On an island overrun by tourists, I found the most photogenic spots
To be fair, I didn't choose this shore excursion because I love taking selfies. I think the use of selfie sticks is a bit obnoxious, especially in crowded places like the Louvre and the narrow streets of Santorini.
I chose this tour from the rich selection of complimentary shore excursions offered by Regent Seven Seas Cruises for a far more practical reason. It was the only one that didn't require a fear-inducing cable car ride up the steep cliff face that connects the tender port with Fira (also referred to as Thira), the capital of Santorini.
After a short transfer from the ship by tender boat, we're met onshore by an enthusiastic guide, Lorenzo, who introduces himself as the best photographer on the island. After we board an air-conditioned bus, he hands out selfie sticks and explains how to use them in a way that won't annoy people around you. Self-awareness is key, he says, assuring us all we are just an angle-adjustment away from dreaded double-chin photos.
First stop: Oia. If you've ever seen a postcard-perfect sunset shot of Santorini's white-washed buildings and blue-domed churches, it was probably taken right here, on the edge of the caldera.
An astonishingly photogenic village on the north-west end of the island, Oia's clifftop paths are lined with shops selling local ceramics and jewellery. Cafes practically cling to the sides of dormant volcanoes, as harried waiters serve customers who are happy to pay three times the going rate for a Coke to soak up those incredible sea views.
Wildly popular with tourists in search of the perfect shot, Oia's narrow streets are packed shoulder-to-shoulder, but our fearless leader is undeterred. Lorenzo ushers us along like a patient, protective goatherd, occasionally shouting instructions to stop and shoot when he sees an ideal photo opportunity. He knows just the spot to stand for a selfie with the famous blue domes as backdrop.
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Sydney Morning Herald
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