Travel Moments: Running with the Dogs in Oia Santorini

In honor of my birthday today, I want to share one of my favorite travel moments — running in Oia, Santorini, Greece with the dogs.

For some reason, I’ve been thinking about my time here on this dreamy Greek Island.

I spent 12 glorious days here almost 10 years ago — 4 days in Firostefani and then 8 days in Oia at the tip of the island.

Oia was my favorite 😊

The time on Santorini was very special.

I got into a daily rhythm of life — running, photographing, working, sitting out by the pool, photographing more and sitting at the laptop as it got dark.

It was bliss!

Santorini is a place I would love to return to — or perhaps I’d check out another Greek Island or the Peloponnese Peninsula.

Greece is definitely high on my list for future travels.

So I thought I’d polish up an old post as it’s my birthday and I can do what I want, right?

Getting Ready to Run

As I walk up the steep stairs, I stretch my calves preparing them for the run ahead.

Being out at this early hour, I beat the mobs of boat people that come to Oia on buses from Fira where the cruise ships dock.

The town is quiet.

I begin to run toward the “new” part of town.

As I run up a few steps, I see a young blond woman out in front of a shoe shop, putting out displays at this early hour.

She knows the tourists will come soon so she needs to be ready.

I enjoy the cool air here between the buildings as the sun is not yet high enough to warm the stones.

But the coolness is fleeting as I run into an open area and I’m hit by the warm glow of the morning sun.

Now I have panoramic views of Santorini and the surrounding islands.

The Aegean Sea is a turquoise-blue, the sky cobalt with a few white clouds floating around.

The caldera, all those white buildings — with just a few colors mixed in — looks as though someone has poured bleach over it.

It’s so white!

It looks just like the postcards — only better.

Here Come My Running Partners

Santorini has been on my “must see” list for many years.

I imagined it to be as beautiful as the pictures in the magazines.

It has not disappointed me.

I am awestruck by it.

I cannot stop photographing it.

I cannot stop emailing my friends and family about how fabulous it is.

Every time I walk out of the cave house where I am staying, my heart skips a beat — the white buildings built into the hillside, the blue domed churches, the turquoise sea, the earth-colored islands and the orange, fiery sunsets.

Being here has been like living a dream.

Running here has been like living a dream within that dream.

Partway through the village I pick up some running partners.

Two of the Oia street dogs join me this morning.

They run in front of me, playing with each other, seemingly oblivious to me.

I run past them as they stop to wrestle. 

I think I have lost them.

But there they are again, running ahead of me.

This routine keeps up for the next mile.

We are an odd threesome running through Oia, but no one notices.

Getting Into My Stride

As I pass by the bakery I catch the scent of freshly baked bread and pastries.

I hear the sound of Greek coming from inside as the locals pick up their bread for the day.

I wonder what it would be like to live here, in such a small town and on an island.

Would I miss the big grocery stores here in Oia, Santorini? Or would the simple life win me over? 

I run briefly on the street with the cars.

The dogs run in the middle of road and I worry that they will be run over.

But the drivers around here are used to this.

My partners get a few honks and move to the side with me, putting my mind at ease.

I am back on the pedestrian way and run up the steps.

As I run by a middle-aged man he gives me a thumbs up, encouraging me, supporting me.

I smile and wave to him as a way of saying thanks.

A dark-haired woman is out cleaning a hotel pool that looks so inviting.

I’m definitely getting hot!

I get to the top of the stairs, take a few seconds to drink in the stunning view before me, then turn around and run back.

Alone Again in Oia, Santorini

The dogs have left me.

I am on my own — for now.

I run back into the heart of the village.

A woman in a long skirt mops the smooth cobblestones in front of her clothing boutique.

I find this amusing, yet understandable.

More shops begin to open.

I pass by one of the markets where I have bought fruit and veg.

My mouth waters as I see the apricots.

I’m beginning to get hungry as I think of my awaiting breakfast of apricots and Greek yogurt.

It’s been my staple for the past few days.

Simple, yet tasty. 

I turn the corner at Sunset Point and begin running to the west.

It’s a treat to see this area with very few people.

It’s so busy at sundown.

But the sunsets are gorgeous — vibrant and colorful — and worth the crowds.

For now though, it’s quiet on this stretch of the pedestrian path.

There is only the sound of the breeze in my ears.

A New Running Partner

Another one of the street dogs joins me.

Where did he come from?

He keeps a steady pace in front of me, occasionally stopping and looking at me to make sure I’m still behind him.

I think of what Betty, a lady who works in one of the shops, told me about the street dogs of Oia, Santorini.

They live on the streets, but are taken care of by the people who live and work in the village.

Many business owners put bowls of water out in front of their stores.

There are feeders for food where the dogs go to eat.

They are in good health, clean and all have collars and names.

So while they are street dogs, they aren’t really strays.

I come to the end of the village where the “community” pool is.

I can’t wait to be sitting in one of those sun loungers later, soaking up the Grecian sun and cooling off in the water.  

Through the parking lot, then to the road that leads down to the sea.

It will be a tough run up, but I don’t care.

Down we go, me and the dog.

There are just a few buildings here amongst the brown grass.

A car passes me, heading up the hill.

I get a curious look from the driver.

Sometimes I think the locals think I am crazy.

Sometimes I think I am too.

I run toward the sign for the beach, planning to go just as far as the parking area.

When I reach the lot, I stop for a moment and look to the sea.

It is such a beautiful color, a turquoise-blue — one of my favorite colors.

I take a deep breath, inhaling the salty air.

Peace.

The sea always brings me peace.

Time to Finish

Back to reality — time to run uphill.

My running partner is gone, nowhere to be found.

I am alone, trudging up the winding road.

Breathing hard, I focus on the next destination of my journey, Venice.

I’m looking forward to seeing this city on the water.

I dream of Italian wine and gelato as I run up the road.

Sweat pours off of me, but I make it to the top, feeling a sense of accomplishment as I always do when I run up a long hill.

I pass the pool again, longing to jump into the cool, refreshing water.

I’m sooo hot!

The pedestrian way is busier now.

I see the first of the cruise ship tourists as I turn the corner where Sunset Point is.

I’m almost back, thankfully.

The crowds of the boat people are annoying.

They’re loud and impossible to walk through, let alone run.

I admit, I enjoy Oia, Santorini more without the hoards of people.

As I return to the steps that lead down to my apartment, I slow down to walk.

I reach my cave house, grab some water and sit out on my terrace.

The “runner’s high” has kicked in.

I am intoxicated.

Or maybe that’s just what Santorini does to you.

It’s probably both.

Santorini is everything I dreamed it would be, and so much more.

Final Birthday Thoughts

With all of this not being able to travel due to COVID-19 right now, re-reading this post, polishing it up and looking through my images gave me some virtual travel through memories.

Something I definitely needed.

It makes me happy.

It gives me solace.

And it gives me hope.

It also happens to make me put Greece up higher on my list for later this year or sometime next year — depending on when travel opens up.

Thanks for sharing in my birthday post and taking a stroll down memory lane with me.

Please note that Wander Your Way does not recommend travel at this time due to the current global health situation with the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, many destinations and attractions found on this website will not be operating although some places have opened. Please stay up to date using official sources like the WHO and CDC. 

I do plan to continue to write about incredible destinations and to offer tips on travel to Europe, so that you will find some solace in these posts — so you dream about travel and learn about travel. This way when we can all travel again, you’ll be ready to go! For now, stay home (or close to home) and stay safe!

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