13892178_10153669370592617_5126173372115806732_nThose of you who follow me on Instagram and Twitter have been berating me over the last two weeks for teasing you all with photos from my rather lust-worthy holiday. Sorry, I'm so not sorry about it. It was without a doubt one of the best holidays I have ever had and oh my, have you seen how crazy beautiful Santorini is? I'm not lying when I say the Greek island has been on my Must Visit list for years, and now having spent two weeks there I can officially say it is just as incredible as I dreamed. All those times I scrolled infinitely down websites and Instagram feeds taking in every dreamy image and every scrap of information about the island, and finally I had the chance to see it with my own eyes. I am such a lucky girl. Even more so, because I wasn't supposed to be going! My parents had booked themselves a holiday, not knowing when I would be back in the country, but when they realised I would be home, they booked me on to the holiday with them as my birthday present. Officially the best parents and the best birthday present I could ever dream of.image

Where to stay

We stayed on the south-east of the island in the popular resort of Perissa - it's a good choice if you find the prices a bit steep in Oia and fancy actually being on the beach. After visiting both Oia and Perissa, I would say that for a week or longer holiday, Perissa is a perfect place to stay, but if you're just going for a few days you would probably want to stay in Oia. Perissa is nestled at the bottom of the mountain and it's the only place in the world I have seen the mountains meet the ocean on a beach of black, volcanic sand. Even in peak season, Perissa has a relaxed and quiet feel to it and the beaches are never overcrowded, nor are the restaurants. It's a good place to stay if you want a mixture of relaxing, exploring and activities during your stay - we found it a great base for visiting the rest of the island and enjoying trips. The buses give you great, reliable access to other areas such as Fira, Kamari and Oia, or you could hire and car or bike. Most places in Perissa come with a pool and there are a lot of self-catering apartments available which is great for those that have children or prefer to do their own thing.13872700_10153669383307617_2571551292654911782_nI stayed in a self-catering apartment at Sandy Villas, this place was great with huge rooms, private bathrooms and balconies for each apartment. My room also came with a small kitchen including a hob, fridge and basic items. It had a bar and lounge area with wifi (although rubbish) and offered the largest swimming pool in the area. It was set back from the main strip and closer to the mountain, but I loved that it was a short walk away from everything and it meant having a stunning view of the mountain and the ocean from my balcony, and getting woken up by the donkeys in the morning. A true Greek experience. The owners were very welcoming and friendly, all of the staff were so lovely, especially when they realised I was staying alone. I was really impressed with the place and would definitely recommend it for others travelling as a group, a couple or independently. With a shallow pool, this place is well-suited to young children and many of the groups staying had children with them.13906680_10153669381897617_6894478547748232475_nIf you're looking for something a bit more adult, try Anezina Villas, it's much more suited to a couple on holiday with smaller rooms and more of a hotel feel. It was a lovely apartment for my parents with a private bathroom and balcony, although they did find the rooms a little stuffy. It came with a small kitchen area with a fridge and all that was needed to make simple foods if you preferred to have breakfast at the apartment. The outside area was the absolute highlight - the bar and seating around the pool was gorgeous and for sunbathers, you were treated to the most comfortable sunbeds I have ever laid on. Short of being a waterbed, I don't think they could have been better quality. Likewise, the pool was fantastic for adults, very deep and large enough to enjoy a good swim - not great for children due to the depth.The apartments also come with a swing and play area, a hot tub, and sit nicely in the centre of the town, perfect for strolling to the beach or out to dinner. Both places were fabulous and we would really recommend them if you're planning a trip to the island.13906635_10153669347502617_1002783273706622821_n

Where to eat

  • Apollon Restaurant - The very first place we ate out and one of my favourites! The staff were great and the food was fantastic - order the Winegrower's Lamb.
  • Acropolis - We LOVED the woman who ran this place, think Julie Walters in Mamma Mia, she was so lovely and served us the yummiest food. Seafood pasta, lamb chops and meatballs were highlights.
  • God's Garden - Great service and lots of great deals on meals for two and platters for sharing. We shared a meatballs meal for two and it came with an extra half litre of wine - always a win in my book!

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  • Cyclades - This beautiful restaurant is set in a cobbled courtyard with bougainvillea, a perfect setting for the best moussaka of the holiday. Such a great restaurant that we chose to eat her on the final night of the holiday.
  • Dorians Bar/Grandma's Recipes - Dorian's is the bar next door to the restaurant but you can also order food from Grandma's there if you fancy a drink too. I'm not a fan of gyros normally but the lamb burger gyros was to die for. Seriously.
  • Tranquilo - My favourite hippie-style bar, think hammocks, bright colours, delicious cocktails and great live music. We were lucky enough to be there for their full moon party - an evening of fabulous live music. Great atmosphere and they also do food.

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  • The Volcano - Great food for when you've literally just climbed the volcano! We were so stuffed after this meal, the shrimp saganaki and the feta from the oven became my two new favourite dishes.
  • Mermaid Tavern - Without a doubt the worst restaurant in Perissa. The food is terrible, the staff are either children or a guy who kept scratching his bits between serving us food. AVOID.
  • 24/7 Bakeries - Don't miss out on the freshly squeezed juices, ice coffees and fresh bread/pastries - these places are a haven for breakfasts and snacks. I've still not worked out why a town so small needs more than one 24 hour bakery, but hey, it means you're never far away from one!

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If you're heading to Perissa, have a wonderful time. It's a fantastic place to stay and perfect for a holiday in Santorini. If you have any questions about the area or planning your trip, leave a comment and I'll do my best to help you out!

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