Discussion
I'm off to Santorini in 3 weeks. I'm usually a fan of city breaks and not getting massively sunburnt (I'm very pale, suncream only has limited usefulness!) but this place looks pretty interesting. Supposedly the site of a huge volcanic eruption some 3,000 years ago and is linked in to the legend of Atlantis.
Just wondering if any PH-ers had any tips for things to see and do that wouldn't be in the guide books...
I'm mainly excited by the prospect of hiring a quad bike to go exploring on!
Just wondering if any PH-ers had any tips for things to see and do that wouldn't be in the guide books...
I'm mainly excited by the prospect of hiring a quad bike to go exploring on!
Thira (Greek: Θήρα [ˈθira]) is fabulous, you can look down the cliffs onto the cruise ships.
Oia, on the northern tip is also lovely to visit. The tourist bits on the East side are fine to stay in but your idea of quad bike exploring might be a bit of an ambitious one. It's about 20km from top to bottom.
It is one of the most beautiful place I've ever been to though. Sunset over the caldera is memorable.
Oia, on the northern tip is also lovely to visit. The tourist bits on the East side are fine to stay in but your idea of quad bike exploring might be a bit of an ambitious one. It's about 20km from top to bottom.
It is one of the most beautiful place I've ever been to though. Sunset over the caldera is memorable.
Very expensive from what I remember but good nonetheless. Definitely do boat trip to the volcano and around the coves.
Thira was a large island with a volcanoe in the middle. When it exploded, just the volcano and the outer ring was left. So yes, it is/was Atlantis. There a a few islands near by to visit by boat. Ios is has a great beach and the nightlife is more "Ibiza" than Santorini.
Thira was a large island with a volcanoe in the middle. When it exploded, just the volcano and the outer ring was left. So yes, it is/was Atlantis. There a a few islands near by to visit by boat. Ios is has a great beach and the nightlife is more "Ibiza" than Santorini.
Went there about 10 years ago - was a pretty spectacular place!
Watching the sunset whilst drinking a Cactus cocktail on the cliffs of Thira was good (especially if you're taking the missus)! As mentioned, definitely do the trip over to the Volcano and go for a walk (get a trip that gives you more than an hour on the volcano - you'll probably need it if you want to go see the current crater! Worth a swim in the sea beside it afterwards too - lovely and warm, albeit cloudy and slightly smelly!!).
Oh yes, we did have a little earthquake whilst we were there too - always good fun waking up to the bed bouncing across the floor!
Watching the sunset whilst drinking a Cactus cocktail on the cliffs of Thira was good (especially if you're taking the missus)! As mentioned, definitely do the trip over to the Volcano and go for a walk (get a trip that gives you more than an hour on the volcano - you'll probably need it if you want to go see the current crater! Worth a swim in the sea beside it afterwards too - lovely and warm, albeit cloudy and slightly smelly!!).
Oh yes, we did have a little earthquake whilst we were there too - always good fun waking up to the bed bouncing across the floor!
Thanks for all of the helpful hints! I feared a week was too long...but as mentioned above, Island hopping is do-able & I also have a stack of books to take with me, as well as a sack of factor 50 suncream.
I may go down the car rental route & leave the quad bike for local exploring then. Everyone knows rental cars are the fastest in the world too. Bodes well.
I may go down the car rental route & leave the quad bike for local exploring then. Everyone knows rental cars are the fastest in the world too. Bodes well.
goldblum said:
Small,hot,can be very windy,expensive and beautiful.A week is too long to spend there but the island hopping potential is enormous.Did anyone mention black sand?
A week is just right really... it is a place for relaxing as well after all! I loved the place. We stayed just north of the main town of Fira which was ideal - close enough to walk in in 10-15 minutes in the evening, but away from the cruise ship crowds. Plus the coastal path is spectacular all the way along, and there are lots of little cafes and bars to sit with a glass of wine and some nibbles and watch the sun setting.Most people bomb it round the island on quad bikes, you may wish to hire one.
We walked up the main mountain on the island to the ancient ruins at the top. It was a very sweaty walk in august and stupidly windy at the top! You can also drive up the other side but there are quite a few switch-backs!
I don't think there is much else to do except relax and take in the views! Oh, there is a wine museum which is a bit rubbish.
We went to Santorini in June for a week. Hired a car and drove somewhere new almost every day. Expensive in places, cheap in others. Beautiful place.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jcross/sets/721576269...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jcross/sets/721576269...
One thing no one has mentioned is the sea... Go for a snorkel and swim out a bit, watch as the sea bed goes from a gentle sloping gradient to a near vertical drop as you get out a bit. A very weird feeling looking down and just seeing dark blue under you.
Obviously this happens on the volcano side
Enjoy it!
Obviously this happens on the volcano side
Enjoy it!
All I can offer is that we stayed in Perivolos, very close Perissa, and there was a nice sandy beach with a wide range of restaurants and bars within walking distance but out of earshot.
In a week, we travelled all over the island in a little Citroen C1 and had a great time.
For hotels, as always, tripadvisor came up trumps with something perfectly suited to our budget.
In a week, we travelled all over the island in a little Citroen C1 and had a great time.
For hotels, as always, tripadvisor came up trumps with something perfectly suited to our budget.
Hoddo
I went in April last year and it wasnt too hot or busy. I stayed in kamari which was ok, long black sand beach and lots of bars/restaurants on the water. They all do amazing choccy / coffee milkshakes. There is a hill immeditely to the south with a self guided walk which is worth a go. In addition to the above a sunset dinner in Oia (pronounced Aya) is a must - just get away from the coachloads of tourists. Get there a while before to book. We got around fine on the bus, quads and greek driving, large coaches + narrow streets = carmageddon
I went in April last year and it wasnt too hot or busy. I stayed in kamari which was ok, long black sand beach and lots of bars/restaurants on the water. They all do amazing choccy / coffee milkshakes. There is a hill immeditely to the south with a self guided walk which is worth a go. In addition to the above a sunset dinner in Oia (pronounced Aya) is a must - just get away from the coachloads of tourists. Get there a while before to book. We got around fine on the bus, quads and greek driving, large coaches + narrow streets = carmageddon
fantastic island, we went there in aug and loved it. Perissa is a great place to stay. Definitely get a quad bike it's a million times more fun than a car! Many a dusky drive up to Oia of an evening with the shirt flapping in the wind and the missus holding on for her life! Great roads too, v windey (and windy)
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