Had our first rip to Santorini this year found the whole island very nice, we travelled with Kosmar and stayed in Persia at the Villa Roula other posts exist for this accomodation and resort.

We were delighted with all of it, Bit let down with flights home as Santorini National airport is a bit underdevelped, in terms of pasenger handling, but i am sure it will improve and the weather was fab.

Island is small and can be covered in a day, but time is needed in the capital Thira, and to try and get a view of the magical sunset at Oia.
Ancient remains at acroteri are good if that flaots your boat as are the chance to sea some amazing sights in the strata of thhe cliffs and of cause visit the volacano.

People are friendly and food is good and a fair price, try the ocal native house wine, about 1.50 euros a litre tastes great.

area is very underdevlpoed compaired to many other resorts, and the locals/ traders do genuinley apprecaite trade and custom.

lots of other posts and try google for pictures of the island lots of them on their.

Hi Shirley,

We booked with Kosmar for the sunset cruise. This cost approx 43euros per person. We do think this was overpriced for what you get, you are promised free flowing wine included but we got one small cup each. The buffet is not for all tastes.
We would recommend going to see the sunset at Oia, the best places being from the windmill or church.

We did visit Ancient Akrotiri, we was expecting it to be a little bigger than what it was as we walked around in approx 10-20mins. A visit to red beach is a must.

I would recommend using the local bus service to visit some places. The service is very good, price from Kamari to Fira is 1euro pp. From Fira to Akrotiri 1euro 40 cent pp.

If you have anymore questions please ask.

Thanks both for your posts. Will be visiting this site often for any up-dates you may have. Do you know if the evenings are nice and warm in August? I do love Greece and wish I was off this year instead of next. Not to worry, something to look forward to. If I think of any specific questions I'll post again.

Cheers, Shirley

We went 23rd August to 6th September this year, it was warm for the first week in the evenings but second week it was quite breezy but not freezing!

Hi again Lea,

What would you say is the best way of getting to Oia to see the sunset? and do you know how far away it is from Kamari? Also, did you do the volcano trip at all?

Hello Shirley,

You can get a bus from Kamari to Fira then from Fira to Oia. The main bus station is in Fira from here you can travel to most places around the island. These run regulary on time, but can get busy at times. We did break down once half way between Kamari and Fira, but a replacement bus was sent within 10 mins!

We didn't go on the volcanic discovery trip, but with Kosmar it costs 29.00euros per adult and 14.50euros per child. You are also required to pay an extra 2.00euros per person to get on the volcano. You are also taken to the mudbaths and hot springs and to the island of Thirasia.

Lea28

Hi shirley h, just as foxprom and lea28 have said, the buses on Santorini are very reliable, regular and cheap. We stayed at Perivolos and caught the bus for Thira but asked to be dropped off at the Akrotiri turn and then walked down to the ruins. You can catch a bus outside the ruins to go back to Thira. Take the bus from Thira to Oia, here is where most of the postcard pictures are taken, well worth the visit. You've simply got to do the trip to the volcano and walk up it, very spectacular views. From Kamari walk up to Perivolos and find Hotel Smaragdi, just back from the seafront. They do an excellent Greek Night on a Saturday but you have to Book in advance to guarantee your place.

Thanks again,

sorry to be so particular but do the buses run late at night. Wondering how to get back from Oia after an evening out. Any idea on the price of taxis?

Shirley since the sunset will probably be about 8pm you will be able to get a bus back to Thira and then change buses and get one to your resort, or if you are too late a taxi from Thira will be less than one from Oia.
Taxi will probably be about 16euro to Kamari.
Most of the local resort travel agencies do trips to Oia which may work out cheaper for you than booking through the holiday company ! (and less angst than thinking about missing the bus!)
Alternatively why not stay up at Oia for the night ? Get the local bus in the daytime, find a room to stay - you will need to take your passport - there is a tourist centre by the bus stops in Oia, then you can have a stroll about , look at the expensive arty crafty shops, watch the sunset and have a nice drink and meal, then return the next day.
You can also see the sunset from Akrotiri - there is a brilliant restaurant called Mama Thira on the road to the lighthouse BEFORE you get to Akrotiri village and you can sit and have a splendid meal and watch the sunset. Oia does get incredibly busy - some people get good vantage points by 5pm!
Another alternative is to hire a car and drive there?

Volcano trip is a MUST! but book at the local resort travel agency you can save £££s.

Thanks for your advice Greeklass,

we probably will hire a car at some point, but when we watch the sunset it would be nice to have a few drinks and a meal. We might just try and stay overnight (depending on the price). I do fancy doing the volcano trip as well and will price it in the resort. As you say, the reps trips are a lot more expensive.

On the subject of hiring a car. What are the roads like? they will probably be very busy in August, any idea? Cheers

Roads are fine well tarmaced and although some are a bit steep & windey, especially the road between Thira and Kamari, are OK - major problem on them is mopeds carrying tourists and worse quad bikes which have "taken off" in Santorini ! Being wider than mopeds they are less easy to overtake. Locals and donkeys and mopeds laden with the whole family and the goat (I jest not!) can also be a problem.
The driving in Thira is quite simple and it is is one way, and once you get on the open road out of the towns it is OK - you can travel at your own pace.
The whole greek way of driving is totally unlike anything you will be used to and if you do lack confidence then maybe it's not for you - greece has the 2nd highest rate of road fatalities in europe (after Portugal) hence all the shrines along the roadsides!

Hi.We are looking at Perissa.We like a few bars to have a drink but aren't looking for nightlife really.We enjoy the beach and eating out.Would you say this is a resort with something for everyone?

Hi kleftiko, the perfect place for you is Hotel Smaragdi Village Perissa, through Kosmar, it has all your requirements with the perfect hosts who do an excellent Greek Night every Saturday. You are no more than 50 yards from the beach and various Tavernas and Restaurants scattered along the beach road. IT IS, in a quiet location but handy for your requirements. If ever we return to Santorini then this is where we would stay.

Smaragdi Village can be booked independantly - they have an excellent website: http://www.greekhotel.com/cyclades/santorin/perivolos/smaragdi/home.htm
would thoroughly recommend it there - we have stayed 4 times and each time is better than the last! [/url]

Hi greeklass, thanks for helping me along the way with kleftiko, I had forgotten about Smaragdis website. We stayed around the corner at Robertos Studios & Apartments. As you can vouch, the hospitality of the hosts knows no bounds.

Thanks for your help. We are tied in with Thomsons as we had booked for next year but want to change.We have picked out Villa Atlantis Beach on the beachfront of Perivolos does anyone know it? We've also looked at The Aegean Plaza at Kamari but are not as keen on this resort-don't know why as we've never been!?! Any help appreciated.

Hi Shirley,

The local buses from Fira to Kamari run every half hour from I think 7am, after midnight it is every hour with the last being at 4am. The buses are very easy to use and cost alot less than a taxi. I am not sure about times from Oia to Thira but in the bus station these are all listed.

I did see some reasonable trips with Kamari Tours alot cheaper than those we had already booked.

We unfortunately didn't visit Oia to watch the sunset, but we watched the sunset from the cruise. Like Greeklass has said it does get very busy, we could see the crowds from our boat trip!

Hi Kleftiko

We stayed in Perissa rather than Perivolos. along the front in Perissa are several restaurants and bars all looking out to sea.

You can eat or just stop for a drink and chill - the only downside is getting back to Perivolos you can walk along the front but it may be quite a long walk back. But I'm sure there are also places nearer Perivolos, but we usually go fairly early in the season so not eveything is up and running then.

I'm sure you'll love the island.

Santorini is my chosen destination out of 4 but it will be a group decision.I just hope i can persuade the rest of the gang