Sixty miles north of Crete, Santorini is the rumoured site of the lost continent of Atlantis. I admit that this is mainly for the sake of attracting tourists but there is some circumstantial evidence about to support the claim.
Santorini was once inhabited by the Minoans. Unfortunately ... Read review
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Advantages: Scenic and budget friendly Disadvantages: Windy
Sixty miles north of Crete, Santorini is the rumoured site of the lost continent of Atlantis. I admit that this is mainly for the sake of attracting tourists but there is some circumstantial evidence about to support the claim.
Santorini was once inhabited by the Minoans. Unfortunately for the Minoans they shared the island with somewhat of a volcano, which somewhat blew the island to pieces. What was once a largish circular island ... ...has left the island of Santorini in a dramatically beautiful state. Due to the volcanic rock the island's beaches are a dark shade of grey (not black like the guide books say but prettier than you'd think). The ocean is always a brilliant blue and a healthy sea breeze can make the waves look pretty damn impressive when crashing against the foot of the mountain dividing the resorts of Perissa and Kamari. The top of this mountain has a breathtaking ... more
Sixty miles north of Crete, Santorini is the rumoured site of the lost continent of Atlantis. I admit that this is mainly for the sake of attracting tourists but there is some circumstantial evidence about to support the claim.
Santorini was once inhabited by the Minoans. Unfortunately for the Minoans they shared the island with somewhat of a volcano, which somewhat blew the island to pieces. What was once a largish circular island now resembles a half eaten ring doughnut- with a still smouldering volcano in the middle.
As unpleasant as this probably was for the inhabitants at the time, the explosion has left the island of Santorini in a dramatically beautiful state. Due to the volcanic rock the island's beaches are a dark shade of grey (not black like the guide books say but prettier than you'd think). The ocean is always a brilliant blue and a healthy sea breeze can make the waves look pretty damn impressive when crashing against the foot of the mountain dividing the resorts of Perissa and Kamari. The top of this mountain has a breathtaking view (I've never looked down on a plane in flight before) and is also the location of ancient Thera, where the ruins of a village are being excavated.
However should you be interested in more of the island's history (or don't fancy an hour and a half walk up a big rock) I would suggest a visit to Akrotiri. This is another, larger, ruined town which like Pompeii has been preserved by a layer of volcanic ash, lava and, er, you know stuff. However unlike the Pompeiians the Akrotirians seemed to have had the good sense to take their valuables and get out of town before the volcano erupted as the excavations have neither unearthed human remains (yay!) nor gold (boo!).
Getting to Akrotiri, like everywhere on the island is fairly straight forward. Car and moped hire is reasonably priced and readily accessible so long as you have the relevant documents: Insurance, Drivers' License, Last Will & Testament- that sort of thing. The alternative to this would be the bus network. 'Network' is quite a generous term to be honest, all buses go to the capital Fira and from there you can get a bus to anywhere else on the island. This gives you a choice of about four- like I said, Santorini is a small place! The bus timetables are changed weekly and if you're lucky you will get the driver I had who looked (and drove) suspiciously like Otto from the Simpsons.
Fira for me is the 'must-see' spot on the island. Built into the rock of the largest caldera (collapsed volcano crater thingy) in the world, walking round these little white houses and blue domed churches is like walking through a picture postcard of Greece. From many of the numerous (and overpriced) cafes and tavernas there is a brilliant view of the ocean and volcano below and should you be tempted there is a cable car or donkey willing to transport you down to the port. From here its just a short trip across to the hot (read luke-warm) springs and mud baths of the volcano, or one of the smaller islands that make up the rest of the collapsed crater.
Santorini is famous for its sunsets. When I say that I do of course mean 'famous' in the 'you haven't heard this until you come here and then you hear this everywhere you go' sense of the word. If you ask me the sun sets most places you go the in the world but apparently if you go to the northern town of Oia it sets in a slightly better way. I didn't go so I can't offer an opinion on the matter but I don't want to be accused of not giving you all the information on the place. In fact what do I care? I don't know you. Please feel free to accuse me of anything you like.
But I digress, Santorini is beautiful. Its relatively easy to get to (read Discobunny's opinion on GoldenSun and you won't agree) as either a cheap package tour or one leg in an island hopping tour of Greece (4 hours by ferry from Crete). Either way I'd recommend a trip if you want sun, sand and scenery. If you want anything else make sure you go in peak season as when I went in May everything was a trifle relaxed.
Advantages: beautiful scenary, black sand, Aegean sea, Vulcano, rich history Disadvantages: bus connections
...reason why I have chosen Santorini over the other 1400 Greek Islands, was my profesor who goes there rugularly and is completely in love with it. All his describing of the island made me decide to go there.
Santorini is a small group of volcanic islands located in the Aegean Sea about 200 km south-east from the mainland of Greece. The Greek islands are devided into island groups and Santorini belongs into the island group of the Cyclades. It's spread ... ...13,600 people.
1.) TRANSPORTATION
Buses: They were my main form of transportation for exploring the island. The transfer between the airport (which is about 8 km away from Thira/Fira - »capital« of Santorini) was easy to find, there were plenty of buses that had hotel names written on them - so they literally drop you off infront of your hotel, which is great. The taxis were also available of course. Now as far it goes for getting around the island ...
mkmvmg 04.04.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Santorini (Greece)
Advantages: Breathtaking scenery never to be forgotten Disadvantages: Prices increasing - possibly owing to influx of American Cruise ships
Santorini island lies at the south end of the Cyclades group of islands. Santorini is an island of extraordinary beauty like nowhere else. Whether arriving by air or sea you are immediately struck by the volcanic cliffs of red brown rock topped by clusters of gleaming white sugar cube homes and villages - likened to the icing on a cake. Its volcanic sheer cliffs, rising straight from the deep blue sea, are layer upon layer of red volcanic rock within ... ...graces many a photograph. Santorini is one of the most romantic places in the world. The sunset from Oia or Imerovigli is a sight not to be missed. The sun sets directly to the sea and bathes the whole landscape in colours ranging from blues, purples, reds and yellows, evoking the volcanic eruptions of the past. There are 17 villages on the island all of whom have unique characteristics and attractions. Busy, bustling Thira the main town , old Emporeio ...
greekteeth 16.09.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Santorini (Greece)
Advantages: Beautiful and with the best sunset Disadvantages: a bit windy as all other Cyclades islands
Santorini island is one of the best islands in Cyclades. I have been visiting Santorini every year for holidays. It is a well organised island and a lot of foreign people visit every year. There are a lot of nice beaches to visit. Also there are a lot of organised camping areas that you can rent a place for cheap and camp wiith your own tent. In Santorini you can see the best sunset ever. It is something amazing and you can see that on the 15th of ... ...around waiting for the sunset. Santorini is a little bit more expensive than other Greek islands but definately it worths the money. There are plenty accomodation around to rent so try to book in advance otherwise you might not find nowhere to stay. I recommend to everyone to pay a visit to this island. There is also a volcano that you can walk onto and swim close to it and feel the heat while swimming. ...
nmanias 09.09.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Santorini (Greece)
Advantages: beautiful Disadvantages: black beaches, expensive nightlife, coupely, a bit boring!!
Santorini is a beautiful volcanic island located in the south Cyclades. It is easily accessible by inexpensive ferries from numerous other islands including Crete, Naxos, Paros and Ios. The main areas to stay in Santorini are the capital Thira and Kamari. Thira is quite hectic and is the preference of youths visiting for a short period of time to investigate the nightlife. Kamari, however, is a bit more laid back and I would say more pleasant. Although ... ...I would not recommend Santorini to those who want to spend their vacation lying on a beautiful sandy beach. Although Santorini is charming, the sight of package holiday makers lying under umbrellas on a black sand beach is not really that appealing. Santorini also seems to be a favourite of honeymooners so if you're recently single it is not the place to be!!
At the end of the day I would recommend Santorini to my parents but I would say to those ...
birdie 13.09.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Santorini (Greece)
Advantages: beautiful scenery Disadvantages: some accomidation very basic
I went to santorini last year,with my girlfriend.The first thing I should mention(if you are afraid of flying),is the landing at Santorini airport .I am not an easy flier,and when i saw us heading for the beach i thought "that was it"the plane does go really low over the beach.
Once off the plane the airport is really small with only one duty free shop,but once you are on the coach the island really sells itself.There are grapes growing in every ... ...a hotspot for weddings,people come from all over the world to get married there,which tells you a lot.Also it is a popular holiday destination for "well to do athenians".Whilst there i think we saw two British tourists.
There are plenty of day trips to go on.We went on a boat trip,were you dive in the sea ,and swim over to the shore,and then cover yourself in the mud off the bottom(its very good for youre skin),it was a fantastic day.
Another everyone ...
kidneydon1 06.10.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Santorini (Greece)
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Advantages: It must be the most photogenic place on the island. Disadvantages: Can be exspensive but you can visit for the day.
If you are on holiday on the island of Santorini it is likely that you will be tempted to vist the town of Ia which is famous especially for it's sunsets. Picturesque white and blue houses are built into the rock that overlooks the Caldera; this is an expanse of water formed in the past by the island volcanic activity. Cruise ships sail into the Caldera to view the attractive town,and the colured rock formations (cliffs) that have been created by the erruptions of the volcano and also to allow their passengers to vist the town. Restaurants, hotels, houses and hoilday properties are situated (perched on the cliff face) to take advantage of the view of the sunset over the Caldera.
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tue-s-day 22.08.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Ia, Santorini
Advantages: nice places Disadvantages: Don't travel in August
If you want to see the best part of Greece,that is the place to first visit.There are so many islands :Mykonos,Santorini,Paros,Antiparos,Naxos,Ios,Kalimnos,Milos etc.
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Santorini:The volcanic island with the small roads and the archoelogical sites offers one off the most spectacular sceneries in the Cyclades.There are no cars or motorbikes just mules to travel you around.
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Advantages: great beaches Disadvantages: steep prices
Perhaps the jewel of the Cyclades, Milos is known due to the statue of Venus found here. The place has incredible beaches, each and every one of them different from the others, and while it has enough of a night-life to satisfy the common tourist, the hard-core nightclubber might want to choose Santorini or Mykonos. You can rent a car or a motorbike to move around, or you can use the local transport to move to the most known places. Dont forget to visit the Catacombs!
You can reach the island from athens via plane, or via boat from piraeus, Crete or Santorini. As always in Greece You do want to avoid going in August, since the whole country is so full, that you will probably be unable to find even a bus ticket. Oh, last thing : large hats, sunblock and a waterbottles are at the top of the NEED list. Just imagine going to Egypt, remove ...
