I think the most I have ever won in any sort of competition was an Easter Egg colouring-in contest, at the ripe old age of 6 at the local library. That was until January, when flitting from site to site first thing on a Saturday morning, I answered a question in a chance giveaway hosted by BritMums, and sponsored by HolidayGems. They wanted you to divulge your holiday plans (or dreams) with a chance of winning a not insignificant sum of money to spend on the HolidayGems site – and I only blinking won! I couldn’t believe it when I heard, and my first thoughts were where shall we go??!?! I had originally said that I would love to go back to South Africa, where Mr R and I got married all those years ago – but time constraints (i.e. Mr R’s work!) decided that we use our voucher somewhere a little closer to home instead. Neither of us had been to Santorini before (although both of us have been to Greece in the past), and it was somewhere that appealed to all of us (especially the history fans!). On top of that you can fly directly from Munich, so our decision was made…
The booking process with HolidayGems was a first for me as we usually do everything ourselves, but it was nice to be helped with suggestions (and the booking itself) by our friendly (and incredibly patient) Agent! German friends always think I am strange for arranging all of our travels anyway, as unlike at home, visiting a Travel Agent is still very much the norm here!
Santorini is exactly how your mind’s eye imagines (if not a little busier – it’s a beautiful place, so it’s to be expected!), and a short taxi ride later we arrived at the quiet little town of Imerovigli where we were met by one of our hotel’s enthusiastic porters. These guys make you feel fat and lazy before your day has even begun by the way – a huge proportion of Santorini is built on the side of a cliff, so this isn’t your typical holiday resort. Paths wind their way across the cliff-face with hotels dotted either side, and it’s quite typical for a porter to cover 20km delivering the fantastic breakfasts of a morning (I did put my second croissant back down as I was told this one morning!)!
Our Cave Suite at The Gorgona and Krokos Villas proved much more glamorous than a previous cave dwelling we had stayed in (a damp gite in the Loire Valley, surrounded by mushroom growing caves!!), but this one was huge, stylish and comfortable with a ceiling high enough to keep the place cool even when the air-conditioning was off. It also had a lovely terrace looking out to sea, which turned out to be where we spent a lot of our time.
Staff here are super friendly and dedicated, and it’s not an overstatement when I say nothing but nothing is too much trouble. I hasten to add that Gorgona/Krokos Villas wasn’t what we had originally booked – our accommodation changed due to contractual differences a couple of weeks before, but I think we lucked in. The only slightly sad point for the children was the lack of pool to splash about in here. Whilst the hotel does have a small plunge pool, let’s just say that on the one occasion we did use it (straight after lunch on our first day!), we most definitely destroyed the peace of two American honeymooners, one of whom was very sweet about the arc of water sent into her face by Small Boy (I hope she didn’t mind her wine being watered down either)! Conscious of not ruining anyone else’s holiday, I spoke to staff about this conundrum, and they very kindly arranged for us to use a much bigger pool at a nearby hotel – problem solved!
First swim dealt with that first afternoon, we wandered back (actually we wandered up, down, left, right and round the corner – you might want to consider a beach hotel instead of a cliff side place here if you don’t like walking up steps – or more importantly if you can’t!) we sought the solace of the roof top sun-terrace (an added bonus with our room!) and spent a happy couple of hours relaxing in front of the most magnificent views before Sunset time…
Gorgona & Krokos Villas,
Imerovigli 84700,
PO Box 97,
Santorini Island
Greece
Tel: +30 22860 25223
email: krokosvi@otenet.gr
I would loooooove to go to Santorini one day!
I can’t wait to go visit South Africa again either but it will be a while before we go back home.
I think we are going to try and go back to SA for our 15th Anniversary (when I can handle that length of flight with my toddler!) :D Thank you!
this brings back some happy memories of holidays from my past, my ex and I visited Santorini one year when we spent the summer back packing around the greek islands. amazing place. your photos are gorgeous
i will add this to my carnival on the 12th x
Thanks so much Jenny, that’s great! :)
Wow, it looks so beautiful!
Perfect summer holiday destination.
Thank you (:
How fabulous that you won! Just like you I have been to Greece before but not to Santorini, your photos make me want to go even more now. xx
PS: I am sitting here waiting for everybody to be up so we can have breakfast, I am even hungrier now!
Thank you… I think you would love it! (: xx
I think Michelle from American Resident went to Santorini last year. I thought it looked gorgeous then and I’m loving it now. It’s years since we’ve been to Greece – pre Rory in fact – so I do feel drawn to visiting again.
She told me she did, I think she stayed in Oia which is beautiful! You must go again when you get the chance, it is so lovely there! :) x
Oh my word! HOw utterly gorgeous is that? Am pinning this x
Thanks Vaichin! (:
Oh what an awesome win! Your pictures are lovely – I would love to visit Santorini sometime!
Thank you Bex, it’s well worth a visit! :)
Wow! Awesome win for sure! Looking forward to seeing more.
Thanks Brooke, and good because there’s plenty more to come! :D
Wow! What a prize to win – I am very envious of your break. It looks utterly beautiful!
Thanks Sally! It was lovely! :) x
This is a lovely post. Your photos are amazing! Would enjoy seeing lots more posts like this one.
Thanks so much Helen! Plenty more to come! :D
oh it looks stunning
Thanks Becky, it really is! :)
How beautiful! I have a friend that goes to Santorini every year. She swears that it’s the most beautiful place ever.
It is really special! Thanks Joanna! :)
Oh my word these pictures are amazing! Definitely a dream destination!
Thanks Vicky! :)
It looks beautiful. I’d love to go one day. The contrast of the blue dome roofs and the white cube houses is just stunning. Oh and as for travel agents, I think only old people use them ;) I’ve never been in one…
Thanks Carolin! I should have put Bavaria, I know it! :D
Oh my goodness – what a GORGEOUS room that cave suite is! Santorini has always been on my “must visit” list – so maybe now I’ll get round to it! Congrats on winning! How amazing x
You must Katy! Thank you! :) x
Oh lucky you. The views look Stunning. Greece is not somewhere we have really travelled. We must rectify that.
We love Greece, lovely people, beaches and food! :) Thank you!
What a great holiday – congratulations in having won the competition! Greece isn’t somewhere I’ve really thought about visiting but your pictures here make me wonder if we should.
Thanks Laura! :)
Those views! Those views! Greece has never been high on my ‘must-visit’ list but I may make an exception for Santorini.
I think you would love it Rachel! So pretty! :) x
Sounds – and looks idyllic. What beautiful photos! The first one is fabulous. The food looks amazing – and I am incredibly impressed by the children’s room. I’ve never ever been anywhere that exotic. Great review – really good advice too.
Thanks Kate! :)
That sounds like absolute heaven! I didn’t realise you’d won that competition, well done!
We’re going to Spain soon to a cave house, also with a plunge bath so I’m getting really excited having seen your beautiful pictures.
That sounds amazing Liz. Enjoy! And thank you! :)
Congratulations on your win-what an amazing prize! I’ve not heard of Santorini before but it looks like a beautiful place. Your photos are stunning! The cave suite looks like a very relaxing place to be. I’m glad to hear that the staff were so helpful too.
Thanks so much Bek! :)
Oh well done on winning!! That place looks lovely!! So wish I could escape there right now!
Thank you Foz! I would quite like to go back this week! :D
I just finished a novel set in Oia in Santorini. I loved ‘being there’ even though the novel was very sad. I’ve been to mainland Greece and to Skyros and loved it.
Oia is beautiful, and one of my favourite places there. Thank you x
Gorgeous photos, and congrats on winning the holiday! My partner and I met whilst we were both working in Greece so it’s a country that holds a lot of great memories for us.
It must be a really special country for you both Christine! Thank you! :)
This looks like complete and utter holiday bliss!
It completely was! Thank you A! :)
Well done on your win! The pictures are stunning! x
Thanks so much! :)
Wow what a beautiful place, your pictures are amazing – I don’t think I would ever want to leave. x
Thank you! It was quite tough! :D
I LOVED Santorini when I spent my post degree holiday there back in 1983: and it looks just as wonderful as ever!
That is a perfect place to spend a post degree holiday! Thank you! :)
Stunning photos! Makes me wanna pack my bags and go on holiday there right now! I think I need a bit of break :)
Thanks Sylvia, it’s definitely a place to relax in! :)
Superb photos, Emma. I so want to go back to Santorini again soon!
Thank you! Plenty more to come too (you will all be bored by the time I finish my posts on Santorini!). I have a post with big thank you for all your suggestions coming up as well! Emma :)
Oh gosh Emma, Santorini looks just beautiful. We had such an amazing time in Rhodes recently that I definitely want to see more of Greece.
Thank you! I would love to go to Rhodes too. Greece is a fantastic country full of really friendly people (and great food!!) :D
I’m going!
I can’t get over how holiday photos of Greece always look exactly like those in the brochure. There is something magical about the light and the sky there, I think, with the white buildings in such immaculate condition.
You seem to stay in the most incredible places too. That cave suite looks incredible!
Thanks so much Helen! The light is truly gorgeous here too, there’s something so special about it! :)
Your photographs make it look just as I imagine it to be in Santorini – even the electric wiring in the first picture looks attractive against the setting sun! Trying to resist breakfast this morning, after looking at your break fast table, has made me succumb to some fruit at least ! So glad you had a great holiday destination. x
You know I love anything like wires in pictures like that, it just makes it more interesting! :D Thanks Mum, it was gorgeous! xx
Oh it looks lovely, Santorini has long been on my list of places I would like to visit. Your room looks fab too, and always nice to hear of staff who offer really good customer service!
Thanks Sonya, it’s a great place… And all that lovely Greek food too! :)