Although I have yet to visit many part of the worlds, Santorini (also known as Thera,) is my favorite destination in the Mediterannean. I was speechless as we approached the island. With dramatic views of white houses clinging perilously to the side of the caldera & stunning beaches of white & red sand or black pebbles, it’s no wonder Santorini may be the most photographed scenery in the world.
Between the 21st and 16th centuries BC, the Minoans lived on the island, which was later flooded & preserved under a blanket of volcanic ash. It is believed that the effects of the volcano led indirectly to the collapse of the Minoan civilization. Another popular theory holds that the Thera eruption is the source of the legend of the Lost City of Atlantis.
Just a short cable car ride (or a longer trip by donkey), and you are in Fera. There are loads of shops and cafes to explore. Shop for jewelry, wine, leather and handmade goods.
Tours offer visits to Oia Village for amazing photo ops including the famous blue domed churches. You can also visit the village of Pyrgos and go up to the highest peak of Santorini to Mt. Profitis Ilias for magnificent views of the entire island. Enjoy wine? Perhaps take a tour and tasting at Domaine Sigalas, the only Greek winery to be included into Wine Spectator’s “Top 100 Wines of the World” list, or the Boutari Winery. Boutari was founded by Yiannis Boutari, a Greek Winemaker whose influence over the Greek wine industry has been equated by Wine Spectator as being “… on par with Robert Mondavi in the Napa Valley.”
Remember, no trip to Greece is complete without trying their authentic Gyros available in lamb, beef and chicken. In the mood for Greek food? Here is a great recipe for Tzatziki sauce to go with your gyros.
A Day in Santorini….
I approached my visit to Greece with some clear preconceived notions. I envisioned sun-baked stairs leading from the crystal clear Mediterranean and bright white-washed houses perched atop cliffs. I knew I’d see those iconic blue-domed churches, and I anticipated spectacular views. At home in Alaska, it was those images that were my idea of a “Greek Island paradise.”
As our ship maneuvered to drop anchor at Santorini, I got my first glimpse of the island’s iconic steep cliffs. Though I may have glimpsed what towered above me at that point, my attention was actually focused downward, as I contemplated the fact that we had just sailed into a giant, submerged volcanic crater, or caldera. Santorini is what remains from an enormous volcanic eruption more than 3,000 years ago, and we were anchoring in the deep lagoon formed when the crater of the volcano collapsed. I wondered, as many now believe, if this caldera could really be the site of the Lost City of Atlantis, the legendary civilization that sunk to the bottom of the sea. With my attention now back on the island’s 300-meter high cliffs, I could see our destination, the town of Fira, perched high on the rim above. But, how best to get there? The answer became delightfully apparent. Waiting at the bottom of the steep string of switchbacks and stairs that formed a zigzagging path up the steep incline, were donkeys.
I happen to love donkeys (actually, anything with a tail), so I was as excited to see them as I was to explore the island. But at this point I found myself torn. I could travel up the cliffs by donkey as has no doubt been done since mythical times, or I could walk up and hopefully work off the wonderful desserts I’d been enjoying on the ship. Since it was a beautiful crisp October day – perfect for hiking – I decided to set out on foot.
An iconic blue-domed church in Oia.
I climbed around corner after corner up more than 500 steps, passing donkey teams headed up or down along the way. The donkeys all wore colorful beaded neck collars with a bell attached that jingled as they clomped along. Each switchback brought the tinkling of bells and better views of the crystal clear waters below.
After about 45 minutes we reached the top eager to explore Fira, and then afterward set out by local bus to the small town of Oia, located at the north end of the island. My immediate impression was that this magical place should definitely be on a travel bucket list. Oia is situated atop an impressive cliff with more views of the sparkling expanse of sea, and the charming village is made up of traditional white houses and blue-domed churches, with the narrow streets between buildings just wide enough for pedestrians and the occasional passing donkey. We discovered that many artists have made this picturesque setting their home and enjoyed wandering through the array of art galleries full of original works.
After a day in this island paradise, it was time to head back to Fira where we would descend down the cliffs to our anchored ship. Again I decided to make the journey by foot, once more passing the donkeys and their sweet-sounding bells along the way. When I got to the bottom, I realized I had encountered a sound I did not want to leave behind. And as I really do like to support the local economies of the places I visit, I had the perfect idea for a souvenir!
Now, as I sit in our cabin in Alaska, our wonderful cruise may seem a distant memory, but I keep my donkey bell in a spot where I see it often and can reflect on my journey to the cliffs of Santorini.
Rooms Department Manager, Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge
Princess Cruise Line
