We were in Santorini early April of this year. We stayed in the cave house where your last picture was taken! It was a dream. But that was because we visited at the very end of the earthquakes you mentioned AND before peak season. It was really lovely- but I agree, I wouldn’t go back-Mainly because it was a perfect trip and I don’t think it could be replicated, but also because everyone we spoke with had a “favorite” island and I feel like we need to see them all!
That sounds like such a magical experience! how amazing that you got to stay in that house! I totally get not wanting to return so as not to spoil a perfect memory. There are just too many beautiful Greek islands calling..
It sounds lovely. I also really liked the weather in August. It was a little windy and you constantly felt a pleasant breeze especially when walking during the day.
Even though I'm Greek, I've never been to Santorini. I'm not that eager to visit for the exact reasons you mentioned. Thankfully, there are hundreds of other islands, many of which are less crowded than Santorini. Glad you enjoyed it :)
We had this experience in Rome; stayed just around the corner from Trevi fountain and WOW it was just a parade of tourists and instagrammers 24/7. We were existing inside 1,000 photoshoots simultaneously. Totally overwhelming. PS Love your photography!
I visited Rome in 2005 and haven't been since. Back then, there was no instagram but the Trevi fountain in particular was overwhelmingly busy, day and night. I can't imagine what it must look like now. Thank you so much for your kind comment.
This is super helpful. I haven't been yet. I want to go, but I fear it for so many of the reasons you talked about. I ended up going to Kallithea, one of the eastern peninsulas in Greece. It was a dream- but not for why you would consider Santorini a dream. It definitely wasn't aesthetic. But it offered so much more and much of that is what I think one would find lacking in Santorini.
It's a truly beautiful island and the sunsets are insane 🔥 you'll be fine if you go in the shoulder season, September and October would be great months to visit.
This reminds me of the time in Egypt (my home country) after the 2011 revolution – when tourism had basically stopped and even Egyptians were worried and stopped traveling inside the country itself. What was indeed the end of many business relying on tourism, was for people like me, seeking calmness and serenity, a moment that felt like taking a very deep, relieved breath – "finally, it's a little calmer" (ironically). And places that would be flowing over with tourists had this serenity to them they hadn't seen in decades. For me personally (while totally seeing and acknowledging the horror it meant for any tourism-reliant business), that was a beautiful time - a time to be missed now that everything's basically back to normal.
I'm happy to have relived it through your post about a totally different place, at a totally different time, yet so similar in the feeling of my imagination. :)
And – really good to know about Santorini! I haven't been there (yet) and I'd make sure to look into your post again before visiting. ;)
Yes I can imagine how that must have felt. I often wonder if locals get the opportunity to be tourists in their own countries, especially in popular destinations like Egypt. I'm glad you had the chance to explore your beautiful country during a renewal phase and without masses of tourists. Thank you for reading and I'm sure you will love Santorini, just make sure to visit in the shoulder season!
Santorini was one stop on our honeymoon, a long time ago. Thankfully we were there in May and, because it was cheap, stayed over in Perissa. We loved it but definitely saw how unpleasant it could become.
We went in early October 2014, and like you said, shoulder season is much quieter. Restaurants were on the verge of closing for the winter. We tootled around the whole island on a three-wheeler and had a blast. The island roads were easy to navigate and made sense to me...and you can't really get lost. I loved it there, but I'm like you in that I don't expect to return. If we do, it'll definitely be late Sept or early October again. The weather was lovely and not too hot the whole 12 days.
We were in Santorini early April of this year. We stayed in the cave house where your last picture was taken! It was a dream. But that was because we visited at the very end of the earthquakes you mentioned AND before peak season. It was really lovely- but I agree, I wouldn’t go back-Mainly because it was a perfect trip and I don’t think it could be replicated, but also because everyone we spoke with had a “favorite” island and I feel like we need to see them all!
That sounds like such a magical experience! how amazing that you got to stay in that house! I totally get not wanting to return so as not to spoil a perfect memory. There are just too many beautiful Greek islands calling..
Beautiful photography! I did a semester abroad in Greece over 20 years ago and the island was pretty chill then.
Yes I can imagine how peaceful it must have been before instagram! and thank you for your lovely compliment.
Tempted to pack my bags and go to Greece 🫡 the pics are so beautiful!
Thank you ☺️
There’s a nice little town called Emborio I think. Much less busy - and we visited in August one year - and beautiful
It sounds lovely. I also really liked the weather in August. It was a little windy and you constantly felt a pleasant breeze especially when walking during the day.
I just remember it being very hot! We went in 2018 I think. The walk from Oia to Fira was a bit breezier (a wonderful walk). It’s a gorgeous place
This completely makes sense to me. I wouldn’t want to “ruin” something perfect by trying to replicate it.
Great piece & excellent tips! I loved Athens, Corinth, Rhodes & Crete. Have not been to Santorini though.
Thank you for this! And you’ve reignited all the reasons why I definitely want to visit there!! 💙 Love the suggestion to of off season. Thanks!
Even though I'm Greek, I've never been to Santorini. I'm not that eager to visit for the exact reasons you mentioned. Thankfully, there are hundreds of other islands, many of which are less crowded than Santorini. Glad you enjoyed it :)
Wow, beautiful trip!
Beautiful article and Beautiful pictures! I'm glad you enjoyed your trip. Jesus came for you to have an abundant life! Amen
Glad you enjoyed the read.
😊
I hear you! I loved my version of Santorini but I'm also not sure if I would return! I wouldn't mind returning to the other Greek islands though.
I haven’t been to any other parts of Greece but I’d love to visit the really small and underdeveloped islands.
We had this experience in Rome; stayed just around the corner from Trevi fountain and WOW it was just a parade of tourists and instagrammers 24/7. We were existing inside 1,000 photoshoots simultaneously. Totally overwhelming. PS Love your photography!
I visited Rome in 2005 and haven't been since. Back then, there was no instagram but the Trevi fountain in particular was overwhelmingly busy, day and night. I can't imagine what it must look like now. Thank you so much for your kind comment.
This is super helpful. I haven't been yet. I want to go, but I fear it for so many of the reasons you talked about. I ended up going to Kallithea, one of the eastern peninsulas in Greece. It was a dream- but not for why you would consider Santorini a dream. It definitely wasn't aesthetic. But it offered so much more and much of that is what I think one would find lacking in Santorini.
It's a truly beautiful island and the sunsets are insane 🔥 you'll be fine if you go in the shoulder season, September and October would be great months to visit.
This reminds me of the time in Egypt (my home country) after the 2011 revolution – when tourism had basically stopped and even Egyptians were worried and stopped traveling inside the country itself. What was indeed the end of many business relying on tourism, was for people like me, seeking calmness and serenity, a moment that felt like taking a very deep, relieved breath – "finally, it's a little calmer" (ironically). And places that would be flowing over with tourists had this serenity to them they hadn't seen in decades. For me personally (while totally seeing and acknowledging the horror it meant for any tourism-reliant business), that was a beautiful time - a time to be missed now that everything's basically back to normal.
I'm happy to have relived it through your post about a totally different place, at a totally different time, yet so similar in the feeling of my imagination. :)
And – really good to know about Santorini! I haven't been there (yet) and I'd make sure to look into your post again before visiting. ;)
Yes I can imagine how that must have felt. I often wonder if locals get the opportunity to be tourists in their own countries, especially in popular destinations like Egypt. I'm glad you had the chance to explore your beautiful country during a renewal phase and without masses of tourists. Thank you for reading and I'm sure you will love Santorini, just make sure to visit in the shoulder season!
Thank you so much for your kind words and your empathy. 💛 I really appreciate it!
And yes – visiting Santorini in the shoulder season is noted! 😌
Santorini was one stop on our honeymoon, a long time ago. Thankfully we were there in May and, because it was cheap, stayed over in Perissa. We loved it but definitely saw how unpleasant it could become.
It's the perfect honeymoon destination! Glad you enjoyed it when it was affordable and off the tourist radar.
We went in early October 2014, and like you said, shoulder season is much quieter. Restaurants were on the verge of closing for the winter. We tootled around the whole island on a three-wheeler and had a blast. The island roads were easy to navigate and made sense to me...and you can't really get lost. I loved it there, but I'm like you in that I don't expect to return. If we do, it'll definitely be late Sept or early October again. The weather was lovely and not too hot the whole 12 days.