For the next stage of our trip we had the challenge of getting from Marmaris to Padua in Italy - not that easy if you are on a budget. Best option was to take the ferry back to Rhodes , spend a night there and then fly from Rhodes to Milan-Bergamo (budget airline airport). At first I was not impressed at having to spend a night in Rhodes - but it proved to be really amazing. The hotel was much better than expected , fantastically located and staff really great. ...

Something I forgot to mention ...the Meltemi was unrelenting for the 6 days we were in Santorini. Difficult to find a corner that was shaded from the wind.

Santorini is an island with many faces - yet the one that is most known, and where we spent most of our time is the romantic Oia. The most beautiful greek island photos come from this island. Another beautiful view around every corner ! We were lucky to be collected at the port by our guesthouse owner. It is such a narrow strip of land at the bottom of a huge cliff and total chaos with masses of people and cars - leaving and arriving ! We marvelled at our driver...

On arriving in Paros we got on the bus to Naoussa, as the bus terminus is right next to the ferry terminal. We asked to be dropped off at the Peperi Beach, which the bus driver kindly did ...and then we had no clue where to go. Luckily a friendly bookshop owner phoned Athina, our very friendly and helpful landlady, who came to collect us in her car. How nice - as it was quite a walk up the hill to the guesthouse. Lovely environment, with beautiful views and flowe...

Athens was our quick stop-over, to meet up with Ricki-Leigh and Dylan arriving via Istanbul on our way to the islands of Paros and Santorini. We only arrived at our hotel at 6am - after taking a bus from the airport and then the first metro (which we shared with a crowd of young people coming back from an evening out at the clubs and the first people going off to work). On arriving at our room in th guesthouse, we immidiately noticed the difference between Gree...