Santor-ific

There are a few iconic travel images that grace the pages of nearly every holiday brochure. Overlooking the city of Machu Pichu in Peru, strolling along the Great Wall of China in, oddly enough, China, or a woman in a colourful sari walking toward the Taj Mahal in India. But, without a doubt, one image everyone has seen at some point or another is the blue&white buildings of Santorini, Greece.
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The southern most island of the Cycladic group in the Aegean Sea, Santorini's crescent shape of is a consequence of the activity of the volcano in prehistoric times. The island itself owes its very existence to the volcano. This spectacular geological feature is the setting for the most stunning of the Greek Islands. As you enter the cauldron on the ferry, the white washed house and buildings, clinging precariously to the edge, give the appearance of a snow-capped mountains. Spectacular!! The ride up the hill from the port is fun too, as the road winds it's way up and up and up...

The biggest town on the island is Fira. It's where most of the action is. But at only 2,000 resident, it's hardly a metropolis. in the summer, the place is absolutely heaving with tourists. The countless restaurants, hotels, cafes and pubs shoehorn the people in to make the most of the busy season. But i was there in December. The place was dead. Most of the places i just mentioned were closed. But, it means that there are some serious deals to be had, as i grabbed a room for 20 Euro that would normally be 70 or 80. And with a couple of restaurants to choose from, I was more than happy with the off season lull.
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But while Fira may be where it's all happening, it's not the most picturesque of the villages on the island. Sure it's on the cauldron side, but there are better places. For example the village of Pyrgos. Pyrgos is a traditional village built on the slopes of Mt. Profitis Ilias, in the center of Santorini Island. It is one of the most impressive Santorini villages, with Byzantine churches, Medieval Manors and Venetian Castles. White buildings with blue highlights abound. Tiny walkways are only wide enough for a donkey train and a very nervous tourist. For a little fun in the sun, the other side of the island is full of black pebble beaches. Not much in the winter, in summer they apparently go off, with the boulevard lined with clubs and bars (the black pebbles get crazy hot though). But the real highlight of the island in the village of Oia (title picture). The charming settlement, located on the tip of northern Santorini, is renowned for its amazing Caldera and sunset view, and its traditional "cave" houses that are built into the side of the reddish cliff. Much nicer than Fira and better located than Pyrgos, this is the place to be. Getting from village to village is pretty easy with a public buses frequenting each. Although if travelling as a couple, it might be cheaper (and more fun) to rent a car or 4-wheeler (note you can only rent scooters with a valid motorcycle licence). They're only 20 Euro for the day. There were also some kick-ass dune buggies in Oia, but i didn't ask the price.
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Santorini is serviced by at least 2 to 4 ferries a days, either to other islands or the Athens port city of Piraeus. Usual price is about 30 Euro each way, and it takes about 5-10 hours depending on the route. The trip is half the fun as you pick up/drop off people and many of the idyllic little islands. I've said it once, and I'll say it again, I've never been a fan of mass tourism. But with the right timing a visit to Santorini can be a wonderfully peaceful experience. And come on, it's DAMN pretty!!!