Santorini – Greek White Magic
Greece is a popular destination spot for most people looking to spend a magical and unforgettable time during the summer break. The well-known spots of Mykonos, Athens and Rhodes receive their fair share of tourists, and have some of the best luxury hotels and clubs, not forgetting city tours that showcase the Greek culture and people.
Destination Nouveau
Santorini is a little known island tourist destination that has recently caught the attention of holidaymakers. What makes this destination a hidden jewel are the white pristine villas and hotels perched atop a volcanic hillside, overlooking a vista of the shimmering Mediterranean, guaranteed to give the discerning holidaymaker an excellent view of sunrise and sunsets.
Photo by Klearchos Kapoutsis
That’s not all – Santorini has gorgeous black sand beaches with warm waters, and hotels that cater to your every need and budget. Getting to the island is simple – a ferry or hydrofoil ride takes you to your destination in a little over an hour. The view as you approach the island, with its rocky outcrop and white villas is priceless, to say the least.
Getting There
Santorini is connected to Fira, the capital city, by a ferry ride, and this is where all partygoers meet up to have a taste of what the Greek island has to offer. The European-style clubs playing trance, techno and electronica music are sure to be a hit with the twenty-something year old crowd, and with a wide variety of eateries that are moderately priced, this region of Greece has something for everyone.
An Explosive History
Santorini is one of the Cyclades groups of islands and lies in the southern Aegean Sea. This is a region that was known to experience vicious volcano eruptions. It is thought that the famous volcano eruption that occurred in 1650 BC virtually caused the centre of Strongili (modern day Santorini) to sink and give rise to the formation that is the base of the many whitewashed villas and hotels. The Minoan civilisation that was prevalent in this period vanished as a result of the eruption, according to speculation from research archaeologists.
Getting Around the Region
Oia has earned notoriety for being the place where the spectacular sunsets can be viewed, but if you want to avoid the crowds, a donkey ride through the cobblestone streets to the edge of the caldera, perched atop the hills, is the place to be.
If you’re planning on visiting Santorini in July and September, booking a hotel is absolutely mandatory, and hotels such as Perivolas and Katikies are great places to stay if you choose to go to Oia. If you would like to stay in Fira, the Enigma Apartments and suites are an excellent choice.
The island is compact and accessible, so getting from one point to another is easy and can be done in the least amount of time possible. Oia, Fira and Imerovigli have some of the best restaurants for your lunch and dinner plans, but be prepared to spend quite a bit if you’re thinking of eating at these spots.
Different Destination Choices for Different Folks
Another thing to note is the towns of Oia and Fira have distinct and different energies. For example, if you want a quiet holiday with a romantic edge and days spent lazing about the pool and beach, Oia is the place for you. If, however, you are looking to dance the nights away and don’t mind the tourist crush, Fira and Imerovigli should be your ideal choices.
Flight Information
Cheap flights to Santorini are available, and some airlines that fly this route include EasyJet, Thomson Flights and Aegean Airlines, among others. Take out your calendar and mark the beginning of summer, because Santorini awaits your presence.
Martin Boulton is an avide writer for medwelcome.
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