Akrotiri Excavations

“The lost Atlantis”

THIS TOUR IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR 2007

Visit: Prophet Elias-Akrotiri-Faros-Perissa Exomitis-Winery

Departure: Every Day Except Monday - 10:30 - 17:00            

Program: First we take you to Prophet Elias Monastery built on the highest point of the island in 1711AD. The road to Prophet Elias passes through the famous vineyards of Santorini and through Pyrgos village. We arrive to Monastery where the view is breathtaking and we stay there about 20min.. Then we will go south to reach the important archaeological site of Akrotiri.  

Akrotiri Excavations are the most famous excavations in Greece that brought to light a Minoan town preserved under the pumice for 3000 years. This Bronze Age town of the 16’ century BC used to about 30.000 inhabitants. The volcanic ash has preserved the paved streets, the two or three storey buildings all connected by a sophisticated drainage system. Hundreds of pithi jars, utensils and impressive frescoes were found. Excavations are still going on to uncover 300 buildings more. Our expert guide will lead an informative and interesting tour of about an hour and make you take a trip to the past in this amazing civilisaton. Then we will have the chance to admire the magnificent beauty of Santorini nature. So we take a drive to Faros, the south cape of the island where the view to caldera is magnificent. We will make a stop to take some excellent photos.

Then we go to Perissa Exomitis to have lunch. To end  the day nicely, we take you to a Canava  (winery) where you can sample some of the most excellent wines produced on the island

Visit: Volcano – Hot Springs – Thirassia – Oia

Departure: Daily (13:00 - after sunset)

Program: We will go by bus to Athinios port where we will board the beautiful traditional boat that will sail to reach the lava islet Nea Kameni. There we get off the boat and walk an ascending soil path to approach the crater of the still active Volcano. Then back to the boat and we sail to the second lava islet called Palea Kameni, where we find Hot Springs and we can have a swim in the freen sulphur waters or even take a bath in the warm therapeutic mud. Then we will sail to the beautiful and traditional island called Thirassia. There you can swim at the beach next to the port or you can visit the traditional village Manolas by the winding stairs, either walking or riding a donkey. We stay for one hour and 10 minutes.

Then back to the boat for sailing to Oia that is our last destination. We arrive at Armeni, the small traditional port of Oia. There we leace our beautiful boat and we approach Oia village vy the stairs, either walking or riding a donkey. Oia is built along the rim of the caldera wall. You can walk in the village and enjoy the magnificent panoramic view, the traditional architecture, the art galleries, the romantic coffee shops, and the spectacular colorful sunset. Fifteen minutes after the sunset we return to the village square to get on the buses for going back to the points of your departure.

Visit: Akrotiri – Volcano – Hot Springs – Thirassia – Oia

Departure: Every Day Except Mondays – (11:30 - after sunset)

Program: First we visit the important archaeological site of  Akrotiri. Akrotiri Excavations brought to light a Minoan town preserved under the pumise for 3000 years. Our expert guide will lead an interesting and informative tour in the ancient town.

Then we go by bus to Athinios Port. There you will board the beautiful traditional boat that will sail to reach the lava islet Nea Kameni where we leave the boat and walk an ascending soil path to approach the crater of the still active Volcano. Then back to the boat and we sail to the second lava islet called Palea Kameni. There we find Hot Springs and we can have a swim in the green sulphur waters or even take a bath in the warm therapeutic mud. After half hour the boat will sail to the nice traditional island Thirassia. There we can explore the island or swim at the beach next to the port.

Back on board again for sailing to Oia that is our last destination. We arrive in Armeni, the small traditional port of Oia. There we have leave our beautiful boat and we approach Oia village by the stairs, either walking or riding a donkey. Oia is built along the rim of the caldera wall. You can walk in the village and enjoy the magnificent panoramic view, the traditional architecture, the art galleries, the romantic coffee shops, and spectacular colorful sunset. Fifteen minutes after the sunset we return to the village square to get on the buses for going back to the points of your departure.

Program: Cruising Around Caldera – Sunset – Dinner On Board          (Lady Dress Evening)

Departure: Wednesday – Thursday – Friday – Saturday – Sunday

18:00 - 22:30

Program: We will go by bus to Athinios port where we will find the beautiful traditional boat “King Thiras”. The captain and the crew will welcome us on board. The boat sails on the deep blue water of caldera and after a few minutes it will be in a unique viewpoint to a fantastic scenery. We enjoy a welcome drink while the sun creates colors and shadows on the white houses of Fira and Oia, and the golden sea licks the ruddy cliff sides of the ancient crater. This feast of colors is perfectly harmonized with the pleasant music on the ship. We have the chance to take the best photos of our vacations.

While the crew prepares a delicious dinner that we will enjoy during the cruise. The ship aims its prow at the big purple sun disc that melts into the water below the skyline. While the sun is fading away we approach Oia and we can see the first twinkling lights. On the return the cruises ship sails slowly under the stars. The atmosphere on board is festive, with music, nice food, drinks and dance. As we are passing close under Fira, we can see the lights of the town shining like little diamonds in the darkness of the night. We approach Athinios port where the captain and the crew will say goodbye to us. We get on the bus for return and we feel that this romantic cruise will be in our heart forever.

Visit: Panagia Episkopi – Mesa Gonia – Pyrgos – Imerovigli – Oia

Departure: Every Day – (15:00 - after sunset)

Program: Our first visit will be at the oldest church on the island Panagia Episkopi built during the rule of Byzantine Emperor Alexios Komninos in 11^th century AD.

Next we visit Mesa Gonia – the “ghost”village – that was deserted after the earthquake of 1956 and now it is rarely inhabited. We will walk around and we will take photos of the ruined houses and the old churches. Then we visit the traditional village Pyrgos. We walk around narrow winding streets, admire the traditional cycladic architecture and the fine old houses, visit the Byzantine churches and the remains of the Venetian castle on the hilltop.

On our way to Oia, we stop at the idyllic village Imerovigli. It is built at the edge of the caldera wall, on a unique location, where you can enjoy the most wonderful view to the caldera. There we also find Skaros – a grand rock – the remnant of the most important castle and capital of Santorini for many centuries that was destroyed by the volcano eruption of 1650 AD. Then we will follow a road with breathtaking view to reach the traditional village Oia.

The village is built along the caldera rim. The white washed houses with arches and colored doors and windows are inside the cliffs resembling eagle nests. You will enjoy the astonishing panoramic view of caldera, the volcano, Thirassia island and the rest of Santorini. Oia is famous for being the place of inspired by the beauty of the landscape and exhibited in small galleries in the village. Oia is also known for the magnificent purple sunsets. While the sun sinks into the sea, splendid colors spread the sky and serenity fills the heart. You can enjoy a drink in a terrace of cozy coffee shop looking at caldera and the sky changing colors. Fifteen minutes after the sunset we return to the village square to get on the buses for going back to the points of your departure.