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Santorini Mini Tours
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Island Package Planning
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Few visitors to Greece willingly
miss
Santorini,
the most mythical island in the
Cyclades.
All types of travelers visit the island, honeymooners, couples and architecture
lovers, food and wine lovers, amongst others. Once a round, ordinary island,
an ancient volcanic explosion left nothing but a crescent-shaped rim around
the underwater caldera. Some claim that Santorini is the "real" Atlantis.
It certainly was a major Minoan outpost which slipped beneath the sea in
a single night, leaving nothing but floating pumice covering the surface
of the water and memories of a beautiful city.
The most renowned site on Santorini is the
famed Minoan city
Akrotiri, buried under a surprisingly gentle layer of volcanic ash which
left walls and artifacts intact. The residents appear to have had warning
of the eruption and escaped, but to wander the excavated streets is unnerving.
It is definitely a town of ghosts.
Near Akrotiri is some of Santorini's best
wine-growing country. Keep an eye out for the unusual treatment of some
vines, which are placed in hollows and then encouraged to grow basket-style.
The volcanic soil of Santorini promises unusual, complex wines, and virtually
all of them are very palatable. Wineries in Santorini are only now catching
on to the idea of tasting rooms and tours, and these generally have to be
arranged in advance.
Santorini has an active nightlife, centering
around
Fira and, to a lesser extent,
Oia. The crowds are very bad in July and August, which are also the
hottest months in terms of temperature. Try to schedule your visit in May
or early June, or late August through September. This gives you the best
of both worlds - great temperatures and lighter crowds.
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Sample Tour
Features
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- 3 nights hotel accommodations with breakfast daily
- Domestic airfare from Athens or other airports
- All airport and/or port transfers with baggage handling
- All Hotel service and local taxes are included
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Hotels
& Rates
All Rates are per person in US dollars.
Domestic airport taxes are not included in the prices.
BB= Bed & Breakfast
SV= Sea View
HOTEL PERIOD DOUBLE SINGLE TRIPLE
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ONEIRO Apr 1-Jun 14 $406 $604 $380
BB Jun 15-Sep 30 $484 $659 $432
Oct 1-Oct 31 $406 $504 $380
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ON THE ROCKS Apr 1-Apr 30 $422 $572 $402
BB May 1-May 31 $456 $531 $432
Jun 1-Jun 30 $519 $648 $485
Jul 1-Aug 31 $554 $706 $507
Sep 1-Sep 30 $519 $648 $485
Oct 1-Oct 15 $456 $531 $432
Oct 16-Oct 31 $422 $472 $402
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Sunset Apr 1-May 20 $441 $607 $415
BB May 21-Jul 20 $498 $605 $453
Jul 21-Sep 10 $568 $726 $504
Sep 11-Oct 5 $498 $605 $453
Oct 6-Oct 31 $441 $507 $415
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Sea & Beach Resort Apr 1-May 31 $466 $580 $428
BB Jun 1-Jul 20 $507 $636 $668
Jul 21-Sep 20 $679 $822 $723
Sep 21-Oct 31 $466 $580 $428
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Mediterranean Mar 28-May 11 $540 $650 $465
BB May 12-Sep 22 $606 $737 $513
Sep 23-Nov 1 $540 $650 $465
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ATLANTIS Apr 1-Jun 30 $584 $700 $533
BB Jul 1-Oct 31 $635 $784 $574
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HELIOTOPOS Mar 28-Nov 1 $659 $942 $582
BB
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Santorini in a nutshell
At Akrotiri, mysteries of ancient times come alive. Recall the volcanic
eruption circa 1600 B.C. that destroyed all life on Santorini, sending
it far beneath the waves. Excavations at the archaeological site document
life here, believed to be the legendary Atlantis, although no written
records have ever surfaced to support this. This interesting excursion
will give you an insight into the ancient civilization of Santorini,
combined with wine tasting, Kamari's black sand beach and a delicious
lunch. It's Santorini in a nutshell!
What to visit...
AKROTIRI - In 1967, a tunnel dug through 160 feet of pumice at Akrotiri
revealed a Bronze-Age town of some 30,000 inhabitants, which many believe
was the lost city of Atlantis. Here a walk among the remains of buildings
standing two and three stories high, with traces of balconies on the
50-foot street fronts, preserved by the ash that enveloped them before
the final explosion. The fact that pottery found here was contemporaneous
with that of Minoan Crete led the archaeologists to believe that both
civilizations were extinguished by the same natural disaster.
Winery - The rich volcanic soil in Megalochori is particularly
favorable to viniculture. Vineyards of Santorini reflect a centuries-old
tradition in local winemaking and the Assyritiko grape, a rare white
variety grown here. If you care to visit the Boutari Winery, you'll
enjoy a multi-media presentation, "Tribute to Santorini," which recreates
the island's spectacular history, from its prehistoric beginnings and
ancient civilization to its destruction from a volcanic eruption and
rebirth.
Fira - The charm of this lovely cliff-top village lies in its
very narrow, twisting cobblestone paths that cater to pedestrians only.
A steady uphill walk through Fira will bring you to the final destination
of the Cable Car Station at the very top. Along the way, your attention
most certainly will be captured by the pristine, whitewashed buildings,
shops and cafes of this unique village perched upon Santorini's volcanic
cliffs. |
| Hiking?
The longest hike is from Fira, via Firostefani and Imerovigli, to Oia.
It takes around 3 hours and offers fantastic views of the caldera.
A shorter alternative (about a 30' walk) takes you from Imerovigli into
Firostefani and finally to Fira. Remember to bring your camera!
The old pathway from the summit of the Profitis Ilias to the hill (Mesa
Vouno) where Ancient Thera was located, and from there to Perissa, is
also very worthwhile.
Sea Excursions
Visit by boat the two small islands in the centre of the Santorini caldera,
Palea and Nea Kameni, known to the locals as "the volcano". Combine
this excursion with a visit to Thirassia and Oia. The boat trips start
from the old port of Fira or from the port of Athinios depending on
the route you choose. Tip: Don't miss the sunset when you are on board!
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