1^st Day : ANCIENT THIRA – RUINS – ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM.

Ancient Thera is an ancient city and capital on a ridge of the steep, 360 m high Messa Vouno mountain in Santorini.

It was named after the mythical ruler of the island, Theras, and was inhabited from the 9th century BC until 726 AD.

 An excellent observation spot on the southeastern Aegean Sea with its steep slopes which offered natural fortification. This strategic position was the ideal place for the Lacedaemonian colonists to build their town. They arrived in the 8th century BC along with their king Theras and named the island Thera in his honor. This fortified location was later appreciated by the Ptolemaic dynasty and in the 4th century BC it was the naval and military base of Egypt.

The excavations in Mesa Vouno Mountain, which started in 1896 by a German baron and continued in 1961 by Greek archaeologists, revealed a settlement of the Hellenistic Period. There was a main paved road, many smaller paths and a drainage system.

The ancient city consisted of a street almost 800 m long and especially wide for its time extending in a southeastern direction and containing several imposing buildings.

Residential areas are grouped around an Agora which is across from a theater built into the lower slope. Separated off and facing the sea at the eastern tip of the plateau is a small sacred area with temple grounds and public facilities. All buildings are constructed of the local limestone of the mountain itself.

A theatre, markets, pagan temples, Christian churches, baths and more public buildings have also been discovered and indicate a sophisticated society where religion played an important role. Thera was the religious and commercial center of the island.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF THERA

Visit to the Archaeological Museum of Thira, located in the center of Fira Town, in a building constructed in 1960.

Exhibits which reveal the long history of the island will impress you. Its collections of sculptures from the Archaic to the Roman era, inscriptions from the Archaic to the Roman era as well as Ceramic and clay figurines from the Geometric to the Hellenistic era.

The Theraic amphora with geometric decoration of the 7th century BC, a large volcanic stone (tracheite) weighing 480 kg and many other foundings from excavations in the cemetery of ancient Thera, such as amphorae, ceramic objects and ancient kouros, are worthy of admiration.

Ouzo canava santorini

A unique experience at a special distillery canava – museum where you will have the opportunity to taste and view how the famous greek ouzo and tsikoudi are prepared in handmade greek copper alembic still.

You will sense the aroma and the taste of the currants of Santorini’s asyrtiko , saffron and anise.

LUNCH AT TAVERN NICOLAS

A great lunch experience at one of the oldest and best greek tavern of the island , enjoying Elena’s delicious local dishes accompanied with excellent Santorini wine.

2^nd Day : ACROTIRI VILLAGE – EXCAVATIONS

A guided tour will take you to the remnants of a highly developed civilization, which flourished in Santorini during the first half of the 2^nd millennium BC.

At first it was a small Minoan settlement which grew in importance and size until the catastrophic eruption, which covered the site in a thick blanket of pumice.

Excavations begun in 1967 by Professor Marinatos, who unearthed a truly remarkable city. Here you will be able to walk along the ancient streets and squares and see the extraordinary two and three story buildings, workshops and storage facilities, which were built 3.500 years ago.

Unlike all the other archeological sites in Greece, here you will be able to imagine the day to day life of the legendary “ lost city of Atlantis “.

The frescoes in Akrotiri are especially important for the study of Minoan art because they are so much better preserved than those that were already known from Knossos. 

Artifacts are revealing numerous varieties of Late Cycladic pottery from the area. Pottery is the most common and most enduring commodity in the culture of the majority of ancient societies and, thus, is of great importance to archaeologists in interpreting Ancient Greek societies.

PREHISTORIC MUSEUM OF THIRA

Let us take you on a tour of a remarkable museum, which is considered to be an extension of the archaeological site of Akrotiri, since it houses the frescoes as well as the foundings of this urban center in its heyday (17th century B.C.) .

 At the same time, it hosts foundings  from many other areas of  Thira dating back in the 5th millennium BC. (Later Neolithic period) until the 17th century. B.C., showing the passage of various cultures from the Aegean over a long period of prehistory. It is also noteworthy that all the exhibits are in an excellent state of preservation.

3rd DAY:  – VOLCANO – PALEA & NEA KAMENI HIKING EXPERIENCE

Santorini’s special formation was shaped when after a huge volcanic eruption tn 1630 AC , tored apart the largest volcano island in the Aegean.
Before this incident, Santorini, Thirassia, Aspronisi, Nea and Palea Kameni were united and the island was called ‘Stronghìli’ which means round shape.
These five elements, as we see them today, are the result of that explosion, which destroyed the Minoan civilization and created a mystery which historians are still studying , leading part of them to strongly believe that this is the land where the legend of Atlantis begins…
The volcano plays a big role in the history and in the magic of Santorini
attracting a lot of people from all over the world for experiencing its

• magnetic energy.
  Therefore, in order to get the uniqueness of this island, we invite you to enjoy a hiking on the volcano cliff , to sense the strong smell of the sulfur,
• from its hot springs
• and to see the hot gases, still coming up from the soil of its crater.

4TH DAY : PYRGOS VILLAGE – THE CASTELO

A traditional village with fine old houses and the remains of a Venetian castle sitting on the hilltop.

From this highest location spot of the island, you can admire the atmospheric castle of Pyrgos, one of the five fortified settlements of the island since it was built around 1580.

Its position, chosen for strategic reasons, offers unique views as it overlooks vast plains and the sparkling Aegean Sea.

 Visiting the Castello will excite you as a mystique penetrates the area.

 As you wander around its alleyways you will meet four of the oldest churches of Santorini , whereas, on the top of the castle you can cherish spectacular views of the island that extends below your feet, which will entirely captivate you.

PROFITIS ELIAS – THE MONASTERY WITH THE PANORAMIC VIEW

Prophet Elias Monastery is located in the southeast part of Santorini, near the village of Pyrgos, on the summit of Mount Profitis Ilias. It is built at a height of approximately 567 meters above sea level, which makes it the highest point on the whole island and therefore the best spot to take memorable panoramic photos.

MEGALOHORI VILLAGE

Megalochori means “great village”, an ancient heritage, dated back in 17^th century.

Due to its strategic position in the Aegean Sea, Santorini had been the ideal crossroad between Europe and the Middle East, which means that a lot of rich was accumulated due to trade.

A fact, which attracted the attention of pirates from across the Mediterranean, who were coming in Santorini and enslaved local villages.

Unlike many towns around the Cyclades, which had to deal with this pirate terrorism and create fortresses in order to be protected by it, Megalohori, adopted a different attitude towards piracy and was considered as a heaven for them, as it provided many pirate hidden spots and alleys , some of which remain today, ready to be explored.

Megalochori is a picturesque, full of life village with friendly, lively residents and in its central square you can enjoy traditional cafes and small tavernas with delicious local dishes.
If you wander around the cobbled paths you will admire distinct buildings, such as neoclassical houses, stately homes and old cave houses with solid wooden doors and high fences, which were used as a protection from the pirates, as well as impressive notable and worth photo captured chapels.

THE BLACK SAND BEACHES OF SANTORINI

Swim in the blue waters of the Aegean or just lie on the black volcanic sands.

The volcanic activity and the eruption of the famous Volcano of Santorini that occurred around 1600 BC, covered the island with pumice, ash and volcanic lava.

The mixture of these ingredients with the sand is what gives the beaches this dark color and makes them so extraordinary and different from the other beaches.

This impressive landscape along with the crystal clear waters, make the black sandy beaches of Santorini a popular destination.

These famous black beaches are fully organized with numerous beach bars and cozy restaurants with delicious greek traditional plates, excellent local wines and memorable cocktails.

ΟIA VILLAGE

If you love sightseeing and shopping, then do not miss the opportunity to explore the charming village and shops of Oia.

This quaint little village was once the home of wealthy seafarers and indeed the most beautiful on the island.

It was almost destroyed in the 1956 earthquake , but has been slowly restored, continuing the ancient tradition of dwellings excavated from the cliff face, with the cave-like houses clinging to the slope of volcanic rock. 

Still evident are their old, two-story mansions painted in a spectrum of pleasing pastel colors.

The most picturesque of the two main village streets is paved with marble and lined with tiny shops, cafes and restaurants, all waiting to be explored.

If you prefer, you can “ lose yourself “ in the maze of tiny streets over the rock, looking at the strange and interesting houses, superb chapels and abandoned mansions.

The views from the cliff are quite amazing, offering the best photo opportunity of this unique island.