Monday 18 September 2023

Exploring the Enchanting Beauty of Santorini: A Journey from India


Santorini, with its picturesque landscapes and rich history, is a dream destination for travelers from all corners of the globe. If you're planning a trip to this Greek island paradise from India, you're in for a treat. In this blog post, we'll delve into the fascinating history of Santorini and explore the top things to do on this captivating island.

Santorini: A Glimpse into its History

Before embarking on your journey to Santorini, it's essential to understand the historical significance that shrouds this breathtaking island. Santorini, also known as Thira or Thera, is part of the Cyclades group of islands in the Aegean Sea. Its unique landscape and dramatic cliffs are the result of a volcanic eruption that occurred around 3,600 years ago, often referred to as the Minoan eruption.

  1. Ancient Akrotiri: Santorini's history is intertwined with the ancient city of Akrotiri, a Minoan settlement buried under volcanic ash during the catastrophic eruption. Often compared to Pompeii, Akrotiri provides a remarkable glimpse into ancient civilization. When visiting Santorini, exploring the Akrotiri Archaeological Site is like stepping back in time. You'll marvel at well-preserved frescoes, advanced urban planning, and the intriguing mysteries of a civilization lost to history.

  2. Sunsets in Oia: Santorini is renowned for its awe-inspiring sunsets, and Oia, a charming village perched on the northern tip of the island, offers the most iconic sunset views. Picture yourself gazing at the horizon as the sun dips below the deep blue waters, casting a warm, golden glow across the whitewashed buildings. Oia's narrow streets, lined with boutiques and cafes, make for a perfect evening stroll before the main event—the sunset.

  3. Relaxing on Red Beach: The Red Beach, or Kokkini Paralia, is one of Santorini's most famous natural wonders. This unique beach gets its name from the iron-rich red volcanic sands and cliffs that surround it. It's a fantastic spot to unwind, sunbathe, and soak in the striking contrast between the deep blue sea and the vivid red landscape.

  4. Wine Tasting in Santorini: Santorini's volcanic soil and unique grape varieties contribute to its renowned wine culture. Don't miss the opportunity to explore local wineries and savor the island's exquisite wines. The Assyrtiko grape, grown on the island, produces crisp and refreshing white wines that are a perfect match for the Mediterranean cuisine you'll indulge in.

  5. Exploring Fira and Firostefani: Fira, the capital of Santorini, and its neighbor Firostefani offer a bustling atmosphere with incredible views of the Caldera. These towns are filled with charming alleys, vibrant markets, and delicious restaurants. A leisurely walk along the cliffside promenade will take you past numerous bars and cafes where you can sip on a cocktail while overlooking the vastness of the Aegean Sea.

  6. Santorini's Unique Accommodations: Santorini boasts an array of unique accommodations carved into the cliffside, offering unparalleled views and experiences. From cave hotels to luxurious villas with private pools, your stay on the island can be as exceptional as the destination itself. The cliffside properties offer the perfect blend of modern luxury and traditional Cycladic architecture.

  7. Visiting the Santorini Volcano: To truly understand Santorini's volcanic origins, consider taking a boat tour to Nea Kameni, the island's active volcano. Hike to the volcanic craters and marvel at the lunar-like landscape. The experience of witnessing volcanic activity up close is nothing short of surreal.

  8. Beach Hopping: Apart from Red Beach, Santorini boasts several other beautiful beaches worth exploring. Kamari Beach, with its black sand, is a popular choice. Perissa and Perivolos beaches offer a lively beach scene with numerous beach bars and water sports activities.

  9. Santorini's Culinary Delights: Greek cuisine is renowned for its Mediterranean flavors, and Santorini is no exception. Savor mouthwatering dishes like moussaka, souvlaki, and fresh seafood in local tavernas. Don't forget to try traditional Santorinian dishes like tomatokeftedes (tomato fritters) and fava (a delicious puree made from yellow split peas).

  10. Santorini's Rich Cultural Heritage: Beyond its natural beauty, Santorini has a vibrant cultural scene. Consider visiting the Museum of Prehistoric Thira, which houses artifacts from Akrotiri, or attend a local festival or event to experience the island's unique traditions and celebrations.

Tips for Indian Travelers

Traveling from India to Santorini involves multiple flights and potentially layovers. Here are some tips to make your journey smoother:

  1. Visa Requirements: Ensure you have the necessary visas for Greece and any transit countries.

  2. Currency: The currency in Greece is the Euro (EUR). Exchange some Indian Rupees for Euros before your trip or withdraw cash from ATMs upon arrival.

  3. Weather: Check the weather in Santorini before packing. Summers are hot and dry, while winters are mild and rainy. Don't forget your sunscreen and a hat!

  4. Local Cuisine: If you have dietary restrictions, communicate them clearly at restaurants. Greek cuisine often includes dairy and meat, but vegetarian and vegan options are available.

  5. Language: While Greek is the official language, English is widely spoken in tourist areas, making communication relatively easy.

Santorini's allure lies in its unique blend of natural beauty, history, and culture. From its volcanic origins to its charming villages and stunning sunsets, this Greek island has something to captivate every traveler. When visiting from India, be sure to immerse yourself in the island's rich history, indulge in local cuisine, and relish the once-in-a-lifetime experiences Santorini has to offer. It's a journey that will leave you with cherished memories and a longing to return to this enchanting paradise in the Aegean Sea.

Wednesday 12 August 2015

I love you sister - Happy Rakhi!



My sister is great friends with me. She is pregnant now and we are very excited to welcome her twins into the world. I am a twin too and my sister is the younger one. We look nothing like each other but we do think alike. We live in the same city and spend a lot of time together. She lives about 30 kms away from me but the best part is that her office is very close to where I work. Whenever she any any issues at work she drops by at the end of the day to talk things out with me.

I haven't ever said this to her but as I write this blog I am constantly thinking how important those conversations are for me. My grandfather was very close to me and when he died I completely broke down. The only person who could understand my pain was my sister. It took me days to get over it and she helped me and heard me out very patiently. We were very young when that happened and I am not ashamed to say that I was very immature. I was extremely surprised to see that my sister who is just as old as I am mothered me and acted like she couldn't let anything happen to me.

Years have passed since that happened and now it is upon me to father my sister. She is is a very difficult phase in her life and when she comes to me with teary eyes a part of me dies. I want to do all I can to help her but let's face it, I am human. It isn't easy for me to hear what she has to say to me and not react. I then realise that she isn't looking for a reaction. She is just looking for a shoulder to cry on and I will be that shoulder.

My sister is a gem of a person and has always been nice to people and animals. I am very excited for Raksha Bandhan and I have a lot of presents that I have purchased for her and for her child. I have also thought for a lovely name for them - yes she is having twins too. I guess it runs in the family.

Rakhi is a very special time and I am very excited to spend the whole day with her...... I love you sister!

Image Credit: santabanta.com
Write up credit: Abhinav

Monday 29 September 2014

Nashta (Golf Course Road, Gurgaon) - 3.5/5 Stars

Nashta is a wonderful option for people in a hurry. I do not cook and I am always looking to have a nice breakfast before I leave for work. I read a couple of reviews of Nashta online and I knew I had found what I was looking for. Nashta is a wonderful option for people who love a nice hearty meal in the morning.
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The best part about Nashta is that the food at Nashta is very fresh. You can taste and tell that it has just been prepared. It is delivered piping hot to your door and it comes with freshly squeezed juices, freshly cut and baked potato wedges, etc.
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Since there were 6 of us, we ordered a variety of options and got to taste a lot of different things on the menu. The juice I liked the most was the "Berry Explosion", a very guilt free healthy start to my morning. The juice did not taste synthetic at all. It was all natural and fresh. I did not quite like the "Orange Juice" as it had some bits and a quite a strong zesty taste but the rest of the juices were great.
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The "Chicken Tikka Breakwich" was a meal in itself. The chicken tikka had been marinated in Indian spices, chillies and came with a coriander mayo dip. The sandwiches and wraps came with potato wedges and dips. It was a complete meal in itself and was packed perfectly. I read while I eat so my breakfast tends to get cold. I was very pleased to see that I could eat and then microwave my breakfast in the container they sent with it because it was microwave safe. They also sent some wooden cutlery.
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We also had a couple of "Premium Combos" that came with dessert, salad and a fruit bowl. The fruits were cut beautifully and consisted of melon, papaya, orange, etc. The salad had iceberg, sweet corn, cherry tomatoes and the dressing had been served separately. Overall, it was a nice satisfying meal, packed perfectly and priced reasonably.

Dont skip breakfast!
Mayank
(Delhi Food Club)
Contact: ms.mayank@gmail.com

Elf Cafe & Bar (Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi) - 4/5 Stars

Why is one compelled to visit a place? For me it usually is when I hear from a lot of friends that this place shouldn't be missed. Elf Cafe Lounge is all I heard from my group of foodie friends before I finally decided to visit the place in the lovely Hauz Khas Village. 
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As a lot of other people may tell you, Hauz Khas isn't as happening as it used to be, it could either be due to the controversy that caused some places to temporarily shut down. Whatever it was this place isn't the same. There was a time when it used to be bustling with hipsters regardless of the time of the week. Anyhow, Elf Cafe Lounge is certainly a rare gem in the lovely crown that is Hauz Khas Village. 
 
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This certainly is the most happening place at HKV, the place belongs to Dinesh Arora who is quite well known in the party scene of Delhi. You would know him from the newspapers! He runs other restaurants like Ivory and Wushu. This place is great for parties because it has private lounges and is at least 2000-3000 sq. feet in area. Its multi-cuisine menu consists of tandoori food, American, Spanish, Italian, etc. The restaurant does a good job with most of its dishes because it has well known chefs from around the globe. 
 
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Elf is a very welcoming and unpretentious place with some really good food, my recommendations are: Dahi Kebab, Chicken Tikka Pizza, Pasta and Brownie Sundae. We happened to try a lot of different things but these were surely my top favourites. 
 
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What I loved most was the music (sufi, soul, rock, you name it!) and the ambience. It is a perfect date kind of place. I would certainly pick Elf for a fun night out with my partner. I was informed by the server that the place also has an in-house bakery and they do personalised cakes for special occasions. I have only been to Elf once but I know where I'm gonna plan my partner's surprise birthday party.
 
Keep partying! 
Mayank
(Delhi Food Club)
Contact: ms.mayank@gmail.com

Sunday 28 September 2014

#MamaDrinkUp @Mamagoto, Khan Market - cocktails, snacks and alfresco dining!

#MamaDrinkUp was a fun filled event at the terrace of Mamagoto in Khan Market. We at the Delhi Food Club have always loved Mamagoto for its delicious Thai Green Curry, Honey Chicken and Crispy Chilly Potatoes but now with the introduction of interesting cocktails on their menu they have found yet another way to wow us.
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A very pleasant evening with great drinks and the company of some really good friends, - what can be better than that?
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The Mamagoto crew has certainly managed to create innovative concoctions that are not available elsewhere. Their in house spirit infusion include kaffir lime leaf infused in silver tequila, thyme infused with dry gin and so on.
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The resultant cocktails are crisper, finer and there isn’t any taste of factory made syrups and other artificial flavours. Nothing is too sweet or too sour, all balanced for the discerning palate.
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The restaurant's mixologists have balanced herb with fruit to master some stellar tastes with a rich mouth feel and unique after taste. Apart from this they have flavoured Margaritas, Daiquiris, and Mojitos. The Mojitos were our favourite and I would certainly recommend them to you!
Mayank
Contact: ms.mayank@gmail.com

Wednesday 18 June 2014

NYC Cafe - Radisson review

New York Cafe at Radisson Blu Plaza in Mahipalpur was the perfect lazy Sunday Brunch experience for me. The brunch starts at 12:30 pm and goes on until 3:00 pm, which is perfect for me and my friends because we love having a relaxed conversation over good food.

We are taken around the place by the Manager at New York Cafe. It really was a museum of food. At first I was quite overwhelmed by the choices but shortly the foodie in me took over and I got to work.

Gin based cocktails go really well with paneer pakoras and politics related conversations. Gazpacho followed after the pakoras and acted as the perfect palette cleanser. Chicken Liver Gateaux and white wine were delightful together. 

We were served a lot of different kind of cheeses. My favourite was Edam. You have to give blue cheese a shot but remember only to have a minuscule bite with your cracker. It can be too strong for some people.

Our individual portions of Prawn Cocktail were served to us at the table with Cilantro and young onions. The prawn was the best I have had in a very long time. IN fact I also went ahead and had the grilled prawns and they were sublime as well - 5/5.

The Hummus with extra olive oil and freshly made pita bread was a delight too. The Mezze was beautifully presented and tasted really good - a big thumbs up.

There were a million things to try on the day and most of them were great to look and taste. The desserts were the best course of the entire buffet. Firstly the spread was amazing. From Rajbhog to pannacota, from sugar free kalakand to pumpkin pie, it was a delight. All of the desserts were top of the line and special recommendations will be the Rajbhog and the pumpkin pie. There was also a chocolate fountain to keep the kids and the kids inside adults interested.

Overall the NYC cafe brunch is a must try with the combination of a lavish spread, fantastic dishes and exemplary service. The price is quite reasonable for the variety you get - give it a try.








Monday 21 April 2014

Baker Review: BakeBox's Bakers should not be missed - 4/5 Stars

BakeBox is an exciting new concept. There are several bakers in the city who are fantastic but they do not have a Bakery. BakeBox brings the bakes and goodies from these bakers, straight to your house.



BakeBox delivers on the same day and what they deliver is 100% fresh and made either the same day or the night before.



This concept was started by Jennifer Duthie. They have a “baker of the month” and that baker compiles a new BakeBox on a designated day each month. This BakeBox is delivered fresh to foodies all over Delhi and Gurgaon.



Since BakeBox was launched in August 2012, they have only been growing. They have been covered by NDTV, Indian Express, Cosmopolitan, Femina, New Woman, Mint, etc. They charge Rs. 850/- for a BakeBox and it can be Home Delivered for the same price.



BakeBox has some amazing cakes, muffins and cookies. In a recent BakeBox they sent over some pita and hummus too, which was a refreshing change.


I look forward to this fresh box of sin delivered to my doorstep every month.

Thanks
Mayank
Contact: ms.mayank@gmail.com
Call: +91 9818609488


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