{travel} Santorini

Fira, Santorini before the sunset

Santorini is one of the most coveted Greek islands, because of its stunning view, unique architecture and well, the fact that it used to be a volcano! Ah, the beauty of nature! Because of the island’s volcanic origin there are no turquoise sea water and the sand is black (fancy huh?). Not that it bothers me…give me clear and not so cold sea and I’m happy!

The picturesque village of Oia and the “capital” of the island Fira with their whitewashed buildings and beautiful view over the sea (where once the volcano crater used to be) make up for the not so exotic beaches

Vlychada beach, Santorini

First time I visited Santorini was 10 years ago, but it was only for 2 days, so I didn’t have much time to explore (and take pictures as well). So this time I made up for it! I walked in Oia, I saw the sunset from Fira, I tasted wine in 2 wineries, I ate…well a lot, I visited the archaeological site in Akrotiri and I swam in the sea, which surprisingly was not ice cold (as it is usually in the Aegean Sea).

During my first visit in Santorini I wasn’t aware of the many vineyards and wineries that this island has! Well this time I visited 2 of them, where our friends are working and tasted some very interesting wines (and I’m not even a wine drinker)! First stop was the Boutari winery, were we tasted the white wines Kallisti and Nychteri, the red wine Mandilaria (that’s the grape’s name) and the sweet wine Vinsanto (to be drank with fruits/desserts). The next day we visited the Domain Sigalas winery where we tasted the Cavaliere wine (it’s a white one) (p.s. we had already tasted their Vinsanto wine, which has to be my favorite)! The Domain Sigalas has a very nice courtyard with nice view of the vineyards and the sea, where you can taste your wine!