Oia (pronounces EE-ah) is located in the northwest corner of Santorini. It is a tiny village with basically one main street open only to pedestrian traffic (cars are allowed only on the outskirts of the village). As with most of Santorini, its famous blue-roofed churches dot the landscape and the village sits on the edge of the caldera created by volcanic activity so it slopes steeply down to the beautiful water of the Aegean Sea. These churches and cliff views make Oia a breath-takingly beautiful place:
The debate about which Santorini location provides the best views of its amazing sunsets is impossible to resolve. There are seemingly endless choices from which to view the sun setting into the sea and they all are wonderful. My choice is Oia. Oia's landscape and setting make you feel as if you are literally perched on the edge of the Earth as you watch the sun set each day. Thousands of people flock to the edges of the town to secure prime viewing locations as the sunset approaches. We were no different and we joined many others sitting on a cement ledge overlooking the sea about 45 minutes before teh sun was scheduled to set. We sat patiently enjoying the serenity of the moment, the diversity of the people in the gathering crowd, and filled with excitement about the natural masterpiece we were about to witness. Despite a bit of low cloud cover, we were not disappointed as the the sunset was amazing:
Once the sun set, it was time for dinner and, once again, Oia offered a plethora of options. We chose the adventurous option of descending the nearly 400 steps down the side of the cliff so we could eat at one of the restaurants found right on the water in Amoudi Bay. I muste tell you that you may also reach these restaurants by taxi which you should definitely do if you have any physical issues that make walking stairs difficult. The descent offers wonderful views and winds through some interesting shops but it is physically challenging. In addition, you must pay close attention to ensure that you maintain your balance on the sometime small and slippery steps while also avoiding the pungent "debris" left by the mules who transport tourists between Amoudi Bay and Oia proper during the main part of each day. Should you choose to walk, the descent will take approximately 20-30 minuntes so plan accordingly. The feeling of accomplishment and the terrific venue and food that await make the walk well worth the effort! Although the Amoudi Bay area is just a narrow stretch of space along the water, there are several restaurants all of which serve freshly caught seafood cooked to perfection along with wines, beers, and, of course, ouzo. Our hotel recommended Taverna Katina and it met, no exceeded, our every expectation. The service was a little slow by American standards but the waiter was very nice (he even offered my wife a wrap to wear since it was breezy and cool), very knowledgeable about the various types of seafood offered. Katina even allows you to choose the very fish you would like to have so you are certain to receive the correct portion size. You simply will not find a better atmosphere for enjoying a seafood meal anywhere else in the world!
After dinner, the restaurant will gladly arrange for a taxi to pick you up (unless you wish to climb the steps back to Oia) and return you to your hotel ending what will definitely have been an amazing and memorable experience in the special village of Oia.
Power to the Purple! Happy Travels!
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