Barts Best of: the Greek island of Santorini
Santorini, the Greek dream you want to experience. But not during the high season, because that is a period that everyone advises against. That's head-scratching, way too touristy/not fun anymore. The people said. So highly recommended; go outside the high season (so, at least we mentioned that already). Save your vacation days and go! And if that doesn't work, no problem. We know where you need to be anytime and of course share it with you with all the love. Read everything about Santorini here and you will definitely want to go there.
Sometimes the background information of an already nice place reads like a modern fairy tale. If that happens, we will be just that little bit more smitten than would otherwise have been the case. This is also the story of the Greek Sebastian and the Dutch Martine who bumped into each other in the workplace, never let go of each other, and since 2020 have run not one but two amazing holiday addresses. A third in the making. We already fell asleep Vima Villa, the perfect undiscovered villa for up to four people on the most beautiful island in Greece. The two opened right next to it Vima Home, everything completely renovated and in Vima style equipped. The house is a spacious holiday home with two separate rooms cellars making Vima Home ideal for two couples or a family with (growing) children. The garden is beautiful: you have breakfast under the blooming bougainvillea and relax in a hanging chair with a view of the sea. And, that wasn't it yet, in addition to these two great locations, they also have a third; Vima Suites, and these locations are also delicious.
This is delicious on the Greek island family winery where high-quality and - not unimportant - organic wines are the focus. We're talking about the Hatzidakis winery. The wines are stored in caves (a well-known island sight) 50 meters deep into the mountain where an awesome setting has been created. Here you can taste the delicious wines among the wooden barrels. You get a tour of the caves. What you want to do: with every euro you support this beautiful family business and Santorini remains authentic.
Just outside Pirgos you will find the perfect pit stop for brunch or a cup of coffee. The yellow-blue bistro Agaze has delicious sandwiches on the menu that you can enjoy or take with you. And it's not just sandwiches to go, no, entire lunch boxes. Ideal if you have to continue by car.
The owner of Oia Vineyart, Andreas Markozanes, is the outcome of his interest in wine, food and art. Besides being a restaurant, it is also a food shop and art gallery. Together with his brother and a few friends he founded Oia Vineyart. The artists can work inside a room at the top of the stairs and receive food from the restaurant. Under one condition; that they leave behind a work of art. Then we don't have to tell you what an artistic intention it is there.
If you are in Santorini, you have to go to Oia, the place where you will find those views of stacked white houses and the tourist attraction of the island. Go nice and early (it's about half an hour's drive from Villa Vima, the furthest place you'll visit during your holiday) so you can beat the blazing sun and the crowds, and have breakfast at Vitrin Cafe Creperie. Through the maze of streets (you will have to climb - if you are with a small child, make sure you have a baby carrier and leave your stroller at home; that is of no use here) you will eventually find the small creperie where you can enjoy very sweet pancakes and delicious yogurt dishes. eat. Small and friendly, that's the place where you have to score a spot on the outside sofa or one of the high chairs to experience the best of the place: a view that you will be amazed by. But also look down: at those crepes of course, but also at the house lobes, the very sweet dog from the shop who actually lies on (but really on) your feet.
If you are near Οία later in the day, then Catch Bar Restaurant the nicest place for the well-known snack and drink. You don't expect it, but you really have to go into that quiet street that runs straight from the sea. Go up the stairs and you arrive at the small and hip Catch. A spot on the roof terrace is one black for a beautiful sunset while enjoying really tasty (but pricey) sushi.
We like the village of Fira! Touristy fun that is. Not nearly as busy as Oia, but littered with markets, shops and bars. And people of course. If we talk about sunsets, then we found the PK Cocktail Bar the nicest/friendliest of the bunch. Try to go a little early (just before most people start thinking about things like sunsets) and you will find an almost empty terrace. Don't be fooled: half an hour later the bar, which spans no less than three floors, is packed. In fact, the sidewalk behind the store is also full of people who want to see the red ball sink into the sea. Great drinks, very friendly staff.
Fine dining but in Greek style, that's what you do with Selene Fira. We cook with fresh ingredients and Greek classics such as rabbit, quail, goat and lamb are not to be missed on the menu. A black is a dish with capers, because they are at their very best and the artichoke is one that you should not miss either. In short, for fine dining, which we all love, go to Selene in Fira.
We found PK to be perfectly in the 'low threshold' category and we-went-for-a-drink-and-left-only-five-later. But if you really want to sit and watch (and be watched), make a reservation IDOL. A little slicker but fun. Just a step higher, especially when it comes to the food Mylos Bar, a little further away, still in Fira (or Thíra, it's the same).
Another one in the 'must know' and 'no tourists seen' category: restaurant The Dolphins in the southwest of Santorini. The family restaurant is located against the water in a small harbor and was half built on a concrete jetty - those are the tables you want. Here you can see the sky turn pink and the sun sink into the sea while you let the Greek staff (little English here, but that doesn't matter) fill your wooden terrace table with the specialties of the day: almost everything prepared here was fished from the sea under your table earlier that day. Is that tasty? But of course! Fresh and delicious and by far the best you will eat on the island.
The most in the 'Ibiza' category on all of Santorini is the hip one Theros Wave Bar. And now let's love the Ibiza category. Yes, you will probably find Dutch people (the men with those turned-up collars and big horses on their chests...) at one of the tables next to you and yes, the menu is genuinely good but not necessarily very original. Nor Greek. Again: that doesn't matter at all! We're really looking forward to something like that. A bit hip(per), good staff, excellent (Western) wines and all that seeing and being seen. This means that the prices are also a lot higher than, for example, the much more relaxed The Beach (see above). Still, do it for a day.
You shouldn't come here for fancy dining, but for real Greek and delicious food you should! And that is of course why you visit the Greek islands. fish, there is a lot of fish on the menu. You should definitely take that into account The Psaraki, often very freshly caught that day and prepared in the best way. Choose a table with a view over the harbor and your Greek evening is complete. And all that for a reasonable price, which makes us happy.
If you drive down from Emporio (the place where Vima Villa is located), you will reach a lovely beach in 10 minutes that is slightly 'softer' than many of the rocky, black beaches of the volcanic island. Vlichada Beach is the name. Theros Wave Bar is on the same beach, a little further away.
Nice atmosphere, nice colorful environment. Giant salads and great cocktails, those are the first words that come to mind when we think of Tranquilo Bar think. A perfect place to relax, eat healthy and good food (for small prices too), good music... Oh well, call it a piece of Bali on Santorini, who cares?
When you think of Greece, you probably think of island hopping with a sailboat. Right? Or are we the only ones who cherish this dream? Certainly not. So three cheers for Sebas and Martine van Vima Villa that make it possible, even for a day. They help you organize one sailing trip along the cliffs of Santorini. They know the best sailors and the most beautiful places, and thanks to their contacts they know how to close the best deals. Small-scale on a beautiful sailing ship with delicious food, drinks and... picobello service. You will swim in unique places that you can only reach by boat, you will visit the... hot springs around the volcano and you go snorkeling at the island Thirassia.
Remember how we said above that you had to have that other Beach Bar? So that's true, we found that one the nicest/most beautiful/relaxed/quietest. But if you want a change of pace, you can go to this one with peace of mind.
Actaion is a place that makes us very happy. The small, picturesque restaurant really gives you that holiday feeling. In blue and white, between the population and a Greek map. You can't get us happier. The traditional spot is already 80 years old and will remain one of the favorites for a long time.
Even if you drive straight down from Emoprio, you will be on the beach after about five minutes - a nice, quiet and beautiful beach that is loved by the Greeks themselves - hardly any tourists here and entire stretches of beach where you can bring your own towel and You can celebrate the end of the sunny day with a full picnic basket, which is also nice.
If you fancy sushi and champagne, you will find it on the right side of the beach (just drive on, but not too far). Seaside by Notos, a colorful place where the sushi is incredibly good, the staff is very sweet and there is a nice-posh champagne (Moët & Chandon) hut in front of the restaurant.
If you turn right at the end of the road that leads to Perivolos beach, towards the champagne, beers, wines and sushi of Sea side by Notos, you have almost passed the modern Forty One 41 driven. It's also fun, so if you want something different, this is definitely a good one to try!
