![20160729_170008-_D5A0038 20160729_170008-_D5A0038](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/0c656a7ed16495253065a3c8faa29374/20160729_170008-_D5A0038-900x900.jpg)
Can you believe that view?! It's about 3 months too late, but I'm thrilled to share about the last leg of Eurotravanganza summer trip to England and Greece at last! Our high speed ferry from Crete on the the Hellenic Seaways, picked us up from Heraklion on Crete
![20160726_090217-_D5A8211 20160726_090217-_D5A8211](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/52cda95400752497c5714e514280894c/20160726_090217-_D5A8211-900x900.jpg)
and were were pleasantly surprised to find quite a luxurious interior.
![20160726_105814-_D5A8254 20160726_105814-_D5A8254](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/a8e718d776e996917507771d14e2aa39/20160726_105814-_D5A8254-900x900.jpg)
Since the boat left early in the morning, I dozed while Walker took photos of the view.
![20160726_090526-_D5A8222 20160726_090526-_D5A8222](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/b98b55b6ae9770d64dc4bf7132ff19a3/20160726_090526-_D5A8222-900x900.jpg)
![20160726_090357-_D5A8213 20160726_090357-_D5A8213](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/4de7598c9c2e871dc38124963f1b7dc2/20160726_090357-_D5A8213-900x900.jpg)
![20160726_090449-_D5A8219 20160726_090449-_D5A8219](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/10a5c3ef9e18d88e8a83ce8c37aa4532/20160726_090449-_D5A8219-900x900.jpg)
As we approached the crescent of Santorini and pals in the early morning heat, the islands were swarmed with hot mist and it looked like they were capped with thick, white snow.
![20160726_105421-_D5A8234 20160726_105421-_D5A8234](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/283afdc05f7c8f78c1428091fa190dc4/20160726_105421-_D5A8234-900x900.jpg)
But as we rushed nearer, we saw white blocks of houses and blue pools set high on the cliffs like Legos.
![20160727_191706-_D5A8412 20160727_191706-_D5A8412](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/922b28d336d3b6b23a5389b58d5b080c/20160727_191706-_D5A8412-900x900.jpg)
Less than two hours after departing Crete, we pulled our luggage from the mammoth pile in the boat's belly and walked off to find our taxi driver waiting with bottled water and Bulgari (no kidding) hand wipes!
![20160726_113822-_D5A8262 20160726_113822-_D5A8262](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/a3c84da849607b35cf4db781c9958c1f/20160726_113822-_D5A8262-900x900.jpg)
We arrived on the southwest side of the moony island (like a backwards C), and the zig-zag ascent up the side of the mountain only made me hold onto my armrest once or twice.
![20160730_115846-_D5A0317 20160730_115846-_D5A0317](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/c525050fb7a36e33481041b6465c62c4/20160730_115846-_D5A0317-900x900.jpg)
![20160727_193117-_D5A8443 20160727_193117-_D5A8443](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/9b2136f6efa59eec61d7dfac04f0ca0b/20160727_193117-_D5A8443-900x900.jpg)
Santorini's shape comes from its history; a volcano rose in the center of the island thousands of years ago and when it collapsed, it created what is now called the Caldera, the bowl of glittering blue water cradled by the cliffs of the island that's miles wide.
![20160728_091348-_D5A8500 20160728_091348-_D5A8500](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/589985e74c41db2e6e6b5055f3de3d39/20160728_091348-_D5A8500-900x900.jpg)
A thick haze off the warm Aegean Sea always rises over the Caldera, making the colors of the sunset famously melt together like rainbow sherbet.
![20160729_171516-_D5A0103 20160729_171516-_D5A0103](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/2d5abf2258264f34193123746ec88c62/20160729_171516-_D5A0103-900x900.jpg)
![20160729_171749-_D5A0118 20160729_171749-_D5A0118](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/1a46da72922dd56af1aa105fb77e8a99/20160729_171749-_D5A0118-900x900.jpg)
![20160729_170111-_D5A0041 20160729_170111-_D5A0041](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/f32b27ebf3f664a84de66ae57b282f0d/20160729_170111-_D5A0041-900x900.jpg)
But I get ahead of myself. We drove up the cliffs to the plateau, where we went North through the main city of Fira (sometimes written Thira), through Imerovigli and on to our destination for the next 4 nights: Oia (pronounced "EE-uh"). Far and away, the welcome of the worn, white buildings was surpassed only by the hospitality of the islanders. We were met by Margarita and Kostas, our hosts at the Villa Katikies where we stayed, who gave us cool honey drinks and led us on a tour of the property.
![20160727_190802-_D5A8380 20160727_190802-_D5A8380](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/687165b332754dadd0ccc1585fa42292/20160727_190802-_D5A8380-900x900.jpg)
![20160727_184847-_D5A8340 20160727_184847-_D5A8340](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/9a4c0527b1995f12f0d5369786dc7873/20160727_184847-_D5A8340-900x900.jpg)
![20160726_153017-_D5A8321 20160726_153017-_D5A8321](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/df24fb743e078a17e1fca81a184b36d8/20160726_153017-_D5A8321-900x900.jpg)
![20160726_121723-_D5A8266 20160726_121723-_D5A8266](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/41361200827e1a9106ee25d085744cbb/20160726_121723-_D5A8266-900x900.jpg)
Don't look dooowwwn! This was the view from the edge of the pool.
![20160730_080956-_D5A0235 20160730_080956-_D5A0235](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/856610ef3d86a443a3f7199b614a6c93/20160730_080956-_D5A0235-900x900.jpg)
This stay was a highlight of the trip not only for the private balconies, but the hours Margarita spent planning out our days and meals with us. She helped us book our favorite day of the trip--a sail that I'll share in another post, and a fantastic wine tour. Each evening, we listed out what we'd like for breakfast: cheese plates, omelets, pastries, bacon, thick yogurt---and each morning we would wake to breakfast on our private deck with the most intense cobalt waters below. Far below.
![20160729_095941-_D5A9901 20160729_095941-_D5A9901](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/4bcf0fb9e2c24d73a9ee913fb675dfd8/20160729_095941-_D5A9901-900x900.jpg)
![20160730_080649-_D5A0223 20160730_080649-_D5A0223](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/1a6dd87b86f88345afc4075a23b982df/20160730_080649-_D5A0223-900x900.jpg)
We spent mornings at the pool and often ate lunch right there. They served crisp salads and fresh fish. And don't be fooled by the early-morning photos: the seats we always full!
![20160730_080750-_D5A0226 20160730_080750-_D5A0226](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/b07f39ba0d54207286f86adbc1124d9e/20160730_080750-_D5A0226-900x900.jpg)
![20160730_080929-_D5A0233 20160730_080929-_D5A0233](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/a97b67cf2c7df8cbc66dd23e842aa00d/20160730_080929-_D5A0233-900x900.jpg)
In the afternoons, we walked for gelato at Lolita's (I had pink peppercorn and rose petal!), or to shop around. Pink and purple flowers and blue doors stand bright against the calcium-rubbed walls.
![20160729_170942-_D5A0091 20160729_170942-_D5A0091](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/f27a8e9f0969f28b4acebc44c4a9b122/20160729_170942-_D5A0091-900x900.jpg)
![20160729_170452-_D5A0064-HDR 20160729_170452-_D5A0064-HDR](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/f04081453740c6704e24827ddbecf73f/20160729_170452-_D5A0064-HDR-900x900.jpg)
I was enamored with the white linen everywhere, and the pompom sandals with baubles up the ankles (can you see mine?!).
The town of Oia is walkable end-to-end in about 20 minutes.
![20160729_165651-_D5A0028 20160729_165651-_D5A0028](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/20e17dec71bf5468837a59f3480b4d70/20160729_165651-_D5A0028-900x900.jpg)
Late into each night, the streets are jammed with dogs and people and the occasional donkey train--and everyone is looking one direction
![20160727_191810-_D5A8416 20160727_191810-_D5A8416](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/17633d9b124a7251359faffeaaf56fd4/20160727_191810-_D5A8416-900x900.jpg)
![20160729_191313-_D5A0211 20160729_191313-_D5A0211](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/a38377857984f8ea7c05b43c1a6e6bb0/20160729_191313-_D5A0211-900x900.jpg)
![20160729_172129-_D5A0136 20160729_172129-_D5A0136](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/1dbf539087dc6a619bec3b67831e9228/20160729_172129-_D5A0136-900x900.jpg)
toward that setting sun.
![20160729_172006-_D5A0133 20160729_172006-_D5A0133](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/73a18fef9e540ac83678c134f6fbd1cb/20160729_172006-_D5A0133-900x900.jpg)
At night, the island twinkled and the peace of the sea below held up the islands' buoyant lights even brighter.
![20160728_230147-_D5A9882-HDR 20160728_230147-_D5A9882-HDR](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/50c6bd8463252e4d071de3996b9b5e26/20160728_230147-_D5A9882-HDR-900x900.jpg)
![20160728_210122-_D5A9876 20160728_210122-_D5A9876](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/8917eba82ce12e9955fdcc18b57bfc27/20160728_210122-_D5A9876-900x900.jpg)
Just a few quick details about our stay in Oia!
Hotel
Villa Katikies is part of a 5-hotel group, giving us the incredible luxury of services and meals at other properties.
![20160727_184542-_D5A8331 20160727_184542-_D5A8331](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/41238c99d5969b75f9cf5b1f97cee6bd/20160727_184542-_D5A8331-900x900.jpg)
Seltz (at Katikies) served sushi and salads that looked like paintings.
![20160726_134635-_D5A8298 20160726_134635-_D5A8298](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/9576a4b184a64800f61e07f4be46e98f/20160726_134635-_D5A8298-900x900.jpg)
![20160726_131457-_D5A8297 20160726_131457-_D5A8297](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/4044d52d20c275eaa916c2862fec1308/20160726_131457-_D5A8297-900x900.jpg)
Mikrasia was our favorite of all the meals we had on Santorini, also in Katikies. They served traditional Byzantine cuisine that had a touch of what we'd consider Middle Eastern food with the Greek faves and octopus. I had a local chicken meatball soup. This was the view!
![20160727_205421-_D5A8483 20160727_205421-_D5A8483](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/d6d03931a10a9f142d3eacaa027e08bd/20160727_205421-_D5A8483-900x900.jpg)
![20160727_193137-_D5A8444 20160727_193137-_D5A8444](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/59f3183acfc1c2800f0daca72053eafb/20160727_193137-_D5A8444-900x900.jpg)
You can almost tell here, but everywhere on the island was steep, and even though I walk hundreds of steps a week in NYC, I was still puffing just to get out the 6 flights from our hotel room to the street above.
![20160727_193225-_D5A8450 20160727_193225-_D5A8450](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/ff5b1644f39a9b37ffc18ecf055ae5db/20160727_193225-_D5A8450-900x900.jpg)
We had decent, traditional dinners at Ambrosia and Red Bicycle, as well.
![20160729_174625-_D5A0210 20160729_174625-_D5A0210](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/927e8c0ef40e168a17bab590705b5e9a/20160729_174625-_D5A0210-900x900.jpg)
I also had a massage at the Kirini hotel, a perk of being a sister hotel, which was delightful and I smelled like frangipani all day.
In the next few posts, I'll share about a few more stops on Santorini--Amoudi Bay and Imerovigli--and our favorite day of the entire trip sailing that crazy blue water.
Kalinychta (good night)!
![20160729_170242-_D5A0051 20160729_170242-_D5A0051](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/ac916565f7b7a24de2f490cff4f20bda/20160729_170242-_D5A0051-900x900.jpg)
![20160727_191231-_D5A8399 20160727_191231-_D5A8399](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/83c304e219ea292b259c925e53f8abca/20160727_191231-_D5A8399-900x900.jpg)
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