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 Not only is Santorini one of the most beautiful islands in the world, it is also geologically and archaeologically one of the most dramatic. The island which is also called Thira, is shaped like an enormous pair of jaws encircling a lake filled with pure blue water. This is the core of an ancient volcano, which according to legend destroyed the lost continent of Atlantis when it blew its top about 3,600 years ago, burying the ancient city of Akrotiri (now being excavated) under tons of ash and sending out tidal waves that inundated other landmasses. The island's two towns, Fira and Ia, are perched on the cliff tops of the highest part of the island. Ferries arrive and depart in the harbour below, and visitors walk or ride donkeys up the steep winding path to the towns. The towns are equipped with hotels, good restaurants, bars and plenty of nightlife to keep tourists happy while they relax between visiting the archaeological remains of ancient Thera, dating back to the 9th century BC, on the east side of the island. Other attractions include the excavations at Akrotiri, an archaeological museum and an 18th-century monastery. Santorini has two swimming beaches, Perissa and Kamari, both characterised by their volcanic black sand.Main Santorini Resort reviews
Kamari The bustling beach resort of Kamari is located 10km southeast of the capital. It has one of the most popular beaches on the island with long stretches of black shingle and a good selection of watersports to enjoy. There is a greater selection of bars, restaurants, cafes and nightclubs than some of the other quieter resorts.
Imerovigli This is the highest village on the island's Caldera wall, so you will be greeted by the most spectacular panoramic views and magnificent sunsets. The village of Fira can be found 2km away, a short bus/taxi ride away, where you will find bars, tavernas, restaurants, discos and the castle of Scares is worth a visit. There are plenty of tavernas, restaurants and bars to keep you occupied at night. The transfer from the airport takes around 20 minutes.
Perissa The beaches here offer excellent watersports and there's an abundance of restaurants, bars, cafes and nightclubs. You'll find an endless black sandy beach with an enormous rock called Mesa Vouno rising from the sea, it makes an impressive landscape, especially after nightfall when the rock is illuminated. The village of Perissa is situated in the southern corner of the island and is known as the summer resort of Santorini. Located at the end of Perissa is Perivolos, Aghios Georgios - a meeting point for the young and young at heart - with a quiet beach featuring waterfront restaurants and fish tavernas, bars and clubs with great music and sports facilities. The transfer from the airport takes around 25 minutes.
Thira - Fira For visitors arriving by boat, one of the first things they will face is the 270m high sea-cliffs that join the harbour with Thira Town, Santorini's stunning capital. A cable-car ride (more like a glass elevator) from the harbour lifts visitors up to the parapet, where geometric whitewashed buildings and tiny blue-domed churches merge with cafes and expensive jewellery shops. Nightlife is plentiful, with some bars and clubs being housed in caves to offer a unique atmosphere and a cool haven from the heat. Thira offers superb views across the bay and the island's west coast. The transfer from the airport takes around 25 minutes. Santorini Travel Facts: Time: Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 between the last Sunday in April and the last Sunday in October).
Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. A variety of plugs are in use including the European-style two-pin and the round three-pin.
Money: The Euro (EUR) is the official currency, divided into 100 cents. Banks and bureaux de change are widely available and travellers cheques and major credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs are widespread and are generally the cheapest and most convenient method of obtaining euros. Language: Greek is the national language, but English is widely spoken.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK nationals require a passport valid for the intended period of stay, but a visa is not required. Health: There are no specific health risks in Greece, but visitors who plan to walk through forested areas are advised to consider vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis. Medical facilities in Greece vary; those in major cities are excellent but many of the islands are some distance from a decent hospital. Food and water are safe, but those visiting for short periods should consider sticking to bottled water. UK nationals are entitled to a refund on emergency hospital treatment under a reciprocal agreement between the UK and Greece, and a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) should be taken on holiday for this purpose. Despite this, all visitors are advised to take out medical insurance. Yellow fever vaccination certificates are required for those arriving from infected areas. Bird flu was detected in swans in northern Greece in February 2006, but stringent measures have been taken to contain the outbreak; no human infections have been reported. The risk to people is believed to be very low, but visitors are advised to avoid any contact with caged, wild or domestic birds, and to ensure that all poultry and egg dishes are well cooked as a precaution.
Tipping: The tip is often included in the bill in a restaurant. If not, leave between 10 to 15 percent. For drinks at cafes, round the bill up to the nearest euro. Taxis expect change as do cloak room attendants and porters.
Safety: There is a risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks and visitors are urged to be vigilant in public places, including tourist sites. The bombs that exploded in central Athens outside a police station on 5 May 2004 were not targeted at tourists, but visitors could be caught up accidentally in such incidents. Greece is otherwise considered a safe destination, but the height of the tourist season does usually see an increase in petty theft cases, particularly in crowded areas. Visitors are advised not to carry valuables on them. Violent crime is infrequent, but there have been incidents on some Greek islands and lone visitors are advised not to accept lifts from strangers.
Communications: The international access code for Greece is +30. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). There are often surcharges on calls made from hotels and it is generally cheaper to use OTE (Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation) offices for local and international calls. Calls can also be made from public card phone booths and cards can be bought from kiosks or OTE offices. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts and are cheaper than accessing the Internet from hotels. |
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