Santorini Greece Vacation
Posted on 25. Jan, 2009 by in Santorini Vacation Guide
If you want to discover an island with really singular scenery during your Greek holidays, then the island of Santorini is the place to be. Part of the Cyclades group of islands, Santorini lies between the islands of Ios and Anafi. Renowned for its breathtaking sceneries, dazzling sunsets and wonderful seaside, Santorini is a necessary stop in your Greek voyage.
There many different types of scenery in Santorini, ranging from villages steeped in ancient Greek culture to beautiful beaches. The village of Mesa Gonia is a classic example of the architectural legacy of the island. Pyrgos also has some ancestral vestiges such as a Venetian castle and Byzantine churches.
The administrative center of the island is at Fira, where Venetian and Cycladic buildings abound. The roads of Fira are covered with cobblestones, and are bordered with many shops, hotels and pubs. The particularity of the town is that it stands on a cliff about 900 feet above its port. A cable car is available from the port, linking it directly to Fira. Otherwise, the town can be accessed by using the hundreds of mules that wait at the port and enable travelers to climb up the 588 tortuous steps to the town.
The highest spot of the island is Ia, just a short distance from Fira. Ia is well-known for its whitewashed buildings and charming sunsets that have been acclaimed to be among the world’s best sunsets. The beaches are another attraction of Santorini. Kamari is a one of a kind: a black pebble beach. The beach at Perissa is one of the neatest of the country. It is famous for the Greek fish taverns that are around it. Monolithos is a beach prized by children because its water is not very deep.
The island can be reached by air or sea. Airplanes can be obtained from Athens. This is the most rapid way to arrive at Santorini—it takes just 30 minutes. The airport of Santorini is situated in the village of Kamari. Chartered planes lift off from various European metropolises to land at Kamari at regular intervals.
Ferry is also a common way to access the island. Ferries depart from the port of Piraeus and reach Santorini through stops at Paros and Nixos Islands. At the peak tourist seasons, ferries are also available from the island of Crete. The ferries berth at Athinios where buses and taxis wait to take the visitors to various villages across the island.
Ferries however take more time to reach the island. Tourists also report feeling seasick, especially if they are not accustomed to this mode of travel. An alternative, if one is bent on using the sea way, is the high-speed catamarans that also visit the island on a regular basis. The length of the journey from Piraeus to Santorini on a high-speed catamaran is only about 4 ½ hours.
For a more stylish and relaxed visit to the Greek islands, cruise ships also berth at the island’s old port, a few kilometers from Athinios.
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