SANTORINI DAY ONE: FINALLY

Getting off the plane in Santorini there might as well be a sign reading "The Most Incredible Place on Earth" because it sure as hell is the most incredible place I have ever seen. When I landed in Santorini I don't think that I have ever been that tired in my life. After traveling for close to 35 hours and being awake for about 28 of them I was more than ready to be in a bed sleeping the day away.

Myself, along with six other girls from UNCW landed in Santorini and we are staying in Villa Manos. They provided transportation from the airport to the hotel for only 20 euro which was very helpful, that way we did not have to worry about finding a ride once we arrived at the airport.

We arrived at Villa Manos and we were greeted by Dimitris who checked us in and gave us an overview of the Island. It's funny because today I sat having a coffee and listened to him repeat the same exact overview, the same way he told my friends and me; to a T. The hotel is wonderful. It's the first place I have been since abroad that offers breakfast past 11 o'clock in the morning. Better yet I can order it at 10pm if I really wanted too. They really do a great job making you feel at home and like family and I think that's the best part. The hotel is owned by a husband and wife and right now Dimitris is the manager. He cooks, he cleans up, he manages bookings, he drives us places, he is the bartender. He is pretty much everything.

We were absolutely exhausted once we got to our rooms so we all napped for about three hours and then realized how hungry we were and wanted to get some toiletries in the main town, Fira. We were driven to Fira, about a five-minute drive away and the driver just dropped us off on some random road. I think we were all a little confused because we had absolutely zero ideas where we were or where to go from there.

We headed up a hill to some shops that held a ton of jewelry, wine, and souvenirs. One shop Peyton and I walked into and we were asked if we liked red or white wine. Red was our answer and we were handed a SUPER sweet local red wine. Peyton and I looked at each other like we had just sipped gold. I wish I could bring 100 bottles of it back to the US. We were also handed a shot of vinaigrette. Yes, vinaigrette. Honestly, it was probably the best shot I have had in my life. I'd like a bottle of that stuff too.

The lady working there did say she could ship the bottles to the US...

Heading up the hill a little further, I was greeted by one of the most amazing views I have ever seen. I literally could not believe my eyes. It was one of those moments where you feel like you have to blink your eyes about a thousand times in order to really take in what you are looking at. I honestly had never really had one of those moments in my life before until now. It was a view that made me extremely thankful to be traveling and seeing the world. Seeing a new place as beautiful as Santorini is a blessing.

We ate dinner at Niki Restaurant! I was so happy to eat somewhere with the same name as me! Spelled differently but that doesn't matter. They had really great salads and the pasta was so tasty. I have been amazed at some of the things that I have eaten while traveling Europe. The flavors are insane. And not only were the flavors insane but the view was too! You literally couldn't choose a restaurant that did not have a view like this one. Every restaurant facing the ocean was amazing.

The one great thing about it being low season right now in Santorini is that the hotels and shops are not as crowded. So on our way back, Dimitris picked us up and offered to open the pool bar just for us! Can't say that I have had a bar opened just for me and my friends ever before so that was pretty cool. The even cooler part was that he taught me how to make a strawberry mojito. Lemme tell you I am an expert now and its absolutely delicious.

Here is a series of snapchats that my friends were excited to share...

After having a few drinks I decided I was hungry so we went into the reception building and ordered eggs and crepes! That was so nice, having breakfast for dinner type of deal.

As for the weather it was pretty much the perfect temperature. For me it was a little chilly at night but when the sun was higher in the sky it was warm. I missed the feeling of the sun on my skin after being in Ireland where it really is cloudy most of the time. The sun on my skin is my absolute favorite feeling in the world so I was glad I was able to get some of that.

Until tomorrow for our next Santorini adventure!

Cheers, Nikki

#Santorini #Greece #Series #Island