I’ve set foot in 125 countries, but there are still many places I have yet to visit. In Greece, I’ve been to Athens and Thessaloniki, but not to any of the Greek Islands. Soon I’ll be departing for Germany for several weeks, but I plan to spend some time in Mykonos and Santorini on the way home…if I can find a place to stay.
Maybe I should have just emailed Charlie from Running with Miles, who lives in Greece, but I’ll put it out for all of you who might be reading in Europe this morning.
We’ll start the trip in Mykonos. Great, I thought, a chance to try out the Santa Marina, new Theoxenia, or San Giorgio, all Starwood properties. But none will open for the season until May (and San Giorgio won’t take babies).
What about Santorini? Starwood has Mystique and Vedema. Both are also closed in early April, though these two properties open on April 13th, still a few days too early for us.
Look, I’m not the kind of guy who vacations in Lake Como, St. Tropez, or Davos. Perhaps this sort of “closed for the season” thing is commonplace in fancy destinations. But it did take me by surprise. I checked the weather, expecting bad, and as near as I can tell the weather in Mykonos and Santorini will be a bit cool, but beautiful.
This could be a blessing in disguise — we’ll have to use a non-chain hotel or Air BnB (cue the horror music). That will mean saved money and perhaps a more genuine experience.
Now I know, but I was taken by surprise to learn that hotels just close for half of year. Seems like a missed opportunity…
Santorini is kinda the Disney version of things. If I might make a suggestion, stay in Crete. Better food, better wine, better history, better travel options. Santorini is basically like Nassau in the Bahamas, with better food and much worse beaches.
Hope to hit Crete next time!
Agree w/ Christian. Save your money. There are hundreds of options, and ALL of them are more authentic and real than Santorini and especially Mykonos (Santorini at least has a magical sunset).
Is that 125 countries based on UN Memeber States or the ridiculous Travelers Century Club list?
UN list is about 119.
Santorini is breathtakingly beautiful….(not sure where Christian is coming from) ! Yes its touristy but thats how they make their living. I would recommend staying in a traditional cave house. We Stayed in the water house at Oia Gemelas July . Irene the owner was amazing…they supply a welcome gift basket(lasts a week) and stock the fridge with ham cheese tomatoes etc …her brother grows cherry tomatoes…. a taste all their own. Thea also have a pick up service from port or airport.
Although not on the main strip in Oia, it’s worth searching out. Roka (spelled “POKA” on an occasional sign along the way) is a warm and inviting place with unpretentious paper tablecloths and napkins. Roka is a cozy, out-of-the-way restaurant that feels like dinner in a big house. A bit difficult to find but only a minute away from the main marble walk way along the border of the caldera. Seating is on the balcony or indoors and the small patio on the backyard has a beautiful sea view. Mykonos stayed at Rocabella…they have shuttle to the town…its a little out of the main strip…but relaxing…. in Mykonos town for cheap local food the Giros always do the trick…both Gemelas and Rocabella very kid friendly. if you would like some other recommendations I have itineraries for both …best local eats, sights, wineries and and… just let me know and I can email them.
I love Santorini. Staying on the rim, with a view is a must, A cat 7 is likely very nice bit pricy in terms of points. I recall staying in a very nice hotel for about 100 – 150 euros per night.
I’ve stayed at a couple of hotels I liked and would recommend:
Volcano View Hotel on Santorini, rated 5-Star – http://www.volcano-view.com/
Petasos Beach Hotel & Spa on Mykonos, newly renovated – https://www.petasos.gr/
Both have gorgeous views. A Greek Travel Agent picked them out for us. Wish I was going back!
If you have Virgin Atlantic miles, you have options to book with points via Kaligo. A lot on the greek islands
kaligo.com/flyingclub-spend
that’s why their economy is so bad … they do not work alot!!
It might seem like a missed opportunity, but think about the cost of operating a resort in a place like Mykonos. I’d have to imagine it far outweighs the marginal revenue from the handful of guests willing to drop by during shoulder season.
BTW, if you do end up making it to Mykonos, take a ferry to Delos and check out the birthplace of Apollo. It’s nothing short of spectacular. I wrote a blog post about our visit a couple of years ago if you’re looking for ideas of other stuff to see while you’re there.
So bummed I missed this.
We stayed a week at Santorini on off season about 10 years ago, we had a beautiful villa to ourselves and another family, very few tourists during off season and the price is right also.
I took my whole family of 7 to Santorini and we loved it! We stayed right in Oia with the best view on the island, the one you see in all the postcards: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/563078
(If you’re not an Airbnb member yet and appreciated my recommendation, please sign up via my referral link: http://www.airbnb.com/c/hmast )
$718 per night?!
Santorini is fantastic. Stayed in Anastasis Apartments in Imerovigli and loved it.
So where did you end up staying in Mykonos without those beloved chain hotels?
Post coming soon.
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