Santorini Hiking!

Today was our first day in Santorini! Santorini has always been described as magical, and I have to agree. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. We are staying in Oia, which overlooks the bay. Apparently, the bay used to be part of the island, but disappeared in a volcanic eruption. It now is part of an active volcano, which is monitored for volcanic activity. Earthquakes are still very common, though, yet the houses are protected as they are built into caves in the cliffs. Some archeologists think the lost city of Atlantis is in the bay, as it matches ancient maps.

In the summer, Santorini is a party island that relies on tourism. Large cruise ships unload thousands of visitors a day, and the local people rent out their houses. We are lucky we came in the winter, because although we can’t enjoy the beach, we are getting a more local perspective.

We spent our day hiking a path that winds down the island, providing a stunning view of the volcano. This 7 mile hike took us most of the morning, and we didn’t see another person on the trail. It felt like a private island. We hiked to the village of Thera, and ate lunch at a restaurant popular with the locals. It was delicious! After hiking all morning, we were so hungry for the amazing smoked eggplant dip, spiced meats, and local olives!

We made it back to Oia for sunset, which was unique due to the colors of the buildings. Most buildings are painted white, and they absorbed the light from the setting sun. All in all, it was an absolutely beautiful day.