Discussion
LADANIVA said:
Kamari,hotels - depends on budget.
There are basic apartments and then there are top hotels, either on the sea front or a few minutes walk from the sea.
I've stayed at Kamari beach, on the expensive side but nice
Looks reasonable? £406 for 2 - Superior sea viewThere are basic apartments and then there are top hotels, either on the sea front or a few minutes walk from the sea.
I've stayed at Kamari beach, on the expensive side but nice
What about the resort itself? I would be going with my partner, I am 34 she is 32.
Breathtaking island. You need to decide whether you want to be on the beach side (east), or the massively more dramatic but probably more expensive volcano caldera side (west).
We opted for the latter, and it was amazing. Stayed in a quieter area just north of the main town of Fira (Firostefani I think is the name for the area), with an amazing short walk into town but quiet enough to escape the cruise ship crowds.
The whole island is relatively accessible by bus, or by Quad Bike!
We opted for the latter, and it was amazing. Stayed in a quieter area just north of the main town of Fira (Firostefani I think is the name for the area), with an amazing short walk into town but quiet enough to escape the cruise ship crowds.
The whole island is relatively accessible by bus, or by Quad Bike!
Hub said:
Breathtaking island. You need to decide whether you want to be on the beach side (east), or the massively more dramatic but probably more expensive volcano caldera side (west).
We opted for the latter, and it was amazing. Stayed in a quieter area just north of the main town of Fira (Firostefani I think is the name for the area), with an amazing short walk into town but quiet enough to escape the cruise ship crowds.
The whole island is relatively accessible by bus, or by Quad Bike!
The hotels I seem to be liking at present seem to be set in the side of a (raised) with views out to sea, rather than beach front, I take it that is the WEST side?We opted for the latter, and it was amazing. Stayed in a quieter area just north of the main town of Fira (Firostefani I think is the name for the area), with an amazing short walk into town but quiet enough to escape the cruise ship crowds.
The whole island is relatively accessible by bus, or by Quad Bike!
m3sye said:
Looks reasonable? £406 for 2 - Superior sea view
What about the resort itself? I would be going with my partner, I am 34 she is 32.
The whole island is beautiful and there is nothing chavvy about any resorts, Kamari, in my opinion is busy for Santorini, with enough to do. the resturant staff do try and get you into their establishment every night, but if yuo can live with that no worries.What about the resort itself? I would be going with my partner, I am 34 she is 32.
perissa is nicer than kamari. With kamari you are likely to end up near the airport. Oia is amazing, but we just quad biked up there (2 up with mrs 2CV on the back) when we wanted to go, typically of a late afternoon/evening and that was probably more enjoyable than actually staying there. Some amazing hotels and stupendous views up there though. Don't bother with the red beach, it was s
t.
t. It is a fantastic island that has to be explored because, despite being small it can offer totally different beaches, villages, vineyards and scenic views. I have been there several times. The most scenic hotels and the best place at night it's Oia but I'd usually choose a cheaper place to stay, the last time in the hills over Kamari and I immediately rent a scooter. The weather is just great and nobody will fine you for not wearing an helmet so I always use it to go to the beaches or going out at night.
were definitely wary of the scootering/quadding at first (big spongy tyres, windy roads, st brakes, crazy drivers, mrs not understanding which way she needs to lean etc), but within the first day decided to leave the helmets in the room, and were leathering it around the place often 3 sheets to the wind, aviators on, sunburnt fod and cottons flapping in the wind. It's how to enjoy the island i reckon!
t brakes, crazy drivers, mrs not understanding which way she needs to lean etc), but within the first day decided to leave the helmets in the room, and were leathering it around the place often 3 sheets to the wind, aviators on, sunburnt fod and cottons flapping in the wind. It's how to enjoy the island i reckon! matsoc said:
It is a fantastic island that has to be explored because, despite being small it can offer totally different beaches, villages, vineyards and scenic views. I have been there several times. The most scenic hotels and the best place at night it's Oia but I'd usually choose a cheaper place to stay, the last time in the hills over Kamari and I immediately rent a scooter. The weather is just great and nobody will fine you for not wearing an helmet so I always use it to go to the beaches or going out at night.
You isn't have a very high boredom threshold, at least compared to me. 
Spent a month there one week, couldn't find a reason to go back.There are some great views and Oia is nice for a day or two but I didn't think much of the beaches or the restaurants.
We stayed at the Carpe Diem, Pyrgos, which boasts individual plunge pools for every room in addition to the main infinity. Problem was the constant wind kept all the pools at about 5 degrees or so (well that's what they felt like) so they all remained unused!
m3sye said:
I have heard the pools are always cold in santorini, anyone else who has been any hotel recommendations?
it depends, if you're up high on the caldera in the more northern towns then it is very windswept. If you stay down low in the sheltered bits then no, it's not cold at all. REALIST123 said:
You isn't have a very high boredom threshold, at least compared to me. Spent a month there one week, couldn't find a reason to go back.
There are some great views and Oia is nice for a day or two but I didn't think much of the beaches or the restaurants.
We stayed at the Carpe Diem, Pyrgos, which boasts individual plunge pools for every room in addition to the main infinity. Problem was the constant wind kept all the pools at about 5 degrees or so (well that's what they felt like) so they all remained unused!
Well, to be fair I have been there 5 or 6 times over the last 15 years but always for short periods, 4 or 5 days generally. 2 times I stopped while sailing. There are so many islands to see among the Cyclads only that staying one full month in just one is too much. Always July or August, never been in a pool there actually, but the the sea was generally warm and clean. Spent a month there one week, couldn't find a reason to go back.There are some great views and Oia is nice for a day or two but I didn't think much of the beaches or the restaurants.
We stayed at the Carpe Diem, Pyrgos, which boasts individual plunge pools for every room in addition to the main infinity. Problem was the constant wind kept all the pools at about 5 degrees or so (well that's what they felt like) so they all remained unused!
matsoc said:
Well, to be fair I have been there 5 or 6 times over the last 15 years but always for short periods, 4 or 5 days generally. 2 times I stopped while sailing. There are so many islands to see among the Cyclads only that staying one full month in just one is too much. Always July or August, never been in a pool there actually, but the the sea was generally warm and clean.
Any other Islands you would recommend? m3sye said:
Any other Islands you would recommend?
Staying in the Cyclades archipelago I would certainly recommend firstly Mykonos. It is probably most known for its extreme night life among teenagers but it also has some spectacular hotels, resorts and houses for rent, excellent restaurants, beaches and the nearby inhabitated Delos island with its temple is somethng unique that has to be seen. Maybe Mykonos is a bit too crowded in July and August though. I also liked Amorgos and Folegandros, that are still relatively untouched by resorts and tourists, it is a good choice for a more peaceful vacation. Naxos and Paros are not my favourite but they still have interesting things to see. I was forgetting Ios, beautiful too.I would probably suggest a circular tour on 3-4 islands if it is your first visit there. Ferries are not expensive.
Out of the Cyclades I would also recommend:
Crete even if it so big that is more suited to a road trip sleeping in at least 4 different points.
Zacinto (sorry I only remember the Italian name, it should be close in English!) incredible beaches and rocks
Rhodes, with really many historinc things to see and beautiful anyway
Alonissos, which is really incontaminated island in the North East, perfect if you like hiking.
matsoc said:
Well, to be fair I have been there 5 or 6 times over the last 15 years but always for short periods, 4 or 5 days generally. 2 times I stopped while sailing. There are so many islands to see among the Cyclads only that staying one full month in just one is too much. Always July or August, never been in a pool there actually, but the the sea was generally warm and clean.
Didn't stay there a month, just a week that felt like a month........ I can imagine that occasional visits for about 4 days would be very pleasant.
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