We couldn't possibly visit Greece without experiencing the breathtaking cliffside villages of Santorini firsthand, and it was truly worth it.
We booked a two-night stay in a traditional cave house located in Oia, the northernmost town of the island. Our accommodation at Menia’s Cave House offered a spectacular caldera view from the balcony of our two-bedroom suite. Breakfast was included and conveniently delivered right to our door.
Santorini is a small island that was once a volcano, with high cliffs forming a ring around the ancient caldera (the volcano's crater). It's remarkable how steep the cliffs are in the main towns of Oia (pronounced e-a) and Thira, where the whitewashed houses cling to the cliffside, overlooking the tranquil waters below.
We had a full day to explore, plus the morning and afternoon on either side, and we took it easy, simply soaking in the views.
The streets of Oia can become quite crowded with tourists arriving from the many cruise ships moored in the caldera. However, the narrow pathways winding past our accommodation remained quiet and secluded. We took a walk to the Castle of Oia, which offers the best sunset views to the west. There are a few popular photo spots, like the three blue-domed churches, but be prepared to wait about 30 minutes to capture the iconic shot with yourself in it.
I woke up early one morning to stroll the streets of Oia, mainly to take photos, and I was surprised to see many other dedicated photographers and their clients out and about, including Brides and Grooms.
We had purchased new dresses specifically for our Santorini trip, as it felt like a place that deserved a little extra effort beyond our usual clothes. The girls enjoyed dressing up in their Santorini outfits, and I quickly noticed that nearly every woman in Oia had the same idea and was wearing a similarly coloured blue dress. Definitely a vibe!
A family of adorable kittens lived nearby, and the girls were absolutely enchanted by watching them, which kept them entertained throughout our stay. The cave house featured a large indoor Jacuzzi, where the girls loved splashing around in the evenings. Many neighbouring cave houses also had small outdoor Jacuzzis which I would recommend priorizing for other families. Braino wished he could enjoy the view from an outdoor spa.
Naturally, Oia is quite pricey when it comes to accommodations, dining, and getting around Santorini. We had pre-arranged for a driver from our accommodation to pick us up from the ferry terminal and take us to the airport on our departure day. He shared that there are over 4,000 hotel transfer vehicles on the island but only 70 taxis. There is a local bus service that operates around the island, but its schedule is quite limited.
While our main priority was to relax and enjoy the views, with the girls happily occupied watching the local kittens, if we had stayed longer, I would have aimed to visit:
Hiring a car or a private driver would have been the ideal way to explore these southern destinations in Santorini. Perhaps next time!
Overall, I understand why Santorini is a popular honeymoon destination, and I am incredibly grateful to have experienced it as a family.