12.29.19  

We knew that Santorini (and Greece) would be a magical place since it has such a long history and mythology behind it. After all, we studied Greek history and know Zeus, Neptune, Athena, Apollo, et all, like they were real historical figures. And they might be! Add in the long history of volcanoes and earthquakes in this part of the world, and Santorini now becomes a Shangri-La that dreams are made of. Before we got there I knew little about Santorini other than the reviews and suggestions of other travels and writers. Many said that you must visit here, and others said it’s overrated; both may be right.

First, there’s the geology of the island which was created and recreated several times over the millennium. The volcano Santorini has been active throughout history is on the rim of the African tectonic plate which is in constant motion. The Santorini volcano blew in about 1646 BC according to historians and many believe it was the second largest explosion in all of recorded history. The net result was five separate islands with Thera (Santorini) being the largest.

If you look at Roman history, Mount Vesuvius and Pompei left behind a long legacy when it blew in 79 AD and that left many artifacts and skeletons behind. The Santorini explosion was horrific and was “centered” in what was then the capital city of Akrotiri, but apparently they knew something bad was happening since no bodies have been discovered, although many artifacts did survive. We did not explore this area as much as I would have liked, so put that on your list.

When we entered the port of Santorini, which IMHO, is THE best way to arrive, you can see the geology right in front of you since it is magnificent! The harbor is inside what used to be the INSIDE of what blew, and you can see the layers upon layers of rock that have been left behind.

 

 

 

I made a list of suggestions of what to do/ not do and see in Santorini,

so please add any suggestions you have and ask any questions!

1)         Read up on the geology of the island beforehand. There are lots of videos and web sites and it truly makes seeing it in person that much more special.

2)         If you can, take a ferry from Athens or better yet, from Naxos, which is where we stayed for a week. The ride from Naxos to Santorini is about two hours and the experience of entering the harbor is indescribable… BUT, check the weather since ferries can be affected by storms and rough sea. We used Blue Star Ferry and loved their ships.

3)         Rent a car. Taxis are crazy expensive, ie, just from the ferry port to the city of Fira (Thira) could be 20€ which is just a few miles. And don’t bother with a fancy car- the roads are crappy! We were offered a “newer” car with bells and whistles for 40€/ day but instead got an older vehicle for 25€. Be sure the tires are good and inflated since some of the rental agencies do not take good care of them. They DO have a bus from the ferry, but they only operate during certain hours.

4)         VISIT the town of Oia which is at the northern tip of the island. It is a “walking” town which means you park on the street outside the town itself and walk along the rim of the crater while viewing the amazing architecture and buildings. Those iconic pictures you see of Santorini? THIS is where they come from. In winter fewer shops and eateries were open, but it was VERY, very peaceful, which was great. In season being bumper to bumper people would diminish the beauty.

5)         VISIT the Monastery of Profitis Ilias (Prophet Elijah), which is at the highest elevation of the island, 1860 ft above sea level. With a 360 degree view you can see the entire island, though the narrow road is not for the faint of heart…

6)         VISIT Vlichada Beach if you have never seen a black sand beach before. The sand pebble sizes vary from very fine to small pebbles and the cliffs behind the beach are made from pumice which is strewn over the sand, very cool. BUT be mindful that black sand is hotter than the normal white sand you may be used to if you go in summer…

7)         Santorini is pricey, including food, so staying in the capital city of Thira (Fira) is probably your best option. If you do have a car, eating outside the tourist area saves you money. There are also smaller semi-fast food places which are reasonable. The island is a popular destination from those from India and Asia in winter, though we did hear many American voices, too.

I wish we had been able to visit the small island of Nea Kameni, which is totally comprised of volcanic rock and is still smoldering! No tours or ferries were offered in winter, but we DO plan to return in September.

Would you like to join us??

We wish you an AMAZING 2020 and hope you can create the LIFE and travel plans you want to create. Just remember to Travel Younger!