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Scooters in Santorini
A vine on the island
donkey ride was the highlight
Peugeot
I'm planning a 2 night stay on Santorini island in April 2010. I'm a scenic photographer and want to take the typical postcard photos of the white buildings on the cliffs with the sea in the distance etc etc (you know the ones!), and also of the blue-domed churches and maybe a windmill thrown in or two. Where are the best townsites/spots to take these photos without scads of telephone lines in the way? I was planning to book a room at the Shine Hotel in Imverogli (sp?) and it looks ideal except for those pesky telephone lines....Also, I heard there was a path linking Fira with Oia (another must-do, I think?). Is it harder to walk than the Cinque-Terre was in Italy or is it fairly easy? How long of a walk if I stop for lots of photos? I'm toting along my 73 yr old mother (who has climbed Huangshan mountain in China with me recently, so she suvived it well enough). Thanks!
The northernmost village of Oia offers the most in terms of architectural interest, blue-dome chapels, white cliffside cavehouses with blue trim, windmills, etc. Because it's so early in the season, in April I don't think you'll have too much of a problem with people blocking your shots. Imerovigli will be another good choice as long as you can avoid the power lines. There are none in Oia, they've all been concealed underground.
The hike between Imerovigli and Oia takes a couple of hours. It's about 5 miles in length. There's one spot along the trail where the path returns to the main road so you can catch a bus if you change your mind about going the whole distance on foot. Be sure to have some sturdy footwear. Bring water, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen and a snack.
Plenty of photo-ops on Santorini - I'd suggest you visit some of the members pages here to see the amateurs' work LOL! The path between Fira and Oia is spectacular and not too taxing (about 7km). Sunsets from Oia can include windmills but you'll find yourself competing against thousands of others for the "best" spot.
April is a good time though. Should be soft light and not too many tourists. The only caveat is that it could be overcast or even raining - it does do these things in Greece!
Enjoy!
The Hotel in Imverogili (sp?) is halfway between Fira and Oia, I think--is it also on or near the pathway? Is the pathway better from Imv to Oia or is it a must-do all the way from Fira? Are bikes allowed or are there steps?
The Shine hotel is NOT halfway between Fira and Oia. Judging by the photos I'm finding it's between Fira and Imerovigli on the cliff, about a mile or so from Fira. The section of the pathway between Fira and Imerovigli is paved. From Imerovigli to Oia it's unpaved and somewhat uneven. Trying it on a bike would not be a good idea. There are some steps between Fira and Oia, and none between Imerovigli and Oia, but there are some hills here and there along the way.
The pathway between Fira and Oia is NOT 7km. It's 15km, or 7 miles.
Same answer as your Athens question, nothing like enough time, and your flight arrangements, are too tight as well.
Seriously have a re-think.
Day 1:
Fira, Imerovigli.
Day 2:
Prehistoric Museum, Ancient Akrotiri, a dip in the sea at Red or White Beach(or come back via Pyrgos and eat at Kallisti).
Day 3:
Oia, full day of sightseeing, eating and shopping.
Day 4:
Fira shopping and eating, volcano sightseeing or beach time in Perissa or Kamari.
You've heard it from me a million times, but I am not big on tours. But, once agan, I decided to take a tour on Santorini, in part because it is so small and I thought I would get to see most of it via this tour. It turned out, that is exactly what happened. I booked through Sun Time Rent a Car, which also happened to sell tour packages. I decided on the "Archaeological Tour". This included stops at Akrotiri (my main destination and my inspiration to go to Crete for Knossos, but thats another story...) , Perissa Beach, Pyrgos and the Monastery Prophet Elijah. Also, the final straw for getting me to go on this trip, was that they added the wine tasting tour to every tour. OK, count me in!
The ticket to the Akrotiri site is not included in the 18 Euro price. What is included is transpotation in a very nice tour bus, a very informative guide, and, of course, the wine.
Typically for Fira, Firastefani and Imerovigli are the doors without walls. Walking on the caldera rim path you will often just see doors without a building. You will only find stairs behind the door. These are entrances to places that lie beneath the path on the slope of the hill.Of course, these doors are excellent subjects for wonderful pics.
pack light! Rolling suitcases won't get you far when all the roads are stairways. If you have fair skin, as I have, be sure to bring your hat, sunscreen, and an umbrella never hurts. A sunburn does. A must.
On the way to Emporio, you'll see a rising hill to the right. All along the peak are what look like castle towers with cannons. What they actually are, are a row of broken windmills with there wooden spokes revealed. Find a little rocky road that leads up through a vineyard and follow it. One of the windmill is open to exploration. Be careful when you enter as the condition of these windmills is questionable. At the end of this road is a lone church overlooking a cliff. This was quite an exciting find for me and there was noone on this trial except for us.
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