Santorini blue domes and sailing
Our trip through the Greek Islands ended with two nights in Santorini, probably the most famous of all the islands. After a short trip on the high-speed ferry from Naxos to Santorini, we took a bus up the steep hillside to our hotel.
We spent two nights at El Greco Resort & Spa, which had several pools and a beautiful property within walking distance of Fira Town.
The Three Bells of Fira with it’s blue dome church is located in Fira and overlooks the Aegean Sea. The church dates back to the 18th century and is a wonderful spot to visit for views and photographs.
However, the most iconic blue domes are located in Oia, which can be reached by bus, taxi, car or foot from Fira. It’s about a six-mile walk one way with little shade, so be prepared if you choose that option.
I recommend going very early in the morning to avoid crowds and waiting in long lines to take photos of the domes.
Anastasi Church was built in 1865. Only 10 meters away is Agios Spyridon, which was constructed in 1867 and has a matching blue dome and blue bell tower.
A few of us took a tour with Santorini Road Trips. They picked us up at our hotel and toured us around. We visited the Bell Towers of Megalochori and the Underground Caves where people used to live.
We also went to the Black Sand Beach that formed due to a volcanic eruption. Next, we headed to Gaia Winery for our first wine tasting. The wines were definitely different and interesting compared to what we have in the United States.
Our tour ended at Venetsanos Winery, where we enjoyed a glass of wine and charcuterie board while watching the sunset.
It is a breathtaking setting to watch the sun go down over the horizon.
The next morning, I spent some time walking around Fira and taking in the views.
There are spectacular vistas and gorgeous flowers at every turn. It’s a lot of fun to just wander the streets and see where they take you.
I came across this pretty yellow and blue church in Fira. You can see a couple of the many cruise ships that were in port for the day.
I also loved the colorful doors around Santorini. It’s such a beautiful place to explore!
In the afternoon, we went on a sunset catamaran cruise with Sunset Oia. We sailed around the island and stopped for a swim at the Hot Springs, a volcanic island at the center of the caldera. It was amazing how the water was warmer there than the rest of the sea.
We also sailed near the Red Beach and swam from the boat. A few people snorkeled and saw some fish.
Our cruise included a yummy BBQ dinner with Greek sides on the catamaran and we danced and watched the sunset before heading back to the pier.
