We did the right choice by staying at the Atalos Studios. We have travelled around the greek islands for the past 10 years and the apartments were typically greak, basic and very clean with the rooms cleaned every day apart from Sunday and towels changed once a week.
Kamari was well choosen, out of the hustle and bustle of Thira and Oia but easily accessable by the local bus route.
If you do go on any excursions i suggest you go with kamari tours and make sure that Maria is your guide. She is 60 plus but looks around 40, a local with a font of knowledge.
We made the Love Boat our local and Fannis the owner made it all worthwhile (ladies he`s a bit of a dish - but married).
Watch out for Splash - check your change before you leave the till and make sure your paying for what youve actually drank.
We weren`t far from the pebbly beach and this was the only draw back and so spent most of the time keeping Yianni company by the pool / poolside bar.
Some people may consider him rude but he was brilliant to us, he ferried us all in 2 trips over to his favourite restaurant and told us to call him when we were ready, but none of us had taken his number, we asked the restaurant owner if he had his number to be told no problem you are Yiannis guests we will call and pay for a taxi for you.
Remember that you are on Greek time and yianni works very hard and he does sometimes diappear so if you are thirsty and its around 3.30 in the afternoon get yourselves 2 pints instead of one.
Yanni`s englidh is quite good but he also has to learn other languages for other guests be patient and explain yourself properly and you shouldn`t experience any problems. This is part of the Santorini charm its not Corfu where the island has been invaded by the British its still Greek. Yianni has inspired me to start greek lessons and i hope to return to try my new language out. If you have a phrase book take it with you and give it a try.
This island has the most spectacular sunsets and it is worth visiting Oia but go early for a good seat and take a picnic for a truly romantic evening. There is also a spectacular sunrise which you should be able to see if your on the second floor.
There is a little restaurant called the Liver Bird which opened this year and it did do the best breakfast if you are going over take some HP brown sauce as they pay a high price for it over there.
Although the volcano trip is a must dont get too exited about the hot springs.
Many cruise ships visit this island on a weekly visit, and if you plan on buying youself some gold jewellery dont bother the prices are hiked up for the American tourists.
There is a quaint and lovely village above Kamari called Pyrgos and i wish we could have spent more time to explore the streets.
Mess ogania was heavily damaged by the earthquake and is within walking distance from Kamari and at the road entrance to this village there is alovely bakery, take a walk back to Kamari take the road directly opposite the bakery and stop and eat your picnic on the wall to the church and watch the planes overhead in the shade of an olive tree.
Ancient Thira is also a must with spectacular views over to Thira.
Hope you have fantastic holiday Santorini is definately one of my favourite islands and i can`t wait to return.
Yianni - if you read this Alun, Mathews, Aimee, Shirley and Kelly all miss you.
Rosemarie






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