The staples of the Mediterranean diet are the staples of Santorini. Fresh fish, juicy tomatoes, dried herbs that grow on the island, various kinds of soft cheese will make for a delicious meal. Accompany them with the famous Santorini wines. A surprising way to taste the best recipes of Santorini is during Dandelion Travel’s wine tour. Many wineries will cook for you some of the greatest delicacies of the island, so the wine tasting can be that much better.
The ancient, prehistoric settlement of Akrotiri is one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the past decades. It was built in the Neolithic era and was considered a very important city in the Aegean, until it was destroyed by the volcanic eruption that also brought down the Minoan civilization. You can also visit the archaeological site of ancient Thira at Mesa Vouno that was built in the 9th century BC and was inhabited until the Byzantine era.
There are many picturesque Santorini villages to visit: Megalochori in the west plain that overlooks the caldera, Pyrgos, at the highest point of Santorini, that naturally offers magnificent views, Emporio, the largest village with a beautiful castle, Kamari, a sought after destination for travelers from all over the world, and Firostefani, quite close to the capital, at the edge of the caldera, an essential destination in Santorini.
Santorini is also famous for its colorful beaches, due to the volcano. Perissa hosts the famous black beach, which is also the longest beach on the island, fully organized with umbrellas, beach chairs and shops (among which is a beach bar). Adjacent Perivolos’ beach is also black. Of special interest is the red beach, that is a bit harder to get to. Admittedly, the best beach of Santorini is Vlichada, a very organized beach with red cliffs looming over the swimmers.
Good climate, good soil and a centuries-old tradition are responsible for the excellent wines of Santorini, another source of pride for the people of the island. Dandelion Travel can take you on a wine tour of Santorini to taste Vinsanto and Assyrtiko, as well as some of the local delicacies. Santorini has a lot of traditional wineries to choose from, as well as some new, boutique wineries, that can show you a new twist on the wine experience.
Oia, perhaps the most beautiful village in Santorini, is perched on a steep cliff. It should be part of any trip to the island. Ideally, you’ll visit it during the sunset, as it is famous all over the world. The picturesque village, the whitewashed houses are all bathed in the light of the setting sun, creating a spectacle to remember. There is a reason couples choose Oia to stay when at the island, as it is considered the most romantic location of Santorini.
The Ancient Greek Oia was one of the two harbours of ancient Thera and was located in the southeast of the island, where Kamari is now.Oia reached the peak of prosperity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its economic prosperity was based on its merchant fleet, which plied trade in the Eastern Mediterranean, especially from Alexandria to Russia. The two-story captains’ houses built on the highest part of the village are a reminder of the village’s former affluence. Part of the town was destroyed by the 1956 earthquake.
Oia typifies the white-painted houses of the Cyclades, in many cases built directly into niches which are cave houses used by crew of the ships, on the lip of the volcanic crater, between which are narrow alleys and blue-roofed churches with cupolas. The wealthy ship captains of the late 19th century built neo-classical mansions. These houses are seen built in succession one above the other