Imaginary Travel Brief // GREECE
Let’s Explore Santorini, Greece
I’ve been a lot of places, but I haven’t been nearly everywhere yet, so I am so excited to share a guest writer with you today!Nicoletta (@onequartergreek) is here to sweep us away for an afternoon in Santorini, Greece with an Imaginary Travel Brief (previously). I’ve longed to visit the Greek Isles for many, many years and this has both stoked that fire in me and also offered me a lovely taste of what’s to come. (And thank you so much for sharing these beautiful images!) Take it away, Nicoletta!
Hi there!
Have you ever dreamt about moving to the place where you were on holiday?
I made it my reality.
Following my dream and roots, I moved to the island I now consider home, Santorini.
One of the most beautiful destinations in the world for many, to me is my little village, the chickens and the bells of the church on a Sunday. I don't know if it's the volcano's energy or the delicious wine and food, but I cannot be away from this small piece of land surrounded by the sea. I don't like to swim, I love reading, taking care of me, myself and I. Call me a selfish, yes I am but I am happy. I take photographs of empty chairs over sunsets, I love waking up early and writing. Living on an island means freedom, an opportunity to use my creativity and discover more and more, day by day, within the borders.
He is richest who is content with the least, for contentment is the wealth of nature.
- Socrates
EAT
Can you say Greek Salad?! Who doesn’t immediately think about this when seeing the blue of the Aegean Sea? We have a special version of it in Santorini with local products: organic tomatoes, red onions, katsouni (local sweet cucumber), capers and capers’ leaves (strange-sounding, I know, but they’re delicious!) and klorò (local cheese slightly different from feta, even better!)
DRINK
Ancient Greeks were addicted to wine, how could you blame them? And Santorini wines are so unique due to the volcanic soil of the island. My favorite are the whites (Assyrtiko and Aidani) and Vinsanto, a special sweet and silky dessert wine.
Greeks are probably addicted to coffee as well! There is no summer in Greece without a Freddo Espresso, iced coffee. The quirk of it is that it takes hours to drink it if you are Greek, if you’re Italian (like I am) you’ll surprise everyone drinking it in a couple of minutes.
If a man knows not to what port he sails, no wind is favorable
- Seneca the Younger
WEAR
Take inspiration from a Greek goddess and wear sandals. A light linen loose dress is what you need to feel comfortable and ready for the beach. It’s always recommended to have a swimsuit at hand.
A lightweight scarf can be your best friend, the island is windy, put it around your hair if you don’t want to end up with dreadlocks, or around wear it around your neck to feel glamorous.
LISTEN
Fancy a Greek swing sextet? Put on some Gadjo Dilo, grab a glass of wine and your afternoon will look brighter!
If you want to discover more about the life and culture of Greece you should listen to Rebetika. They were songs from the beginning of the tenth century written and originally played by people living a marginal and underworld life. Songs about dreams and love. Check out this called ‘Kane ipomoni’ which means ‘Be patient’, quite on point…
Get emotional and enjoy Maria Callas, the most famous opera singer, not a Greek sound but as international as only music can be.
I know you’re thinking ‘Where is my Sirtaki?’ It does not exist if not only in the famous movie ‘Zorba the Greek’! If you want to get the real thing, put on some Nisiotika and learn to dance like a local!
DO
One of the best summer traditions of Greece is open air cinema! If you ever happen to be in Athens you should not miss the romantic experience of watching a movie under the stars and the Acropolis! You have the stars, I bet you have a screen, leave on the side for now the Parthenon: catch on a vintage movie like ‘Boy on a dolphin adventure’ or an Oscar-winning ‘Mediterraneo’ and it will be a great night!
Greeks like to gather their friends and family around a table, possibly outside. Whether is a barbecue or a Sunday lunch, reunite your folks in the garden, put on some music and enjoy the simplicity of life: food, people and the sun.
A sunset in Santorini is on the bucket list of half of the world population. You can’t have the authentic one but try to enjoy what your place has to offer: the colors of the end of the day are stunning everywhere, grab a drink and go to your favourite spot to watch the sun going down. If you are an early riser like me, do the opposite but drop that beer and bring your own coffee!
It’s all Greek to me! Have a lovely afternoon and Καλό ταξίδι! (kalo taxidi/bon voyage!)
