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.