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The entire island is an accumulation of
volcanic rock after the massive explosion that took place
in 1500B.C. and blew out the center and one side of the
island leaving a drowned crater, or caldera, the remains
of the original island, an arc of smaller islands with
vertical cliffs rising about 300m. out of the sea, and a
new active volcano rising from its center. This is what
makes the island unique. There is nothing like it in the
world. Swell sunsets, good local wine, fine restaurants.
Looking for activity, lots of restaurant choices? You
will find them at Fira, the capital town of the island,
built on the edge of the cliff 260m above sea level.The
island's unique architecture and the impressive view from
the top down to the sea below, make Fira one of the most
beautiful places in the world. You can get to the town by
car from the port of Athinio, or from the small bay under
Fira, called Scala by climbing hundreds of steps, or at
the back of a donkey through the cobbled pathroad.
Nevertheless a more modern way is by the cable railway
from Scala. A stroll in the small alleys of Fira is a
true delight, with the whitewashed houses and their
archways, the terraces and the small balconies.
Start walking along the length of the cliff offering a
wonderful view of the "caldera" to the village
of Firostefani and continue North to the village of
"Imerovigli" located right in the middle of the
caldera and on its highest point. The view of the volcano
from here is exquisite. Get the bus from here to Ia, one
of Santorini's most beautiful for its traditional
architecture villages. The main streets of the village
are coated with marble slates instead of the cobbled
roads we find everywhere else on the island.
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Pyrgos is the village that has maintained
the characteristics of the medieval settlement of
Santorini. It's built on a hill far from the sea and was
protected from the pirates by a wall, the remains of
which have survived today and can be found inside the
village. Very close to Pyrgos you come to Kamari and
Perissa, the two most known and mostly visited beaches of
the island. Actually Perissa is the well known
"black sandy" beach with a massive rock framing
the one side.
Do not forget to taste the famous Santorini wines, the
"hloro" cheese made of goat's milk and last but
not least you should try "fava", coming from a
most tasteful legume, smaller than a pea. Enjoy your time
on Santorini. You will never forget this island. |
