Lauren Tabbron shares her favourite things to do in Manchester
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>When to go:
As with anything near the Mediterranean Sea, keep in mind the season when planning out a trip. You wouldn’t want to go in the middle of rainy season, and high summer might end up with you being just a little too toasty. I went in early April, but should have waited until mid or late April as it was just on the verge of getting to be beautiful weather. You want to go when you can most enjoy Santorini’s fine black sand beaches! Of course, going early April the island was not over packed with tourists at all, and we even enjoyed some beaches sans any other human… Talk about a relaxing vacation!
>Getting there:
The most difficult and expensive part of this romantic little island is getting there, but do not let this get you down! Planes do exist that fly directly from the UK to Santorini, but they usually aren’t in the price range of a student. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep your eye open for it: always search for such a deal, you just might stumble across a great one if you search hard enough. But for all those who aren’t quite so lucky, getting a cheap Ryan Air or Easy Jet to a major city nearby and then going via ferry is slightly more affordable. In this case, I would suggest Santorini to be just one on a list… Go island hopping! If you take the ferry all the way from Athens on the cheapest available ferry, as we did, you will be on that boat for 9 hours or more. You can break this up by stopping in other islands for half a day or so, and get a taste of a little more island culture!
>Where to Stay:
Santorini is known for being a honeymoon island, and it has a plethora of romantic places to stay. But for the cheap student, there are still places that hold quite the appeal: there are quite a few hostels to choose from. I found quite the gem, a little hostel called Katrina and John Hotel, which has rooms available for less than £6 a night! John will pick you up from the port himself, and he will be eager to practice his English with you. This little hotel has a bit more to provide for you: a relatively cheap internet café is conveniently located in the lobby, as well as the cheapest ATV and moped rental! We rented one ATV for 24 hours for €15, and one tank will get you anywhere you want to go and then some, and it was so much fun! Plus the hotel is conveniently located near a supermarket and laundrymat, although these are only open during peak tourist season, and a 24 hour bakery that provides an excellent, inexpensive breakfast.
>What to do:
If you want adventure and the ease of getting anywhere you want to on your own terms, rent a ATV. It’s pretty safe and easy to learn how to use, and everyone on the island will have one so you won’t be alone! It is extremely freeing to ride down the many little roads to find your own little paradise: every part of this island is full of stunning views, relaxing beaches, and the most unique architectural towns that you will not find in any other part of the world! Ask John or Katrina for a map and they’ll show you the places to go, and just go wherever the wind takes you! Fira is the main city, and it's definitely worth a day of exploration for great food, shopping, and some of the most picturesque views on the island. If you so desire, you can ride a donkey all the way up the volcanic basin that Fira is built on top of. There is so much to do, it's truly up to you what appeals to you most! We ended up spending the evening watching the sun set in Oìa, and you will understand why the buildings are all painted white - suddenly they become pink, orange and purple from the reflection of the setting sun! You can hike, ride, swim, and just explore all the natural beauties of this island, it is completely up to you, and it can be as relaxing as you want to make it!
>The Bottom Line:
Santorini is the place to fall in love, and no matter where you turn you will be in awe of the beautiful natural scenery and picturesque villages set on top of the volcanic ridge. It is completely and totally worth going, and if you plan it out well, it will not be as expensive as you thought. Truly, Santorini is how a vacation should feel like. Don’t be intimidated, and make this dream place become your reality in your next vacation getaway!
£6 a night?? was it a stable or something?
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