Oh Santorini, it could of been so easy to give you up in the planing process due to logistics. With our plans to travel around Europe by train, Greece being below Macedonia and Alabania with no Eurail train connections from Croatia, it was proving difficult to get to. 

I fought hard for it. I needed to go there. I could feel it in my bones. Derek was pushing for Portugal (equally as difficulty to get to with the same lack of train connections). It had to be one or the other. They were both on opposite sides of our route and we couldn’t manage both with the timeframe we were working with.

My darling husband caved and let me have my way and I loved him for it! (SPOILER ALERT! We did however sneak Portugal in after we were well into our travels but more on that brilliant decision later.) So Santorini it was to be! 

Adding a flight to our itinerary was the only way we were going to get there and that also meant a stopover in Athens. We planned on a quick scoot around the Acropolis, a walk about the city, and up the early the next day for our 7am ferry to Santorini. Easy! Haha! This was our first big lesson on traveling with kids. You will never achieve everything you hope for in a day! 

We arrived in Athens from Zurich at 3am! Planning the trip from home we said sweet things like, “oh, that arrival time will be fine. We’ll just sleep in the next day and then head out and sight-see.” NO, DON’T DO IT! Pay the extra money and get a decent time. Or you end up with tired kids the next day, who couldn’t give two flying farts how old and marvellous the Acropolis is!

So we found ourselves stuck in our room and none of us having much energy at all. The kids just wanted to veg out and Derek and I were feeling guilty and frustrated at not being able to get out and about. So Derek with his quick thinking found a Taverna with a fabulous view of the ruins. We sat eating delicious souvlaki and the kids zoned out on iPads. Not ideal, but it was the best solution for everyone to be happy. 

We now handle these moments differently. We can’t force the kids to appreciate something if they are just not feeling it or they are exhausted. It makes it unpleasant for everyone. If they are wilting and there is something either of us are desperate to see, one heads back home with the kids and the other goes out solo. I have let go of worring about this and now just try to go with it because some of the best times we have had are the one when we are trying the least. So after an early night we woke happier and ready for our ferry the next day. 

We hired a car from the ferry port which I highly recommend doing. The car was ready as soon as we got off the boat and with all our luggage that was a welcome relief and it was great to have the freedom to explore the island. So off we drove with our first taste of Greek hospitality, “When you drop the car off park anywhere in the airport and just leave the keys in and shut the door. It’s a small island if they steal it where are they going to go, to the sea? No problem!”

From the first hairpin turn up the hill from the port when the stunning caldera came into view, I knew my push for Santorini had been worth it. It was breathtaking! With its rustic landscape, blue water and dramatic cliffs, this was not the beach holiday we were accustomed to. This was an experience. From the ooh and aahs coming from the car, I was not alone in my assessment.

I searched long for the perfect accomodation and persistence paid off. I found Villa Maria Apartments, a gorgeous B&B in Akortiri, twenty minutes south of Fira. A quiet, quintessential blue and white building with pink boganvillia. It had the view of the Caldera (sunken volcano crater), a swimming pool with a view to die for and was close to all the beaches. 

http://instagram.com/villamariasantorini

Every morning we bounced out of bed and up to the delightful terrace where a simple breakfast would be laid out with love and care. We would sit drinking coffee, doing school work till it got too hot and we had to hit the beach or the pool. 

I would love to say we were energetic and explored the volcano, hiked the coastline, went on sunset cruises but I can’t. We were all so content going slow in the morning, finding a new beach everyday, swimming in the crystal clear water, eating 2€ gyros for lunch, hanging by the pool in the afternoon and staring in awe at the spectacular view.

We only ventured to Fira once and that was enough. We loved how quiet and spacious Akortiri was. With this in mind we decided not to join the throng of other tourist in Oia for the famous Santorini sunset. Instead we opted for a restaurant recommended by our B&B. It was closer to us and still had the most beautiful view of the sun going down. With the kids this was a great compromise and was one of the best sunsets, I have ever seen. The fact that Derek dropped a full plate of moussaka in his lap made it even more memorable.

Santorini, you were worth the effort! I’m in love and I suspect I might be able to push to come back again one day.