OUR REVIEWS ARE MADE ON REAL EXPERIENCES
WE’VE ALL HEARD ABOUT GREECE AND ITS DOZENS OF ISLANDS. WHETHER FOR ANCIENT MYTHOLOGY, FOR FOOD OR FOR THE UNCONQUERABLE BEACHES AND CLIMATE. WE’VE ALL HEARD ABOUT SANTORINI, AT LEAST ONCE. THE POSTCARDS FULL OF COLOR AND A VERY DEEP BLUE SEA. FROM THE ENDLESS HONEYMOONS AND THE BEST SUNSET IN THE WORLD TO THE SMALL RESTAURANTS RISING FROM THE CLIFFS. WE VISITED SANTORINI AND WE TRIED TO FIND THE PERFECT PLACE THAT WOULD BE OUR NEST FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS TO DISCOVER A NEW ISLAND FULL OF DREAMS AND FANTASY UNDER THE STARS AND THE MOONLIGHT. WE DISCOVERED PERIVOLAS HOTEL. AN ESCAPE FROM THE WORLD, INTIMATE AND ROMANTIC WHERE ANY FLAME THAT WENT OUT WOULD LIGHT UP AGAIN EASILY.
words by PAULO MEIXEDO
Oia, Santorini – Greece GR 847 02 Tel: +30 22860 71308
www.perivolas.gr
October 2017, the plane flew over the Greek islands towards Santorini. The sky was clear and the sea calm. I could hardly wait to see the famous Vulcano from above and it took only a few more minutes before I began to see the ring that was drawn in the sea and the small white dots on the top of it. The Aegean Sea was extremely beautiful, painted with a blue that I have never seen before, of an emotional depth that leaves us speechless. The trip to the hotel took about 30 minutes from the airport, enough to start falling in love with the unique landscapes of this island. The browns were golden and the blues were deep in an island where the houses were born like mushrooms in the interior of a volcano. It was still early in the morning when we arrived at the hotel, and the sunlight did not touch the immaculate infinity pool. The color of the sky was reflected in the sea like a mirror where earth and sea kissed before sunrise. An almost disturbing but so desired silence accompanied us as we walked down the hotel between pink bougainvillaeas that were all over the place. We sat there admiring the beauty of the nature in its greatest splendor while we waited for our room. The view we had over the Aegean Sea and Oia was unique, and none of the words I can write can translate what we feel. As we entered the suite we realized it was the perfect place to disconnect from the world. There is no TV, there is no radio, there is no coffee machine. Just the two of us and a very comfortable bed. But do not be fooled, PERIVOLAS combines this simplicity with a unique luxury service hardly comparable. Originally designed as a family home, Perivolas still feels like a private residence where every house is different. The rooms resemble caves carved into the hillside, and we booked one of the largest main accommodations of the hotel, with a spacious terrace overlooking the Caldera.
We had the whole island to visit even though we wanted to spend the whole day contemplating the view of Santorini’s most incredible swimming pool. The lunch was served by the pool, with the best view of all. Fresh and original dishes delighted us and made that moment even more unique. We wanted to stay there for ever bathing our bodies in the sun, feeling the breeze and all the magic surrounding this place. After this incredible lunch by the pool we left the hotel, and in a few minutes we were already lost in the thousand and one streets and alleys that unfold through Oia. Finally I realize the romanticism of this island. There are no high walls, no barriers, no noise, but an extreme peace and a light breeze that touches our faces as we walk through the village. We quickly saw all the people heading to a specific spot on the island by the sea to watch the sunset. Everyone stood on the balconies, or on the walls, trying to find the best place to see that unique spectacle of nature. For some minutes the silence was immaculate, the world stopped. It was a beautiful moment that we repeated every day, saying goodbye to the Sun until the next day almost like a ritual. Our skin were golden, just like the whole island and everything the sun touched. The temperature dropped and we decided to walk back to our cave.
When we arrived we came across a magical setting, idyllic and drawing from a fairy tale. The whole island lit up in small bright spots. These lights from the houses looked like fireflies that had landed on the vulcano. An amazing moment that stays forever. Perivolas opened in 1983 with its 20 studios and suites, carved by nature with a distinct but simple character offering the best view on the island and the best experience as a visitor for the first, second or thousandth time. Here the sea touches the sky day and night and makes this place more magical than any other. I always wanted to see the center of the galaxy, but the luminous pollution never allowed it. One night we lie down to look at the stars and finally we saw just a small line of milky way. Here the stars shine brightly and make you dream even more. The morning after we woke to the sound of the birds on the roof of our cave calling us for breakfast. Delicacies, fresh yogurt, freshly made pies were served in a cave all open to the pool. The view was speechless and you can put the blame on me after two apple pies with cinnamon. The entire staff was very friendly and the smiles matched their words. The perfect place to stay, contemplate and feel the true essence of Santorini. You can feel that this space was made just for you and that it is dedicated only to you. Love is reborn from every corner, every sunset and we were filled with a huge will to love. We would like to stay here forever, but forever is a long time. Hapiness is a way of travel so do not miss Santorini and PERIVOLAS hotel.
[modula id=”7222″]
You must be logged in to post a comment.