Cosmopolitan holidays in the shade of volcano...

Santorini, the particular island of Cyclades

Santorini, a creation of peeved nature, due to her special history and legends that followed her, the traditional settlements and the vivid cosmic life, has conquered the whole world.

It is the southest island of Cyclades. Literally it's a complex of islands comprised from Thera, Therasia, Aspronisi, Palea and Nea Kameni. It is an island with long history that has suffered a lot of catastrophes due to volcano eruptions that have changed its shape.

But human power turned to be stronger than rough nature. Today the -almost- lunar scenery with the black, grey and red volcanic rocks has turned into a white state. The mild architecture of Cyclades islands has changed the island's sight. The graphic villages, with the narrow cobblestone pavements, the small squares and their churches impress every visitor. View to volcano that most tourist resorts have- is spectacular. The picture is unique especially the sunset. Photos of Santorini's sunset are all around the world. At dawn all visitors run to Caldera to see the reddish sky.

Fira: unique beauty...

Fira: the picturesque town

One of the most beautiful cities of Greece is Fira. The capital of Santorini is built in an impressive location on the top of the abrupt rocks, in a 260m height. It was established at the end of the 18th century and it's structured according to the traditional architecture of Cyclades islands.
Fira is located 10km from Santorini's port. Touring around the city will be a thing to remember. Graphic neighborhoods, white houses, churches with blue cupolas, characterize this charming capital. In its paths of great resort you will find a lot of shops, coffeehouses and restaurants to remind you that you are in the most cosmopolitan island of Cyclades.

A visit to Akrotiri will be unforgettable. Here lies one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece.It is the prehistoric settlement discovered under the volcanic ashes.
According to the findings, the settlement was inhabited since the Post Neolithic Age and flourished in the Early Copper Age. Its architectural building has a lot in common with the minoic cities. The two and three storey buildings discovered with all their household-furniture reveal the cultural level of its residents.
Life in the settlement stopped very suddenly. At the end of the 17th century BC people left the town due to strong earthquakes. The eruption of the volcano followed, that changed entirely the shape of the island. The volcanic material that covered the town and the whole island protected until our days the buildings and everything inside, just like in Pombiia.

The volcano

Walk around the volcano

An excursion you have to schedule while being in Santorini is that to the volcano. Boats from the old port of Santorini, Skala, will take you to Nea Kameni, the island of the volcano. It is a once in a lifetime experience you can't miss. Walk around the black volcanic stones and see the crater. The smell from the brimstone is strong.
Volcano's history is connected with that of the island's. It is estimated that the first eruption occurred around 80.000BC. Because of this eruption the island of Strongili was created.
Around 1450BC the volcano erupted in the most violent way that has ever been recorded worldwide the past 10.000 years. This eruption destroyed completely the civilization of Strongili and large part of it sank in the depths of Aegean Sea. Later explosions created two smaller islands, Thirasia and Aspronisi.
There have been totally 12 large-scale eruptions during the past 200.000 in the island. The eruption in the middle of the 15th century created Mikri Kameni.
In 1707 the volcano woke up again. For five years its activity troubled the locals. The eruptions brought on the level of the sea small pieces of land from which Nea kameni was created. The island's age is not over 425 years. Some smaller eruptions and earthquakes followed in 1866 and 1925. The last activity of the volcano was recorded in 1956. Then the island suffered huge catastrophes from a severe earthquake.