Hi,we have booked for Santorini for next year-end of August-and we've never been before.Like you we searched the reviews and got a mixed bag so was undecided.Anyway in the end we booked it.We've been to Greece before,as you have,so know what to expect and said if we don't like it we don't go again.I know it's your honeymoon so it is important that it's right but from what I have seen and been told on here(if you look back you'll see the other posts about Santorini)we have nothing to worry about.We too looked at the Marillia Village and was torn between that and Villa Atlantis Beach which we have booked.Any of the Greek Islands can be said to be 'run down' in places and I think it's a personal opinion based on what expectations you have.I hope you get some more advise from members on here who will help you to come to the right decision.Good Luck but Im sure your choice will be perfect for you.

Thanks Kleftico!

I'm pretty sure we'll choose Santorini in the end but just want some reassurance!

Hi

It realy depends what you like to do and are expecting. We stayed in Perissa a few years back in late September. The weather was good and we realy enjoyed it. The beach is of black volcanic sand, which put a lot of people off, but didn't bother us. We visited the ruins at Akrotiri and Ancient Thira and hired a car for 3 days to tour the island - it isn't very big so we didn't need it for longer. I liked Thira - though it is quite touristy but loved Oia - don't miss the sunset from there. It's quite a unique place and well worth seeing - we did enjoy it but to be honest I felt we'd seen it all after one week. I'd like to go again, maybe to see it in spring but don't think I'd stay more then a week again.

A couple of years ago I stayed in Kamari which I loved but one day we went to Perissa for a nose and we really liked it there too. There were some really lovely bars and tavernas on the sea front. And we had a lovely cheap meal in a restaurant in the back streets.

I don't think you can go wrong with either resort so I would say pick the one which is appealing to you the most and I would eat my hat if you don't like it when you go!!!!!!

Check out Smaragdi Village, Perissa, it has its own website OR look in Kosmar Greece & Turkey. Fantastic Hosts. They put on a first class Greek Night on a Saturday. We got around the island by bus. Don't forget to visit the volcanic island just out from Thira, some spectacular views. Good luck.

Yes take the flight to Santorini, no to staying there 2 weeks.

2 weeks on Santorini is far two long, the best thing is to just book a return flight which will give you flexibility and a cost saving on a package as you are on a tight budget.

There are a lot of ferries to other islands that have what Santorini lacks, so on arrival in the airport go to the info office where there should be some ferry info. If you are lucky there will be a same day departure from Athinios the port. There are at least 3 ferries per day going north to Ios, Naxos, Paros. If you go to Naxos for example there is a ferry to Amorgos, choose Paros and you can go to Ikaria and Samos. Another direction you can head out to is the western cyclades islands, Folegandros, Milos, Sifnos, Serifos are also a worth visiting. A vast choice of islands.

You can return to Santorini for maybe three days to see the sights there.

One thing to bear in mind you can visit all these islands at a cheaper price than a package to Thera(Santorini).

The meltemi wind affects all the Aegean islands not just Santorini.

Differences are small between Kamari and Perissa, Kamari beach is basically more 'Costa del Greece'. Both have black grit beaches, Perissa having the additional delights of slimey rocks in the water. Perivolos is a bit of a hike to Perissa.

Santorini is very scenic on the caldera side less so on the airport side of the island.Santorini is very small and unless you just like to lie on ythe beach or next to the pool for 2 weeks, you'd probably get bored. 1 week was enough for us....I would go back but at the moment have a couple more Greek islands to visit!

Thanks for all your messages so far.

I don't think that we will get bored with being there for two weeks. As its our honeymoon, we'll probably just want to relax for the first week and then see all the sights in the second week.

Does anyone know what the snorkelling is like off Perissa/Perivolos beach? My partner loves snorkelling so that will probably sway it for him.

Kelly x

We went to Santorini last July - Had a great time. Stayed in Perissa, Hotel Sandy Beach booked through Olympic hols.
I tend to disagree with other posters saying 2 weeks is too long. We went for 2 weeks and found plenty to do and we didn't hire a car as the bus service is second to none!
To see Oia and Fira properly, you need to go back at least twice. Make sure you take plenty of film for your camera, you'll need it as the views are out of this world.
Kamari seems to be family orientated and a nice place. Perivolos (sp) seemed to be the place for the 'younger set' with one or two lively bars.
If you can afford it, try staying in Oia. Some magnificent places to stay there, but they do cost a little more than your average self catering accom.
Take a look at the Olympic Holidays website. Plent of accom choice on there.

Can I make a suggestion? Santorini is beautiful & absolutely a must-see, but the island of Ios ( 45 minutes by ferry)has the most fab laid back, low-key, classy place to stay.
Check out the website for Liostasi hotel, Ios & you'll see what I mean.
Ios itself is lovely & it might be worth splitting your time between the 2 islands as both are manageable in a week.
Of course it all depends what you plan to do. You are on your honeymoon after all!!

I went to santorini with my partner, it was a first holiday together and it had for us a very romantic feeling to it! Granted you could pretty much do everything in a week, as we did, but I didn't want to leave and could have easily managed another week.

We stayed in perissa which was very nice, however I have sto state that everyplace we visited i.e. Kamari, Oia, Fira etc... were all equally as beautiful in there own way!!

I'd suggest santorini for a laid back lifestyle with beautiful views and lovely food.

Thanks HolidayRich! That's exactly what I wanted to hear!

I went to Santorini in August this year for two weeks. We stayed in Kamari and had a fantastic holiday. After two weeks we still didn't want to go home and we hope to return again next year. Unfortunately we didn't visit Perissa and Oia but we did return to Fira 3/4 times as it is a beautiful and very romantic place.

Hi , I visited Perissa for a week last June and I loved it ..
There are some very good restaurants - my fave is Finekas , also I found the mountain backdrop to Perissa absolutely georgeous, I would say it is a lovely chilled out place for a 2 week honeymoon and would definately go back.
Yes it was a bit windy sometimes and also the beach was quite gritty , but we found it to be more sheltered with less stones at the end of the beach where the giant rock is - you will see what I mean if you go - definately recommended - shirleyV

santorini is a great place to visit for a honeymoon ,if you go make sure you spend 2nd week in ios the next island it has the most beautiful beaches in all the greek islands and ive been to so many ,ios is the real greek island ,and probably the best restaurants too old byrons meze restaurant,lord byrons meditereanean, ali babas thai etc
your have the time of your life ,
and its alot cheaper than santorini and mykonos
by the way congrates
mark