     Santorini island
 Santorini - a few volcanic islands, or rather the remains of the archipelago, it may even Atlantis, getting to us after some cataclysm.
Santorini (Thira) - the southernmost of the Cyclades islands, with an area of 76 square meters. km and the coastline of 70 km
Directly himself island of Santorini - a residential island that encircles her like semicircular caldera. Caldera (geological name) - it's descended into the water crater of the volcano and, accordingly, the sea water that filled the basin.
Â
The first impression when the ship swims - you really get to the settlement of aliens. Imagine the huge cliffs, boulders hanging lifeless over the sea, and only thin-serpentine paths lead upward. Upstairs, at a great height, in bright orange and crimson colors of sunset, one can see several small towns. Houses and streets are dug into the caves of volcanic rock, is painted in dazzling white, just large circular domes of Orthodox churches - the piercingly blue. As the sea below and sky above.
Towns on the island a few - Fira, Oia, Kamari, Perissa. This is most great. The island itself is 16 km in length. Can you figure out what these are, "the local measurements." Fira - the capital, Ia - a town with a light touch of romantic and bohemian, Kamari - the beaches and in the evening get-together on the waterfront, Perissa - this miracle of nature - beaches with black, red and white sand. Nothing shake and do not mix! All served separately! All beaches are different and sand on them are different too.
The most famous beaches of the island are Perissa, Kamari, Monolithos and Red Beach. The first three are distinguished by their black volcanic sands and deep blue waters. They are located in the east, in the tourist centers of the island, where lies a lot of hotels, tavernas, cafes and beach bars. Red Beach is a more private location, close to Akrotiri. In the town of Akrotiri, where the excavation was discovered the ancient city of the Minoan civilization, completely buried under a layer of ash during the eruption of an ancient volcano.
Fira - the island's capital, is located on the edge of a cliff at an altitude of 260 m above sea level. Here you can climb on foot, by cable car or riding on a donkey. The combination of stunning scenery of the famous Cycladic architecture Fira do one of the most picturesque places in the world. In the evening, sitting in a small cafe or tavern, you can enjoy the most stunning sunsets in the world, watching the unreal-red sun slowly sinks into the sea, plunging the city into purple twilight.
Ia - a picturesque village in the northern part of the island with its old houses and the Venetian fortress. Ia is famous not only for its boutique hotels, where the number of rooms does not exceed 25, but the beautiful sunsets.
Surprisingly - sunset occurs at the same time - at 20-30. Vulcan sleeper, but the current, hot. Probably due to some gas emissions, and obtained such colors at sunset.
The most beautiful is in the town of Oia village and Imeravigli, "Hotel Regina Mara." Recommended! Hotel category A, is nearly five stars. But here are a few other rules, because Yet it is a small volcanic island.
You can sit on the terrace above the cliff, put on a nice wooden table a bottle of Cretan or Santorin wine (incidentally, very, very deserving, 5-8 Euros in a supermarket and 15 euros in tavern.
To get to the volcano, it is necessary to book an excursion. They come in 2 times a week.
In Crete and Santorini settlement - taverns everywhere, at every step, the food is Excellent and very inexpensive. Fish freshest, cooked very tasty. By the way, in Crete, if you're not far from the town Milatos, 10-15 minutes from Malia, we recommend the tavern, " Sirines-no stress" (Sirines-no stress. Nikos & Kostas Markakis)
