Spend the night in the picturesque Emporio near Vima Santorini in Greece
You've probably seen it here before: Vima Santorini in Greece. The Dutch Martine and Greek Sebastian have left the rat race and now lead an island life that we are secretly (or not secretly actually) very jealous of. It's the age-old story of two people who fall in love and have a dream. Twist: they make that dream come true. In addition to no fewer than three pearls of accommodation on idyllic Santorini, they grow their own fruit and vegetables from their own land and know all the ins and outs of the area. Not the tourist attractions, but the places that only locals know about and are therefore extra nice. Step by step (or: vima, vima in Greek) the dreams become reality and they continue to dream. Lots of fun is coming, that's for sure. And all of this in and around the authentic Emporio.
You notice and see in everything that hospitality is in the blood. Sebastian grew up in the Greek tavern on his parents' beach. Bare feet and the free life. Mix that with the Dutch down-to-earth attitude of Martine (the no-nonsense, just-clean type) and you understand: you're in the right place at Vima Santorini.
Our own Maartje will tell you much more about the location and how nice it is at Vima Santorini.
The first place of the small but fine empire is Vima Villa. Through the garden door to the patio, it is immediately peace, quiet and an aaaaaahh moment. The grape plant provides a beautiful green roof (and the necessary shade) and is also a frame for the view. Mountains, the village, the sea and of course the sunrise with all its color. Through the French doors you step straight into the living room with round ceiling. There is enough space and, very nice, they also thought about all your holiday stuff. Suitcases and other junk can be stored in the walk-in closet or under the wooden shelf with leather handle. All locally made, you probably wouldn't have expected it otherwise. In addition, thanks to a built-in filter system, clean drinking water comes from the tap.
A sleeping loft has also been created in this room with a view of the church next to the house and of the stars when it is dark. The round and soft lines in the house are beautiful, just like the traditional concrete finish of the kitchen and bathroom. The bedroom has its own access to the patio and on warm summer evenings that breeze is exactly what is needed. Every now and then you hear a donkey or a goat, but mainly it is the silence that you hear.
The paint at Vima Villa was not yet dry and dream two was already in the pipeline. Almost literally, because the adjacent house also had to be Vima'd: Vima Home. A family home for centuries and now, after thorough renovation, still so, but in a modern, luxurious and sustainable jacket. Solar panels generate a large part of the energy green for all luxury facilities, so the house is completely up to date. The spacious patio with different levels is nestled between two caves, both completely different from each other and at the same time a beautiful whole. On the higher terrace you look out over the village, the mountains and the Aegean Sea. When you enter the patio of Vima Home, it feels (it's all in the name) like coming home. Book along, wine is cold and you can relax under the blooming Bougainvillea.
The youngest member of the Vima accommodations also presented the biggest challenge. More than 50.000 kg of material had to be lugged up and down the hill. With a wheelbarrow. If that's not dedication, we don't know what is. The end result is certainly impressive: you cannot imagine that this was achieved with a wheelbarrow (and a lot of love, blood, sweat and tears): it feels like you are entering the new edition of an architecture magazine. No expense has been spared (hello Greek marble banister), the finish has been taken care of down to the last detail and everything is perfectly imperfect. An eye for detail and authenticity is more than present here.
You can look directly at the swimming pool past the pink bougainvillea and there is really no other option than splashing in it.
The swimming pool (used to be an old rainwater tank, but you don't feel it anymore) is a highlight of your stay. Both bedrooms have their own bathroom and if you have the bedroom on the top floor? Then you see the sun rise every morning. In the evening it is a festival of colors at sunset: orange, red, purple, dark blue.
Something you shouldn't miss is a visit to Seb's father's taverna (yep, it still exists!). Completely remote and unique, so be sure to ask for directions.
Martine and Seb organize volunteer weeks in the winter months to let nature grow and bloom even more. How nice (and sweet) is that for nature? They are happily farming, and the first organic fruits are already being picked. As a guest, you can not only taste, but also help and watch. Plus they are going to plant trees and shrubs, because the more nature, the happier - exactly as they say themselves.
Emporio, where the Vima residences are located, is, to say the least, authentic. Peace and quiet is the daily routine: no cars, no hordes of tourists: real Greek, village life where the locals come to wish you good morning and the neighborhood cat comes to get a cup of coffee. There are many churches in Emporio, a range of winding streets to get lost in while strolling (it's not big, so you can't get too lost) and there are two nice tents where you can have a bite to eat. At the top of the village you will find two beautiful little cafes. Crunchy, small and nice, old in that right way. Not perfect, but real.
If you walk down to the supermarket and bakery, you will find Greek families taking their children to school. On Sundays the coffee shop on the square is full of Greeks after their visit to church. There is a café where an old man always comes with his horse, which he then parks between the cars and you buy your fish from a rusty trunk of a local fisherman. This is life in the village. And how nice: Martine and Seb know everything about it, so don't hesitate to ask!
Besides sleeping and eating (in the village), there is of course much more to do on Santorini. There are all kinds of nice places and beautiful beaches. Some busy with bars and beds. others completely remote and plenty in between. If you want to see the other side of the island, book skipper Sebastian for a private boat trip for a boat trip along secluded bays, high rocks and of course hours of swimming fun. Swimming makes you hungry and that's a good thing: the boat can moor at one of the restaurants on the water on an island opposite Santorini or you can take a well-stocked picnic basket from the 'own' Vima restaurant.
This delicious family winery is also one for the to-do. High-quality and - not unimportant - organic wines are the focus. The wines are stored in caves (a well-known island sight), no less than 50 meters deep into the mountain where an awesome setting has been created. Here you can taste the delicious wines among the wooden barrels and get a tour of the caves. What you want to do: with every euro you support this beautiful family business and Santorini remains authentic.
A nice place for breakfast/brunch/lunch Brusco in Pyrgos. Those who drive into the village park in the large and only parking lot and walk up into the village. This way you can't miss Brusco: nice white-painted deck terrace, colored flowers and good people. The menu is – alleluia – short and concise with only the right things on the menu: a 'Greek platter', fresh (not too sweet) homemade lemonade, Greek ice coffee and Greek cake. Oh, and with the Hatzidakis wines that you have already tasted in the cellar cave. One more then.
Vlichada Beach
If you drive down from Emporio (the place where Vima is located), you will reach a lovely beach in ten 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 located on the same beach, a little further away. Is in the Ibiza fun category.
