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Santorini: Stay in Thira or Oia?
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PTDANIEL
Mar 10, 2000, 3:00:00 AM3/10/00
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>The subject line says it all. We will be spending a few days on Santorini
>and want to know which village to stay in -- Thira or Oia? My impression
>is that Oia is more beautiful, but that Thira has more to do.
>and want to know which village to stay in -- Thira or Oia? My impression
>is that Oia is more beautiful, but that Thira has more to do.
More to do? Well, that would depend on your definition of 'do'; many would say
there is *nothing* to do in either place -- which is precisely the point(!).
GG
Mar 10, 2000, 3:00:00 AM3/10/00
to
PTDANIEL <ptda...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20000310094755...@ng-dc1.aol.com...
There are neighborhoods between Fira and Oia such as Firostephani and
Imerovigli that may be quieter than Fira but not as remote as Oia. I
haven't been there in a long time, but recent visitors say that the thriving
nightlife in Fira goes on noisily into the wee hours.
This is a little away from the point of the main question, but I have always
been a little unsure about the correct Greek place names on Santorini. When
we were there, a local resident said that the Greek name of the island was
Thera, and that the name of the main town was Fira. Subsequently I have
seen both the island and the town called both Thera and Thira, and rarely
have I seen the town written as Fira. Any Greek experts here?
--
Note: Please substitute pdg1 in the obvious spot to fix the e-mail address.
Glenn Rakowsky Steiner
Mar 10, 2000, 3:00:00 AM3/10/00
to
Dear Melissa,
Oia versus Thira? That's a good one.
Both are relatively close to each other via bus, taxi, or
moped...its a little far to walk. Oia is the quieter of the two.
Both have absolutely outstanding views, perched as you will be, on the edge
of forever, watching the sun slide into a molten sea. In Fira, you would be
listening to Wagner at Franco's, sipping on an ice cold retsina. In Oia,
you might be at the windmill looking at the gulf of the cauldera and the
close by island of Thirasia, watching cruise liners leave for Mykonos.
You may vicariously research Oia, by watching a movie, "Summer
Lovers," with a very young Peter Gallagher and younger Daryl Hannah.
As to living, I like a little town about 3 km north of Fira along the crater
rim, called Firostephani. Larger suites may be let there, some with a pool
and balconies, some 500' straight above the cauldera. I usually go to Kamari
Tours in the main square of Fira, called Theotokopolis Square. Kamari Tours
is just south of the square, situated right by the bus depot (as it is...).
Imerovigli is also a wonderful place to find a space for a number of people.
Last year, I stayed at Mina Villa, right on the edge of the cauldera
in Firostephani, complete with pool, marble floors, balcony, mini
kitchenette and close proximity to the fabled night life of Fira, if you
want it. The prices are reasonable at Mina Villa. The owner's name if
Eleftheria, or another word for freedom. His phone number is 0286 25650.
Check it out. I have also stayed at Agali House.
Our explorations on Santorini involve circumnavigating the island on
mopeds. Check out Akrotiri. There is a nice little taverna near there, where
you can eat calimari while cooling off your feet in the Med. To see a
little bit of the real Greeks, try Pirgos, a left off the road to Perissa,
and up the hill a ways. There are hot springs in the islets between Thirasia
and Santorini. Whether they are cool enough to use, is a good question. The
Greeks who will take you there in a little caique (small motorized boat of
Greek design), will know.
Last year, we climbed down the hill from Oia, to the little harbor
at the bottom of the crater, called Amoudia. There was a wonderful little
primitivo restaurant, TABEPNA EPHNH, or Taverna Erini, in English. Do try
and climb down the main steps. We went down the goat trail and ended up
cliff climbing along over to Amoudia, until a friendly Greek fisherman
rescued us in his caique.
Rose and I will be going back to Santorini this May, as well as to
Folegandros, Astypalaia, Kalymnos, Karpathos and Lesvos, depending where the
winds blow us (and the ferries) this time.
You also might just take a chance at finding "domatia" with the
numerous people, meeting you at the airport or a the ferry as you disembark.
Most would be willing to share their homes with you, for an entirely
reasonable sum. I've also stayed at the Lava bungalows at Perisa Beach above
the Lava Taverna. The lady in the back house runs the taverna, and doesn't
speak English. Good luck. Enjoy!
Drop me an email if you have any questions.
Cheers,
Glenn Steiner, approaching my mid life crisis with style, sandals and a
backpack
steine...@earthlink.net,
www.glennsteiner.com
Oia versus Thira? That's a good one.
Both are relatively close to each other via bus, taxi, or
moped...its a little far to walk. Oia is the quieter of the two.
Both have absolutely outstanding views, perched as you will be, on the edge
of forever, watching the sun slide into a molten sea. In Fira, you would be
listening to Wagner at Franco's, sipping on an ice cold retsina. In Oia,
you might be at the windmill looking at the gulf of the cauldera and the
close by island of Thirasia, watching cruise liners leave for Mykonos.
You may vicariously research Oia, by watching a movie, "Summer
Lovers," with a very young Peter Gallagher and younger Daryl Hannah.
As to living, I like a little town about 3 km north of Fira along the crater
rim, called Firostephani. Larger suites may be let there, some with a pool
and balconies, some 500' straight above the cauldera. I usually go to Kamari
Tours in the main square of Fira, called Theotokopolis Square. Kamari Tours
is just south of the square, situated right by the bus depot (as it is...).
Imerovigli is also a wonderful place to find a space for a number of people.
Last year, I stayed at Mina Villa, right on the edge of the cauldera
in Firostephani, complete with pool, marble floors, balcony, mini
kitchenette and close proximity to the fabled night life of Fira, if you
want it. The prices are reasonable at Mina Villa. The owner's name if
Eleftheria, or another word for freedom. His phone number is 0286 25650.
Check it out. I have also stayed at Agali House.
Our explorations on Santorini involve circumnavigating the island on
mopeds. Check out Akrotiri. There is a nice little taverna near there, where
you can eat calimari while cooling off your feet in the Med. To see a
little bit of the real Greeks, try Pirgos, a left off the road to Perissa,
and up the hill a ways. There are hot springs in the islets between Thirasia
and Santorini. Whether they are cool enough to use, is a good question. The
Greeks who will take you there in a little caique (small motorized boat of
Greek design), will know.
Last year, we climbed down the hill from Oia, to the little harbor
at the bottom of the crater, called Amoudia. There was a wonderful little
primitivo restaurant, TABEPNA EPHNH, or Taverna Erini, in English. Do try
and climb down the main steps. We went down the goat trail and ended up
cliff climbing along over to Amoudia, until a friendly Greek fisherman
rescued us in his caique.
Rose and I will be going back to Santorini this May, as well as to
Folegandros, Astypalaia, Kalymnos, Karpathos and Lesvos, depending where the
winds blow us (and the ferries) this time.
You also might just take a chance at finding "domatia" with the
numerous people, meeting you at the airport or a the ferry as you disembark.
Most would be willing to share their homes with you, for an entirely
reasonable sum. I've also stayed at the Lava bungalows at Perisa Beach above
the Lava Taverna. The lady in the back house runs the taverna, and doesn't
speak English. Good luck. Enjoy!
Drop me an email if you have any questions.
Cheers,
Glenn Steiner, approaching my mid life crisis with style, sandals and a
backpack
steine...@earthlink.net,
www.glennsteiner.com
Sissel Anita Stavik
Mar 12, 2000, 3:00:00 AM3/12/00
to
Hi,
I have once been to santorini. We stayed at Kokari near the beach. Only a
short trip to Thira and Oia with bus.
Sissel
Melissa A. Hines <Meliss...@Cornell.edu> skrev i
meldingsnyheter:Melissa.Hines-0...@galadriel.chem.cornell.edu...
> The subject line says it all. We will be spending a few days on Santorini
> and want to know which village to stay in -- Thira or Oia? My impression
> is that Oia is more beautiful, but that Thira has more to do.
>
> Comments or opinion? Thanks in advance.
>
> Melissa
>
> --
> Melissa A. Hines Voice/FAX: (607) 255-3040
> Dept. of Chemistry E-mail: Meliss...@Cornell.edu
> Cornell University
I have once been to santorini. We stayed at Kokari near the beach. Only a
short trip to Thira and Oia with bus.
Sissel
Melissa A. Hines <Meliss...@Cornell.edu> skrev i
meldingsnyheter:Melissa.Hines-0...@galadriel.chem.cornell.edu...
> The subject line says it all. We will be spending a few days on Santorini
> and want to know which village to stay in -- Thira or Oia? My impression
> is that Oia is more beautiful, but that Thira has more to do.
>
>
> Melissa
>
> --
> Melissa A. Hines Voice/FAX: (607) 255-3040
> Dept. of Chemistry E-mail: Meliss...@Cornell.edu
> Cornell University
James Heckathorn
Mar 12, 2000, 3:00:00 AM3/12/00
to
Everyone goes to Oia to watch the sunset. I think it's a little more
artsy than Thira. They're both nice. Cruise boats stop at Thira
therefore it may a bit busier. However,at sunset, the populaton of Oia
must quadruple. Santorini is wonderful where-ever you stay. I'm sure
you'll enjoy your stay.
artsy than Thira. They're both nice. Cruise boats stop at Thira
therefore it may a bit busier. However,at sunset, the populaton of Oia
must quadruple. Santorini is wonderful where-ever you stay. I'm sure
you'll enjoy your stay.
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