Santorini, also known as Thera, is a volcanic island located in the southern Aegean Sea. Santorini is essentially what remains of an enormous volcanic explosion, destroying the earliest settlements on what was formerly a single island, and leading to the creation of the current geological caldera.
Optional Activities:
Santorini - Cycladic Cuisine – “Hands-On” Greek Cooking: A renowned Greek chef introduces you to the gastronomical culture and heritage of Santorini Island and teaches you how the experts prepare the exquisite Greek cuisine. Starting from the old port, take the cable car up to Fira town. Together with a professional guide, walk along the narrow cobblestone streets before boarding the mini-bus for a drive to one of the most beautiful traditional settlements of the island, the village of Megalochori. Arriving at the village, take a walk through the stone-cobbled streets of the village, admiring its impressive mansions before you reach the charming restaurant located within one of these old traditional buildings. As you arrive the owner waits for you with a nice glass of wine and a few bites of unique Santorinian products. The chef and his team give you a brief introduction to Cycladic island cuisine and particularly to the local products of Santorini like capers, fava (small yellow peas), cherry tomatoes, and local cheeses. As this is an interactive "hands-on" cooking class, put on your apron and get ready to mix and mingle the ingredients in order to prepare an entire Greek menu consisting of the appetizers, the salad, the main course, and the dessert. Once the dishes are prepared, sit back in the beautiful and relaxing veranda and enjoy a tasteful Greek meal you have just prepared accompanied by delicious Santorinian wine. As a souvenir of your class receive a recipe booklet of the dishes you prepared and keep your apron to use at your next barbeque back home! Following a memorable experience, board your coach for your drive back to Fira town and enjoy some free time to stay and explore on your own or make your way to the cable car and back to the yacht.
Duration: 4.5 hours
Santorini – Akrotiri Archaeological Site & Oia Village: On this land adventure, have the opportunity to visit one of the most important prehistoric settlements of the Aegean: Akrotiri Archaeological Site and the picturesque village of Oia. Could it really be the lost city of Atlantis? One of the reasons Santorini has attracted the world’s attention is the excavation at Akrotiri, which reclaimed a whole prehistoric Minoan city from the volcanic ash. The excavations brought into light a remarkably well-preserved site with two and three-story homes decorated with marvelous wall paintings and frescoes, an advanced drainage system, and many interesting objects, artworks, potteries, and furniture which give a picture of a society which was very well organized and at the peak of prosperity. This was interrupted suddenly by the eruption of the volcano, which buried the entire city. Your adventure continues by crossing the entire island and after a 30-minute drive, reaching the northeast part of the island and its most picturesque town, Oia. Once a major fishing harbor, it is now the calmest place on the island. Built high up on the ridge of red rocks, it offers breathtaking views of the blue Aegean. Stroll around the narrow streets with the old beautiful houses and the tiny picturesque shops. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the caldera cliff and wander in the narrow streets for shopping or a cup of coffee during your free time in the village. Returning to Fira town, you can either take the cable car down to the port or wander around the narrow streets with the various shops and take a later cable car.
Duration: 4 hours
Santorini – Oia Village & Venetsanos Winery: Visit one of the most photographed villages in the world, Oia. Walk through the cobblestone streets and the numerous artistic shops. Enjoy a visit to one of the island's famous wineries offering stunning views of the caldera and the Aegean Sea. Board your local tender and after 15 minutes reach the port of Athinios. Continuing your tour, visit one of the well-known wineries of Santorini, Venetsanos Winery. The Venetsanos family has a long tradition in wine production which is exported extensively to other countries. Have a chance to taste three different wines, the white Santorini Asyrtiko, the red Mandilaria, and the sweet dessert wine Vinsanto. Following your visit to the winery, return to Fira town where you can either take the cable car or wander around.
Duration: 4 hours