Before I begin, I want to once again thank former Orléans Star editor and current owner of the Ottawa Business Journal, Michael Curran, who told me about the VISA Aeroplan card two years ago and the fact that I could probably pay for our printing and distribution costs using the card.

In three words, it’s been a complete game changer. It’s allowed me to pursue my passion for traveling, while eliminating the cost of airplane tickets. And without it, I would not have been able to go to the Greek Islands at the end of last
month.

After going to the Tomorrowland music festival in Belgium, I decided that I wanted to go to either Spain and Portugal, or Greece. It was a last minute decision, but I chose Greece and thank goodness I did.

I spent the first day on Santorini and then three days each on Paros and Milos, and during those seven days I didn’t see a single cloud. Apparently it’s never cloudy in the Greek Islands from the third week of June until the end of August, but it can sometimes go on like that for much longer.

Since accommodations in Santorini are usually so expensive, my plan was to camp under the stars at the only campground on the island for the one night and then head to the island of Paros the next day.

I also thought it would be a good idea to walk from the airport to the campground – a distance of about 5.5 km with a 30 lb back-pack in 32 degree heat. I walked through what looked to be a drainage for about 30 minutes when I came upon the entrance to the Villa Manos Hotel pool area and bar.

About to suffer from heat stroke, I decided to go in and have a glass of very cold water and a Smirnoff Ice. The bartender who I will call “V’, because, for the life of me, I can’t remember his name. He was an older gentleman who was extremely sympathetic to my situation and even offered me a shot of ouzo.

He then suggested I should stay there the night and told me to talk to the woman at reception and tell her that he sent me to see her. Poppy is her name and she was absolutely fabulous. And, as it turns out, she was V’s wife. The couple are the proud owners of Villa Manos, and I highly recommend the place.

I’m not sure what the standard rate is for a room with three beds, but Poppy had a vacancy and generously gave it to for a little more than what I would have paid for the campsite. Also better than walking another 2.5 kilometres.

After resting by the pool for awhile and drinking another Smirnoff Ice. I decided to walk to Oia, which is the town everyone sees in those images of Santorini.

I probably should have checked Google maps before I started my journey. It turned out to be a three-hour hike across two mountains along the caldera – a distance of about 15 kilometres – but it was worth every step of the way because the views were phenomenal and I ended up making it to Oia just in time for the sunset.

And in case you are wondering, I did take a bus back.

In the morning, I took a two-hour ferry ride to Paros, where I rented a scooter for three days and stayed at a budget lodging on the other side of the island from where the main towns are – including Noussa which is another amazing place.

Renting the scooter allowed me to visit eight different beaches and view the sunset from St. Antonio’s Monastery atop the second highest hill in Paros. My favourite was a beach called Monastiri followed very closely by Faragas and Piso Livadi.

I spent every night in old quarter in Noussa by the water where the narrow, well lit cobblestone streets are filled with small shops and throngs of extremely well-dressed visitors.

Noussa also has an wonderful waterfront where you can eat literally with the water lapping at your feet. Mere words doesn’t do it justice, nor the rest of Paros.

I ended my trip to Greece by spending my last three days in Milos, which is home to some of the most unique beaches in the world. Sarakiniko Beach is perhaps the most famous and looks like a lunar landscape. It’s also where you can go cliff jumping into the crystal clear aquamarine water.

Other beaches of note are Tsigrado Beach, which you have to climb down a pair of wooden ladders using a rope to keep your balance; Agia Kiriaki Beach; and Agios Ioannis Beach which is one of the most serene beaches on the island – and for good reason.

In order to get there you have to take one of the most sketchiest roads I have ever been on through the mountains. I somehow made it on a 125cc Scooter which was bonkers. The road is a mixture of sand, lost dirty and rocks. By the time I got to the beach I could have used a really good chiropractor.

They don’t even advise you to go there in a four-cylinder car, because it’s too hard on the clutch and to replace a clutch in a rented car costs 800 euros.

Anyway, I made it, and I’m glad I did. More importantly, I made it back to the town of Plaka where I was staying at a place called Machi’s House, which as it turns out, is steps away from the best sunset location on the island, the shopping centre of the town and some really great restaurants where I met two other Greek friends, Kristos and Oddy.

All in all it was a magical seven days. I fact, I was brought to the edge of tearing up at least two or three times during my travels through Paros on my scooter just from the sheer beauty of what lay before. In all my years of traveling I have never felt like that before. I can hardly wait to go back.

You know, some bucket lists destinations never quite manage to live up to expectations while others vastly exceed them. The Greek Islands were just that place. Even looking at the pictures I took there, don’t quite do it justice which is why I have to go back to relieve the memories. I hope you can visit there some day too.

(If you wish to comment on this or any other View Point column please write to Fred Sherwin at fsherwin@orleansstar.ca)