Hi tinka.
As you are a keen photograther, you couldn't have chosen a better island. Most of the photo's that are used in adverts/calenders etc. are taken on Santorini. I recommend that apart from Thira (which of course is where you will get the best photo's) that you visit the village of Imerovigli, which is a little bit to the north of Thira. Make sure that you follow the cliff road though.

Further to my last post, when I said about adverts and calenders etc. I meant those of Greece of course.

Hi Greekluva, yes I know what you meant! I've already told people that when they see pictures of Greek islands, on covers of travel brochures and on calenders that it's often Santorini they are looking at, so I am looking forward to seeing the island.I've had a tip to sit on the left hand side of the plane already as apparently the plane goes right of Oia,Fira and then banks round Kamari so my digital camera will be ready! My aerial pics came out really well from my last holiday and I now use my hubby's editing stuff on the PC to do photo DVD's with music and special effects etc!
Tinka14

Hi Tinka,
I think your right about the plane. Photo's should be great! Have a lovely time.

Thanks greekluva, just about packed now, few more things and can relax with a couple of glasses of wine
Will have to post my pics onto the site when I come back, was hoping to win the lottery on Saturday so I could stay there but no joy

Hi Tinka,
Could you please keep a look out to see if the 'Bounty Bar' is still open and let me know when you get back? It was on the beach road right next to the camp site. We used to go there (2002) all the time because our kids liked the food there, but the men who ran it (a greek and a canadian) said they might close down soon.

Oh!
by the way if anyone does visit Imerovigli, the cliff path I refered to earlier, is only accessible by foot.

Hi all,
Came back from Santorini on Friday, really enjoyed it.It IS a small island and we thought a week was enough for us, two weeks and we may have become a bit bored.As it was, we flew out on a virtually empty plane as it was the last week of the season.We had a bumpy final descent, made even more fun by the wind catching hold of the back of the plane very violently as it flew over Santorini and making you feel like you were on a bucking bronco judging by many audible gasps! Scary moment 2 when the plane appeared to be banking almost into the sea as it turned round to make it's approach to the airport.
The views are stunning though.Took 100's of photos, they are amazing.I think my favourite place was Fira..the closest comparison I could make to Santorini is that it's a bit like Capri.The Americans love Fira and seem to go mental in the jewellery shops, I have never seen so much bling!
The wind was blustery for 2 days, this is common and then it dies down to a breeze which is very welcome, it was still hot, 30C, so I'm sure the season could go on for a bit longer.
My hubby's main disappointment was they had already shut down Akrotiri the Friday before we got there, still that gives us an excuse to go back!
We went out on the Volcano Cruise which we enjoyed and we did the old villages and Sunset in Oia tour.Loved looking around the gorgeous houses in Imerovigli but never saw any celebs! We did walk the cliff top path from Fira to this village as recommended and the views were awesome.
We found some great places to eat.In Kamari, the Balcony restaurant is good, the combined Chinese/Indian restaurant the Taj Mahal is wicked and in Fira, the Flame restaurant on the caldera path, has great food and great views.I did expect Kamari to be a little bit larger and a bit more lively than it actually was.They are still building a lot of hotels and apartments on the island.I would like to come back, say in 5 years time to see how it changes.It is a more up market Greek island, very international.I thought the prices were very reasonable.I would probably like to stay in Fira next time round.

Loved Santorini. We did a week there followed by a week in Paros in 20000

http://www.cyprusfan.alivewww.co.uk/santorini/santorini.htm

http://www.cyprusfan.alivewww.co.uk/paros/paros_01.htm

Fantastic!

Ada

Hi,

I have just booked for Santorini in May of next year with Manos/Airtours. We are on the first MyTravel flight of the season so the island will be fairly quiet which will be nice.

I am staying in Perissa which looks very picturesque! Anybody have any resort info?

Regards
AirtoursTraveller

We have always visited Santorini in may, the days are usually fine and can be quite hot although you may have the odd overcast day, but the evenings can be a bit chilly. Its the norm for everyone to be eating in the beach front open restaurants and bars wearing Jeans and jumpers or jackets!

By visiting in May the island isn't too crowded.

Don't bother booking day time tours with your travel rep its very easy to visit the 2 main towns on your own.

If you want to go up to Thira I would suggest catching the local bus ( for the experience) if you have time or just get your hotel to ring a cab it cost us about Euro 20 or 25 for the return trip and the taxi rank is easy to find for the journey back and there are always loads of cabs there.

Oia is definitely worth the effort although a taxi is the best way to get there (you have to get 2 buses each way from Perissa), although it costs a little more than travelling to Thira but the cost is for the car not per person. Arrange with the driver who drops you off a pick up time and place , you will be very pleased to collapse into your cab after a day wandering around. The best views from the island are here and several interesting shops and bars just appear from around corners.

Hello

We're thinking about Santorini as a 14 day honeymoon mid-july, can anybody recommend a 4-5* hotel or tell me any info on the honeymoon apartments (how much, locations etc)

Also, what are the beaches and nightlife like?

Thanks for your help

k

Thira's great attraction is fantastic views from the main town - Fira(Thyra) and from the beautiful village of Ia, on the northern tip of the island. And I'd recommend one or other of these for your accommodation, taking a place with views to the west.

The island's beaches are dark volcanic sand, too hot for bare feet in summer sun. They're a bus ride - or a funicular trip - to reach from the towns. Personally I'd duck the issue by choosing accommodation with a swimming pool.

Fira gets crowded with trippers from the cruise boats, and is massed with jewellery shops and boutiques. It's night life is quite brisk, with several smart (and expensive) bars and clubs. Ia is a lot quieter, but adequately served with bars and restaurants with fantastic views. The hot spots of Fira are only a short bus ride away.

In Ia (my personal preference) look at 'Perivolas Traditional Houses' (INVALID URL and in Fira try Theoxenia Hotel (INVALID URL or Loucas - don't know the web site but loucasason(at)ath(dot)fortnet(dot)gr used to find them. All of these are top quality places with wonderful views and swimming pools - prices two years ago were around £100 per room per night. There are many others, much cheaper if you skip the sea views.

JimB

Hello All,

Can anyone give me some info on Santorini? things to do?

I have booked to go this summer and will be staying in Kamari.

Thank you!

Kamari and it's neighbouring resort Perissa are the most popular beach resorts so you'll find the usual watersports, bars, restaurants, etc. locally.

Santorini is a fairly small island so it's easy to get around with a car or moto.

If you head south of Kamari there's a famous archaeological site worth visiting.
To the other side of the island you'll find Santorini Town - pictures of which you see on all the greek postcards and holiday brochures. Old whitewashed houses, with blue doors and shutters - scenic but very busy.
You can also take a boat trip over to the, still active, volcanic part of the island.

It's worth noting that Santorini is quite expensive for a greek island (similar prices to Mykonos) - so get saving!

Hope this gives you a few ideas and that you have a great holiday!

We went to Santorini last July - Perissa, had a wonderful time!
Do go to Fira (the capital) and Immoravigli (sp) for picture postcard stuff!

I tend to dissagree with marcuschap. In my opinion, Santorini is no more expensive than any other of the Greek Islands we've been to.

We went to Santorina last year. I think it is a little more expensive than some of the other Cyclades but not extortionately so. mainly in Fira and Oia tavernas, probably due to the cruise ship passengers. But away from there it seemed fine. Good Bus system.

The Archeological site at Episkopi was closed and could be for some time while they put a climactic roof on it, so if you intend to go ask someone first (not a bus driver or taxi driver who wil, no doubt not wish to tell you. However all in all we had a good time on the island.

I feel the best way to arrive at the island is by ferry. It is a stunning entrance. If you are flying make sure you take a trip on a boat around the caldera.

have a lovely time.

Went to Santorini last year in October.We had a fabulous time.It's quite a chilled out island.Kamari is a good resort with plenty of beach front bars and restaurants.We found that the island buses got you wherever you wanted to go and they are very cheap. 90 cents to get to Fira the capital.In fact all buses go there first and then you change for where you want to go to.The old village tour was good via Kosmar and we also did the Volcano Cruise, it takes half an hour to climb the volcano, wear good, solid trainers! I liked Fira the capital the best.I also liked Oia, a very hippy vibe to this town and the classic sunset watching area although I thought the sunset was better in Fira!! I wouldn't say Santorini was very expensive.There seemed to be places to eat for all budgets and souvenirs were also well priced. Have a fab time!!

As has been said the island itself is small and easy to circumnavigate in a day ! You can hire a car or the public transport is very good & cheap. Be sure to go to Pyrgos which is a high fortified village with a venetian castle and lots of winding streets to climb to the top - where you get an excellent view, then you can get a welcome drink at the village square. The wineries are well worth visiting for the wine tasting - there are several on the island. Fira & Oia are excellent for photos but expensive to eat & drink at - try the back streets not the places overlooking the caldera - you are paying for the view. You can get an excvellent view along the whole island from Akrotiri at the bottom end - where you can also see the minoan city. The vocano and hot springs boat trip is well worth it for the experience of walking up the crater and then swimming in the hot bubbling sea. It is also useful to note that you can get inter island ferries across to Naxos / Ios/ Mykonos etc. they are not expensive & you can do a mini-island hop if you fancy it!