A couple of years ago, I was flipping through a travel magazine when I stumbled upon pictures of pristine white buildings crowned with startling blue domes, set against an azure sky.

At first, I wondered if it was a painting. It looked too beautiful to be real—more like a work of art suspended somewhere between dream and imagination.

But if it was real, I needed to know: Where is this place?

Sure enough, the magazine revealed the location: Santorini. Oia, to be exact.

And just like that, a seed of wanderlust was planted.

Being a hodophile with an insatiable case of wanderlust, I immediately began planning my trip to Greece, with Oia on the must-visit list.

And let me tell you—it did not disappoint.

I decided to visit in April—my birth month. The weather was just right: warm but not scorching, and the crowds far thinner than during the peak summer season.

Because it was just before tourist season, I got a firsthand glimpse into why Santorini always looks so impossibly pristine in photos. Everywhere I went, hoteliers and homeowners were busy painting, whitewashing walls and steps, and polishing windows to perfection.

I stayed in a charming boutique Airbnb—Seven Suites—complete with a whirlpool and infinity pool just outside my bedroom.

Whether under a canopy of stars at night or in the quiet hush of dawn as sunlight pierced the horizon, I took advantage of the pool, gazing into the distance, lost in wonder.

My exploration began in the village of Imerovigli, where whitewashed homes cling dramatically to the edge of a 400-meter (1,312-foot) caldera on the western side of this semi-circular volcanic island.

From Imeroglivi I trekked to Fira (or Thira), the capital, winding my way through narrow, zigzagging footpaths, passing those iconic spots that many an ecstatic tourist, like myself, captured in photos and posted with hashtags galore.

But there was one photo I wanted above all else:

A flying dress photo.

Clad in a glamorous dress with a feather-light train made for the perfect windblown effect, I climbed stairs, scaled rooftops, and challenged my fear of heights in pursuit of the shot.

Every step upward came with a little self-talk:

“It’s okay.”

“You’re okay.”

“Don’t look down.”

“Think of how stunning these pictures will be!”

And somehow—miraculously—I made it to the rooftop and got a few shots I absolutely loved.

After conquering a rooftop, though, you just gotta get a blue dome shot:

With only three days on the island before my Greek Isles cruise began, I finally made my way to Oia—the place that had lived in my imagination for so long.

And she did not disappoint.

Oia, Santorini’s postcard-perfect village, is often considered the island’s most picturesque destination, known for its whitewashed beauty, iconic blue domes, and breathtaking sunsets.

The windmills.

The remains of an old Venetian castle.

The sweeping caldera views.

This is what wanderlust fulfilled looks like.

From the village, beginning near the Venetian castle, I trekked down nearly 300 steps—278 to be exact—to Ammoudi Bay.

I descended on foot, but you could rent donkeys. Already challenging my fear of heights by just looking down from the castle to the bay, I decided against going down on the back of an ass (pun intended).

Ammoudi Bay is stunning—a tiny cove with crystalline waters and fishing boats bobbing gently in the sea. Undeniably one of the most picturesque corners of Santorini.

Along the waterfront, fish taverns line the shore, offering fresh seafood and front-row seats to the rhythmic soundtrack of waves meeting the Aegean Sea.

And yes, I fully leaned into the experience at Sunset Ammoudi, a restaurant renowned for its exceptional seafood and unforgettable setting.

There may not be beaches at Ammoudi Bay, but that certainly did not stop me from getting into the water. Well… not fully.

At the very least, I had to dip my feet into the cool, crystal-clear waters of the Aegean Sea.

And of course, what’s a trip to Santorini without fully embracing those iconic white buildings and blue domes?

And last, but by no means least—Greek cuisine.

As someone who loves good food, Santorini fed both my appetite and my soul.

In a heartbeat!!

That is my resounding response to: Would you go back to Santorini?

2024 All Rights Reserved
All photos taken by me!

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In creative solidarity, Dee