A Lovers Nest-Blue White and Serene: SANTORINI-Greko!

Is your wedding day around the corner and do you long to share common dreams with your loved one? It’s time to enjoy the goodness of life much more, than simply holding hands and walking the paths of life together. It’s time to plan the trip of a lifetime; it’s time to get going!

The world is a beautiful place and there are some extremely unique, enticing and beautiful places in the world that you cannot resist heading off to, especially as you walk along for the first time as a newly married couple. When you think and talk of a honeymoon overseas, you might think of the conventional and common locations: London, Paris, New York, Venice, Thailand etc…but friends, if I am not wrong, there are nearly 191 countries in the world, and there are plenty more unique honeymoon spots unexplored and untouched that we are unaware of.

I worked on Cruise ships for many good years as a Photo Manager, managing the onboard cruise photography and videography business. I had many encounters with some amazing, breathtaking places in the world. My ship used to take me to some mesmerizing locations for free and yet, I was being paid for a job I loved doing. Whether the big Boat was to tender or dock at a port, the destinations waiting on the other side were simply breathtaking.

I can assure you that most of us miss the life that exists by the oceans, Bay’s, and high sea's on this planet. The run of the mill itineraries forces us into a world of commercial air travel, keeping us away from port side destinations. But Urban Melange is determined to introduce to you the unexplored and much-awaited destinations lying beside the enchanting Oceans on this timeless planet.

Though there is a huge list of the destinations, I plan to share with you and recommend you to travel, but in this feature, I am happy to share with you a destination, that tops my list. Read on, honeymooners, if you need to experience a wholesome and beautiful life, shut away from the world along with your beloved.

The magic of Santorini in Greece is unsurpassed and you may find the poet's description falling short of the real experience. Yes, we inspire you to think about your dreamy and cuddly trip with your lover to Santorini, the tiny Greek Island from the Cyclades, that lies in the heart of Aegean Sea. The first impression and view of this amazing place, is spectacularly awesome and you will feel as if the atmosphere been whitewashed with a rustic stroke of limestone white colour, and then layered with different shades of grey and royal blue.

The place infuses warmth and love because of its crowded Cubists houses with umbrella savvy balconies. Santorini is surrounded with steep colourful cliffs and in midst of these, spread out, are the glorious villages and fields. This truly romantic private abode provides umpteen opportunities for honeymooners who want to enjoy the beauty of life and nature in their private moments. The place is rustic, extremely scenic, serene and undoubtedly one of the most romantic places, I have ever been in my life.

Do you feel like some “nature” pampering? Then the peaceful Santorini is the place where you need to head to. The place is loaded with affordable restaurants, small taverns with local assortments and boutique hotels that are small, cozy, luxurious, tidy, tiny and creatively crafted.

Santorini is a haven and hugely popular for its beaches, volcano, and hot springs. Since Santorini is based on a hilltop, overlooking the Aegean Sea, the seaside view is a delight for the eyes, along with the breath-taking standing and active Volcano view. The area boasts of the floating volcano that is centrally located between the main city and the Cyclades Islands. Largely volcanic in Origin, Santorini consists of several islands, in a shape of Ring flooded in a Caldera. The picturesque archipelago of Santorini is the highlight of the South Aegean Volcanic Arc.

While cruising the Mediterranean, Santorini remains the star destination for all travelers, especially if you travel by a Cruise Ship. Cruise remains the most comfortable, affordable trip if you plan to tour the Mediterranean, and it is great value for your money.

Most of our cruises to Greece side and the Mediterranean are of 7 nights and they popularly include places like: Civitavecchia, Rome–Italy, Venice-Italy, Kusadasi-turkey, Istanbul-Turkey, Crete Greece, Rhodes, Greece, Santorini Greece, and Mykonos-Greece and then head back to Civitavecchia-Rome.

The one I talk about here is called the Greek Isles Cruise, generally done with popular cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian cruise line, Princess etc.. An average cruise price, if booked, a year or 2 in advance would come to 700- 1200 USD per person, inclusive of all meals, activities on board, cruise to port transfers, shows onboard and a lot more experiences from the scintillating ship life. In a peak season and random booking, the price in SUMMER would be between 1500-2500 USD, per person.

While travelling on a cruise to Santorini, there are two ways to reach the main town of Santorini. The first way is to go from the port side by indulging in a romantic 600 steps climb, and the 2^nd is to reach it by a hopping on a cable car. The first town you reach is Thira which is immensely popular. Thira is popular for its ancient churches, vibrant markets, nightlife and its breathtaking beach. In the summer, from May-July, it’s quite crowded, but still, it remains an awesome experience. I took the horse rides with my wife, and I was reminded of our childhood days when we visited the pious shrine of Vaishno Devi.

Topping the list for destination travellers, SANTORINI clubbed with Kusadasi and Istanbul in Turkey, will be an ideal itinerary for honeymooners aspiring to explore a private, ultra-modern, nature-rich avenue.

The currency:

US Dollar-Euro

How to reach Santorini:

· Ferries from Piraeus, Greece are daily available. Flights from Athens, the national capital of Greece is

· Cruises from Barcelona/Athens/Rome- daily cruises from April-October.

· Flights from Athens, Barcelona, Piraeus.

Places to be and things to do:

Thira (Fira) and Oia Towns, the Thira Beach, Longest duration, Sunset spots, diving into Caldera, Scuba diving, Snorkeling, dining at Ammoudi, visiting Akrotiri, a place with 30000 inhabitants- ancient, Santorini Wineries.

“Not to miss” Blue Dome Churches in Santorini: Agios Spyridonas and Anastaseos.

“Not to miss” taverns and restaurants: Kapari Wine Restaurant, Terra Nerra (good for sunbeds and affordable cuisines), Cava Alta, Sabbia Nerra Trattoria.

Indian food in Santorni: Jaipur Palace Santorini

Veg food in Santorni: Aigialos Hotel Restaurant