Santorini's Hidden Gem: Dodo's Perivolos - You HAVE to See This!
Santorini's Secret Spilled: Dodo's Perivolos - Forget the Crowds, This Place Blew My Mind! (SEO Focused Review)
Alright, listen up, travel junkies! You think you know Santorini? Think again! You’ve seen the caldera, the sunsets…blah, blah, blah. Let me tell you, after slogging through the tourist traps, Dodo's Perivolos is the real deal – a freaking oasis of calm that genuinely wowed me. Seriously, this place is a hidden gem, and I'm here to spill the beans. Prepare to rewrite your Santorini itinerary.
First off, SEO stuff (ugh, but necessary!): Dodo's Perivolos is perfect for anyone searching for Santorini hotels, Perivolos hotels, luxury stays in Santorini, romantic getaways in Greece, family-friendly hotels Santorini… you get the idea. We're talking accessible hotels Santorini too! They really try.
Accessibility? They're TRYING! Look, Santorini isn't exactly built for easy access. But Dodo's? They actually care. Facilities for disabled guests are available, the elevator is a lifesaver (especially after a few too many Ouzos!) and the staff are genuinely helpful. It's not perfect, but it's a hell of a lot better than clambering up those infamous stairs. That I know!
My Experience (Rambling, Honesty, and all the Feels): Okay, so I showed up a little frazzled. Flights delayed, luggage lost… you know the drill. The second I walked through Dodo's doors? BAM! Instant chill. I’m talking a legitimate sigh of relief. The reception, open 24 hours, with those first warm greetings, so I could just relax and sink into it.
Internet? Wi-Fi? I practically lived online! – YES! (And Other Techy Bits)
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! YES! (Thank the gods!). Seriously, I needed it. I was working remotely for part of the trip, and the connection was flawless. I’m not talking about that weak, sputtering Wi-Fi that makes you want to throw your laptop into the sea. This was the real deal.
- Internet access - LAN: For the serious techies or those needing a dedicated, secure connection, they've got you covered.
- Internet services: They've got it all, including Wi-Fi in public areas, which is great for checking emails while you sip your coffee by the pool.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events: Weddings? Corporate retreats? They can handle it.
- Business facilities: Yup, a Xerox/fax in business center, meetings, seminars, and the boring stuff.
The Room (My Sanctuary): My room? Oh, it was pure bliss. Seriously, it had:
- Air conditioning: Essential in Santorini's heat, obviously!
- Alarm clock: Yep, still a thing.
- Bathtub: Score! Soak the stress away.
- Bathrobes & Slippers: Luxurious touches I love, especially after a long day of exploring.
- Blackout curtains: Sleep in! (And I did!)
- Coffee/tea maker: Absolute necessity for my morning ritual.
- Complimetary tea: And they stock the good stuff!
- Daily housekeeping: My room was always spotless, and the small touches they did with it, i can't tell you.
- Desk: Perfect for working (when I had to).
- Extra long bed: Perfect for sprawling out at the end of the day.
- Free bottled water: Always a nice touch.
- Hair dryer: Saved my life.
- High floor: Amazing views!
- In-room safe box: Peace of mind.
- Internet access – wireless: Again, reliable and fast.
- Linens: crisp and clean.
- Mini bar: Stocked with goodies!
- Non-smoking: Thank you!
- Private bathroom: Of course.
- Reading light: For late-night reading with a glass of wine.
- Refrigerator: Chilled drinks on demand!
- Satellite/cable channels: For when you wanna binge-watch.
- Seating area: Relaxing.
- Separate shower/bathtub: More space!
- Soundproofing: Quiet! No noisy neighbors.
- Telephone: In case of emergencies.
- Towels: fluffy, always-fresh towels.
- Wake-up service: Reliable.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Essential!
- Window that opens: Fresh air and views!
And because I'm a little dramatic: One night, I was staring out the window, and feeling particularly overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the Aegean Sea. The soundproofing meant I could sob (happy tears, mostly) without disturbing anyone. That's what I call a good hotel.
Things to Do (and How to Relax, because that's the point! )
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Gorgeous! And the Pool with a view is just as the photos show. Seriously, Instagram-worthy. But the best thing? Plenty of space, no overcrowding.
- Spa/sauna: They have a little spa, with all the treatments. I went straight for the Body scrub and Massage, a full body pamper session! It was divine. Totally worth it.
- Gym/fitness: Burn off the Greek food!
- Sauna, Steamroom: Even more ways to unwind.
- Foot bath: They are amazing!
- Things to do: The concierge can help with everything, from booking boat trips to recommending the best beaches.
- Couple's room: For the romantic getaway.
- Proposal spot: Yes, they have the perfect place to propose (or just get cozy with your significant other!)
Dining, Drinking & Snacking (Fueling the Good Life):
- Restaurants: Several to choose from!
- Poolside bar: Perfect for cocktails in the sun.
- Bar: for later drinks.
- Coffee shop: great coffee and pastries.
- Room service [24-hour]: Genius. Midnight cravings? Sorted! The Breakfast in room option is phenomenal.
- A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant: For all preferences.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: They have an Asian menu!
- International cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant: A great variety of food.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Catering to all.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: For that essential afternoon pick-me-up.
- Desserts in restaurant: Oh, the desserts!
- Happy hour: Score!
- Bottle of water: Always provided, which is great.
- Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant: They have soup!
- Breakfast service: A beautiful buffet, with something for everyone.
- Breakfast [buffet], Western breakfast, Asian breakfast: All preferences catered for.
- Snack bar: For quick bites. The Happy hour is great for both snacks and drinks, with a relaxing atmosphere.
- Alternative meal arrangement: They are very accommodating.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: I had no concerns about food safety whatsoever.
Cleanliness and Safety (Because this is 2024!):
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays: They take this seriously. You feel safe.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere!
- Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: No hidden problems.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Professional, the whole team.
- Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit: Thank god they are there, because you never know.
- Sterilizing equipment: They go the extra mile.
- Cashless payment service: Easy-peasy.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: If you prefer.
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Smoke alarms, Fire extinguisher, Non-smoking rooms, Security [24-hour], Safety/security feature, Safe dining setup: Excellent security.
Services and Conveniences (Making Life Easier):
- Airport transfer: A godsend!
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station: for all your car needs.
- Valet parking: If you're feeling fancy.
- Concierge: Need anything? They’re on it.
- Daily housekeeping: The rooms are always spotless, and the staff does little touches.
- Doorman: You can be treated well
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your sterile, perfectly-planned travel itinerary. This is… Dodo's Perivolos, Santorini, through the lens of a hopelessly enthusiastic (and slightly sleep-deprived) human. Consider this your official warning: prepare for chaos.
Dodo's-Perivolos-Santorini-and-Me: A Love Story (Maybe?)
Day 1: Arrival, Sunburn, and Existential Dread
- Morning (Let's just say "ish"): Landing at Santorini airport. Let me tell you, the tiny planes are… well, they're tiny. And the descent? Let's just say I clutched my rosary beads the entire time. Success! We survived. Transfer to Dodo's. The view? Stunning. Like, postcard-level, Instagram-ruining beautiful. (I'll spare you the photos – everyone's seen the caldera, no?)
- Afternoon: Check-in. The room? Adorable. That first balcony? Pure bliss. I could get used to this… immediately. Then, disaster. Sunburn. Like, lobster-red, "can't-sit-down" sunburn. Turns out, Greek sun doesn't play. Sunscreen? Apparently, it's a suggestion, not the law of the land.
- Evening: Wandered down to the beach at Perivolos (which is basically across the road!). Black sand! So cool! Ate some questionable octopus at a taverna. It was rubbery, but the view of the sunset almost made up for it. Almost. Started questioning my life choices. Why am I here? What am I doing? Are those seagulls judging me? Swallowed my existential dread with a glass of local wine (which, thankfully, was delicious). Walked back to our room, passed out.
Day 2: Beach Bliss (Kinda) and a Serious Pastry Obsession
- Morning (9:00 AM –ish): Okay, the sun did not stop, but I used a lot of sunscreen. Breakfast at Dodo's. Seriously. The bougatsa? Life-changing. I'm not even exaggerating. It's a custard-filled pastry that's so light and fluffy you'll want to cry (in a good way). I had three. Don't judge me.
- Mid-Morning/Afternoon: Attempted beach day part 2: This time, I managed a few hours of bliss. Black sand is the best. The water was so blue I felt like I was inside an Instagram filter. Briefly considered staying there forever, until… another sunburn scare. Had to retreat.
- Afternoon (or maybe late afternoon, the concept of time is fuzzy here): Spent the afternoon exploring the little village of Perivolos. It's cute, laid back, and the perfect place to relax. Found a small bakery and, you guessed it, more bougatsa, this time with some delicious coffee. Spent too much time just looking at the Aegean sea, maybe trying to comprehend a bit of my life. The Greeks are masters of chilling out, taking a siesta. I'm just so used to the daily grind of life, I felt a bit strange not doing anything, just relaxing.
- Evening: Dinner at a taverna. Ordered way too much food. (Greek food is a trap, but a delicious one!) More wine. Fell in love. With the wine. And then with the sunset. Walked back to the room, clutching my stomach and feeling slightly tipsy.
Day 3: The Volcano Hike and the Emotional Rollercoaster
- Morning (6:00 AM – or, the Devil's Hour): Woke up with a start! Went on a boat trip to see the caldera, the volcano, and the hot springs. The volcano hike? Brutal. Seriously. Imagine climbing a mountain in the midday sun, in a volcanic landscape. The views from the top? Out of this world. Like, literally. You can see how the island was formed, and the impact of that volcanic activity. I felt so humbled and a little bit afraid.
- Late Morning: The hot springs were… interesting. The water was warm and sulphuric. I tried to swim. (Okay, I flailed around for a bit.) The sulfur smell? Not for the faint of heart.
- Afternoon: The boat took us to Thirassia, a quiet island. Had lunch at a little cafe. Ate fresh fish and felt like I was in a movie.
- Evening: Back at Dodo's. A good shower was welcome after all that swimming and the hike. Watched the sunset, which was (once again) absolutely breathtaking. Had the strangest mix of exhaustion and euphoria. I think Santorini is getting to my head.
Day 4: The Red Beach and a Very Expensive Boat Trip
- Morning: Found the Red Beach. It's… red. Very red. Also, packed. Like sardines in a tin. Had to run away. Sunscreen. Always.
- Afternoon: Because all the other beaches were crowded, we ended up on a luxurious boat trip. Yeah, it was expensive. But, the boat was gorgeous, the food was delicious, and the views were… well, you get the picture. It was an amazing adventure.
- Evening: That night, we had to attend an elegant dinner but it was fun to be pampered for a night. (But it was so hard to go back to the reality of Dodo's, with some delicious bougatsa.)
Day 5: Departure (Sob!)
- Morning: Last breakfast. Ate bougatsa. (Of course.) Checked out. Said goodbye to the balcony view that had become my life, my love. The weather was perfect, just like most days.
- Afternoon: Headed to the airport, feeling utterly heartbroken to be leaving. Did a lot of reflecting about the whole experience. Santorini is a magical place. It's chaotic, and beautiful, and it will leave my heart full.
- Evening: Plane ride. Contemplating the meaning of life. Already plotting a return trip. Goodbye, Santorini. I'll see you again.
Food and Drink Roundup (Essentials):
- MUST EAT: Bougatsa (seriously, stock up!), gyros, fresh seafood, anything with feta.
- MUST DRINK: Local wine (try the Assyrtiko!), Greek coffee, and maybe a shot of Ouzo if you're feeling brave (I chickened out).
The Imperfections:
- I probably spent more time eating than doing anything else.
- My camera roll is an absolute disaster of sun-bleached photos and blurry sunsets.
- I'm pretty sure I gained five pounds. Worth it. Absolutely worth it.
Quirky Observations:
- The stray cats are ridiculously cute. Feed them.
- The Greek people are genuinely the kindest people I have ever met.
- Santorini is more beautiful than any picture can capture.
So, there you have it. A messy, honest, and hopefully hilarious account of my time in Dodo's, Perivolos, Santorini. Go. Experience it yourself. Just remember the sunscreen. And the bougatsa. And maybe bring a friend…to share the existential dread. You won't regret it. (Probably).
Escape to Paradise: Na Tara Resort, Koh Chang's Hidden Gem
Okay, so... what *is* this thing we're supposed to be talking about, anyway? Like, the actual *topic*?
Alright, alright, good question! Let's just say, for the sake of argument, we're talking about... *deep breaths* ... **Learning to Bake Sourdough Bread.** Yeah, the whole shebang. From bubbling starter to that glorious, crusty loaf. And, oh boy, have I got stories. Prepare yourself. This isn't just about baking; it's about resilience, patience, and accepting that sometimes, your bread will resemble a hockey puck more than a fluffy cloud.
Why Sourdough? It seems...complicated. Why not just, you know, buy a loaf? Like a *normal* person?
Ugh, preach! Honestly? I started because I’m a massive sucker for Instagram. You see all these perfect loaves, these *gorgeous* scoring patterns, and you think, "I can do that! I'm crafty! I like carbs!" (I seriously do.) Then reality hits. The first few attempts were… well, let's just say my dog was *thrilled*. He got a lot of bread. But somewhere in the struggle, something weird happened. I got *hooked*. It's the process, I think. The connection to something ancient. The *smell*... God, the smell! And the taste when it finally, *finally* works? Forget about it. Buying a loaf is easy. But the feeling of accomplishment? That's priceless (mostly because all the flour is on my credit card!).
This Starter Thing... it sounds like a weird pet. Do you have to name it? Feed it? Is it needy?
YES! It's basically a low-maintenance, stinky pet. And YES, you absolutely *must* name it. I, of course, named mine "Bubbles." (Original, I know). And yes, it's needy. Oh, so needy. You have to feed it, like, religiously. Usually, every day! If it's in the fridge, once a week, but you have to make sure they get enough food and fresh air to not stop. If you neglect it, it WILL punish you. It'll refuse to rise, will become watery, and it might even grow scary-looking mold (happened to me, once, it was horrifying!). It becomes a tiny, yet demanding master. The reward? Oh, the reward is worth it.
What's the biggest mistake you made when you were starting out? (Besides, you know, the hockey puck bread.)
Oh, man, where do I even begin? Okay, here's the granddaddy of all mistakes: *Not weighing ingredients*. I figured, "Meh, eyeballing is fine!" Wrong. So, so wrong. My loaves were inconsistent, sometimes flat, sometimes… just weird. The first time I actually bought a kitchen scale, it was like unlocking a secret code. The bread started to rise, it developed a beautiful crust, and I actually thought, "Hey, I *might* be able to do this!" So, my advice? Get. A. Scale. Trust me. It's the single biggest game-changer.
The Scoring! I see all these fancy cuts on the bread. Is that, like, important? And how do you GET those cuts so perfect?
Okay, scoring is a *thing*. It's not just for looks, though – let's be honest, it's *mostly* for looks. The cuts in the dough help control the expansion of the loaf during baking, allowing it to rise properly and *not* explode like a volcanic eruption in your oven. And how do you get those perfect cuts? Years of practice, probably. And a very, very sharp lame. Seriously, I struggled with this for *ages*. I'd try everything! But the very, very first time I did, it was because I spent a lot of time watching youtube. Like a *lot*.
What about the oven? I've heard you need some crazy equipment. Is that true?
You don't need anything TOO crazy, but you'll want a Dutch oven. A basic one works fine. If you don't use one... well, you won't quite get the rise! That's because the Dutch oven traps steam, creating a moist environment critical for the bread's final puff-up. Plus the Dutch oven is useful to baking other things too! So don't worry about buying a special expensive oven! The Dutch oven is a must.
I'm exhausted just reading about it. Is it *really* worth the effort?
Honestly? Sometimes, no. There are days when I just want to throw the whole starter in the trash and order a pizza. It's a commitment. It's messy. It's *time-consuming*. But... that first bite of a perfectly baked sourdough loaf? Warm, crusty, tangy, with that wonderful, satisfying *squeak* when you tear it open? Oh. My. God. It's like a little slice of heaven. And the sense of satisfaction? Pure gold. So, yeah. It's worth it. Even if you end up with a hockey puck now and then. It's all part of the glorious mess.
Okay, okay, you almost convinced me. Any last words of wisdom before I dive in and fail miserably?
Don't be afraid to fail! Seriously. It's going to happen. Accept it. Learn from it. And most importantly, have fun. It's just bread, people! And if you're really struggling, just make focaccia. That stuff is basically impossible to mess up. And hey, maybe invite me over when it’s done. I'm a very good eater of bread, even hockey pucks.
