Is anyone familiar with Reverie Traditional Apartments in Firostefani? I'm also looking at Sunset Hotel if anyone has comments comparing the two. Also, are their good opportunities for bicycle riding around Santorini, or parts of it, or is it really all too hilly? Would renting a scooter be an option? Thanks!
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3400 posts
Didn't stay at Sunset, but nearby ... a couple who was on the ferry with us, early may, had no reservations, but our hotel clerk sent them to Sunset (his sister ran the desk there). They were v. pleased ... I gather rooms not all that big, but they were out & about most of the time. PLUS, Sunset has a looovely rooftop terrace with comfy wicker loveseats with lovely views of the caldera and (of course) the Sunset. As thanks for our help in getting lodgings the couple has us there to share an excellent bottle of Santorini white ... I still recall the citrusy flavor. Afterwards, we walked just a few meters away to Il Cantuccio (Italian, but we'd been in Greece awhile, so it was a nice change). My fave restaurant in FIrostephani is the OLDEST continuously-operated taverna on the island (1947 I think) ... Aktaion... very close, and just 20 feet away from rimside path. GOOD traditional greek food, VERY good prices... stop by in afternoon to reserve one of its terrace tables for gazing=while-dining. I've stayed in Firostephani 3-4 times now, really like it for the quiet & convenience ... in 15 minutes you can walk to the Buzz, shops, etc of Fira Town (either on the Rim path or on a less-known flagstoned lane that parallels the main road)... but it's blessedly quiet, because tour busses & cruise crowds don't stop there. If u want to take a public bus to Oia, there's a stop right on the main road near the hotels, so u don't have to push thru the Fira town crowds to the main Bus Square.
Forget bike riding; the whole place is sort of a mountain on one side .. the other side is the (black pebble-grit) beach, but no fun biking there, and traffic makes it less safe. To rent a scooter I think u have to have some sort of license??? Anyway, on every trip to Santorini I see tourists in their 20s on crutches, with leg/arm casts; when queried, the answer is always "Scooter accident." Don't risk it. Walk & take bus when u can, then rent a car for a short period for any nonwalkable, nonbussable places.
Posted by
OP
Kansas City
132 posts
Well, that is a very good warning about scooters. Perhaps we'll just stick to buses and try not to plan much. Thank you for your suggestions. They are quite helpful.