Holiday on Santorini island

Just say Santorini island. But why is it so famous, famous and enchanting? The most praised of the Greek islands? Is it the magic of the most beautiful sunset in Greece, the surrealistic landscape chosen by the paintings of Salvador Dalì in the shape of a half-moon immersed in the blue Aegean? Or for those dominant rocks that rise proudly from the sea of ​​Santorini, painted with the colors of the volcanic earth?

The houses in the caves carved in the soft volcanic material called “the caves” are unique. But also the most luxurious and expensive hotels on the island with the view of the caldera and the breathtaking sea.

Thera

The Island of Santorini, also called Thera, has been called the “prehistoric Pompeii”. Because the excavations that came to light had been submerged by the lava of the frightening volcanic eruptions of millennia ago. Just like the town of Campania.

Santorini, but also Θῆρα (Thera) in ancient Greek, is the southernmost island of the Cyclades archipelago, in the Aegean sea. This is the largest of the 12 islands of the archipelago of the same name. The name Santorini was given to her by the Venetians in honor of Saint Irene. Located in the south east of Greece in the Aegean Sea, Santorini has a completely unique aspect. Probably becuse of the strong contrasts of the black lava of the rocks and the whiteness of the constructions of small single-family homes. Other smaller islands crown it: Thiressia, Aspronissi and the two small islands that make up the volcano, Palea and Nea Kameni.

Romantic island Santorini

It was known in antiquity as Stroghili, which meant “round”, because this was its form before the eruption. This island has a romantic charm, given by its amazing colors, which makes it a favorite destination for tourists, including a large number of honeymooners, who arrive not only from Greece, but from all over the world.

It is the most romantic of the Greek islands. It is an island that leaves no one indifferent, although it is always full of tourists of all nationalities. Living in Santorini is basically very simple. Delighted and tanned after a day spent on its black pebble beaches, or perhaps in the red beaches, you will enjoy the end of an unforgettable day, admiring the Santorini sunset.

The caldera

On the island there is a volcano still active and a crater in the sea, the only example in the world, which bears the name of Caldera, a huge crater caused by the volcano for which the sea poured into the lands, a warm sea from high temperatures due to the presence of sulphurous waters. On the crater there are picturesque villages like Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli, Megalochori, Akrotiri and Oia, from which you can admire incomparable sunsets.

From the Port of Fira, where the ships dock, a meandering staircase of 585 steps leads to the capital Fira, also known by the name of Thira. But for those who do not want to try their hand at climbing, there are, to wait for those who disembark, patient donkeys and mules on whose back the center can be reached without effort.

Santorini and archeology

This island is an attractive destination not only for lovers of the sea, of an intense blue and of the rare purity of the waters, but also for archeology enthusiasts. There are in fact numerous sites where important traces of populations such as Phoenicians, Dorians, Romans and Byzantines have left over time. Over the last few decades, interesting finds have come to light that denote the high degree of civilization of the inhabitants. Among these stupendous frescoes and refined terracottas or richly decorated vases in which legumes and other food were kept. In his past there were 12 huge eruptions, the first of which dates back to around 20,000 years ago.

And the villages that dot the island, such as Akrotìri (Greek name of Promontorio) or Messa Vounò, present very rich archaeological sites, as well as offering the visitor an atmosphere of other times.
Indeed, tourism has not taken away from the island its appearance of welcoming charm, which is manifested in the friendliness and friendly and peaceful approach of its inhabitants.

The churches

Christian places of worship have the appearance of white chapels embedded in black rocks. These include the Church of San Nicola with its small bell tower, or the Church of the Holy Apostles. The latter was built on the ruins of the church dedicated to the Archangel Michael, with a small dome adorned with rosettes. The religious past also appears in the name of the mountain that overlooks the island. It bears, in fact, the name of the Prophet Elijah, in whose honor a Festival is held every 20th July.

The beaches of Santorini

Today the whole island looks like a great natural geological and volcanological museum: beaches with white sands like the White Beach, red like the Red Beach, black like that of Kamari, the largest and best equipped beach in Santorini, or still scattered with pebbles volcanic of various sizes.

Was Santorini the Atlantis?

It has been hypothesized that the particular circular conformation of the island, the flourishing civilization that inhabited it, and the apocalyptic volcanic eruption that swept it away in a very short time, may have been the basis of Plato’s story of Atlantis. In two of his dialogues the philosopher mentions an island inhabited by the lineage of the noblest men on earth and governed by a civilization capable of dominating almost the entire Mediterranean. According to Plato, the invasion by this civilization was rejected by the Athenians and the island itself collapsed due to a violent earthquake within a day and a night.

Where to eat on Santorini island

The agriculture practiced on the volcanic soil rewards the production of wines, really of high level, including the Nykteri, glory of the island or the famous Vinsanto. But also the wine with a very strong taste called Brusco. Do not forget how special are also capers and broad beans, consumed especially in festivals. Also famous are the cherry tomatoes, with which they also cook the ‘domata Keftedes’, special mint-flavored meatballs. And among the typical dishes of the island you can taste the most traditional recipes from all over Greece: the special souvlaki, skewers of lamb and pork cooked on the grill, moussaka, an exquisite eggplant pie mixed with minced meat, tomato sauce and potatoes, as well as rolls of vine leaves stuffed with rice.

This island is like a theater, and the sun greets us, leaving a different picture at every sunset. He is a great artist, this Sun. With the sunset the night of Santorini begins, full of life, music, cocktails and fun. Discover the island with us, all its beauties and the most hidden places. Your romantic holiday in Santorini island starts here.