What no one tells you so glowingly is that there is a volcano right under your nose, while you are on the island. That's' right, there is an active volcano, no less, which is part of the group of islands of Santorini. It is called the caldera by the locals.
Infact the island was once where the ancient town was situated and the volcanic eruption and the subsequent earthquake destroyed the town and caused it to immerse partly under the sea. The volcano remains active to this day and visitors are not allowed to stay overnight.But it is also the volcanic ash and the consequences that have given Santorini it's unique, unforgettable beauty.
How to get there
By Air
Santorini (Thira) National Airport is located in the Kamari village and has regular connections with major European cities and daily connections to and from Athens. Reaching Santorini by air should be the preferred option for those who are prone to sea sickness.
By Boat
This is the most ideal way to get to the island because it gives you the opportunity to see the island in its full panoramic glory. It is when you arrive by sea, that you can appreciate the dramatic beauty and the unique architecture such as the whitewashed and the blue domed churches perching atop the various cliffs. Ferries connect Santorini to various islands including daily trips to Athens. Sometimes ferries are cancelled due to bad weather; check the schedule well in advance for summer months.
Both the airport and the main port of Santorini are well-connected by the local bus service. The buses run across the various villages.
Although the buses are frequent enough during the day (every 30 or 45 minutes for specific routes) they connect the main villages such as Fira, Oia and Kamari. For other places, the schedule may be spars in non-summer months. In such a case, you can rent a bike or a car. All you would need is an International Driver's Permit and a strong heart as the roads are narrow and a lot of locals drive rather scarily!
Climate
The peak tourist season in Santorini is between July-August though it is rather hot. April to June are warm and the island is fairly less crowded around this time. September-October months also provide a non-touristic experience and the temperature is mild. The rest of the year, the weather is generally not cold but the sea is rough and unpleasant and therefore it is better to avoid visiting the islands during the winter.
Where to stay
In Santorini, you not only pay for the hotel room but also for the view that the room provides. So if you book a caldera-facing room chances are you will pay astronomical prices.
Usually the Western part of the island (the location of Caldera) has more expensive hotels and the rates increase as per the views of the room allotted to you.
Also, note that in this part of the island, although you can enjoy the outstanding views of the caldera, there are also tons of stairs you will need to navigate each time you exit/enter your hotel. There are also several hotels in the western side which do not allow children due to the dangerous locations over the cliff.
The eastern side of Santorini is similar to various other Greek islands with it's beachside hotels.
It's always a good idea to book well in advance and look for good deals, irrespective of where you stay- the west or the east.
Food
The volcano not only gave this island its unique topography but the ash-laden soil also produces some vegetables indigenous only to Santorini.
When you are in Santorini, you must try the white auburgine, the cherry tomato (insist on the local ones as the tomatoes grown in the lava-ash-laden soil have a unique sweet taste , and have to tried at least once) Of course, you can try some delicious fresh fish at one of the many tavernas across the island.
For a quick and cheap meal there are gyros across the island.
A must-try is tomato keftedes, a dish of whole slices of locally grown tomatoes wrapped in batter and deep-fried in Greek olive oil. It is very hard to find but an absolute must try!
Shopping
Santorini produces some of the most famous wines in Greece.
Santo wines are famous around the world due to the unique taste and quality.
There are shops across the island to pick up some good wine. Oi village has some really good stores where you can stock up on the wine shopping.
For souvenirs, you will find plenty of stores across the island and most of them offer goods at a fixed price.
Expenses
The Euro is the official currency of Greece. Foreign Exchange is easily possible at the airport and across the isalnd. There are also various ATMs across the villages. It is a good idea to have enough cash as most outlets accept cash but various do not accept credit cards or might charge additional fee for using the credit card.
The villages of Fira and Oi are expensive and most of the caldera-facing restaurants can be very expensive.
As there are limited taxis on the island, you need to pre-book them and the fare depends on the distance. Buses are cheap and usually charge around 1.20 to 3.00 for travel between the villages.
Places of Interest
The present day Santorini is the aftermath of a volcanic eruption. That in itself has made the island a natural wonder of the world. The natural beauty and the historic architechture make this island a breathtaking sight no matter where on the island you are.
Akrotiri is an excavation site. The site safeguards a 3,500 year old Minoan town preserved in volcanic ash.The ancient site is very well preserved and you can see several buildings and several floors still intact.
It is a great place to visit to understand the ancient way of life in Greece.
Ancient Thera:
The old Santorini, it is situated breath-takingly at 396m above sea level and affords absolutely gorgeous views of the sea. It goes as far back as 9th Century BC and has historical significance from the Dorian, Byzantine era and Roman eras. Things to do:
Watch the sunset at Oia:
If you have only day in Santorini, then this is the must on your list. Head to Oia village before sunset. Grab a spot at the famously crowded sunset viewpoint and immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring view. The sun setting brilliantly over the famous Santorini windmill and Cyclades architecture is a sight you will never ever forget.
Take a walk:
For those who love to hike or those who want to explore the majestic cliff side views of Santorini, start your trek from Fira and head to Oia while passing the Imerovigli village, The walk takes about 5 hours and you need to start early enough to reach Oia by 5:00Pm so that you can refresh yourself and grab a good seat to watch the sunset. It can be very hot though and therefore the walk can be draining, but you are rewarded by great views!
Caldera Cruise:
This is something you cannot miss while at Santorini. The Caldera watches over the entire island and you need to pay a visit! There are daily organized trips to the volcano and there are options of just a trip to volcano, a trip to volcano combined with a trip to the hot springs and some trips also include lunch. I would suggest only the trip to the volcano as the hot springs are really just muddy waters and chances are you won't be swimming there. Besides there are lot's of great beaches to swim!
The trip to Caldera starts at the old port and the old port is reachable by the cable car or by hopping on one of the many donkeys!
Swim:
Head to any of the gorgeous beaches, rent a chair and buy a drink and splash as much sunscreen over yourself as you can. And enjoy those blue, pristine waters.
One of my favorite beaches is Perissa.
Perissa offers a long, black sand lined beach and brilliant blue waters for swimming. Although it's a great beach for relaxing and swimming, beware that the shore has black volcanic sand which can not only be rough to walk on bare feet but it also gets tremendously hot during the day. But the contrast of the black sand and the blue beach is a sight to behold!
Most beaches offer changing rooms, those that don't have bars and taverns where you will find a restroom for basic needs.
Closure Line
Once you have set your sight on Santorini, you will never forget it. The island has that impact on everyone, from its dramatic sunsets,to its volcanic sand laden beaches and the white and blue architecture, Santorini is one of a kind. It may be a very popular wedding destination (And it deserves to be) but it is also a place that makes you fall in love with it. Move over red, the whites and the blues of Santorini are the new colors of love.
Source: "Aditi Sharma ,www.terrainspot ter.com"
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