Perissa, Spyridoula Apartments

Perissa can be recommended for a week-long chill out, with plenty of bars and restaurants to give enough variety. However, if you're staying for more than a week, hiring a car or quad bike or booking an excursion might be an idea to see the rest of the island, although a couple or three days would be enough to see pretty much everything there is to see; it's not huge.

Not much for young children to do in Perissa, unless they're happy splashing around in the sea; there's a water park that consists of a pool and a couple of slides. The sea shore is quite rocky, so getting into and out of the sea can be a bit tricky, and the black volcanic sand is scalding hot on bare feet. Perissa isn't a 'party' resort, so there aren't gangs of males/females making drunken nuisances of themselves. Generally, a pleasant, enjoyable stay at a reasonably attractive resort.

There is a great 24 hour bakery right beside the Co-op which has great pizzas and sandwiches for under 2 Euros each.

An average meal for two including a litre of house wine cost 20 Euros approx. Half a litre of beer 2 Euros and to hire a quad bike approx 10 Euros per day, well worth it to see the rest of the island.

Although there is no pool at the Spyridoula the hotel Artemis (around the corner approx 2 minute walk away) has a pool bar, serving basic snacks too. The pool bar is only available until 18.30 which was a shame for those people staying at the hotel.

Good recommendations for restaurants:

Laterna - 5 minute walk.

Cyclades - 5 minute walk.

Acropolis - 15 min walk - Perissa sea front.

Volcano - as above.

Dorian's bar is a must for families and couples, serving cheap cocktails with a very friendly service. This is situated on the main road about 200 yards before the Co-op.

The beach area had plenty of sun loungers at around 7 Euros per day, supplied by many of the bars on the front, where snacks/drinks could be purchased. A small boat ferried people to and from Kamari just around the rocky mountain of ancient Therra for 4.5 Euros for a steep but comfortable walk could be made to the top of ancient Therra to view the ruins, then a walk or ride down the other side by mini bus. The local bus service to and from Fira we found to be very comfortable and reliable but sometimes a little late, known as Greek time, for 1.90 Euros one way. Services to and from other resorts could be made from Fira, the Capital. We ate out but there are many local shops and a bakery within a short walk of the apartments.

Spyrindoula Apartments are located at the end of the resort about 5 minutes walk (downhill) from the beach. About 5 minutes from nearest mini market and same to nearest taverna.

We travelled with Libra and had an excellent rep.

Cannot fault cleanliness but shared balconies mean close contact with the neighbours. We were lucky, very nice people staying at the time we were there.

Views of the sea or mountain.

Perissa is a great resort, not too big. lots of tavernas and one of our favourites was the Mermaid.

(2003) Santorini is a beautiful island with many interesting places to visit. The capital Thera is well worth a visit but tends to be a bit pricey as cruise ships visit so the prices are hiked up to suit rich tourists. The sunset at Oia is well worth seeing and Oia itself has some very nice shops and restaurants/tavernas. The Greek people are invariably friendly and courteous and make everyone welcome. I enjoyed my visit there but would not rush to go back as I have visited many Greek islands which I personally enjoyed much more.