I stayed 4 days in Santorini, Greece at the Elia Caldera Suites in the city of Fira. I mention the city because Fira is probably the 2nd most visited city in Santorini after Oia, which has the blue-domed buildings. I had a deluxe suite with a hot tub and private balcony. This place had beautiful view and was in the heart of the city.
But I first need to tell the story of getting to the hotel. Because of the taxi driver strike in Athens, I didn’t want to take a chance on the same happening in Santorini. So I arranged for a transfer from the airport to the hotel. The driver picks me up and gives me some pointers about Santorini. In between being a tour guide, he makes a phone call. Once disconnected he tells me that someone will be there to help me with my luggage. I was glad to hear of this because I knew there were steps involved and my suitcase is heavy.
At one point we are at a stop sign, and he points upward and says… you’re hotel is up there and the city is to the right (I asked about the city center earlier, not knowing that my hotel was actually located in the center). The driver then makes a right turn and stops. He says… you’re here. I’m here… where??? I was having flashbacks to when I was in Lisbon Portugal and the Uber driver stops the car and says you’re here. I say where, and he says… up there! I turn to look where he’s pointing and next thing I know, he pulls out my luggage and pulls off before I can say anything he would understand in English. I was NOT at the train station. (That’s a whole other story for another time.)
Anyway, this older guy shows up and grabs my luggage (suitcase and duffle bag) and starts walking up the hill (slight slant). I can’t speak for all of Greece, but Athens and Santorini are VERY hilly. I try to keep pace, but I’m starting to breathe hard and need to catch my breath. I’m looking at this man and thinking that he’s moving fast because he does this probably several times a day. (At least this is what I tell myself for why this older man is moving and I’m about to pass out.)
When he (and me trailing behind) turns the corner and I see this even steeper hill, I just stop. I have to stop and catch my breath. He gets to about halfway up the hill before I start following again. I make a mental note that he just turned right. And when I get up the hill he is there waiting for me. He hands me the duffle bag and begins to pick up the suitcase. I thinking… where is this hotel, because I see a restaurant and shops, no sign for a hotel. He proceeds to walk down some stairs, and I realize this is it, this is where the hotel is located… smack dab in the heart of tourist town (city center). We go down a flight of stairs, through a small gate and down a few steps and pass by the first balcony with a small hot tub, then through another small gate to the next balcony (no hot tub), through a small gate and finally to my balcony with a huge hot tub (big enough for at least 6 people).
The host is there to meet me and show me around. I find out that the older guy is her husband, and I believe they are the owners of these suites (not really what you would call a hotel). The place is nice, I love the suite and the views are amazing. If it wasn’t so windy and cold, I would have used the hot tub.
I headed out before the rain started (the clouds were telling). I need to get some snacks for my stay and dinner. I walked past several stores selling everything from nice purses, clothing, and souvenirs. Every turn down a cobblestone street had these stores or the occasional café. I got to one area, which I’ll call main street. It had several restaurants, ice cream shops and a market. I picked up a few items from the market and had dinner at a Chinese restaurant that’s one block from my place. The food was being made by Chinese cooks, and it was a moment of feeling at home. I left satisfied and full. I hate to say it but, I ate here 3 times. On one visit, I told the waitress… see you tomorrow. LOL!! I switched up for lunch or dinner and ordered something different each time.
I did eat at another place and had a really good burger. I’m proud to say that I still have not eaten any French fries (gave up potatoes for lent), even though I have had to remove them from view on a few occasions. The struggle is real!!!!
The weather had been crappy. Between the wind and cold, there was the occasional rain, which made walking very slippery. I made the trek out everyday for food. But I did get one good day. I woke up and the sun was shining, the wind was calm, and dare it say it… it was a little bit warm. I also noticed a cruise ship down below. I didn’t really think about this until I took the steps up to the street level and saw all the folks from the boat. This is what the town had been waiting for. Restaurants that had been closed were now open. Shops were buzzing. I will admit, it was a different vibe, and I was here for it.
I walked around more of the town, down several alleyways, stopped in shops. I saw the cable cars bringing people from the port up to the town. There was even a path of steps where people would ride donkeys up the trails. I don’t think they rode them all the way up to the top, but it was a sight to see. There was a church there called Catholic Cathedral of Saint John The Baptist. I got excited… was John the Baptist here??? Needless to say, I checked Google.
The Catholic Cathedral of Saint John The Baptist in Fira, Santorini, is named after Saint John the Baptist, honoring him as the precursor to Christ. Located in the town’s Catholic quarter, this 17th-century Jesuit-built, Baroque-style church serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Santorini.
And just as I was looking for other pathways to take, the rain made an appearance again. I headed back in and began the task of packing and closer out my visit to this city. However, before leaving, I had one more stop at the Chinese place for dinner. Although I think the food is good, I will say that several Asian people think so too. On my first visit, there was a group of about 15. That last night, there was only 3 non-Asian people (including me) and the place was packed.
Santorini is worth a visit if you are in Greece, and definitely if you are visiting Athens. It’s a 50-minute plane ride or a 4-hour ferry ride.
