Difference between revisions of "Ia"

Revision as of 14:28, 29 September 2005

The famous sunset at Ia

View from Ia onto Caldera

Ia (or Oia) is the one of the towns on Santorini island in Greece.

Understand

Ia is a picturesque town beloved by artists and the tourists alike. Being a destination for all those cruise ship passengers the town so is very busy in the afternoons. It is far better to arrive in the early evening, allowing plenty of time to meander, shop and take photographs, then have a relaxing meal in a Caldera restaurant while watching one of the most beautiful sunsets.

Get in

Easily reachable by bus from the central bus station in Thira. The road to Ia is not for the faint hearted! The driver seems to derive great pleasure from scaring the living daylights out of his passengers and a word of warning about the conductor... always have the correct fare or be prepared to face his wrath!

Taxi from port in Thira costs around €20 per group; €25 if you don't want driver to seat people from other groups.

Get around

By foot

Most part of the village is reachable by-foot only. Even garbage is taken away by donkeys.

Car rental

• Drossos: one of the largest selections of cars on the island (esp. cabrios); Russian-speaking owner Zurab.

• Auto Europe is not flexible enough to rent a car for extra half a day (at least, it wasn't in Oct 2001)--always operates with full days, despite low season.

Eat

• Slow Food. Open 18-23. http://www.oia-1800.com
• Lotza

Sleep

• Fanari Villas: fanarivillas.gr, fanarivillas.com; fanari@otenet.gr. Phones: +30 2286 071007 / 071008 / 071147 / 071321. Fax: 071235. Recommended by Dorling Kindesley's Eyewitness Travel Guides: Greek Islands, 2001. Owners: Alexandra Darzentas and Manolis Darzentas. About a dozen villas/suites styled as traditional cavehouses. One of the choice places for celebrating a wedding, alone or with few friends. From 2001 to 2005: expanded in number of rooms and space in them; prices doubled; level of service improved slightly.

• Delfini Villas: delfinivillas.com
• Perivolas Traditional Houses
• Konaki Traditional Guest Houses

External links