Santorini

I recently arrived back in gloomy Manchester after a week on the beautiful Greek island of Santorini. Santorini is an archipelago of volcanic islands in the Greek Islands, located in the Aegean Sea. The islands that make up Santorini are the mainland Santorini, where most inhabitants live, Thirassia where a few hundred people live, and two uninhabited volcanic islands, Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni (The latter which is still active). 3,600 years ago there was a giant volcanic eruption, the Minoan Eruption, that destroyed much of the island, leaving the 12km wide body of water in the centre of Santorini. This makes it the largest underwater caldera in the ...  Read the complete review

I have just spent a wonderful week on the Greek island of Santorini (known as Thira to the Greeks). The island is one of the Cyclades, a group of islands in the Aegean. The first inhabitants arrived from what is now western Turkey around 6000 BC but history proper begins 3000 years later when an early Cycladic culture emerged. The islands came under the influence of Crete and Akotiri on the island of Strogole. Santorini became the most important cultural outpost of the advanced Minoan civilisation based on Crete. In 1600, the volcanic eruption devastated the outpost, leading many to believe that Santorini is in fact, the lost city of Atlantis. The Caldera is the ...  Read the complete review

Holiday destinations are always difficult to write about because they are often a matter of opinion. Greece is a particularly good example of this kind of problem. It is a country that holds some of the most fantastic scenery in the world, but some people can't get past the inadequate sewerage system. It is a country with some of the friendliest people in the world, but people can't get past the maniac bus drivers! It is a country with some of the best food in the world, but people can't get past the basic accomodation. See what I mean? I personally love Greece but have had some 'below standard' experiences myself, but on the whole I think its a great place ...  Read the complete review

Santorini, or Thira as it is also known has a reputaion for being an island for lovers. However my family of five travelled there to stay in a Direvt Greece Villa in the summer of 2003 and had the most perfect holiday. No mosquitos for a start and a beautiful breeze to take the bite from the heat. The legendary beaches are black, but don't let that put you off. The sea is as warm and inviting as anywhere in the Aegean. Your first experience of it will be the exhilarating roller coaster ride which is the landing of the aeroplane on what seems like a handkerchief sized airfield. Once you have survived that heart stopping experience the holiday just ...  Read the complete review

My partner (now fiance - more of that later!) and I went to the beautiful island of Santorini in July 2003. It is a fantastic place to spend a romantic week and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We booked with Thomas Cook Select and stayed the Volcano View Hotel - so here's our review! The Island: Santorini is the southernmost of the Cyclades islands. The island of Stroggili erupted in about 1645 BC and created a giant crater (Caldera) and three islands - Santorini (also called Thira), Thirassia and Aspronisi. Two volcanic islands were created from later eruptions - Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni. Santorini is almost crescent-shaped and the whole of one side ...  Read the complete review