the Xenones Filotera (http://www.xenonesfilotera.gr/ ) and can highly recommend it. The suites are large – the beds comfortable – the staff friendly and helpful. Admittedly I had to ask for a few things to round out my kitchenette – but the staff were happy to oblige.

In walking around the area I found there are at least 3 other complexes worthy of mention.

http://www.santorini-princess.com – Upscale luxury – £££
http://www.anastasisapartments.com – Excellent – ££
http://www.rocabella-santorini.com – Very good – bigger – ££

http://www.xenones-filtera.gr – BEST BEST BEST – ££

For hotel rates I started on Trip Advisor and found the best rates eventuall at http://www.ratestogo.com

I was staying 11-18 October and so was at the end of mid-season.

To be fair – I was looking for a place to come and work ( I was writing some industry reports ) and decided to find a place that was inspirational – warm ( as opposed to cold and rainy London ) and with great Internet access and services where I didn’t have to go anywhere and with very few people making noise! I found it here!

General notes:

The tap water is probably safe – but really tastes awful. Buy some bottled water at the super market/grocery.

Drinks all across Europe are getting to be VERY expensive. The pizza may be €7 – but the Diet Coke is €3!

A nice overview of Santorini history (http://hit360.com/english/special/article.php?afieroma_id=24 )

We went to Mykonos in the 3rd week of September – it was the end of the season and was an excellent time to go for having the place all to ourselves.

Do NOT go in August as the place is jam packed with Italians and Greeks and the prices are sky high!

DO go in June – the days are longer, the weather perfect, and the locals aren’t yet sick and tired of all of the tourists. If you go to the beach the water will still be very cold though…

The best beach is Elia beach. You can get their vai bus from the port bus terminal. Tickets are €1.50 each way. Simple.
At Elia beach you can rent beach loungers for €3.00 and an umbrealla for €2.00. The food at the Elia restaurant is great.

Restaurants: We like Avra
We think Aqua is nice – but pricey.
For good pizza – we like Modo Mio

Make sure you take time to see the Pelicans at the dock.

For a day trip – go to Delos Island. €5.00 for entrance – €10.00 for a walking tour and €15.00 for the ferry to get there. It is a good trip for a few hours. But it is the ONLY trip there is—When going to Mykonos – go for sun and relaxing.

Hotel: We stay at the Rochari. Friendly staff and nice accomodation at good prices. We paid €117.00/night for B&B.

I’m making these notes as much for myself as for anyone else – but if you have any questions, feel free to write.

.t.

Wow! – I had never been to Prague before but really enjoyed the trip. Was there primarily for business but found a few hours to do some sight seeing. Went on a late night walking tour, “The Ghosts of Prague”. Had a blast.

The architecture is fantastic, the prices are CHEAP, and the value is HUGE! Really enjoyed and will definitely go back to do the complete tourist thing!

Venice is a lovely city and in many ways like a very large museum. I was there with 3 of my best friends and had a nice trip – but I must say that this is not a city I would make any effort to visit again.

The food was over priced and downright bad. (And for me, the food on my holidays has to be fantastic!)

Upon arriving at the main rail station which leads out directly to the grand canal I was sorely disappointed to find that it was all polished concrete as if I was in some giant theme park – all perfect and new and pristine. And to top it all off, there was a band of Native American Indians playing traditional music for money—in Venice?!?

All in all a nice city and glad that I went – but certainly no place I would ever want to return to.

Indy is – and always will be – an incredibly special city for me!