Tuesday 20 May

Up early again for a buffet breakfast and then we caught the crowded bus into Fira. It was warmer again today. We walked uphill through the narrow streets to the Archaeological Museum. They had many finds such as large amphorae and sculptures from as far back as the 17th Century BC. The detail on the vases and plates was very fine. I didn't get any photos there though.

Blue skies in Fira again

Then we had a coffee at a nearby cafe, and walked back past the souvenir shops but weren't tempted. Fira was full of tourists again, many of whom come on cruise ships. We stopped at the Pelican Cafe for a drink in the beautiful gardens. I had an orange juice. We just caught the shuttle bus in time.

At the hotel I did another painting of the view of the volcanic islands. Then we had a club sandwich and beer for lunch. Went back to our room to read. The sun is quite strong again today. Later we did a bit of packing, and went outside for a glass of wine. All the tables were laid for dinner and the live music later.

Our last evening at the hotel

However we decided to make a last trip into Fira. We caught the 7.30 bus which took a different route. We had dinner at the Pelican as we liked it earlier. Well-tended plants and jazz music playing in the background. We had aubergine dip and the ubiquitous fava, followed by salmon with a delicious lemon sauce, and a bottle of Assyrtiko white wine.

We had to wait for a taxi but arrived back at the hotel in time to sit outside for a coffee and to listen to the band - a female singer/keyboard player and a male drummer. We were slightly disturbed at 4 am by a drunken carouser outside.

Monday 19 May

A modern mosaic in the main square at Oia (or Ia)

Up early for a quiet breakfast and then to take the 9.15 shuttle bus into Fira. There we caught a public bus to Oia in the north of the island. The road wound through vineyards and fields of tomatoes, a Santorini feature.

Blue-domed churches are a feature of Ia

In Oia we strolled along the narrow streets, looking at churches and souvenir shops. I bought some jewellery. It's a beautiful village with several blue-domed churches. I am hoping to paint one.



We had lunch at Papagalos, a very nice place with quick service. We had a selection of Greek dips and then sea bream with capers and crisp vegetables. Delicious! We had a glass of white wine, another dry Assyrtiko aged in the barrel for six months.

A traditional windmill (minus its sails)

Then we explored further along the narrow paths and up and down many steps. The views were spectacular as usual. We had coffee in another small place, Skiza.


We caught the crowded bus back to Fira and got a taxi back to the hotel. It started raining and was quite cool. Our sweaters came in handy.


We had supper in the hotel restaurant, appetizers and apple pie with cinnamon. A quiet evening at the Volcano View. The Greek-American wedding party has left (apart from the grandfather).

Saturday 17 May

Cycladic pots in the Prehistoric Museum

After a bad night we were up a bit late for breakfast but it was calmer today and the waiters were friendly. Then we sat outside in the sun and wind, and I wrote postcards. We bought stamps at the mini-market across the road. Then we took the crowded shuttle bus into Fira.

First we visited the Prehistoric Museum and saw fossils from the Neolithic period, and many beautiful ceramics from the excavations at Akrotiri dating from the Cycladic period around 1700 BC. Very interesting.

In the old port of Fira where small boats depart

We walked up to the cablecar station and took a cabin down to the old port. The alternative transport was on donkeys. We had lunch in a seaside taverna. My calamari was rather chewy.

We ascended again and looked at the jewellery shops without luck. I bought a few more postcards. We took a taxi back to the hotel and read. It was quite cool and overcast.

At 7 pm we caught another taxi to the nearby village of Pyrgos and had dinner at Kallisti. The fish, dorade, was very nice but attracted the cats. We also had a delicious chocolate souffle. It was quite a cool evening.

Thursday 15 May

The six-wine tasting platter at Santo wines - delicious

Up early for a very nice buffet breakfast and then meeting our Tui rep, Tanya, at 9 am. We are with a German group, naturally. Tanya explained all the trips we could go on, in rapid German. Afterwards she spoke to us in English and persuaded us to book a boat trip to the volcano and dinner on the boat at sunset, and a minibus trip to the picturesque south including excavations. Both with a special guide, Christina, who is Austrian but has lived in Santorini for 24 years.

Then we walked uphill beside a busy road to the Santo winery for a tour and tasting. We learnt about the six grape varieties in Santorini and that Santo is a cooperative which collects grapes from wineries all over the island. We saw the whole wine production process from pressing to fermentation and storage in barrels or bottles. Then in the bar we tasted three whites and three reds, with snacks. All very nice. We bought some Nykteri white wine and some plump capers, another island product, but weren't tempted by the fava yellow spilt peas as they are cheaper in Migros. Then we got a taxi back.

Dolmades at the hotel restaurant 

In the evening we took a stroll and had dinner at the hotel's Caldera Restaurant. I chose dolmades and pork tenderloin. We tried to access WiFi in Reception but couldn't get in. Had an early night. Our bed is very hard.