Santorini... the dream island that many people want to visit... I myself have been waiting for this opportunity for quite some time... until this Songkran, 2561, I finally had the chance... using the services of a low-cost airline like FlyScoot, a Singaporean airline that was originally...

Tiger Air: A Cost-Effective Option for Long-Haul Flights

Tiger Air offers a cost-effective option for long-haul flights, particularly with its use of spacious Boeing 787 aircraft. These planes provide a comfortable journey, allowing passengers to reach Athens in just ten hours.



After spending a day in Athens, I took a short 40-minute domestic flight with Aegeon Airlines to Santorini. I had previously arranged a car rental online with Easy Car-Rent. Upon arrival, a representative was waiting at the airport with the car I had reserved. The payment and car pick-up process was quick and easy, taking place directly at the airport. This was the most convenient and efficient car rental experience I've had on any of my trips. Returning the car was just as simple; I met the representative at the airport at the agreed-upon time. Overall, the process was remarkably smooth and hassle-free.


Self-driving allows me to explore every corner of the island.... There are still many beautiful places on Santorini that the tour does not cover..... We will travel all over the island, following the route on this map.


Our first stop was ANCIENT THIRA, the ruins of the island's earliest settlement. While the ruins themselves were not particularly impressive, the drive up to the site offered stunning views of the sea and the winding, challenging road. The experience of navigating the steep, winding road with a left-hand drive vehicle was both thrilling and exhilarating.


On the way back, we drove down the same path, which added to the thrill. We passed an open-air cinema and stopped by for a quick look. At night, they show movies outdoors with food and drinks available. However, since we were there during the day, we just took in the atmosphere.

Continue driving for a short distance, as the entire island is no more than thirty kilometers long. After driving another 5 kilometers, find a beautiful photo spot that is rarely reviewed and not visited by tour groups. Pyrgos Kallistus is a small community on the southern side of the island, offering scenic beauty along its narrow paths, charming churches, and quaint shops. Ascend the path to enjoy breathtaking views of the sea.

After exploring until the afternoon, we purchased supplies from a local shop and prepared to check in. We cooked and ate a meal before heading out for an evening adventure.

The accommodation I booked today is close to the airport for convenience on our return trip, as we will be leaving early in the morning. I was likely the first guest at the accommodation, as they were still painting and arranging the place when I checked in. The accommodation is quite comfortable and brand new.

The room is divided into two levels. The lower level consists of a hall, bathroom, and kitchen, while the bedroom is located on the upper level. The price is only 2400 baht… surprisingly cheap… Monolithia Hotel.

Check in, cook and eat, then take a nap for an hour.


Take a break and recharge your batteries, then continue your journey... Drive to the Firostifani community, which offers views similar to the popular Oia, Santorini's main tourist destination.


Next to Firostifani is a small community called Imerovigli, which is equally beautiful.

We then drove to the popular Oia viewpoint, renowned for its stunning sunsets. However, the overcast conditions on this particular day diminished the visual spectacle.

The sun was obscured by the gloomy sky, so I waited until dusk to capture the lights of the houses. I will have another chance to capture the sunset tomorrow.

I arrived back at my accommodation at 10pm and fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, we woke up and cooked our own breakfast. Then, we set out to explore the island, determined to cover as much ground as possible within the time we had.

Driving down to the bottom of the island, we stopped to take pictures of various sights along the way. We eventually arrived at Vlichada beach, which is known for its unique and visually striking eroded clay cliffs.

Strolling along the beach and admiring the rocky cliffs, an hour passed by without realizing it. We continued our journey to Red Beach, which took about twenty minutes to reach. However, along the way, there was a stunning viewpoint that should not be missed.

The next destination was a winding road down to Athinios Port, which I had seen on Google Maps and decided to try. The route was exhilarating.

After returning from the port, I wandered around the island, before heading to the east coast, arriving at the town of Oia again in the evening to capture the last light and colors of the night.

As evening fell, it was time to return to our accommodation. We quickly packed our belongings and went to bed, as we had to be at the airport by 5:00 AM the next morning to catch our 8:00 AM flight to Athens. We would spend one more day exploring the city before flying back to Singapore and then Thailand.

#santorini#santorini#tourism#greece
Comments