Santorini Island, Greece

Santorini was inhabited by the Minoans around 3,000 BC. At this time it was one island and volcanic in nature. Around 1450 BC, Santorini erupted and formed the caldera and surrounding islands that we explored today. It is said that waves associated with this eruption devastated the Minoan civilizations on Crete, some miles away.

We began our exploration of Santorini by entering the caldera at sunrise between the islands of Thirasia and Santorini. During breakfast, the watch officers and the deck crew picked up the mooring and secured the ship for the day. After breakfast we boarded our tender and headed off for the port of Athinios and then we were off in our coaches to the rim. Our first stop was the small town of Oia which is located at the Northeastern edge of Santorini. The views were great and there were many photo and shopping opportunities as we viewed the caldera from above.

It was time for lunch and we made our way down to the southern shore near the community of Akrotiri. The restaurant that we were using was named after the God of wind, Aeolus and for good reason. We had a great view of the entire islands from our lunch table and it was easy to see and feel how hard the Meltemi winds were blowing.

After lunch we journeyed back to the town of Fira which was just above the Panorama, a thousand feet above. Ellie and Nanni, our Greek guides, led those that were interested through the local Archaeological museum and explained some key artifacts that were displayed form the ancient city of Akrotiri. There was time for more photos, a bit more shopping and then everyone had to choose their mode of travel back to the ship. The bravest of the guests straddled the local donkey transport through the switchback trail to the landing below. Others chose to walk the donkey path and the rest of us boarded the gondolas for a quick trip to the dock below. We embarked our tender for a short ride back to the ship and a leisurely late afternoon back on board the ship.