There is so much more to the island of Santorini than just the magnificent views from the famous clifftop city of Oia (pronouced Eee-Ah).
Sure, Oia is kind of a big deal with it's amazing whitewashed houses and blue-roofed domed churches. It's got amazing restaurants with equally amazing views and beautiful stores full of trinkets and souvenirs from places far and wide. And yes, Oia is the place you can take a donkey ride from the base of the island at the Caldera (the Volcanic ocean crater in the center of the horseshoe-shaped island) to the top of the cliffs and the city.
But, if you like to explore, as I do, the first thing you'll do is ask a local what there is to do on the island.
I asked a few locals, and the recommendations varied:
-Thira island (Santorini) is home to some of the oldest wineries on the planet. The vines on Santorini are grown in a circular shape, on the ground, in order to withstand the wind. There is no problem with disesase on the island, so some of the vines that produce have been around for a very, very long time. (Though I'm not a wine drinker, I find the wine world fascinating, hailing from Napa, California.) (And, I'd be remiss if I didn't report that those who took wine tours on Santorini weren't very impressed...)
-Santorini has been "destroyed' by the active volcano in the center of the Caldera a few times. You can take boat tours to the center island from Thira and hike around the desolate volcano. On your boat ride, the captain will point out a few places you can snorkel or scuba and see bubbles released by the volcano in the water.
-The island is home to golden, red and black sand beaches.
-There are ruins of ancient Greek civilizations to visit.
-There are fantastic hikes all over the island.
-Quad bikes are street legal and readily available to rent all over the island (FUN!) These quads are a great alternative to the less-stable mopeds for Americans, who aren't allowed to rent mopeds or motorcycles in the EU without an EU driving license.
Sure, Oia is kind of a big deal with it's amazing whitewashed houses and blue-roofed domed churches. It's got amazing restaurants with equally amazing views and beautiful stores full of trinkets and souvenirs from places far and wide. And yes, Oia is the place you can take a donkey ride from the base of the island at the Caldera (the Volcanic ocean crater in the center of the horseshoe-shaped island) to the top of the cliffs and the city.
But, if you like to explore, as I do, the first thing you'll do is ask a local what there is to do on the island.
I asked a few locals, and the recommendations varied:
-Thira island (Santorini) is home to some of the oldest wineries on the planet. The vines on Santorini are grown in a circular shape, on the ground, in order to withstand the wind. There is no problem with disesase on the island, so some of the vines that produce have been around for a very, very long time. (Though I'm not a wine drinker, I find the wine world fascinating, hailing from Napa, California.) (And, I'd be remiss if I didn't report that those who took wine tours on Santorini weren't very impressed...)
-Santorini has been "destroyed' by the active volcano in the center of the Caldera a few times. You can take boat tours to the center island from Thira and hike around the desolate volcano. On your boat ride, the captain will point out a few places you can snorkel or scuba and see bubbles released by the volcano in the water.
-The island is home to golden, red and black sand beaches.
-There are ruins of ancient Greek civilizations to visit.
-There are fantastic hikes all over the island.
-Quad bikes are street legal and readily available to rent all over the island (FUN!) These quads are a great alternative to the less-stable mopeds for Americans, who aren't allowed to rent mopeds or motorcycles in the EU without an EU driving license.
A Church dome overlooking the Caldera
One of many, many sellers of artwork in Oia
The tablecloth... doubles as an island map.
Black sand beach in Perissa.
Church on the hill, fun day-hike in Perissa
Oia from the opposite side of the island.
Red sand, volcanic beach. The cliffs are composed of red volcanic matter, rich in Pumice stone.
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