We had a smooth trip, playing cards and practice with jacks to while away the hours. Highlights including visiting Paros, Naxos and Ios along the way, watching the loading and unloading of the ferry as we went. We arrived at the port of Santorini pretty much on time. Sailing into the caldera (the large bay left after a volcanic explosion 3500 years ago) is one of the most awe inspiring travel experiences I have experienced. For all that people say the Santorini is too touristy, it really is not to be missed.

As we climbed and climbed (and climbed) the view just got better and better. By the time we reached the top it was simply breathtaking. This is an overused superlative but in the case of the Santorini caldera it is a most accurate word. It is impossible to capture the haunting beauty and the perfect stillness of the caldera when viewed from above.

The Aroma Suites is one of the few accommodation establishments in Fira to stay open over the winter. There are at least 4 other groups staying here at the moment as far as I can tell and there are only six rooms so I reckon that’s a pretty good occupancy rate. So what are the Aroma Suites like? In a word, spectacular. The location is five star, the decor and appointments are also top notch and the level of service exactly right.

After we settled in to our Vanilla Cave House Suite we took off for a stroll through the laneways of Fira. Now, it is the case that many of the shops are closed but in truth we didn’t choose this destination for a shopping experience (we could have stayed in Dubai for that!) But even with closed shops (about a quarter of them are open) it is a romantic and alluring place to be.

Based on our host’s advice about the best gyros in town we had a sumptuous meal by the main square in the cool night air, then headed back to our apartment for a turn in the jacuzzi before heading to bed. We had a big day planned for the next day.

By Guykb; excerpts, edited by Greece Travel Blog

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Tags: cool night air * gyros * haunting beauty * Ios * Naxos * playing cards * Santorini * santorini caldera * stillness * sumptuous meal * travel experiences * volcanic explosion

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