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TOURING SANTORINI: Arriving at Aria

TD

Dear Foodie Fam,

Sometimes moments happen you never thought could happen and what remains of your younger self gives you a high five! Maybe as a full grown adult you buy, do or eat things you only dreamt about or maybe you meet people you only dreamt to meet. For me, that  is definitely traveling to places that once upon a time were only far off stories to me.

That art school student scrubbing toilets to afford homework woulda cried with JOY knowing someday she'd blog about and visit the bewitching island of Santorini. When the newly introduced charade of "adulting" pummeled young Dutch and I, we'd often escape to Santorini in daydreams.

Miraculously, the dreams came true on a three-day stay in Santorini during our world tour.

HUGE THANKS to Kim at Hot Pink Travel and Aria Suites.

FIRST THINGS FIRST:

DEETS ON SANTORINI:

  • It's in the Southern Aegean Sea. You can only get there from the Greek main land but that doesn't take too long.

  • OMG the Aegean Airlines flight stewardesses looked like Grecian goddess in uniform and it's so intimidating!!

  • The airport on Santorini is very small. Pleasant to fly into. Not so pleasant to fly out of due to all the crowding! Also: It could've just been that we left the same time a huge Bollywood film production wrapped and was going home.

  • Santorini on the remnant of a volcano- a caldera.

  • Calderas are crater-like depressions formed by things like Volcanic eruptions. They're more like sinkholes than craters. This one was made by one of the largest volcanic eruptions EVER: The Minoan eruption (1500 BC).

  • Ancient myths relate the natural havoc to the legend of Atlantis.

  • As a world traveler, I always suggest you rid of expectations based on highly seductive travel propaganda. If you're headed to Santorini, immediately quit looking at the posters, postcards and commercials! Read the Pinterest articles only to find the places you want to go or learn the travel hacks you need to learn... BUT!!: Try your best to discover the island with a fresh perspective.

  • Don't expect sloping, cave-like white and blue architecture, windmills and chapel bells EVERYWHERE. Santorini is mostly rugged volcanic rock and low grassy hills (still charming, though).

  • Most people speak English here (big tourist destination... Santorini was the saint of honeymooners). o I didn't have to study the Greek alphabet or much past basic Greek touristy statements.

DEETS on ARIA SUITES

  • "Santorini" was named by Crusaders after the Saint Irene Chapel (Santa Irini).

  • I was told by a vendor "Santa Irini" was the saint of honeymooners but I can't find that anywhere! I may have a random painted saint in my livingroom, for all I know.

  • It's a cool walking distance from Fira's main square.

  • Aria is a winsome getaway kept by incredibly gracious sweethearts.

  • Each suite is named after opera terminology. How adorable!

  • Total price of 3 days there? Less than ONE night’s stay at an average San Francisco hotel.

  • Price includes breakfast -one of the most fun thing I ever experienced!

Facilities: 

  • Pool bar with light snacks

  • Sun Lounges at pool

  • Daily maid service

  • In-house laundry/ pressing

  • Porter service

  • 24 hour front desk

  • Wedding Planning

  • Reception concierge

  • Travel agent services

  • Fax services / Post Box

  • No Smoking

  • Free Wi-Fi Internet access

  • Massage & Beauty Treatments

  • Manicure & Pedicure services

  • Hairdresser services

  • Car and 4-wheeler rentals

  • Private/semi private excursions

  • Transfer arrangements

  • Swimming pool

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