Day 12: Ios to Santorini

Our quad bikes were due back by 10:30 am, so I’d planned to meet up with Anya and Erin at the hire shop around 10:15. I packed up all my gear and checked out of the hotel, leaving my luggage at reception and asking about the bus schedule to the ferry port. The hotel owner kindly offered a free minibus transfer to the port for midday, which was a relief—I accepted gratefully, knowing I’d have plenty of time to get a ticket for the 13:05 ferry to Santorini.

After returning the quads, we strolled down to Far Out Village for a few last, lazy moments of sunbathing before my ride to the port. The girls were staying on for a bit longer, with plans to fly back to the U.S. the next day via Athens. We said our goodbyes at 11:30, and I walked back up to the hotel, where the minibus awaited.

Ticket in hand, I had about 45 minutes to kill before the ferry arrived. I found a cosy café just a short walk from the port where I could sit in the shade with a cold Mythos, watching the boats come and go. The ferry arrived fashionably late, but soon I was settled in my seat on the fast boat bound for Santorini.

It turned out to be the roughest ferry of my entire trip—a windy day stirred up the sea, creating a heavy swell that rocked the boat uncomfortably. I regretted skipping my travel sickness tablets, which had seemed unnecessary up until now. By the time we docked at Santorini’s Athinios port, I was queasy, and even disembarking was tricky with the ramp sliding across the concrete floor with each wave.

I’d originally planned to grab a taxi to my hotel, but, in a repeat of my Ios arrival, I spotted a local bus just after I stepped off the boat. I jumped at the chance to save myself the €20–30 taxi fare and paid just €4 for a ticket. The bus dropped me at the main station in Fira, only a short 10-minute walk from my hotel. The journey up from the port was a bit hair-raising, with narrow roads and tight switchbacks filled with the bustle of arriving passengers.

At last, I arrived at the El Greco Resort Hotel. Santorini isn’t cheap, and this was one of the priciest hotels of my trip—but it didn’t disappoint. My room was spacious, with a lovely small pool just outside my door, far quieter than the main pool area. The hotel is perfectly positioned just south of Fira with a clear view of the caldera and no other hotels to block it, making for incredible sunset views.

After a full day of travel on top of some energetic days in Ios, I decided to stay put and relax for the rest of the afternoon. I lounged by the pool for a while, then headed back to my room to freshen up. Instead of venturing into Fira, I opted for the hotel’s buffet dinner. It was a bit pricey at €20, but the food was excellent, and I definitely got my money’s worth. I wrapped up the evening with a good book and an early night in my cosy bed—ready to explore Santorini the next day!