We’re in a bar. A bar called Magic Bus. Laid back, hippy vibe on the
beach owned by tanned, tattooed, vest-wearing middle age ex-pats. Oscar, our four
year old boy, is banging a bongo with his plastic stick from his orange juice
while Jude, our six year old girl, is mid-show with her friend Amelia swirling
and dancing on the raised area of the bar to the sound of bongos and Phil
Collins on their playlist.
Two local women squeeze past Jude to get to the bar at the show’s most
crucial point knocking our girl off her stride and ‘totally ruining’ (her words)
the show. It was irretrievable. Jude lost it in a diva-esque hissy fit.
Meanwhile Lauren, Amelia’s four year old sister, wanted a piece of the action
on the bongos. Oscar wasn’t exactly open to this. We concluded that this was
the case as he used the plastic stick / drumstick to joust the bongo impostor.
In a flash we paid the bill, herd the feral gang up and quickly moved on.
To be fair it was the last day of our holiday in Santorini, Greece. The kids
had been staying up late-late most nights as a treat, culminating in the
wedding of two close friends two nights prior. It had all caught up with them
after the most incredible holiday on arguably the most stunning of Greek islands.
We were hesitant about Santorini as a destination. Initially down to cost, but
also the perception of the island as primarily targeted at couples and
honeymooners. Our phase of holidaying was still ‘if the kids are happy, we’re
happy’. However, there was no way
we were going to miss this wedding and built the trip around the event to see two close friends tie the knot in the
pinnacle of wedding destinations.
Safe to say we were pleasantly surprised. We stayed in a family-friendly beach
area located in the south-east of the island called Perissa. Here we booked to
stay at Hotel Aretousa - a family-run hotel who bent over backwards to make our
stay enjoyable. Yes, we were the only families staying here. And yes, we weren’t
exactly low-maintenance. But George, his wife, daughter and son - who each had
a role to play in the running of the hotel - made us feel very welcome and like
nothing was too much trouble.
Like the time we arrived late on arrival and George waited patiently to pick us
up. Like the time Oscar launched a strawberry yogurt off the first floor
balcony exploding on the floor. The time we needed picking up from the
wedding at midnight. And the time the kids bombed the pool at the
end where the model couples were sunbathing. But there was an understanding and this understanding was rewarded with a lot of love from the kids...and hugs. Big hugs.
A four minute walk to the beach, the sea was perfect temperature and intensity
for the kids to swim. The sand a strange small stone meant it didn’t stick to
you like the normal stuff. Although you did find it in strange places later in the day when
taking items of clothing off or showering. Much like the black rubber particles
you find on AstroTurf football pitches.
There were a stack of places to eat along the front. I was a big fan of the
food. From a pork gyros on the first night - essentially a high-end kebab with
chips wrapped in amongst the meat - to big plentiful salads, homemade moussaka,
tasty fish and seafood right through to bakeries selling an array of sweet and
savoury delights.
The lack of kids entertainment on the beachfront outside the sea was made up
for by a water park being a short walk away. We spent two full days here. The
kids absolutely loved it. We also did a day trip to Thira, the stunning main
town on the island crammed with bright white buildings chiselled into the cliff
face with iconic blue roofs the finishing touch on the picture-perfect back
drop.
Finally, the wedding. Santorini Gem is located on the outskirts of a small town
called Pyrgos. We were met on arrival by a simple four poster canopy on the
edge of a cliff overlooking the turquoise sea and famous volcano.
It really was magical. The highlight being the famous sunset all to ourselves, slurping fizz
with the couple’s sunset playlist the soundtrack to this amazing moment.
So, is Santorini for kids? No, not if you're used to child-focused entertainment everywhere you look on your summer holiday. Will your kids enjoy it? Well, pick Perissa and Hotel Aretousa and I'd say yes, there's a very good chance they will. Oh, and you'll enjoy it too.
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