{"id":2569,"date":"2015-01-10T17:31:12","date_gmt":"2015-01-10T22:31:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.guruoftravel.com\/?p=2569"},"modified":"2015-02-15T16:58:06","modified_gmt":"2015-02-15T21:58:06","slug":"anamnesis-city-spa-hotel-and-exploring-santorini-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.guruoftravel.com\/blog\/2015\/01\/10\/anamnesis-city-spa-hotel-and-exploring-santorini-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Anamnesis City Spa Hotel and Exploring Santorini (Part 1)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Intro and Greensboro to Chicago<\/a>
\nAir Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Toronto and Exploring Toronto<\/a>
\nAir Canada Executive First Suite Toronto to Istanbul<\/a>
\n14 Hours in Istanbul<\/a>
\nAegean Airlines Business Class Istanbul to Athens<\/a>
\nHotel Amalia Athens and Exploring Athens (Part 1)<\/a>
\nExploring Athens (Part 2)<\/a>
\nAthens Airport Lounges and Aegean Airlines Athens to Santorini<\/a>
\nAnamnesis City Spa Hotel and Exploring Santorini (Part 1)<\/a>
\nExploring Santorini (Part 2)<\/a>
\nExploring Santorini (Part 3) and Aegean Airlines Santorini to Athens<\/a>
\nHoliday Inn Athens Airport and Aegean Airlines Athens to Milan
\nUNA Hotel Cusani and Exploring Milan
\nUnited Business Class Milan to Newark to Greensboro<\/p>\n

\n

On Monday evening, we flew from Athens to Santorini<\/a>, a quick 30 minute flight on Aegean Airlines.  As I’ve mentioned a few times, Aegean Airlines seems to run a pretty poor operation – delays aren’t posted timely, leading to chaotic boarding, without any sort of order or priority boarding for passengers who have paid extra for Business Class or have earned the benefits through being a frequent traveler.  In the end, we arrived safely, which is obviously the most important factor, but I certainly would choose another airline over them if possible.  The Santorini airport is small, so it didn’t take long to make it through to baggage claim, where there were dozens of drivers holding signs for arriving passengers.<\/p>\n

The Anamnesis City Spa Hotel does not offer an airport shuttle, but there are a number of transfer companies available.  We used the rather generically-named Santorini Transfers and Tours<\/a>.  The cost was €8 per person each way, or €32 for roundtrip transfer for both of us.  Technically, this was for a shared shuttle service, but we were the only passengers on the transfer from the airport to hotel.  The driver was waiting for us when we arrived, and was very courteous.  For the return transfer back to the airport at the end of our time in Santorini, the driver was right on time picking us up.  There were a few other passengers on the shuttle, but it was still a comfortable ride, so overall, I would highly recommend the company for transfers.<\/p>\n

The ride from the airport to Anamnesis City Spa Hotel<\/a> took about 15 minutes, where we were checked in promptly at about 11:00 pm.  We were assigned room 10, which faces the east side of the island.  The view wasn’t anything spectacular, but we knew this in advance, and weren’t planning to spend much time in the room anyway – we’d much rather explore the island. Our room was clean and comfortable, down a hallway with quintessential white walls.<\/p>\n

\"Anamnesis<\/a>
Anamnesis City Spa Hotel Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Anamnesis<\/a>
Anamnesis City Spa Hotel Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Anamnesis<\/a>
Anamnesis City Spa Hotel Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The bathroom was spacious enough, although I still can’t comprehend why European showers seem to be designed to intentionally leak.  I really don’t get it.  Water leaks all down the seams of the the wall and tub.  If you use a bath mat on the floor (as seems to be expected), it will be completely soaked by the time you finish showering, so then you have to step on a cold wet towel when you get out.  If you don’t put the bath mat on the floor, you’re almost guaranteed to slip and fall on the wet tile floor.  As you can see in the picture below (taken with a nice dry bath mat before we took any showers), there’s even a drain on the floor outside of the shower, so the entire design seems to suggest that the leaking is intentional.<\/p>\n

\"Anamnesis<\/a>
Anamnesis City Spa Hotel Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If anyone can explain to me why showers in Europe seem to be designed by someone who has never taken a shower in their lives, I’ll be able to sleep much better at night!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leaky showers notwithstanding, the whole hotel felt fresh and seemed to be well-maintained.  There was a very nice, though not huge swimming pool to the side of the reception area.  The only downside to the pool was that it was along the front of the hotel, which sits on a relatively busy road, so you do hear some traffic and noise coming from the road, but there is a ~6 foot wall to keep the pool a bit more private.  The wall does help block out some of the noise, and we still found the pool area to be a relaxing place to sit with a glass of wine before dinner.<\/p>\n

\"Anamnesis<\/a>
Anamnesis City Spa Hotel Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Anamnesis City Spa Hotel offers complimentary breakfast, which wasn’t as elaborate as our breakfast at Hotel Amalia in Athens<\/a>, but was still plenty sufficient, with meats, cheeses, hard boiled eggs, pastries, fruit, juice, and coffee.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Anamnesis<\/a>
Anamnesis City Spa Hotel Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Anamnesis<\/a>
Anamnesis City Spa Hotel Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Anamnesis<\/a>
Anamnesis City Spa Hotel Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After breakfast, we headed into the main town of Fira to explore.  There are lots of true luxury hotels directly in Fira town, with stunning views, and equally stunning prices.  The walk from Anamnesis Spa into town was easy, only taking about 7 minutes.  As I mentioned, the hotel does sit on a semi-busy road, but we had no issues with walking south along that road for a few hundred feet before turning west and heading 3-4 blocks into town.  For the price we paid (about $130 per night including tax), the hotel was a perfect balance of price, luxury, and location.  While it wasn’t a 5* hotel, it was exceptionally clean and well-kept; for a hotel as nice as Anamnesis Spa directly in Fira town (especially since we visited in August, still in the busy summer season), you’d easily pay 3 to 4 times the price for a room.  It’s also worth noting that some of the lesser-expensive hotels directly in Fira town don’t even have air conditioning, so make sure to read the room descriptions carefully!<\/p>\n

\"Fira<\/a>
Fira Town, Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Fira<\/a>
Fira Town, Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The streets of Fira town are very quaint, with lots of shops and restaurants.  Winding aimlessly through the town is half the fun, although it’s very hilly as you make your way up to the top, where you’re reward with absolutely breathtaking views.  The island’s is in the shape of a crescent moon, which is the result of an enormous volcanic eruoption about 3,600 years ago.  The island was previously circular, but after the eruption, a significant portion of the island fell underwater, creating a central crater, or caldera.  The cliffs looking down into this lagoon are almost 1,000 ft high, creating the stunning scenery.<\/p>\n

\"Fira<\/a>
Fira Town, Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Fira<\/a>
Fira Town, Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Fira<\/a>
Fira Town, Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Fira<\/a>
Fira Town, Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Fira<\/a>
Fira Town, Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As we wandered through town, we saw the Orthodox Cathedral:<\/p>\n

\"Orthodox<\/a>
Orthodox Cathedral, Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Orthodox<\/a>
Orthodox Cathedral, Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Orthodox<\/a>
Orthodox Cathedral, Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We had lunch at a restaurant called V Lounge Cafe & Cocktail Bar<\/a>, which is prominently located in the middle of town, and boasts incredible views with a nice breeze.<\/p>\n

\"V<\/a>
View from V Lounge Cafe & Cocktail Bar, Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"V<\/a>
V Lounge Cafe & Cocktail Bar, Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"V<\/a>
V Lounge Cafe & Cocktail Bar, Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lunch prices were very reasonable (I think it was €12 for a chicken sandwich), especially considering the location and the view.  Drinks were a bit on the pricey side, but again, you’re paying for the view.  I’d definitely recommend V Lounge Cafe for a good lunch – the food isn’t necessarily elaborate, but it was tasty and the location can’t be beat.<\/p>\n

After lunch, we wandered through the town streets a bit more, happily getting lost in the windy paths (you can’t really get too lost, but if you spot a particular sight that looks to only be a few hundred yards away, you may find yourself winding down a dozen “streets,” and up and down dozens of stairs before reaching your destination).<\/p>\n

We enjoyed getting a bit outside of the busier center of town, and walking along quiet streets, taking in all the amazing architecture and history.<\/p>\n

\"Fira<\/a>
Fira Town, Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Fira<\/a>
Fira Town, Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Fira<\/a>
Fira Town, Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Fira<\/a>
Fira Town, Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After spending the day exploring Fira town, we headed back to the hotel to freshen up for dinner.  We had reservations at Floga<\/a>, which is located in a town called Oia (pronounced EE-ah<\/em>), reputed to be one of the top restaurants on the island of Santorini.  Oia is well known for its spectacular sunsets, and is about a 25 minute drive from Fira.<\/p>\n

\"View<\/a>
View of Fira Town from Oia, Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"View<\/a>
View from Oia, Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Oia<\/a>
Oia Town, Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Oia<\/a>
Oia Town, Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Oia<\/a>
Oia Town, Santorini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In short, Floga<\/a> did not disappoint, and was easily one of the best meals we’ve ever had, especially factoring in the view.  We shared two appetizers: the Shrimp Caldera, as well as the Stuffed Calamari, which were both out of this world.<\/p>\n

\"Floga<\/a>
Floga Santorini – Shrimp Caldera and Stuffed Calamari<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Floga<\/a>
Floga Santorini – Shrimp Caldera and Stuffed Calamari<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We also split an entree of Spaghetti with Shrimp, Peppers, Cherry Tomatoes, Feta and Basil, which was also excellent.<\/p>\n

\"Floga<\/a>
Floga Santorini – Shrimp with Spaghetti<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Overall, I think this meal was the best of the trip, although the next day’s dinner onboard a catamaran in the Aegean Sea was equally as unforgettable!  Stay tuned for that incredible experience!<\/p>\n\n