1 day trip to Santorini
It has been said that the sunsets in Santorini are the best in the world. From the Caldera breathtaking views of the volcano & neighbouring islands. From the east, miles of dark sandy or pebbled beaches. Everywhere one sees small domed churches and remnants of days gone by.
This is Santorini seen through the eyes of people who know & love it ...
The island’s volcanic beauty, the beaches of fine black sand, the distant rocks jutting out of the sea the cycladic architecture with the white houses and the narrow paved alleyways have rightly made Santorini one of the most frequented Greek islands. The enchanting sunset seen from the square of Oia truly impresses.
Disregarding the threat of the volcano,Santorini proudly spreds her beauty over the
wild rock as the remaining piece of the last mold of Atlantis.
The island was created eighty thousand years ago when the first volcanic eruption created the Stroggilli.
The island was first inhabited in 2000 BC and is considered to be the bastion on Minoan civilization.
In 1450 BC a second violent eruption completely destroyed the old island.
Its civilization is wiped out, and the tidal wave, reaching as far as the shores of Crete, carries every trace of the Minoan Civilization to the depths of the Aegean.
According to mythology, Poseidon and Aphrodites son,Triton, Created the island, which was called Callisti in honor of his beauty.
The name Thira coms from the hero of Thebes , Thira , under whose orders the Dorian tribes arrived on the island on the island in the 9th century.
In 304 ad Saint Irene of Thessaloniki was exiled here,and the island since then has called ”Saint Irene’s island” or Santa Irini, from while the name Stroggilli ( round) originated from its old shape.
When a ship enters the waters marked by Santorini and Theresiam the visitor comes into contact for the first time with the colored, sharp, steep cliffs of the caldera.
Carved into the rock, the port of Athenios is the first place to welcome the tourists, before they set off up to the steep road towards the cosmopolitan capital Fira.
Houses built in the style of the Cycladic islands, luxurious hotels, bars and restaurants are crowded together right up to the edge of the cliff, offering a wonderful view of the volcano.
Walking along the narrow alleyways of Fira towards of the caldera, one has the feeling of looking down the world from up high. If the breathtaking view sweeps you off your feet, it is completely justified, remember though, that it s also well worth taking stroll through the center of Fira. Visit the three-storey Museum of Prehistoric thira, where findings from the sites of Acrotiri and the greater area of Fira are exhibited. Also take some time to visit the monastery of the Dominian Nuns and the Cathedral Ypapanti.
All the roads to Oia and Acrotiri, at the northern and southern most points of the island, start off from Fira. Eleven miles of road dug into the red rock take you to colorful and peaceful Oia.
It is probably the most picturesque town in Santorini, since the multicolored volcanic rock makes a wonderful setting for the houses and luxurious hotels in Oia.
Walking along the paved alleyways, one is not deprived of the unique view of the impressive volcano and the blue waters of the Aegean.
The marble slabs on the many buildings and imposing two-storey mansions of the old sea captains re evidence of the naval peak and glory of late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Maritime Museum of Oia is housed in one such mansion.
It offers an impressive collection of nautical finds which belonged to the ship-owner of Santorini.
An afternoon walk in Oia end up the end of the town, at the most northern point of the island, where one can admire the world famous sunset.
Excursion program
08.15 Departure from Rethymno
10.30 Arrival at Santorini (Athinos port) and departure for Oia by coach. Free time
tourleaders available.
13.45 Departure from Oia heading to the town of Fira . Free time for sight seeing, shopping and drinks, having a birds-eye view of Caldera.
16.15 Departure for the Volcano.(optional)
The excursion includes swimming in thermal springs, so please take with you swimming suit and towel.
17.30 Departure from Fira to Athinios and embarkation on catamaran, for those who do not take the volcano trip.
20.40 Arrival at Rethymno