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SANTORINI ISLAND - OPTIONAL TRIP - GREECE

Santorini, the lovers' Cretan island - Santorini is located in the Aegean Sea and it is the southernmost of the Cyclades islands.
The island's capital is Fira, which is a port city. It impresses with its narrow streets, traditional taverns, shops situated on the slopes of rocks, but also the wonderful beaches and the crystal clear sea water.
Santorini can be reached by plane orby ferry boat from Piraeus dock. (9-12 hours).

Santorini, the most beautiful and spectacular island of Greece (and most expensive), receives an annual number of tourists from two to three times the island's population. While detached from a volcano a long time ago, the island offers tourists sea and mountains, white and blue, Orthodox churches and traditions.It is worth a visit in the optional tours, or you can opt for accommodation on this island.

Santorini is the realm where the myth of Atlantis started. In the past, the beautiful lagoon was the center of the island of Santorini Port. It was sunk by powerful volcanic eruptions that changed the topography. It's become known worldwide for its black and red sand and its natural cliffs which are hundreds of feet high. Fira, the island's capital, is located in a volcanic wall on a cliff 300 meters high with dazzling white houses with rounded roofs, between small and narrow streets leading to shops and taverns.

Oia is famous for its sunsets that took the form of a ritual. Just after noon people started to move to the terraces that have sea view.

The island is 96 square kilometers and is situated at 130 nautical miles from Piraeus. The coastline is steep with western slopes in opposition from the eastern beaches, some sandy and some pebbly.

If you want to get from Skala to Fira you must climb on foot or on a donkey. There is a funicular railway for those who want to avoid the hundreds of steps. Climbing costs, with funicular or donkey, 3 euro / person. If you are unluncky you can end up with stubborn donkey that refuses to go up or down with you on his back and you can not recover the money.

Fira is very attractive, with winding narrow streets, arcades and a neighborhood where the Catholic nobility once lived. There is a very important museum with prehistoric finds (mostly pottery), a large collection of vases dating from the 7th and 6th centuries BC (Including the pieces known as 'Thera ware' (Thera pottery items), some artefacts and some ancient and classical Hellenistic and Roman sculptures.

There is a lovely view from Kamenes to Fira, the two islands of black stone created by the volcano. They can be visited by boat.

Ancient Thira is a site of great archaeological interest which was occupied by Phoenicians, Dorians, Romans and Byzantines. Buildings include groups of houses, markets, baths, theaters, sanctuaries, the residence of Ptolemy Euergetes, tombs of the Archaic and Classical periods and artifacts from early Christian times. The surrounding cliffs are inscribed in the ancient alphabet of Thira, the name of the god Apollo and of men and boys.

Akrotiri offers 43 artifacts from a Minoan city destroyed around 1500 BC by an eruption of the volcano on Thira. In effect, this is a prehistoric version of Pompeii buried beneath volcanic ash, with two or three story houses, with markets, shops, workshops and so on. The highest peak on Santorini is the Prophet Ilias Monastery, where he holds a religious holiday on July 20 each year.

The old Ia village is north of Fira and is a place of incomparable beauty. The Village's unique charm lies in small boxes made of soft stone (some painted white, blue and ocher) in neo-classical villas with gardens and narrow alleys. It also offers a superb view out to sea.

Among the best beaches, some with black sand, some pebbles are Kamari or Armeni, Amoudi Baxedes Perissa, Monolithos and Kokini Paralia.

The stunning scenery, the natural environment peculiarities, the unusual architecture and the Santorini monuments attract a great number of visitors every summer.

How to get there: by ferry. the boat from Piraeus or by plane from Athens. If you are staying in Crete and come in an optional excursion to Santorini, it costs about 68 euros / person and lasts all day because the distance between the two islands is considerable. Movement will be by sea with a cruise line.

Things to buy: embroidery, crocheted goods, carpets, handicrafts local wine, chickpeas. Prices are pretty steep because people don't live only from tourism. Coffee at terrace and a glass of water cost about four euros each.

Quick useful information

Crete is much more than an island, it is a micro continent. There are few places in the world where you can find such a vast array of cultural influences within such a relatively small geographical area. The area is also blessed with an amazing variety of terrain which contributes both to the wealth of fresh local agricultural products available as well as the wide range of outdoor activities that can be enjoyed here.

Hersonissos resort - Greece - The hidden pearl of Crete island - Perfect Hersonissos vacation