We are in the narration of my experience from my holiday in Santorini. In this article I will try to gather the most important ones and present you with various activities that you can look for in your own escape to the island.
On my second day on the island, and after a very busy first day (read here), my host Nikos Giovanidis led me to the secrets of ancient Santorini and the city that seems to be the famous lost Atlantis.
The Prehistoric settlement at Akrotiri in Santorini is the most important archaeological find of the island and one of the most important archaeological sites in the Aegean. The settlement of Akrotiri is located at the southwestern end of the island and is 15 km from its capital, Fira. The excavations there began systematically in 1967 by professor Spyros Marinato, while after his death, professor Christos Dumas took over the direction. The excavations there began systematically in 1967 by professor Spyros Marinato, while after his death, professor Christos Dumas took over the direction. The first installations in Akrotiri date from the Late Neolithic Age at least from the 4th millennium BC. There was a settlement during the Early Bronze Age (3rd millennium BC). In the Middle and Early Late Bronze Age (20th-17th century BC) the settlement expanded and became one of the most important urban centers of the Aegean.
The large area of the settlement (about 200 acres), its excellent urban organization, its drainage network, the elaborate multi-storied buildings with the impressive mural decoration, the rich furnishings and the variety of household goods testify to its great development. Life in the settlement ended abruptly in the last quarter of the 17th century BC, when its inhabitants decided to leave it due to strong earthquakes. Then, the great Minoan eruption of the volcano followed and the volcanic materials covered the entire island and thus protected the buildings and their contents to this day, as happened in Pompeii!
After the visit to the archaeological site, we could not fail to visit the museum in Fira, where the excellent frescoes and various objects of the settlement’s residences are kept. One of my favorites was the fresco “Crococollectors” found in the Women’s House. Another well-known fresco that we were able to admire was that of “Psara” from the West House of Akrotiri.
We then decided that we needed a relaxing midday swim in the deep waters of Perivolos beach, during which I enjoyed the healing action of the sea and the warm sun. Later, we got ready for the evening outing to Oia. We reached the village about an hour and a half before sunset. Nikos gave me a quick tour of the main pedestrian street of the island and we saw the view from certain spots suitable for walking. Even though we were in the middle of September, there were plenty of people standing around enjoying the beauty, the shops, or taking pictures. I imagined that in the summer months, on a typical day I wouldn’t be able to walk the narrow streets from the crowds. Oia is not by chance one of the top destinations in the world! The view, the energy, the architecture and everything you can do there, is something unique.
Somehow we managed to escape the crowd and made our way to our destination on time. We had to arrive early at the “Andronis Arcadia” hotel and specifically at the “Pacman Sunset Restaurant”, where we would watch the saxophonist Jimmy Sax live! We received special care from the staff and the table position that Nikos had reserved was a breath away from the decks. At that time the music played by Georgia lifted my mood but also made me feel a little melancholy thinking that all this would end at some point… The sunset also contributed to this…
Nikos urged me to take pictures and so I got up and started to explore through the lens the surroundings and the shops of the hotel. It had four different catering shops, for wine, for food, for drink and a specially designed area for photographing couples with a view of the sunset.
When I went down to the pool my gaze met a couple staring at the horizon. I caught them just in time before they left. I wish I knew them to give them the picture, but at the time I was mesmerized by what was happening and didn’t think about it…
I crossed the bridge alone and was led to the edge of the pool. where the pool water, the sea water and the sun met on the horizon. Another beautiful sunset has forever left an indelible mark on my heart that will accompany me for the rest of my life.
When the sun disappeared and we moved into blue hour, I climbed back into Pacman for Georgia’s closing. The colors, the music, the people were so intense. There was euphoria. The torches were lit and so were the lanterns above our heads!
When it started to get dark there was a change in the program and Jimmy Sax took the stage. He played electronic music which he magically accompanied with his saxophone. At first we were all seated, but within minutes the musician came forward and the audience surrounded him for the rest of the evening. His music was excellent! I took very few pictures and a little video and then I was off to dance! At some point Jimmy approached me, turned to face me and we had a little debate, him with his saxophone and me with my dancing. The people enjoyed it very much and at the end they applauded at the artist’s urging!
At that moment, the rest of our group that had just arrived, some of the lifeguards of Perivolos beach, Stefania, Vassilis, Konstantinos and the rest were sitting at the table. The whole audience danced together as a group, with a permanent smile on their faces. At the end of the show, after about an hour, we managed to take a picture with the musician before he left.
At that moment, the rest of our group that had just arrived, some of the lifeguards of Perivolos beach, Stefania, Vassilis, Konstantinos and the rest were sitting at the table. The whole audience danced together as a group, with a permanent smile on their faces. At the end of the show, after about an hour, we managed to take a picture with the musician before he left.
Nikos had reserved a table for a tasting at “Santo Wines” one of the best wineries in Santorini. We arrived at the right time to accompany the sunset with four different wines. We tried the series Assyrtiko, Nykteri, Mavrotragano (which impressed me!) and of course, for the climax of the sunset, the beloved, sweet Vinsanto! It was a magical afternoon. There I left a piece of me and the view towards the caldera and the colorful horizon will be a sweet memory to support me when the challenges of everyday life arise. At that moment there were no sorrows, there was nothing. I was free.
When the light disappeared we took the car for our last experience together on the island, in Megalochori. We walked to the “Symposion” an inspiring cultural center that made me lose myself in its grounds. I didn’t quite understand what was coming next, in general my host didn’t prepare me for the places we were visiting. The thread of his plan slowly unfolded every day, every moment… The Symposion is a cultural center that hosts a wide range of activities and performances inspired by the nine muses of the arts. Owned and managed by Argy Kakissis (CEO) and Yiannis Pantazis (Musical Director/Musician/Instrumental Artisan).
We attended the first commercial exhibition of the photographer Giorgos Tatakis called “Caryatis: Beta Exhibition”. About Tataki’s photos, what can I say, I am proud that we have such artists in Greece. Most of his images captivated me. The way he handles the tools of composition, contrast, forms, symmetry, hierarchy and depth is something really worth seeing up close! This particular exhibition will remain at the site until October 25.
In the exhibition hall and a little further inside a workshop and study area, I met the two musicians that we would soon hear live at the “Echoes” concert! Yiannis Pantazis (wind instruments and strings) and Yiannis Kouleis (percussion) are two excellent artists!
Yiannis Pantazis has been composing music and performing in Greece and internationally for over twenty years. He is a widely recognized instrument maker with a special interest in mythology and the role of music in Greece’s past. During his career, he has given concerts and held educational workshops in Greece, the UK, France, Turkey and the USA. He has made numerous appearances in the USA, such as in Chicago, New Orleans, etc. He represented Greece through his participation in the cultural program of the European Union “Folk Music in MusEUms” in Estonia, Norway, Italy and Spain.
Yiannis Kouleis after his studies at R.S.I. (Rhythm Section Institute), with the master Greek drummer Georgios Metallinos, worked at the Menelaos Sykakis conservatory of contemporary music in Komotini, in the drum-percussion department. At the same time, he participated professionally in musical concerts of traditional, artistic, folk and rock music with the Rhodope Cultural Movement and the Komotini Youth Community, for 4 years. He is a founding member of the EVKROTON percussion group and teaches drums and percussion at the KISIRIS MUSIC LAB.
The two musicians put me in their company and we played lyre and drum. It was so relaxing to play this wonderful musical instrument, it produces harmonious sounds very easily and simply, no matter what you play! I might buy one of these in the future! We talked about art, about the mythology of ancient Greece and I saw the study area of Yiannis Pantazis. I was thrilled! I was so glad I could have some time with them! Then it was time for their enchanting concert with ancient Greek melodies and traditional Greek songs. They brought tears to my eyes. It was a balm to hear them, a wonderful closure to my Santorini experience.
Counting down to the last minute, just before the concert ended, Nikos gave the signal for us to leave, in order to catch my flight to Athens. I would love to see these musicians and the Symposium owners again, chat and sing together. I hope I can visit them again or through art somehow our paths cross in the future.
I arrived at the airport with a feeling of not stepping on the ground, so light. I thanked Nikos for the wonderful experience and without any delay I got on the plane. Somehow magically my trip to Santorini came to an end. There is so much left that I didn’t explore and so much that I would like to see again. I will try to return to the island… I suggest you visit this unique place and explore its secrets. He captivated me, captivated me, healed me!
Until the next article, travel! If not with the body, then with the mind!