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Santorini – A Greek fairy tale of deep blue and bright white

PatrickJullien

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11. June 2024

Santorini – A Greek fairy tale of deep blue and bright white

The bright whitewashed houses of the southernmost island of the Cyclades can be seen from afar. Its beauty is further enhanced by the azure blue of the Aegean Sea that surrounds the crescent-shaped island. Santorini actually consists of the three volcanic islands Thira, Thirasia and Aspronisi, which are arranged in a ring, the islands of Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni located in the interior of the ring, as well as the Christiana Islands and the underwater volcano Kolumbos.

The most famous and at the same time largest of the islands, the main island of Thira, is also called Santorini. The archipelago, once formed by volcanoes, is located north of Crete and is also known for its mostly black lava beaches. But Santorini, which also has the most hours of sunshine in Greece, is not only an ideal holiday destination for sun worshippers and beach vacationers, but also for nature lovers and active vacationers. The landscape is varied and characterized by numerous different rocks. In the ash layers of the lava flows, fossils up to 150 million years old have been preserved, including remains of the former deep-sea fauna and even charred olive trees. A holiday destination for explorers with a wide range of leisure activities and exciting excursion destinations.

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Unforgettable holiday experiences

The coast of Oia, Image: Feel good studio / shutterstock

The small archipelago in the Aegean Sea already has an eventful history behind it. The first settlement dates back to the 5th millennium BC. Santorini was used by various peoples as an important trading post. The historical traces of the Minoans, the Phoenicians, the Egyptians, the Venetians and the Ottomans are still visible today and are among the destinations worth seeing, for example Old Thera. The settlements of Ia, Emborio, Pyrgos and Akrotiri, surrounded by fortress walls, bear witness to the pirate raids and wars of the peoples. The tower castles of the Venetian feudal lords, such as the Goulas in Emborio, are also impressive remains from this period.

From the main tourist towns, such as the capital Firá, Oia or Perissa, there are regular excursion buses to the most famous sights. Island hopping to the other Santorini islands with an excursion boat is also eventful. Often the programs of the various excursion providers include packages including a barbecue or beach picnic. Due to the volcanic activity, several so-called cauldron-shaped caldera basins have formed in the interior of the island ring, which are up to 400 meters deep. For this reason, a unique flora has developed, especially on the islands of Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni, which is protected as a Natura 2000 area. The caldera pools are also a popular diving spot and perfect for exciting sailing turns. There are also ferry connections from Firá to the Greek mainland to Piraeus, the port of Athens, several times a day.

Everything on Santorini is extraordinary

Kokkini Ammos Santorini — Kokkini Ammos, the red beach, Image: Lucian BOLCA / shutterstock

During a holiday in Santorini, you can discover a new beach every day. The rugged, red rock face that rises up behind Red Beach has given the beach its name. The beach, dotted with red and black pebbles, runs gently into the sea and is therefore also ideal for families with children. In the summer high season, it can get really crowded here. If you are looking for a quiet place, Vlichada beach is the right place for you. This also impresses with its black beach, which is interspersed here and there with white pumice stones. From Firá you can reach the Vlichada beach very well by bus.

The beaches of the islands are also connected by their own boat line. If the weather is really bad, it is worth visiting one of the museums and galleries in Santorini, such as the Lost Atlantis Experience Museum in Megalochori, the Mnemossyne Gallery in Oia or the Museum of Prehistoric Thira in Firá. While you’re at Vlichada Beach, you can also visit the Tomato Industrial Museum. And what would a Greek holiday be without the culinary delights? Hardly anything is more reminiscent of a holiday than sitting on a terrace covered with vines, gazing out over the vastness of the sea and being pampered with Greek specialities.

A tip is to visit the town of Oia in the north of Santorini, where the numerous restaurants, bars and traditional taverns offer unforgettable sunsets. Add stuffed vine leaves, spicy olives and a glass of fine Greek wine and you’re already floating in seventh heaven. For night owls, there are even discotheques in the capital Firá, where you seem to dance directly into the sunrise.

The best time to visit Santorini

In just five hours of flight time from German airports, you can breathe in the fresh sea air of Santorini. Perfect for a short break to gather new energy for everyday life in between. Outside the main summer travel season, which lasts from June to September, there are cheap offers that make a trip to Santorini even more interesting for last-minute travellers. The small island archipelago is a worthwhile destination all year round. In the hottest months of July and August, it is mainly beach vacationers who are drawn to the beautiful beaches.

The temperatures between 27 and 32 degrees Celsius are then only bearable by swimming a lot and by the cool north wind Meltemi. In May, June, October and November, the daytime temperatures are ideal for active holidaymakers. Hiking, cycling and cultural excursions are just a small excerpt from the wide range of leisure activities. During these months, however, you can also go swimming. Nature lovers like to come in the cool winter months, when the landscape turns into lush green. The first flowers begin to bloom as early as January, giving the man-made cultural landscape a special flair. Santorini is therefore worth a visit at any time of the year.

Holidays in Santorini: The most important information

Journey

Airport: Santorini (Thira) National Airport (JTR), about 6 km southeast of the capital Fira.
Ferry: Regular ferry services from the Greek mainland and other islands of the Cyclades. The main ferry port is Athinios.

Important telephone numbers

Police: 100
Fire brigade: 199
Ambulance service: 166
General emergency: 112
Tourist information: +30 22860 22230

Supermarkets

Carrefour: Fira and Kamari
Lidl: Mesaria
AB Supermarket: Fira
Slaveitis: Different locations on the island

Doctors and hospitals

Santorini Hospital: Fira, +30 22860 35300
Dr. Athanasios Kyrgiou: Private Clinic, Fira, +30 22860 23001
Health Center of Santorini: Fira, +30 22860 23123

Important words with translation

Hello – Γειά σου (Yiá sou)
Thank You – Ευχαριστώ (Efcharistó)
Please – Παρακαλώ (Parakaló)
Yes – Ναί (Ne)
No – Όχι (Óchi)
Sorry – Συγγνώμη (Signómi)
Where is…? – Πού είναι…? (Poú eínai…?)
How much does it cost…? – Πόσο κοστίζει…? (Póso kostízei…?)
Emergency – Έκτακτη ανάγκη (Éktakti anánki)
Doctor – Γιατρός (Yatrós)
Hospital – Νοσοκομείο (Nosokomío)

Holidays

New Year’s Day: January 1
Epiphany: January 6
Independence Day: March 25
Good Friday: variable (March/April)
Easter Monday: variable (March/April)
Labour Day: 1 May
Assumption Day: 15 August
National holiday: October 28
Christmas: December 25
St. Stephen’s Day: December 26

Opening hours

Shops: Usually Monday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Many shops are also open on Sundays, especially in the tourist season.
Supermarkets: Usually daily from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Restaurants: Lunch from 12:00 to 15:00, dinner from 19:00 to 23:00.
Banks: Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Things to see and do

Oia: Famous for its spectacular sunsets and picturesque alleys.
Fira: The capital of the island with many shops, restaurants and nightlife.
Akrotiri: Archaeological excavation site of a Minoan city.
Volcano and Hot Springs: Boat tours to the volcanic island of Nea Kameni and the hot springs of Palea Kameni.
Wine tastings: Visit the local wineries and taste the famous Santorini wine.
Beaches: Red Beach, Kamari Beach, and Perissa Beach are some of the most popular beaches.

NUDISM

Official nudist beaches: Santorini does not have official nudist beaches, but some secluded areas, such as parts of Vlychada Beach, are occasionally used for nude bathing.

Post / Stamps

Fira Post Office: Plateia Theotokopoulou, Fira. Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Stamps: Available at the post office, kiosks and souvenir shops.
Costs for letters and postcards to Germany: Standard letter up to 20g: approx. 0.90 EUR; Postcard: approx. 0.90 EUR

Safety

Crime: Santorini is considered safe. Take the usual precautions as in any tourist destination, especially in busy areas.
Emergency number: 112

Current

Voltage: 230 volts
Sockets: Type C and F (as in Germany)

Tip

Restaurants: 5-10% of the bill amount, often included in the bill.
Taxis: Round up the amount
Hotels: 1-2 euros per day for cleaning staff

Customs

Allowances within the EU: No customs restrictions on personal belongings.
Alcohol: Maximum 10 liters of spirits, 20 liters of alcoholic beverages with less than 22%, 90 liters of wine, 110 liters of beer.
Tobacco: 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars, 1 kg of tobacco.

Piedmont – At the foot of the Alps

Europe
Italy

PatrickJullien

-

11. June 2024

0

Piedmont is the northwesternmost region of Italy, which separates Switzerland and France . The fact that it is still treated a little stepmotherly today is due to the fact that the former Savoy was its own empire of great importance in European history. When Italy was united under one flag, it was the kings from here who took control of the country. Today, Piedmont is best known for its outstanding cuisine, diverse landscape and long history, which is reflected in a wide variety of buildings and sights. In addition, Piedmont is much more than just a large ski resort.

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Piedmont – what should you know about the region?

Barolo, Piedmont — Barolo, Image: Matteo Volpone / shutterstock

Piedmont is still above all a paradise of nature. In no other region of Italy are the contrasts of the country as clear as they are here. The only thing missing is direct access to the sea – but Genoa is directly in the south and can be reached in a few hours. With its capital Turin, Piedmont, like the rest of northern Italy, is one of the country’s most important economic centres. Once the most important industrial city, Turin has now become an insider tip for those who would like to experience the culture in Italy without stepping on the toes of another tourist at every step.

Turin is also the capital of Fiat, which is evident in a great museum. This region, which is so important for Italy, is a little insider tip because, from Turin, you can be in a wide variety of areas in just a few hours. There are the Alps with the famous ski resorts that are appreciated not only by the Italians, but also by the French and the Swiss. The Sestriere and Via Lattea are particularly well-known for this. All over the world, the standard offered here is observed.

The region around Monferrato is in complete contrast. Here you will find vineyards, small villages, endless valleys and fertile meadows. This is also the home of the famous Piedmont cherry, which actually has only a distant connection with the region today. Above all, however, the region is known for the many castles and mansions of the Savoy people, who have ruled over the region for several hundred years and left their mark on it in terms of culture, architecture and history. The small restaurants in the farms invite you to enjoy an extensive meal with the famous local cuisine.

The typical sights of the region

Every trip through Piedmont should begin with a stay in Turin. Today, the city is best known for being the center of Italian car culture. In earlier times, it was the capital and therefore also the residence of the Dukes and Kings of Savoy. First and foremost is the Venaria Reale, the royal palace, which has of course become a World Heritage Site with its impressive architecture. But there are also small and large hunting lodges everywhere in the region, which the former nobility used for themselves. As famous builders, it’s no wonder that so many of them are still among the most important sights today. But Turin offers even more. The city is baroque with many of its buildings and there is a little piece of history on every corner.

Sacra di San Michele, about 40 km from Turin, Image: Boris Stroujko / shutterstock

The cities of Novarra and Vercelli also have a long history and are surrounded by beautiful nature. Once you have explored the city, you can take a trip through vineyards and experience the typical spirit that Piedmont conveys. In general, there are many small villages that have their own history. Apart from Turin, Piedmont has always been very decentralized, which can still be found in the various places today. Places like Cherasco and Alba have their own charm and are a real highlight all year round.

Of course, there are still the many ski resorts and the many small lakes that run through the entire region. They are all suitable for a holiday in nature and with a little planned relaxation. The high standard offered in every accommodation is typical of Piedmont and almost guarantees that you won’t be able to find a bad hotel. All in all, it’s not just the sights, but the activities and culinary arts that make a visit to this region so appealing.

Living and experiencing on holiday in Piedmont

The ski resorts mentioned are just one example of things you can do here. Piedmont is known for its cliffs and slopes, which attracts climbers and hikers alike. At the lakes there are opportunities for water sports or simply for recreation when the Italian weather is merciful. If you have the chance and don’t pay quite so much attention to your own line, you should also feast your way through the menus of the region. The famous Alba truffle can be found everywhere here. Chocolates, game dishes, excellent wines and generally upscale cuisine round off the picture for the holiday.