Tag: cyclades

Some ideas for your next Santorini sailing trip

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Some ideas for your next Santorini sailing trip

 

Santorini is a beautiful small island with some of the best views into the Aegean Sea. But usually after you have been here a while, you start craving a different adventure. Then you know it is time to set sails and head into the sea and look at all this beauty from the water!

This time I’ll share some ideas on sailing trips around here. What goes on on these? What can you possibly do on a boat all day??? No worries, I got the answers, or at least some of them.

The first thing you need to decide is how long do you want the trip to be. Usually there are two options – you can either spend an entire day on the boat, which would mean a tour around the island and then some leisure time with swimming etc. or you can go with half a day and do mostly touring.

After that, you need to settle on the type of sailing trip you’re looking for. Around Santorini there are actually many options, some of the best include:

  1. sunset sailing
  2. volcano sailing
  3. fishing sailing
  4. sailing trip along with traditional Greek foods

So when you know the answer to these two questions, you can start contacting some of the companies offering trips. Be wise and call a couple before settling for one – sometimes the prices and the types of tours differ greatly. Of course, reading some online reviews from previous sailors does not hurt.

This should set you on your way to having the best time on the waters of the Aegean Sea. Let me know how your trip went and see you back on land!

 

Professional honeymoon photographer Anna Sulte

The search for the perfect hidden Santorini beach

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The search for the perfect hidden Santorini beach

 

Greece – the place of perfect azure beaches all over. Not to mention the Greek islands that have some of the best hidden gems in the beach game. And I might even add that Santorini is definitely among the best among them. This little island is the perfect getaway for lovers that want to enjoy lazy beach days and each others company.

And what better place for you both than a hidden beach somewhere off the big crowds? Today I’m going to share some of them ;)

 

Theros beach

This one’s closer to the South of the island and has its own wine bar as well. A nice small beach with impressive cliffs. This is the place to go for a lazy day – since it is quite small, there won’t be big crowds of people and because of the cliffs you feel like your enclosed in your own small world.

 

Yalos beach

A small beach with dark volcanic sand. If you haven’t been in a black beach before, this will be a unique experience for you. The azure water is a nice contrast to the dark sand and gives a whole new understanding of the various beaches here. Also there’s a great beach restaurant waiting to fulfill all your needs.

 

Pori beach

This one is nearly a lagoon, so it’s a bit more shallow and really accents the nice color of the water of the Aegean Sea. If you’re after that white sand and azure waters, this is the place for you. No cliffs in sight, so maybe not the best for more windy days. Otherwise, a nice beach for escaping the crowds :)

 

Of course, there’s plenty more beaches to be discovered in Santorini! Use these as your starting point – they’re nice and more quiet, also very different from each other. Going to a beach in Santorini is a whole adventure, they come in all shapes and sizes. Enjoy the summer and sea you there!

Photo by Anna Sulte santorini honeymoon photographer

Adventurous couple photoshoot in Santorini

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Adventurous couple photoshoot in Santorini

 

Chris and Julia came all the way from Atlanta, Georgia to enjoy some of the special Santorini sun. I was honored to find out that they themselves know a thing or two (and more ;) ) about cameras.

That being said, they trusted me completely as we set to climb all things climbable and went off to some of the smaller intimate Santorini streets in search for the golden shot. Now I can honestly admit that I’m a bit afraid of heights but their enthusiasm kept me going :) As I sit and review the shots and how lovely they look, I can’t help to think that it was totally worth it. I mean, look at this lovely couple!

 March 2018

Santorini honeymoon photographer Anna Sulte

 

 

Dreamy sunrise couple photo session

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Dreamy sunrise couple photo session

Jetlag has its pluses sometimes. I met this lovely couple even before sunrise. As we walked the empty streets of the busy tourist season Santorini waiting for the magical morning light, I felt that this is going to be a special one.

No daytime heat, no curious bystanders, just the couple. Sadaf and Saad could let go and be themselves and I think it really comes through in the final pictures. I hope their sweet tenderness towards each other comes through at least the slightest bit, they truly have a magical presence.

Hope to see them soon again!

Photo shoot with Anna Sulte

Flying to Santorini direct or through Athens – pros and cons

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Flying to Santorini direct or through Athens – pros and cons

 

The Santorini adventure begins even before you step on the island. Getting here is a quest, especially if you come from outside Europe – embrace the adventure and soak in the most of it! You read the title, today we’ll look at some basic pros and cons for choosing whether to fly directly to Santorini or to the capital Athens first. I’m by no means an expert, but here’s some of my own thoughts sprinkled with some things I’ve heard from the couples I’ve photographed over the years.

 

Direct flight to Santorini

  • Many times these end up costing more money, the companies know that Santorini is a hot destination so they adjust their airfare accordingly.
  • Flying direct you obviously save some time spent in the airports
  • These days airport worker strikes might occur – these people are fighting for better payment terms and that’s fine but you might get caught in the middle. So if you choose to fly direct, you minimise the chance of being stuck in an airport.
  • The island weather is a bit unpredictable, so you might have a bit of a rough flight if you come from overseas and the landing can’t be scheduled for a later time. Nothing serious, but if you’re not too comfortable with some turbulence, Athens will probably be more smooth sailing.

 

Flight through Athens

  • Well, you get to see Athens! That is, if you plan it right. I would recommend staying there for a day or two, best at the end of your travel – it’s a vibrant city with rich history and you can only gain more from your travels.
  • If you end up doing it, it of course comes with some costs, generally short hotel stays will be more expensive than longer package deals.
  • If you go for a simple layover without staying, you might save some money on the airfare expenses.
  • As said before, you have a bit more risk to get stuck in the airport due to strikes. In this case you could choose ferry for alternative travel option.
  • There’s also a slight possibility that your luggage can be lost. On long overseas flights that happens more often. Nothing is lost at the end, but you might arrive to Santorini and have to wait for your bag to catch up :)

 

So here’s some things to consider. Of course, do your own research for precise dates before choosing, but these should serve as general pointers on what to look out for.

Santorini located photographer Anna Sulte

The ultimate Santorini Instagram spot list – the best places to level up your profile

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The ultimate Santorini Instagram spot list – the best places to level up your profile

 

This small island in the Aegean Sea could be the most Instagramable place on earth – there are small alleys, white church domes, cliffs and lots of other picturesque places and small details literally everywhere you go. But some places are true gems, and today you get the insider knowledge on where to head to take your Instagram game to the next level!

 

Red Beach

The Red Beach of Santorini is the perfect place for your laid back exploring shots while getting your tan on. This is a volcanic island and the red color of the sand is the proof for it – the red sand is literally formed from the elements remaining from the volcanic eruptions that formed the whole island, how cool is that!?

 

Oia Blue Domes and Oia crosses

The Oia church domes and the cross are among the most essential Santorini views. The traditional cathedral has nice views and the essential Santorini architecture look. The most daring even go up to the cross – be careful, this is more dangerous than it looks. The best time to arrive is early afternoon, when there’s not so many people around.

 

Oia Castle

This place is usually crowded in sunsets, and it’s for a good reason! The views from there are majestic. Here’s a pro Instagram tip – instead of lining up with hordes of tourists, get up nice and early and go for the sunrise, it’s even more beautiful!

 

Santorini Doors

Keep an eye out for the unique doors all over the island. It’s a great opportunity to frame portraits and get creative. The best thing is that there are hundreds of them and you can discover new ones every day! Watch these types of details and you’ll be amazed of the little things.

 

Other honorable mentions

There are many other really good Santorini Instagram spots, here’s a small rundown of the remaining essential ones: Amoudi Bay, Imerovigli steps and of course the wonderful small streets of Eborio or Pyrgos. These are some of the top places, but I encourage you to stay curious and look around everywhere you go in Santorini, there are hidden unknown gems everywhere – I live here and I never run out of things to photograph :)

 

Photos by Anna Sulte, photographer based in Santorini

CHECKLIST OF SOME STUFF TO REMEMBER BEFORE YOUR TRIP TO SANTORINI

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CHECKLIST OF SOME STUFF TO REMEMBER BEFORE YOUR
TRIP TO SANTORINI

 

It’s all about the journey, not the destination. That’s probably one of the least true quotes ever, at least in the era of plane travel it IS totally about the destination. The journey is just a huge mess of a million things to remember and some pitfalls to avoid to make sure you get to your destination with the least amount of stress and effort possible.

Well, today is your lucky day, because I might help your life become just a tiny bit less stressful with this simple checklist of some things to remember when setting out for travelling to Greece, Santorini. This will be especially useful for all you guys taking those long international flights (i.e. enjoying the journey the most I guess :) ).

 

All things aside, here’s a simple list of some stuff. Feel free to print and checkmark. Remember your:

  • Passport
  • International drivers license
  • Credit card with no international fees
  • Call and notify credit card company and bank of travel
  • Download viber (or any other international communication app)
  • Update music on phone or MP3 player (yeah, the no-internet life is still a reality in some places)
  • Scan, print and add to iBooks app (great to avoid losing your ID info if the physical documents are lost or forgotten):
    • Passport
    • Divers license
    • Detailed itinerary
    • Maps
    • Hotel information – addresses and phone numbers
    • Ferry information – boat names, reservation numbers, times and gate numbers
  • Be sure to download all flight company apps and save your tickets there digitally, for a super safe option you can also print them.

This should cover most of the bases for you. Also, if you’re from outside EU, you’ll probably thank yourself for bringing some nice sleeping gear – get one of those neck pillows, they save lives! Also, forget your high fashion, do the flight in sweatpants or even pijamas for super extra comfort.

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Some of the best brunch spots in Santorini

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Some of the best brunch spots in Santorini

 

Brunch – the ultimate holiday meal. Choosing the right place for this is a big deal. So here’s a fast rundown of some of the best places you might consider when looking for a relaxed brunch in Santorini!

 

Terra Nera

Agios Georgios, Perivolos 84703, Greece

Coffee and grill house – what could be more suitable for a filling brunch!? Combined with the Aegean sea side this is for sure one of the top places to head!

 

Cafe Galini

Hotel Galini, Firostefani 84700, Greece

Nice minimalistic Greek interior,  bright and cozy – try the pancakes, they’re awesome! And of course, beautiful views for dessert!

 

FlyAway Creative Restaurant &Bar

Eparchiaki Odos Firon – Ias | West East Suites, Imerovigli 84700, Greece

Creatively served excellent food with the backdrop of an amazing view on a glass terrace with infinity pools. Very dreamy if you manage to get a table outside and the weather is in your favour.

 

Kantouni Traditional delicacies

Central Square, Pyrgos 847 00, Greece

More down to earth and serving mostly very traditional simple Greek food – but it’s finger licking good! Also a good place if you’re looking to save some money but still get a great meal.

 

JuiceMe

Leoforos Megalou Alexandrou, Kamari 847 00, Greece

Lot’s of healthy and fresh foods – juices, salads etc. People say this is still one of the best spots to go for dessert :)

 

Some other spots that won’t disappoint

Google these if you’re looking for more options – Santa Irini Bakery in Perissa, Pelican Kipos in Fira, Brusco Wine Coffee Deli  in Pyrgos, ”Chocolat” Creperie – Pasteria – Cafe  in Perissa

Hope this gives you some ideas for your next great meal. Who knows, maybe we meet there! :)

 

Santorini photographer Anna Sulte

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Add some spice to your Santorini travel – join a Greek cooking class!

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Add some spice to your Santorini travel – join a Greek cooking class!

 

Travel is the best way to have new experiences. And that does not end with seeing some cool places or enjoying the warm breeze of Aegean Sea winds and the touch of the Santorini sun. For many of us, food is a very special part of the travel experience. So today I will share some of the essential info on taking Greek cooking classes right here on the Santorini island!

 

Good things come in pairs

This is true for cooking classes as well. More often than not they’re combined with a wine tour in some of the local Greek wineries. Prepare to blast your tastebuds with some of the greatest wine before heading to the kitchen.

 

Where to look for classes

Well, online of course :) But I  can say that the best ones are usually hosted by restaurants. Try to stay clear of some tour operators. As an example, the restaurant Selene is a solid choice, they have been in the business for more than 30 years and they know what they’re doing.

 

What kind of foods to expect

This of course depends on the people organising the class as well as the ones attending. I would suggest really trying to find out beforehand. More often than not they try to stick to classic Greek cuisine like fava, soutzoukakia, tzatziki etc. but do ask beforehand to avoid surprises. Occasionally there are modern Greek fusion classes which might not be what you’re interested in.

 

If you follow this you will have a great time, no doubt. Of course it’s not rocket science, but you just have to make sure to check some things. Bon apetit!

Santorini photographer Anna Sulte

 

 

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Double photo shoot in Santorini

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Double photo date in Santorini

 

I feel like every time I meet these couples I learn something new. :) This time it was a double date of two best friends – Jennifer and Nina – and their husbands – Michael and Khalil. This whole Santorini photo shoot trip was in great part because Jennifer wanted some photos with her best friend and husband :) And it’s really an honor that they chose me as their photographer.

I hope the images convey at least a part of the huge amounts of love and joy in the air that day. I can honestly say I had a blast.

All the best and hope to see you for some other birthday shoot in future! :)

Best friends photo session in Santorini by photographer Anna Sulte

Go on a Santorini island expedition – visit Thirasia

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Go on a Santorini island expedition – visit Thirasia

Thirasia is one of the islands that lies close to Santorini. For travellers this means that you can pack much more in your Greece trip! Although the Greek island of all lovers and cute architecture is still Santorini, this smaller island definitely has its own unique things to offer. Today I’ll share some insider tips on how to organize your mini island expedition there.

Thirasia is relatively close to Santorini, the only way to reach it is by boat. Depending on the spot you would like to get off it should take you around 10-20 minutes to reach it. Sounds not so tough, right?  It’s a pretty bumpy ride.

To get there, you can either use the offers from tourism companies or pay 1 EUR if you go with the boat from Amoudi Bay (right next to Oia village).

Now, the point you get off in Thirasia will define your experience on the island. Here’s some options:

Riva: Has a beach from which you can see Oia and a small restaurant. Good spot for swimming and sunbathing.

Korfos: View of Santorini Island, volcano and the unique rocks of Thirasia. You will be able to take a quick swim, but keep in mind that the beach is quite rocky. Still, this place has several restaurants and cafes. Also keep in mind that you will have to do a small climb up a hill to reach the town – you can also rent a donkey.

And there you have it, the secret formula for a day on the neighbouring island, let me know how your trip turned out!

Photo of Amoudi bay, from my phone :)

Anna Sulte Santorini based photohrapher

 

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INTIMATE PROPOSAL MOMENTS IN IMEROVIGLI

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INTIMATE PROPOSAL MOMENTS IN IMEROVIGLI

Every once in a while I get to be a part of a special secret mission, which ends in lots of smiles and tears of joy after the magical “yes”. I must say that proposals and capturing them hold a special place in my portfolio. This time I helped out Sean and the unsuspecting Krystyne.

We discussed our plan with Sean and he chose to kneel in the village of Imerovigli, where there’s less crowds and more intimacy. The action plan was the following – Sean was to invite her to a restaurant in Imerovigli and suggest taking the stairs down to the agreed place (Sean did a good job convincing Krystyne who did not want to take the stairs). Meanwhile I was pretending to be just a tourist passing by… they enjoyed the view, had a brief conversation and IT HAPPENED. As he kneeled I captured these fleeting intimate moments between them.

We followed these magic moments with a wonderful photo session as the sun was setting.

Thank you for letting me play a small role in your journey and capture a part of it!

Find other Santorini proposals here

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SOME FAMOUS FILMS THAT SHOW OFF THE BEAUTY OF THE ISLAND

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YOU MIGHT HAVE ALREADY GOT A
SNEEK PEEK AT SANTORINI – SOME FAMOUS FILMS THAT
SHOW OFF THE BEAUTY OF THE ISLAND

            Have I already told you that Santorini is a fantastic place? Many film directors seem to think the same – that is why this small Greek island has already shown off some of its looks in a couple of films. Maybe you have already seen a part of this island and just have not noticed it? Or maybe you’re looking for the perfect film to get you into the sunny Greek mood before your trip? Take a look at this list!

Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003)

This is probably the most popular films in which you can see the classic Caldera and small Greek houses that are enjoyed by tourists and lovers alike. Have to say that the scene is rather brief, but memorable – it’s right at the beginning of the film, when a Greek wedding is interrupted by an earthquake (quite fitting, since the whole island was created by a massive volcano eruption and seismic activity thousands of years ago).

Summer Lovers (1982)

A bit old and unknown, but this shows off all the Greek island beauty. It’s a film about an American couple who meet a French woman on their tour to Greek islands and they develop a kind of love triangle relationship. For people who are looking for something romantic and hot for their holiday start.

The sisterhood of travelling pants (2005) and the sisterhood of Travelling Pants 2

A light and cheerful film about four best friends who each head out to different places on the globe and have a rather amusing plan of how to stay connected – sharing that perfect pair of yeans that fit each of them ideally. Choose this if you’re not looking for something too serious, maybe with a glass of Greek wine.

This should get you ready for your trip. Athough no film can capture the beauty of the place you see in person, but they’re a good start to get into the right travel mood.

santorini-photographer-anna-sulte

Vacation photographer Anna Sulte 2016

SANTORINI WATER SPORTS – HAVE THE MOST FROM YOUR STAY HERE!

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SANTORINI WATER SPORTS – HAVE THE MOST FROM YOUR STAY HERE!

            Santorini is one of the hundreds of Greek islands and yet it is special – the island was born during a massive volcanic eruption when tons of molten lava were hardened by the water of the sea.

            This makes Santorini one of the unique inhabited volcanic islands in the world. Not only that, it’s gorgeous! And it’s not just my opinion – ask any of the thousands of lovers who have met each other here or had their wedding or honeymoon around these parts where each sunset a real spectacle. The island has loads of things to do, including many water sports activities!

            Many couples and tourists overlook this, but riding a yet ski, waterskiing, wakeboarding, Sailing, Stand Up Paddle Source or even trying out the new crazy contraption called ‘’flyboard’’ which lets you fly in the air by using a burst of water might be the right thing for you, if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush! It’s definitely worth having a look around, many companies offer you to have a good time on the waters surrounding the island. Most water sports in Santorini are found in the two main beach resorts on the island, Kamari and Perissa.

Here are few links which you could check for more information on water sports in Santorini
Wave Sports in Santorini – http://wavesports.gr/
Crazy Sports water sports Santorini – http://www.santoriniwatersports.com/
Extreme water sports – http://extreme-watersports.gr/
Sea Kayak –  http://www.santoriniseakayak.com/

If you are interested to find more tips about traveling and exploring Santorini, please check my previous blog posts here-
 https://santorinivacationphotography.com/category/tips/

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BAUTIFUL LITTLE BROTHER OF FIRA – THE FIROSTEFANI VILLAGE OF SANTORINI

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BAUTIFUL LITTLE BROTHER OF FIRA – THE FIROSTEFANI VILLAGE OF SANTORINI

                If you are looking for a smaller village to stay in Santorini, you are in luck – Firostefani might be just what you need! This little gem lies to the North of Fira and it in many ways has a lot of similarities to it, only it comes in a smaller package.

                You might be dreaming of the total seclusion on a small Greek island, but once you come to Santorini, you’ll soon find out that the bigger villages are bustling with life, especially during the tourism season. That’s why smaller village like Firostefani that lies right next to a bigger one (Fira) are a safe bet to combine the best of both worlds – it is small, yet it has lots of restaurants etc. and it even has the magnificent view of the volcano and caldera!

                There are still many hotels to choose from in Firostefani to suit everyone’s needs. The village itself has its own charm of a smaller place in which time has a different flow than in the more bustling villages.

                Firostefani is the place if you’re looking for the views and comfort and yet want a more relaxed and calm holiday stay. Of course, the island of Santorini is small – if you want to go clubbing in the bigger villages all of a sudden, it is not a problem to get a taxi and ride there in no time!

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Santorini photography by Anna Sulte.
portrait/vacation photographer on Santorini.