Vasilis' daughter Emily was incredibly welcoming and helpful, and she went out of her way to accommodate us. Gil was off-site but was also very responsive via messaging.

The cave house was charming and romantic, and the view of the sea was spectacular, just as pictured.

We walked down to Amoudi Bay for a swim one day, it was lovely (no beach, but rocks with steps where you can enter the water, on the left side of the Bay as you face the ocean). Probably one of my favorite swims ever, with the view of the cliff houses, and cute boats in the bay. We walked back up the 250 or so stairs as well, but you could also take a donkey for 5 Euros. The Sunset Amoudi Taverna was very good.

We also dined at Lotza several times, the food was great and it has a spectacular view.

There are lots of tourists on the main street during the afternoon through after sunset, so I found it best to do window shopping either earlier in the morning or after dark after the cruise ships took the tourists away.

Don't miss the book store on the main street (you walk down stairs to get to it), it is charming and unique, and the owner is a real kick.

We also got to peek at one of Vasilis' other properties while it was vacant, the Captain's House (which adjoins his Venetian Studio). If you want a view of both the water and of all the picturesque postcard houses on the hill, I would recommend one of these houses, though they are not the traditional cave houses. They are at the top of the hill, right on the main road, so they don't have as many steps to get to them for older/less mobile people as well.

Thank you Vasilis and family for a wonderful stay in Oia! We would definitely recommend to friends and return again.