1 00:00:02,334 --> 00:00:05,100 'Head to the Greek Islands for our holidays. 2 00:00:05,125 --> 00:00:08,710 'And it's easy to see why.' 3 00:00:08,735 --> 00:00:10,309 This is Greece. 4 00:00:10,334 --> 00:00:11,920 Look at that. 5 00:00:11,945 --> 00:00:16,200 'I have a strong affinity with the islands, my mum is Greek. 6 00:00:16,225 --> 00:00:19,590 'But I've only holidayed here...' 7 00:00:19,615 --> 00:00:20,790 Here we go. 8 00:00:20,815 --> 00:00:22,350 '..Until now. 9 00:00:22,375 --> 00:00:25,950 'So I'm going to explore their hidden side...' 10 00:00:25,975 --> 00:00:27,200 There's nobody here. 11 00:00:27,225 --> 00:00:29,950 Hello, everybody! You're good. 12 00:00:29,975 --> 00:00:32,710 '..From their breath-taking natural wonders...' 13 00:00:32,735 --> 00:00:34,920 Let me show you our real mother. 14 00:00:34,945 --> 00:00:38,740 '..To the colourful customs and the architectural splendour.' 15 00:00:38,765 --> 00:00:41,710 That is a miracle of loveliness. 16 00:00:41,735 --> 00:00:44,629 It makes me proud to be just that little bit Greek. 17 00:00:44,654 --> 00:00:48,790 This is a voyage of discovery, and I'm taking you with me. 18 00:01:02,584 --> 00:01:05,200 I haven't been to Santorini since I was 17 19 00:01:05,225 --> 00:01:07,509 and since then it's changed unimaginably. 20 00:01:07,534 --> 00:01:10,590 It's become one of the most popular destinations in Europe 21 00:01:10,615 --> 00:01:12,870 and one of the most famous in the world, 22 00:01:12,895 --> 00:01:14,540 and this is why - 23 00:01:14,565 --> 00:01:18,150 the impossibly scenic, gorgeous views. 24 00:01:24,015 --> 00:01:27,990 Every year, nearly two million people are lured to Santorini, 25 00:01:28,015 --> 00:01:30,740 not least for its spellbinding sunsets. 26 00:01:30,765 --> 00:01:34,150 But my tip - it's well worth setting the alarm early 27 00:01:34,175 --> 00:01:37,590 at least once so you can experience the total tranquillity 28 00:01:37,615 --> 00:01:40,230 of a sunrise like this one. 29 00:01:40,255 --> 00:01:43,509 And then you have it all to yourself. 30 00:01:43,534 --> 00:01:47,740 Located southeast of mainland Greece in the Aegean Sea, 31 00:01:47,765 --> 00:01:50,350 Santorini is the undisputed jewel 32 00:01:50,375 --> 00:01:51,990 in the crown of the Cyclades. 33 00:01:53,654 --> 00:01:55,790 Striking blue-domed churches 34 00:01:55,815 --> 00:01:57,509 and whitewashed villages 35 00:01:57,534 --> 00:02:00,429 populate this 76-square-kilometre island. 36 00:02:01,865 --> 00:02:04,790 But Santorini owes its seductive looks 37 00:02:04,815 --> 00:02:07,710 to one of the most catastrophic geological events 38 00:02:07,735 --> 00:02:09,230 in recorded history. 39 00:02:10,295 --> 00:02:12,309 About 3,500 years ago, 40 00:02:12,334 --> 00:02:14,309 that volcano erupted... 41 00:02:15,895 --> 00:02:18,629 ...and the centre of the island collapsed. 42 00:02:18,654 --> 00:02:21,629 Then the interior filled with the sea 43 00:02:21,654 --> 00:02:24,070 and created this, the caldera. 44 00:02:29,095 --> 00:02:31,559 Believed by some to have inspired the legend 45 00:02:31,584 --> 00:02:33,509 of the Lost City of Atlantis, 46 00:02:33,534 --> 00:02:35,429 one thing is certain, 47 00:02:35,454 --> 00:02:39,020 it left behind one of the most spectacular landscapes 48 00:02:39,045 --> 00:02:40,100 in all of Greece. 49 00:02:43,095 --> 00:02:45,710 Only 60 years ago, 50 00:02:45,735 --> 00:02:47,990 Santorini lacked even the most basic amenities. 51 00:02:48,015 --> 00:02:51,710 But now with more than 50 five-star hotels and resorts, 52 00:02:51,735 --> 00:02:54,480 it's become a playground for the rich and famous. 53 00:02:54,505 --> 00:02:56,379 I'd better scrub up a bit. 54 00:02:56,404 --> 00:02:59,710 I'm meeting the woman who kick-started the transformation, 55 00:02:59,735 --> 00:03:03,100 opening Santorini's first luxury hotel in the '90s. 56 00:03:03,125 --> 00:03:05,270 Today, Kalia's still catering 57 00:03:05,295 --> 00:03:07,200 to its most discerning visitors 58 00:03:07,225 --> 00:03:09,070 here at her newest hideaway. 59 00:03:09,095 --> 00:03:12,480 And, yes, she does look a bit like a Greek Sandra Bullock. 60 00:03:12,505 --> 00:03:14,910 You know this island very well. Yes. 61 00:03:14,935 --> 00:03:17,870 So Santorini has gone from micro, from this, 62 00:03:17,895 --> 00:03:20,350 it's exploded, hasn't it, over the decades? 63 00:03:20,375 --> 00:03:22,590 Back in the '90s, Santorini was 64 00:03:22,615 --> 00:03:24,870 a very simple, like, um... 65 00:03:24,895 --> 00:03:27,710 not well- known island. 66 00:03:27,735 --> 00:03:31,660 It was more a place for bed and breakfast, for camping. 67 00:03:31,685 --> 00:03:34,429 If you then said Santorini was a luxury destination, 68 00:03:34,454 --> 00:03:36,590 everybody would think, "Are you crazy? 69 00:03:36,615 --> 00:03:37,840 "Who would go there for luxury?" 70 00:03:37,865 --> 00:03:42,509 Local people never expected from no electricity in the '70s 71 00:03:42,534 --> 00:03:47,120 to this kind of amazing, wow destination 72 00:03:47,145 --> 00:03:48,870 that Santorini became today. 73 00:03:48,895 --> 00:03:51,840 Once the rustic retreat of an eccentric widow 74 00:03:51,865 --> 00:03:54,379 with connections to the Greek royal family, 75 00:03:54,404 --> 00:03:56,230 and a passion for horses, 76 00:03:56,255 --> 00:03:59,870 these clays her stables are luxurious suites 77 00:03:59,895 --> 00:04:03,120 and the hotel has one of the most lnstagramable pools 78 00:04:03,145 --> 00:04:05,299 I've ever seen. 79 00:04:05,324 --> 00:04:09,509 Santorini has become so popular because of its natural beauty. 80 00:04:09,534 --> 00:04:11,379 The Santorini selfie. 81 00:04:11,404 --> 00:04:12,870 Exactly, the Santorini selfie. 82 00:04:12,895 --> 00:04:15,480 And do you think there is still 83 00:04:15,505 --> 00:04:17,509 a hidden, unexplored Santorini? 84 00:04:17,534 --> 00:04:19,870 Oh, my God, absolutely. 85 00:04:19,895 --> 00:04:21,629 If you stay here for a week, 86 00:04:21,654 --> 00:04:25,150 I will take you to places that you never thought they exist. 87 00:04:25,175 --> 00:04:28,270 Almost two thirds of Santorini are unexplored. 88 00:04:28,295 --> 00:04:30,549 All in good time. 89 00:04:30,574 --> 00:04:33,342 But there's no way I'm passing up the opportunity to take a dip 90 00:04:33,367 --> 00:04:34,783 in THAT pool. 91 00:04:39,025 --> 00:04:41,250 With as many as 18,000 tourists 92 00:04:41,275 --> 00:04:43,930 descending on the island some days... 93 00:04:45,514 --> 00:04:48,379 ...it's hard to imagine finding peace and quiet 94 00:04:48,404 --> 00:04:51,270 away from the crowds jostling for the best view. 95 00:04:55,685 --> 00:04:58,629 But it's the hidden Santorini I'm after, 96 00:04:58,654 --> 00:05:02,020 so I'm back in my hiking boots and on its trail. 97 00:05:04,324 --> 00:05:06,590 I don't think when you mention 98 00:05:06,615 --> 00:05:08,429 the island of Santorini to people 99 00:05:08,454 --> 00:05:11,270 that the first thing that pops into their head is walking and hiking. 100 00:05:11,295 --> 00:05:14,150 Well, neither was I thinking about walking in Santorini 101 00:05:14,175 --> 00:05:15,660 before I moved here. 102 00:05:16,785 --> 00:05:19,320 My guide is fellow walking fan Nico, 103 00:05:19,345 --> 00:05:23,060 who first fell in love with the island 20 years ago... 104 00:05:23,085 --> 00:05:26,190 and probably knows how to get off the beaten track here 105 00:05:26,215 --> 00:05:27,539 better than anyone. 106 00:05:27,564 --> 00:05:30,170 During the first season, I actually got overwhelmed 107 00:05:30,195 --> 00:05:31,399 with the tourism 108 00:05:31,424 --> 00:05:33,560 and I started walking the paths realising that 109 00:05:33,585 --> 00:05:35,399 nobody is walking on them any more. 110 00:05:35,424 --> 00:05:38,040 So it was very satisfying to discover 111 00:05:38,065 --> 00:05:41,560 that there's about 65 to 70km 112 00:05:41,585 --> 00:05:43,599 of paths all over the island. 113 00:05:43,624 --> 00:05:46,630 Nice. Around landscape like this 114 00:05:46,655 --> 00:05:48,070 where it's so quiet. 115 00:05:48,095 --> 00:05:50,910 It is nice to be able to escape like this. 116 00:05:50,935 --> 00:05:53,120 Yes. And to share all of this beauty. 117 00:05:53,145 --> 00:05:54,200 Absolutely. 118 00:05:54,225 --> 00:05:58,450 Today, we're following an ancient track linking villages 119 00:05:58,475 --> 00:06:01,960 which still bear the sign of a time when the island was ruled by Italy. 120 00:06:03,345 --> 00:06:05,120 Let's have a look behind us. 121 00:06:05,145 --> 00:06:06,320 0h! 122 00:06:06,345 --> 00:06:07,680 So what's that village called? 123 00:06:07,705 --> 00:06:09,680 This is Emporio. Emporio. 124 00:06:09,705 --> 00:06:12,479 Meaning "commerce". One of the biggest villages of the island. 125 00:06:12,504 --> 00:06:15,349 Built around one of the five castles the Venetians built 126 00:06:15,374 --> 00:06:17,680 in the 1200s and 1300s. 127 00:06:17,705 --> 00:06:20,269 So you don't think of castles when you think of Santorini. 128 00:06:20,294 --> 00:06:21,599 You've got five of them. 129 00:06:21,624 --> 00:06:23,040 Five of them. Quite greedy! 130 00:06:23,065 --> 00:06:25,240 It's not us, it's the Venetians. 131 00:06:25,265 --> 00:06:26,599 There we go. 132 00:06:28,225 --> 00:06:32,560 Up here, it's easy to see Santorini's spectacular coastline 133 00:06:32,585 --> 00:06:37,040 isn't the only legacy of that explosive chapter in its history. 134 00:06:37,065 --> 00:06:41,450 The rich, volcanic soil makes this a forager's paradise. 135 00:06:41,475 --> 00:06:43,200 Fig trees. 136 00:06:43,225 --> 00:06:46,320 Just the random fig tree on your walking path. 137 00:06:46,345 --> 00:06:48,519 Capers growing wild everywhere. 138 00:06:48,544 --> 00:06:50,200 Capers. 139 00:06:50,225 --> 00:06:52,090 One of the hardest plants to cultivate. 140 00:06:52,115 --> 00:06:54,240 You don't get this in the Lake District 141 00:06:54,265 --> 00:06:55,840 or the Yorkshire Dales or the Peaks. 142 00:06:55,865 --> 00:06:57,729 THEY CHUCKLE 143 00:06:57,754 --> 00:06:59,519 Fantastic. 144 00:07:00,785 --> 00:07:03,450 Winding through a landscape of vineyards, 145 00:07:03,475 --> 00:07:06,349 every bend of the path reveals more of the island's 146 00:07:06,374 --> 00:07:08,200 unexpected edible delights. 147 00:07:08,225 --> 00:07:09,630 What's this? 148 00:07:09,655 --> 00:07:11,630 It's a weed, essentially, 149 00:07:11,655 --> 00:07:14,450 so you can cut some and just rub it. 150 00:07:14,475 --> 00:07:15,519 What is it? 151 00:07:15,544 --> 00:07:17,990 That's wild fennel, if I'm not mistaken. 152 00:07:18,015 --> 00:07:23,160 Mmm. Oh, that is a really zingy aniseed smell. 153 00:07:23,185 --> 00:07:24,680 Goes right up the nostrils. 154 00:07:24,705 --> 00:07:28,120 Especially when your nostrils are as big as mine. Lovely. 155 00:07:32,145 --> 00:07:33,840 It hasn't escaped my attention 156 00:07:33,865 --> 00:07:36,399 that we're heading ever upwards on our hike. 157 00:07:36,424 --> 00:07:38,599 In fact, our destination 158 00:07:38,624 --> 00:07:40,550 is the highest point in Santorini 159 00:07:40,575 --> 00:07:43,149 and the former capital Pyrgos. 160 00:07:45,735 --> 00:07:47,960 A labyrinth of traditional houses 161 00:07:47,985 --> 00:07:49,990 built around one of those fortresses 162 00:07:50,015 --> 00:07:51,990 left behind by the Venetians. 163 00:07:52,015 --> 00:07:54,450 The alleyways were designed to be deliberately 164 00:07:54,475 --> 00:07:56,269 misleading and confusing, weren't they? 165 00:07:56,294 --> 00:07:58,800 Yes, to confuse the pirates who were trying to find 166 00:07:58,825 --> 00:08:00,960 the only entrance of the castle. 167 00:08:00,985 --> 00:08:03,120 Certainly worked. It confuses me. 168 00:08:03,145 --> 00:08:04,840 Nico is promising me 169 00:08:04,865 --> 00:08:06,910 we'll be rewarded for our efforts. 170 00:08:06,935 --> 00:08:09,120 We're in search of a secret sunset spot. 171 00:08:13,145 --> 00:08:14,399 Is this it? 172 00:08:14,424 --> 00:08:16,120 There is no way I'd be able to 173 00:08:16,145 --> 00:08:17,990 track this down without him. 174 00:08:18,015 --> 00:08:20,160 Is that not our viewing platform there? 175 00:08:20,185 --> 00:08:21,399 No, not quite yet. 176 00:08:22,905 --> 00:08:24,800 It was pretty lovely. 177 00:08:24,825 --> 00:08:26,960 I've got something more special for you. 178 00:08:29,424 --> 00:08:31,479 And to your right. 179 00:08:31,504 --> 00:08:34,349 Let's turn left here. OK. 180 00:08:34,374 --> 00:08:36,070 In here. Oh, good Lord. 181 00:08:38,265 --> 00:08:39,910 In through the door? 182 00:08:39,935 --> 00:08:41,349 Up the steps. Oh, up the steps. 183 00:08:41,374 --> 00:08:46,269 It's a proper magical mystery tour, this. 184 00:08:46,294 --> 00:08:48,399 0h! 185 00:08:50,345 --> 00:08:52,880 Now this is a special spot. 186 00:08:54,785 --> 00:08:57,160 Efharisto poli! Parakalo. 187 00:08:57,185 --> 00:08:59,320 Oh, thank you. My pleasure. 188 00:08:59,345 --> 00:09:03,479 That is a miracle of loveliness. 189 00:09:05,705 --> 00:09:08,320 Where would most people go for the sunsets? 190 00:09:08,345 --> 00:09:10,840 I would think here, the northwestern tip, 191 00:09:10,865 --> 00:09:13,479 the most famous spot for watching the sunset. 192 00:09:13,504 --> 00:09:15,040 Not as special as this spot? 193 00:09:15,065 --> 00:09:17,349 See, I bring you to all the best places. 194 00:09:17,374 --> 00:09:19,680 Well, Nico does! 195 00:09:21,705 --> 00:09:23,090 In the memory bank. 196 00:09:23,115 --> 00:09:24,630 The blue dome, 197 00:09:24,655 --> 00:09:27,519 the two crosses, the sun setting over the sea. 198 00:09:29,825 --> 00:09:31,910 I'll remember this. 199 00:09:41,585 --> 00:09:43,839 I'm on Santorini, 200 00:09:43,864 --> 00:09:46,400 known today as the supermodel 201 00:09:46,425 --> 00:09:48,120 of the Greek Islands. 202 00:09:48,145 --> 00:09:50,150 More Gisele than Kate Moss, I'd say. 203 00:09:50,175 --> 00:09:53,920 But for years, Santorini was considered 204 00:09:53,945 --> 00:09:55,839 one of the Aegean's poorest places to live. 205 00:09:55,864 --> 00:09:58,680 This island has very little rainfall, 206 00:09:58,705 --> 00:10:01,230 but because of its fertile, volcanic soil, 207 00:10:01,255 --> 00:10:03,759 everything that grows here is rich in flavour, 208 00:10:03,784 --> 00:10:06,000 including an old peasant dish 209 00:10:06,025 --> 00:10:07,790 that's still a Santorini speciality 210 00:10:07,815 --> 00:10:10,120 and one of my faves. 211 00:10:11,585 --> 00:10:13,280 I'm heading to a local cafe 212 00:10:13,305 --> 00:10:17,150 in the village of Pyrgos to try the fava beans. 213 00:10:21,425 --> 00:10:23,589 Lovely to see you. 214 00:10:23,614 --> 00:10:26,560 Antonis owns Cafe Brusco 215 00:10:26,585 --> 00:10:29,150 where his fava beans are prepared in the same way 216 00:10:29,175 --> 00:10:31,120 they would have been generations ago. 217 00:10:31,145 --> 00:10:34,950 So, this is the old-school way, traditional way. 218 00:10:40,705 --> 00:10:44,639 Basically, the stone grinder... 219 00:10:44,664 --> 00:10:48,959 OK. ..Is taking off the shells. 220 00:10:48,984 --> 00:10:52,150 And you're left with the favas. 221 00:10:53,425 --> 00:10:56,150 Wherever you go in Greece, you'll be served fava beans, 222 00:10:56,175 --> 00:10:58,200 but the Santorini favas 223 00:10:58,225 --> 00:10:59,639 are unique to this island, 224 00:10:59,664 --> 00:11:01,680 and they've been granted special status. 225 00:11:01,705 --> 00:11:04,933 They're dried for a year before they're ready for grinding. 226 00:11:10,187 --> 00:11:11,932 Will you hire me? Do I have a job? 227 00:11:11,957 --> 00:11:13,322 Yes? 228 00:11:14,876 --> 00:11:17,052 Once the bean has been ground out of the husk, 229 00:11:17,077 --> 00:11:19,052 they need to be separated. 230 00:11:20,876 --> 00:11:23,771 As you swirl them, you can see the casings 231 00:11:23,796 --> 00:11:25,242 rising to the top. 232 00:11:27,467 --> 00:11:29,212 Then, kind of... 233 00:11:29,237 --> 00:11:31,052 And then... Yes. 234 00:11:34,717 --> 00:11:36,412 There they are. 235 00:11:36,437 --> 00:11:38,442 So this is for the chickens. Yes. 236 00:11:38,467 --> 00:11:41,412 And these are for us. Yes. 237 00:11:41,437 --> 00:11:42,851 Very nice. 238 00:11:42,876 --> 00:11:44,851 Very nice. 239 00:11:48,157 --> 00:11:49,851 JULIA LAUGHS 240 00:11:49,876 --> 00:11:51,212 In our family, 241 00:11:51,237 --> 00:11:55,018 we are a little bit partial to the old fava bean paste. 242 00:11:55,043 --> 00:11:58,521 It's similar to houmous in texture, 243 00:11:58,546 --> 00:12:00,962 but the taste is sweeter. 244 00:12:00,987 --> 00:12:03,242 It's just delicious. 245 00:12:03,267 --> 00:12:05,962 Far from its peasant roots, 246 00:12:05,987 --> 00:12:09,771 the Santorini product is now an expensive, gourmet product 247 00:12:09,796 --> 00:12:11,682 harvested by farmers on the island. 248 00:12:13,357 --> 00:12:15,962 The locals here like to enjoy it as a dip 249 00:12:15,987 --> 00:12:18,851 gently cooked into a smooth paste. 250 00:12:20,157 --> 00:12:22,162 It's the moment of truth. 251 00:12:22,187 --> 00:12:24,052 Yasou. 252 00:12:28,107 --> 00:12:30,052 From Santorini, sweet wine. 253 00:12:30,077 --> 00:12:31,521 Ah, Efharisto poli. 254 00:12:35,796 --> 00:12:37,242 I have a feeling 255 00:12:37,267 --> 00:12:40,721 that this is going to be the best fava bean paste I've ever tasted. 256 00:12:45,796 --> 00:12:47,242 Mmm. 257 00:12:48,907 --> 00:12:50,412 Such a delicate flavour. 258 00:12:52,387 --> 00:12:55,521 They mix the fava beans for a long, long time. They heat them. 259 00:12:55,546 --> 00:12:57,412 They add olive oil, 260 00:12:57,437 --> 00:13:00,412 they add onion, they keep mixing, 261 00:13:00,437 --> 00:13:03,212 they scoop off the top of the surface. 262 00:13:03,237 --> 00:13:05,692 And they end up with this. 263 00:13:05,717 --> 00:13:07,442 This is Santorini 264 00:13:07,467 --> 00:13:09,242 in a little dish. 265 00:13:09,267 --> 00:13:11,521 It's just a demonstration of 266 00:13:11,546 --> 00:13:13,721 the deliciousness 267 00:13:13,746 --> 00:13:17,692 of the fruit and vegetables on this very, very fertile volcanic island. 268 00:13:19,157 --> 00:13:22,082 Not even 11 and I'm drinking wine. Whoop-whoop. Winning. 269 00:13:29,676 --> 00:13:31,971 I've had a taste of the old Santorini, 270 00:13:31,996 --> 00:13:34,802 but these clays, it's hard to escape the signs 271 00:13:34,827 --> 00:13:37,012 of the island's recent reinvention 272 00:13:37,037 --> 00:13:39,971 catering to the massive influx of tourists. 273 00:13:39,996 --> 00:13:44,601 Sadly, one of the biggest downsides is what they leave behind. 274 00:13:46,827 --> 00:13:50,012 While laws are being introduced to ban single-use plastic, 275 00:13:50,037 --> 00:13:53,082 a huge amount still ends up in the sea every day. 276 00:13:55,357 --> 00:13:58,292 But I'm meeting someone who's doing something about it. 277 00:13:58,317 --> 00:13:59,692 Yasou. 278 00:13:59,717 --> 00:14:01,332 Hello, hello. 279 00:14:01,357 --> 00:14:02,802 I'm Julia. 280 00:14:02,827 --> 00:14:04,802 Nice to meet you, Julia. Xanthe? 281 00:14:04,827 --> 00:14:07,362 Xanthe. Hi, nice to meet you, Lefteris. 282 00:14:07,387 --> 00:14:09,132 How are you, Lefteris? I'm fine, thank you. 283 00:14:12,157 --> 00:14:15,082 Xanthe, the same name as one of my daughters, 284 00:14:15,107 --> 00:14:16,572 is the skipper of this boat 285 00:14:16,597 --> 00:14:19,292 and she's taking us along the south coast of Santorini 286 00:14:19,317 --> 00:14:21,771 past the famous white beach. 287 00:14:21,796 --> 00:14:23,651 That's pretty incredible, isn't it? 288 00:14:23,676 --> 00:14:24,882 It's like a huge iceberg. 289 00:14:25,957 --> 00:14:28,971 Born into a family of five generations of fishermen, 290 00:14:28,996 --> 00:14:31,521 Lefteris is determined to bring Santorini's waters 291 00:14:31,546 --> 00:14:33,932 back to their former glory. 292 00:14:35,027 --> 00:14:36,362 What's the project called? 293 00:14:36,387 --> 00:14:38,572 The name of the project is Enaleia. 294 00:14:38,597 --> 00:14:40,932 Which in Greek means "together with the fishermen." 295 00:14:40,957 --> 00:14:43,132 I saw that together with the nets 296 00:14:43,157 --> 00:14:45,442 the fishermen were collecting a lot of plastic. 297 00:14:45,467 --> 00:14:47,651 And I saw a can of Coca-Cola. 298 00:14:47,676 --> 00:14:49,521 It had a weird colour 299 00:14:49,546 --> 00:14:51,362 so I saw the expiration date 300 00:14:51,387 --> 00:14:53,651 and it expired in 1987. 301 00:14:53,676 --> 00:14:56,362 And you realised how long all the rubbish stays down there. 302 00:14:56,387 --> 00:14:57,442 Yes. 303 00:14:57,467 --> 00:15:00,212 The biggest shock was when the fisherman took it from my hand 304 00:15:00,237 --> 00:15:01,721 and threw it back in the sea. 305 00:15:01,746 --> 00:15:05,002 He told me that's the problem we have. 306 00:15:05,027 --> 00:15:06,932 And then he threw it back? Yes! 307 00:15:06,957 --> 00:15:10,572 So how are you and this project going to get over that? 308 00:15:10,597 --> 00:15:13,721 So we give them now bins to put the plastic there. 309 00:15:13,746 --> 00:15:17,312 Then they bring it up in seven ports, currently in Greece, 310 00:15:17,337 --> 00:15:20,982 where we store it and then we recycle and upcycle it. 311 00:15:21,007 --> 00:15:22,822 And these are made from plastic 312 00:15:22,847 --> 00:15:24,822 that's been collected by the fishermen? 313 00:15:24,847 --> 00:15:27,741 Exactly. Specifically, this one is made from net. 314 00:15:27,766 --> 00:15:28,902 They are turned into socks. 315 00:15:28,927 --> 00:15:30,632 So you're upcycling and recycling. 316 00:15:30,657 --> 00:15:32,182 Yes, and we are just getting started. 317 00:15:32,207 --> 00:15:34,382 So hopefully we are able to clean 318 00:15:34,407 --> 00:15:37,432 maybe four or five tonnes of marine plastic per week. 319 00:15:37,457 --> 00:15:39,382 Now our fishermen, they are so proud. 320 00:15:39,407 --> 00:15:43,182 They are really, really inspired and talking to other fishermen 321 00:15:43,207 --> 00:15:45,871 because they see that in the areas that we do the project, 322 00:15:45,896 --> 00:15:47,512 the sea is becoming cleaner. 323 00:15:47,537 --> 00:15:49,621 And the fish are more again. 324 00:15:52,537 --> 00:15:56,102 This is a subject that I'm really passionate about. 325 00:15:56,127 --> 00:15:59,182 This story and the people behind this story 326 00:15:59,207 --> 00:16:02,352 are genuinely inspiring. 327 00:16:03,657 --> 00:16:05,741 This is one of the problems that we're all living with. 328 00:16:06,977 --> 00:16:09,232 And these guys want to do something about it. 329 00:16:15,337 --> 00:16:19,022 I've been told if I want to see what life on Santorini was like 330 00:16:19,047 --> 00:16:20,541 before tourism took hold... 331 00:16:22,657 --> 00:16:25,352 ...all I need to do is take a short boat ride. 332 00:16:29,407 --> 00:16:30,982 Thank you. 333 00:16:32,686 --> 00:16:35,822 This is Thirasia, baby Santorini. 334 00:16:35,847 --> 00:16:40,022 You can see Mama Santorini over there about ten minutes away. 335 00:16:40,047 --> 00:16:41,741 This is how it used to be 336 00:16:41,766 --> 00:16:43,902 about 60 years ago. 337 00:16:43,927 --> 00:16:46,152 What a contrast. 338 00:16:46,177 --> 00:16:51,072 It may share the same dramatic landscape as its glitzy neighbour, 339 00:16:51,097 --> 00:16:55,352 but Thirasia really is like stepping back in time. 340 00:16:55,377 --> 00:16:59,741 This is the Greece always described to me by my mum. 341 00:16:59,766 --> 00:17:01,991 Just three and a half miles square, 342 00:17:02,016 --> 00:17:05,822 much of its sparse, mountainous landscape is uninhabited. 343 00:17:05,847 --> 00:17:10,072 Calling this place sleepy is an understatement. 344 00:17:10,097 --> 00:17:12,382 There are signs that tourism is starting 345 00:17:12,407 --> 00:17:15,022 to spread across the water from Santorini, 346 00:17:15,047 --> 00:17:18,342 but the visitors who come here rarely venture beyond the harbour. 347 00:17:21,686 --> 00:17:25,512 Maybe it's the steep climb that puts people off exploring. 348 00:17:25,537 --> 00:17:27,382 But, fortunately, 349 00:17:27,407 --> 00:17:30,102 I've bagged the island's only taxi to take me to the top. 350 00:17:31,457 --> 00:17:33,871 I think this is my ride. 351 00:17:35,047 --> 00:17:37,382 And I'm definitely travelling in style. 352 00:17:37,407 --> 00:17:39,262 It's the Popemobile! 353 00:17:43,047 --> 00:17:45,152 Hi. Hello! Yasou. 354 00:17:47,377 --> 00:17:49,102 Thank you. 355 00:17:49,127 --> 00:17:51,022 Lovely carpet. 356 00:17:51,047 --> 00:17:53,592 SHE SPEAKS GREEK 357 00:17:53,617 --> 00:17:55,262 Efharisto. 358 00:18:01,327 --> 00:18:03,462 It's a far cry from the black cabs. 359 00:18:04,847 --> 00:18:07,232 The old kitchen cupboard door is a bit rickety. 360 00:18:07,257 --> 00:18:08,871 A bit wobbly. 361 00:18:16,816 --> 00:18:18,902 It's definitely unspoilt, this island, isn't it? 362 00:18:21,537 --> 00:18:23,741 Couldn't be more different to Santorini. 363 00:18:24,847 --> 00:18:27,302 It's quite mad, really, 364 00:18:27,327 --> 00:18:30,462 to go from all that glamour 365 00:18:30,487 --> 00:18:33,352 and pulsating tourism... 366 00:18:35,297 --> 00:18:37,512 ...to this sleepy little island. 367 00:18:41,327 --> 00:18:45,022 An island that didn't even have electricity until 1980. 368 00:18:46,537 --> 00:18:48,822 I'm gonna get out here, wherever here is. 369 00:18:50,327 --> 00:18:53,022 Efharisto, Manoli. 370 00:18:53,047 --> 00:18:54,822 There we go. 371 00:18:54,847 --> 00:18:56,022 Thank you. 372 00:18:56,047 --> 00:18:58,871 I've come to the capital, Manolas, 373 00:18:58,896 --> 00:19:01,592 but it's little more than a village. 374 00:19:05,537 --> 00:19:08,352 Strolling through its almost deserted lanes 375 00:19:08,377 --> 00:19:10,462 feels a world away from anything. 376 00:19:14,016 --> 00:19:16,822 The hub is the church of Saint Constantine 377 00:19:16,847 --> 00:19:18,661 built over 100 years ago. 378 00:19:20,377 --> 00:19:23,182 That's where I'm meeting Papa Loukas, 379 00:19:23,207 --> 00:19:25,302 the village priest of nearly 30 years. 380 00:19:29,967 --> 00:19:32,791 What a beautiful church. 381 00:19:32,816 --> 00:19:35,822 Behind us, this is very beautiful. I haven't seen... 382 00:19:35,847 --> 00:19:37,592 This is Grandfather. 383 00:19:37,617 --> 00:19:39,072 Your grandfather made this? Yes. 384 00:19:46,896 --> 00:19:48,432 Shipwrecks? 385 00:19:48,457 --> 00:19:50,661 That's why it's so unique. 386 00:19:50,686 --> 00:19:52,791 How many people live on the island? 387 00:19:57,686 --> 00:20:03,871 And what do you think of Santorini, which is... so big? 388 00:20:20,487 --> 00:20:24,102 What is so special about Thirasia, the island, 389 00:20:24,127 --> 00:20:26,232 what is so "orea" about Thirasia? 390 00:20:53,657 --> 00:20:54,871 So they're all wrong. 391 00:20:54,896 --> 00:20:57,541 This is the place to come for the best sunsets, not Santorini. 392 00:20:57,566 --> 00:20:59,232 We're all wrong. 393 00:21:06,047 --> 00:21:10,661 Thirasia is the most untouched island I've been to so far. 394 00:21:10,686 --> 00:21:12,541 It's like stepping back in time. 395 00:21:12,566 --> 00:21:16,871 And even though it's so close to the glamourous energy of Santorini, 396 00:21:16,896 --> 00:21:18,512 it's a different world. 397 00:21:18,537 --> 00:21:20,991 I wonder how long it'll stay like this? 398 00:21:22,127 --> 00:21:24,871 Returning to Santorini after so many years 399 00:21:24,896 --> 00:21:27,352 really has been full of contrast, 400 00:21:27,377 --> 00:21:30,352 from 21st century luxuries 401 00:21:30,377 --> 00:21:33,102 to rustic, undiscovered charm. 402 00:21:33,127 --> 00:21:36,352 I certainly won't be leaving it so long before I come back again. 403 00:21:38,816 --> 00:21:42,632 'Next time, my Greek odyssey takes me to the Sporades - 404 00:21:42,657 --> 00:21:45,462 'the paradise islands.' 405 00:21:45,487 --> 00:21:46,541 There's nobody here. 406 00:21:46,566 --> 00:21:49,462 'Visiting Skiathos and Skopolos, 407 00:21:49,487 --> 00:21:51,942 'I'll be discovering colourful local traditions...' 408 00:21:51,967 --> 00:21:55,541 I feel very Greek and very hot. 409 00:21:55,566 --> 00:21:58,072 '..And taking in the blockbusting scenery 410 00:21:58,097 --> 00:21:59,462 'of the Mamma Mia island.' 411 00:21:59,487 --> 00:22:01,632 That is just amazing. 412 00:22:01,657 --> 00:22:04,072 This is Greece. Look at that. 413 00:22:05,537 --> 00:22:07,512 Subtitles by ITV signpost