Santorini Private Tours
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Mini Tours
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Island Package Planning |
Few visitors to Greece
willingly miss
Santorini, the most mythical
island in the
Cyclades.
All types of travelers visit the island, honeymooners, couples and
architecture lovers, food and wine lovers, amongst others. Once a round,
ordinary island, an ancient volcanic explosion left nothing but a
crescent-shaped rim around the underwater caldera. Some claim that
Santorini is the "real" Atlantis. It certainly was a major Minoan
outpost which slipped beneath the sea in a single night, leaving nothing
but floating pumice covering the surface of the water and memories of a
beautiful city.
The most renowned site on Santorini is the famed Minoan city Akrotiri, buried under a surprisingly gentle layer of volcanic ash which left walls and artifacts intact. The residents appear to have had warning of the eruption and escaped, but to wander the excavated streets is unnerving. It is definitely a town of ghosts. Near Akrotiri is some of Santorini's best wine-growing country. Keep an eye out for the unusual treatment of some vines, which are placed in hollows and then encouraged to grow basket-style. The volcanic soil of Santorini promises unusual, complex wines, and virtually all of them are very palatable. Wineries in Santorini are only now catching on to the idea of tasting rooms and tours, and these generally have to be arranged in advance. Santorini has an active nightlife, centering around Fira and, to a lesser extent, Oia. The crowds are very bad in July and August, which are also the hottest months in terms of temperature. Try to schedule your visit in May or early June, or late August through September. This gives you the best of both worlds - great temperatures and lighter crowds.
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Sample Tour Features
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| Santorini in a nutshell At Akrotiri, mysteries of ancient times come alive. Recall the volcanic eruption circa 1600 B.C. that destroyed all life on Santorini, sending it far beneath the waves. Excavations at the archaeological site document life here, believed to be the legendary Atlantis, although no written records have ever surfaced to support this. This interesting excursion will give you an insight into the ancient civilization of Santorini, combined with wine tasting, Kamari's black sand beach and a delicious lunch. It's Santorini in a nutshell! What to visit... AKROTIRI - In 1967, a tunnel dug through 160 feet of pumice at Akrotiri revealed a Bronze-Age town of some 30,000 inhabitants, which many believe was the lost city of Atlantis. Here a walk among the remains of buildings standing two and three stories high, with traces of balconies on the 50-foot street fronts, preserved by the ash that enveloped them before the final explosion. The fact that pottery found here was contemporaneous with that of Minoan Crete led the archaeologists to believe that both civilizations were extinguished by the same natural disaster. Winery - The rich volcanic soil in Megalochori is particularly favorable to viniculture. Vineyards of Santorini reflect a centuries-old tradition in local winemaking and the Assyritiko grape, a rare white variety grown here. If you care to visit the Boutari Winery, you'll enjoy a multi-media presentation, "Tribute to Santorini," which recreates the island's spectacular history, from its prehistoric beginnings and ancient civilization to its destruction from a volcanic eruption and rebirth. Fira - The charm of this lovely cliff-top village lies in its very narrow, twisting cobblestone paths that cater to pedestrians only. A steady uphill walk through Fira will bring you to the final destination of the Cable Car Station at the very top. Along the way, your attention most certainly will be captured by the pristine, whitewashed buildings, shops and cafes of this unique village perched upon Santorini's volcanic cliffs. |
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Live Santorini Island views
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Volcano view Greek Island Tour links: Aegean Stars Island Love Affair |
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