We Visited Greece’s Most Stunning Island and Here’s What Happened!

We Visited Greece’s Most Stunning Island and Here’s What Happened!

[Music] hello friends and welcome to stunning Santorini Greece country number 41 on our journey to visit all 50 states and 50 countries from around the world today we’re stepping off the Ozamar pursuit and into a postcard iconic whitewashed houses sparkling beaches and those famous blue domed roofs that seem to melt right into the Aian Sea we’ve been dreaming about this shore excursion since we booked this cruise and with only two ships in port today we’re set up for a picture perfect day in paradise join Mrs karns and me as we wander hidden alleyways soak in breathtaking views and discover why Santorini talked so many travel bucket list let’s go explore this island gym together [Music] [Music] hello friends good morning we have awakened today to the site of Santorini Greece right up there um we had a little overnight ride from uh Bogram over to Greece we’re about to go get on the tender and take us ashore ride up the cable car think we’ve got a full day of touring and planning um to see everything there is to see in Santorini today this will be country number 41 for Mrs cars and me we’re very much looking forward to it and we’re very much appreciative for the fact that you’re tagging along to go with us today so thank you for tuning in to Mrs cars take a minute click that subscribe button if you would that would mean the world to both of us so thank you again for watching uh and let’s go see what Santorini looks like santorini or Thera as it’s officially known is a small but mighty gym in the Aian Sea covering just 28 square miles and home to a little over 15,000 people it’s famous for its dramatic caldera views stunning sunsets and timeless villages that just seem untouched by the rush of modern life volcano yaching company that catamaran is angelica that is just a little tour welcome to country number 41 welcome to the beautiful island of Santorini Greece our first choice after stepping off the tender was a classic one do we take the quick 5-minute cable car ride up the cliffside for €10 each or brave the traditional donkey taxi which costs the same but takes 25 to 30 minutes and comes with well a memorable smell after seeing and smelling the donkeys up close we happily opted for the smooth and scenic cable car ride [Music] hey within minutes we met up with our local guide and kicked off our Santorini adventure [Music] our first stop the charming village of Megalahora tucked away in the island’s southwest it’s one of the oldest villages in Santorini and wandering its narrow cobblestone streets feels like stepping back in time whitewashed houses blue dome churches and sunbleleached walls peek out at every corner and today it’s peaceful and wonderfully uncrowded megalora is also at the heart of Santorini’s famous wine country the island’s volcanic soil and powerful winds have shaped a unique way of growing grapes they’re trained into low basket-like coils called kuros this ancient method protects the vines from the fierce winds and hot sun producing the crisp mineralrich acetico wine that Santorini is known for we even saw how locals reuse old grape vines to decorate their homes a beautiful bit of island tradition can be for a pot can be for a black for a mirror for a light okay local are so proud of this uh wine production as we stroll through the village our guide shared a fun fact every door in Santorini must be unique by law no two doors can be exactly the same each is a colorful clue to who lives behind it it’s these little details that make every walk here feel like a treasure hunt the identity of the family outside by law you cannot have the same door twice oh wow in a village cool so if I want to change my door [Music] one of Megalahora’s most beloved landmarks is its traditional bell tower in the village square its whitewashed arches and classic celadic design are picture perfect of course we couldn’t resist snapping a few photos [Music] then our guide led us to a hidden gem we never expected a traditional underground cave home locally known as an Ipascafo these cave houses have been carved directly into the island’s volcanic rock for centuries naturally cool in summer and warm in winter the inside tour was a bit eerie but absolutely fascinating a glimpse of how people adapted to this rugged island life as everything start in Santorini but in summer when we are coming in is so cold so cool sure fantastic so a cave house is the best place you can live inside mostly for the pure poor community that was that didn’t have possibility of course to warm or to cool and look who’s come to visit electricity arrived in Santorini only 1958 in 2000 so if the local they haven’t sell the property from very poor they was they became billionaire oh bet that’s the reality of Santorini because everything changed only in the last 20 25 years so the gap is very short right according what it was carefully every Yeah [Music] and you see now because we are coming from the dog and of course no Santorini village is complete without its cats they’re loved by everyone here our guide even carried treats for them and they followed us like little furry tour companions [Music] next it was time for a change of scenery we made our way to Parisa Beach famous for its striking black volcanic sand and calm clear waters the dark sand deep blue sea and rugged cliffs around us created a view that almost didn’t feel real while we soaked it all in I even found a few smooth pummus stones to bring home as a little piece of Santorini from quiet villages frozen in time to stunning beaches shaped by ancient eruptions this island has a story around every corner and we’re just getting started from the black sands of Parisa Beach we made our way up to the highest point on Santorini the monastery of the prophet Elias it sits proudly on the summit of Mount Prophetus Elias 567 m above sea level and just a few kilometers from the village of Pyros the drive up winds through the mountains and every turn reveals a new breathtaking glimpse of the island below this monastery was founded all the way back in 1711 and has quietly watched over Santorini ever since over the centuries it’s been more than just a place of worship it served as a secret school during the Ottoman era and was even used as a lookout for pirate ships approaching the island shores today a small brotherhood of monks still lives here preserving an incredible collection of rare ecclesiastical treasures centuries old handwritten books and priceless Byzantine icons walking through the tiny chapel and the peaceful courtyards you can feel the weight of history in the stone walls and the gentle quiet that surrounds you every religious site we visit on our travels tugs at my heart and this one was no exception there’s something so moving about standing where countless others have come to find comfort hope and gratitude through the ages and the view oh yeah the view from this highest point you can see all of Santorini spread out below the sparkling sea clusters of whitewashed houses winding roads through vineyards and distant islands on the horizon it’s a place that invites you to pause breathe and just take it all in if you ever find yourself in Santorini don’t miss this peaceful treasure at the top of the world it’s a moment that I will never forget from out you can see the nine bells yeah I was going to say they have all the bells yes the biggest amount so the eight monks are living inside there they have here animal uh so they try to survive with what they grow with what they Okay so we’re at the highest point on the island in Santorini um at the monastery of St elisa and we’ve been walking around up here taking in the panic views on both sides you can see both directions off of the island and what it looks like as it goes back here and so it’s very beautiful very stunning up here of course we had to buy a book and a little house for Mrs k to support the works of the monastery as well as uh have a little reminder of what we’ve done today so um we’re getting a wonderful tour we’re at the top we’re going to work our way back down to the bottom we’re We’re going to EOS yes I think that’s how you say it our next stop was the famous village of Ia perched on the northwestern tip of Santorini it’s about a 12 km drive or roughly 7 and 1/2 miles from where we were and it only took about 15 minutes to get there by car the drive itself was a treat winding through tiny villages dotted with the whitewashed houses and blue domes you picture when you dream of Greece we even passed a few old stone windmills a reminder of the island’s past when windmills powered grain production for centuries [Music] ia is probably the most iconic spot on Santorini known around the world for its jaw-dropping sunsets postcard views of the caldera and the sparkling Aian sea stretching endlessly beyond [Music] and then you see Terasia our alligator our crocodile can you see the shape of a crocodile with the big eye and the mouth and the tail it is a small village manas the one that we have up there to the top [Music] even though we thought the narrow streets were quite crowded our guide told us that this was actually the quietest she’d seen them in a long time so we considered ourselves lucky the village still holds on to its traditional cyclic charm winding alleys tiny courtyards and beautiful churches with bell towers that chime softly in the breeze we wandered through it all soaking in the colors and textures at every turn of course we couldn’t resist stopping at those famous Instagram spots [Music] every corner of Ia seems designed for a perfect photo [Music] for centuries IA was a bustling maritime village home to ship captains and merchants whose beautiful mansions still stand today tucked behind the cave houses carved right into the caldera cliffs much of IA was rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1956 but its timeless beauty remains unchanged i’d always heard about IA’s charm and seeing the stunning pictures but standing there feeling the warm breeze off the sea and watching the sun play on those white rooftops is truly something you have to experience to believe it was such a fun day filled with so many highlights and moments that will stay with us forever ia is every bit as magical as they say [Music] there’s my wedding everywhere I go I see a wedding there she is in the wedding there they are [Music] we also popped into a local grocery store just to see what everyday life looks like here and how the prices compared to back home little moments like that are always fun for our travels american have some of the same things they call this yogurt yogurt says it’s authentic [Music] on our way back to Fierra we drove along the coastline and were treated to sweeping views of the sparkling ANC the kind of scenery that makes you fall in love with Santorini all over again we then made our way to the city center to visit the beautiful St john the Baptist Cathedral this Baroque style church painted in calming shades of blue gray and cream was built in 1823 and stands out as one of the most striking Catholic churches on the island i always love visiting beautiful churches and this was the second one today that touched my heart fierra the island’s bustling capital is perched right on the edge of the caldera cliffs and is full of life with whitewashed houses blue dome churches little shops and cozy cafes spilling out onto the winding streets and terraces with postcard perfect views this is where the locals and visitors mingle the most and every alley feels like it hides another secret spot to discover after saying a heartfelt goodbye to our wonderful guide we wandered through Fierra’s lively streets for some souvenir shopping picking up a few treasures to remember this special day after a full day of exploring villages beaches churches and hidden corners of Santorini it was time to head back to the ship our journey back included another scenic cable car ride down the cliffside where no surprise a few friendly cats were waiting to bid us farewell [Music] then came a peaceful tender ride back to the Ozamura pursuit with breathtaking views of our ship anchored in the heart of the caldera what an incredible day truly more than I ever hoped for visiting on a day without the big crowds made it feel so much more personal and magical thank you so much for watching and for joining us on this adventure through Santorini be sure to come back next week as we experience White Knight a fun party on deck under the stars in the middle of the caldera a first for me we know that we are living the good life and we hope that you are too yamas [Music]

🌅✨ A Perfect Day in Santorini, Greece | Azamara Pursuit Shore Excursion 🇬🇷🚢

Welcome to country number 41 on our journey to visit 50 countries and all 50 states! Today we’re exploring the world-famous island of Santorini, Greece — a place of whitewashed houses, blue-domed churches, stunning caldera views, and magical sunsets. Come along as Mrs. Karnes and Me step off the Azamara Pursuit and dive into one of the most iconic destinations in the Aegean Sea.

Our Santorini adventure begins with a scenic cable car ride up the cliffs (we skipped the donkey taxis for good reason!) and a guided tour through some of the island’s hidden gems:

🏘️ Megalochori Village — One of Santorini’s oldest villages, with cobblestone streets, quiet courtyards, traditional bell towers, and world-famous Assyrtiko wine vineyards grown in unique basket-shaped vines called kouloures.

⛪ Monastery of Prophet Elias — Sitting at Santorini’s highest point, this 18th-century monastery offers panoramic island views, rare Byzantine icons, and a peaceful retreat that touched our hearts.

📸 Oia Village — The picture-perfect postcard spot! We strolled through narrow alleys, admired ancient windmills, and hit all the famous Instagram photo spots. It was busy — but our guide assured us this was the quietest she’d seen it in years. Seeing Oia in person was every bit as dreamy as we’d imagined.

🏖️ Perissa Black Sand Beach — We dipped our toes in the calm, crystal-clear waters, soaked in the volcanic landscape, and even found a few pumice stones to bring home as souvenirs.

🏰 Fira Town — Back in Santorini’s lively capital, we browsed local shops, picked up souvenirs, and visited the beautiful Saint John the Baptist Cathedral, a stunning baroque church built in 1823 — our second inspiring church visit of the day!

🐈 Of course, no day in Greece is complete without a few friendly cats bidding us goodbye on our way back to the ship via the scenic cable car and tender ride. Watching our ship anchored inside the breathtaking caldera was the perfect ending to this unforgettable day.

👉 We couldn’t have asked for better weather, lighter crowds, or more beautiful memories. Santorini truly stole our hearts.

✨ Thank you for joining us on this adventure! Be sure to subscribe and come back next week as we dress in white and dance the night away at White Night, a magical deck party in the Santorini caldera — a first for me!

💙 We know we’re Living the GOOD Life, and we hope you are too. Yamas! 🇬🇷🥂

#Santorini #GreeceTravel #AzamaraPursuit #GreekIslands #SantoriniVlog #CruiseShoreExcursion #TravelVlog #Megalochori #OiaSantorini #FiraSantorini #BlackSandBeach #ProphetEliasMonastery #WhiteNight #MrsKarnesAndMe #LivingTheGoodLife #TravelGoals #BucketListTravel

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Hello friends, join us in stunning Santorini, Greece as we enjoy the iconic blue domes and whitewashed buildings. We share our personal experiences and travel tips Santorini while exploring this beautiful island. Don’t miss the breathtaking Santorini sunset views!

📌 Santorini Video Chapters:
00:00 — 00:47 Intro: Country #41 — Santorini, Greece!
00:47 — 02:40 Overview of the Day
02:40 – 03:50 Arriving in Santorini: Cable Cars vs Donkey Taxis
03:50 – 07:13 Exploring Megalochori Village: Timeless Charm & Famous Vineyards
07:13 – 07:31 Cats
07:31 – 08:09 Perissa Black Sand Beach: Relaxing on Volcanic Sands
08:09 – 10:56 Monastery of Prophet Elias: Highest Point on Santorini
10:56 — 11:29 Driving to Oia: Windmills & Whitewashed Villages
11:29 – 14:24 Oia Village: Iconic Views, Instagram Spots & Narrow Streets
14:24 – 14:41 Souvenir Shopping & Wandering Fira Town
14:41 — 15:48 Saint John the Baptist Cathedral: A Hidden Baroque Gem
15:48 — 16:40 Cable Car Down & Tender Ride: Cats & Caldera Views
16:40— 17:12 A Perfect Santorini Day: Reflections & What’s Next!