SANTORINI

White washed houses built into cliff faces, hanging on for dear life or so it seems, clear blue skies above, sparkling aquamarine waters around, welcome to Santorini. Santorini is the most amazing island in the Cyclades and has been touted as the most picturesque place this side of the Suez. The village of Oia on the northern tip of the lovely island is famous for its spectacular sunset, from where you get an uninterrupted view of the sun finally sinking below the horizon. People come to Santorini to take in its serene beauty, view its dramatic landscape and experience it’s stunning sunsets. The best way to approach Santorini is to sail into the bay on a ferry with the sheer black and red cliffs and the signature blue domed church looming up ahead. It is an unbeatable sight. Prettier in real life than portrayed on picture postcards, Santorini will seduce even the most hardened traveler! For Santorini has character and Santorini has style. No wonder then that Santorini is the most well-known holiday destination in Greece. Capital: Thira Best time to Visit: 1.The climate in Santorini is deceptive. It’s mildly hot during the day and cooler at night. During the summer the temperature is between 25 to 35 degrees. 2.The best time to visit Santorini is during the spring and autumn season. Spring and autumn have warm days and pleasant nights. 3.They are also less busy than the summer, which makes them a good time to visit. It is during the months of July and August that the tourists outnumber the locals. Minimum Days required: 3 days Places of Interest: 1.Open Air Cinema 2.Tramonto ad Oia 3.Skaros Rock 4.Amoudi Bay 5.La Ponta-Venetian Tower Climate: 1.Summer is the peak travel time, when daily highs average in the 80s Fahrenheit, with cool nighttime breezes in the 70s. Shoulder seasons in spring and fall finds average highs in the 70s. From November through April highs average in the 60s with lows around 50 degrees. 2.The rainy season occurs from November through February, when rainfall averages 3 to 4 inches per month. Currency: Euro Things to carry: 1.Packing for a trip to the Santorini should definitely include a good sunscreen and a pair of dark glasses to counter the hot sun. 2.As you’re going to be spending a lot of time on the beach, other items- swimsuit, beach towels and the like- are obviously essential. 3.Take along a pair of good walking shoes for treks through the islands. 4.Sports equipment- from surfboards and scuba diving gear to tennis racquets and mountain bikes- can be hired from agencies and sports clubs in all large towns, and need not be brought along as part of your luggage. How to get there: Air 1.The National Airport of Santorini is located near the beach of Monolithos, eight kilometers to the southeast of Fira, the capital of Santorini. Santorini is one of the few Cyclades Islands with a major airport. Olympic Airways offers flights to Santorini from Athens, Heraklion Crete, Mykonos, Rhodes and Thessaloniki There are buses and taxi services that provide transportation to the Island. It approximately takes about 20 minutes from the airport to reach Santorini.