A truly ‘‘eclectic’’ lifestyle

Drawing visitors from all four corners of the globe who flock to the island to view its monumental sunsets, awe inspiring views, cuisine and wines, it is no wonder that Santorini has been voted one of the most beautiful islands in the world time and time again.

Oia is famous for its peace and beauty.

The entire island had become a creative neighbourhood of distinctive character.

Known for its iconic caldera, unique and colourful sand or pebble beaches resulting from solidified lava such as the Red Beach, the Black Beach and the White Beach, whitewashed houses and deep indigo sea, nowhere on earth quite compares with the wild natural beauty of this infamous volcanic island; an island steeped in the legend of the lost Atlantis that has captivated so many imaginations through the decades. Drawing visitors from all four corners of the globe who flock to the island to view its monumental sunsets, awe inspiring views, cuisine and wines, it is no wonder that Santorini has been voted one of the most beautiful islands in the world time and time again.

Inhabited since as early as the Neolithic Period (4th millennium BC approx), Santorini’s long history is extremely varied: Archaeological discoveries made near Akrotiri and the island’s famous Red Beach show the existence of an important ancient Minoan colony (who settled on the island between 2000 and 1600 BC) - very similar to those found on the island of Crete. In Ancient times, Santorini Island was known as Stongili, which means round in Greek. Strongili was the victim of an enormous volcano eruption between 1642 and 1540 BC, an eruption so huge that many consider it to be the main cause of the destruction of the great Minoan civilisation on the island of Crete, situated 70 nautical miles away, through the creation of gigantic tsunami waves that reached the shores of the surrounding islands and Crete. After the explosion, the centre of Santorini sank, with the many earthquakes that followed destroying a large part of the rest of the island. The island has been inhabited by the Minoan civilisation, as well as the Phoenicians, the Dorians and the Byzantines; all the way through to the Venetians and Turks who have all left their mark on the island. The present group of islands known as Santorini, named after the small chapel of Agia Irini (or Saint Irene) by the Venetians, comprises five distinct islands: Santorini (aka Thira), the main island, Thirasia and Aspronisi at the periphery and the two Kameni islands at the centre.

The island’s incredible beauty is evident before you even arrive. An astonishing sight from the air – with its collection of five islands floating on the endless blue of the Aegean Sea almost like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, it’s hard not to feel drawn to the magical legend of Atlantis – everything below seems to have a story to tell while the flat glistening blue sea hints at hidden worlds lost deep down below. As the aeroplane prepares to land, a dazzling mosaic of colours gradually becomes visible, from the grey and red rock face of the crater – Caldera from the Greek for “cauldron”, studded with windmills, the island’s trademark blue-domed churches and terraces of sugar-cube whitewashed settlements that seem to run along the rim of the Caldera almost like a ribbon. Probably Santorini’s most famous image, these whitewashed settlements with Caldera views in Firostefani, Fira, Imerovigli and Oia are built into the rock face from ancient cave dwellings to now boast exclusive hillside hotels showcasing infinity pools and luxury spas, accompanied by boutique shops, bars, nightclubs and restaurants.

The Caldera itself – famed as one of the most beautiful sights in the entire world – is the result of thousands of years of violent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, one of which, between 1642 and 1540 BC, caused huge tsunamis that are said to be responsible for wiping out the Minoan civilisation along the north of the island of Crete situated 70 nautical miles away. The island initially split into three parts in the volcanic eruption - Santorini (Thira), the main island, Therasia and Aspronisi at its periphery. Subsequent underwater eruptions (the most recent in 1570) threw up the two further islands – Palia Kameni and Nea Kameni (“Old Burnt Island” and “New Burnt Island”) – that complete the fascinating archipelago. Today, the aftereffects of these dramatic geological events represent the island’s two main sources of wealth, namely tourism and agriculture, with the latter owing its success to the island’s unique and very fertile volcanic soil and perfect climate allowing it to give birth to excellent produce such as its fava beans, cherry tomatoes, capers and famous goat’s milk cheese known as chloro. What Santorini is best known for, however, is its wine production. Whilst wine was made on the island in Greek and Roman times, the region became particularly noteworthy in the Middle Ages when Crusaders captured control of the island from the Byzantine Empire after Constantinople was sacked in 1203. Today, its production includes indigenous white grape varieties such as Assyrtiko, Athiri and Aidani, other wines produced using international varieties as well as its unique reds made from its indigenous red grapes known as Mandalieria and Mavrotragano. With approximately 1,200 hectares of vines scattered around Santorini, the wines are stored in traditional kanaves (cellars), the most well known being at Megalochori, Mesa Gonia, Messaria, Pyrgos and Oia.

Naturally, any mention of Santorini has to include its magical sunsets. As one of the best places to view majestic, awe inspiring sunsets, few destinations in the world can match the sheer beauty of Santorini’s sunset views. With many incredible vantage points along the edge of the Caldera, visitors agree that sunsets from Santorini make for a truly surreal experience which sees the skies of the Aegean turn into a riotous symphony of pinks and reds as the day slowly comes to a close, beckoning the arrival of the night ahead. ‣

It’s no surprise that the spirit of beauty and freedom that permeates Santorini has inspired myriad artists, who have turned this gem of an island into a veritable art hub.

Despite another catastrophic earthquake which occurred in 1956 causing widespread destruction, Santorini’s many villages continue to be spectacular. Oia, pronounced “Ia”, is the most famous of all of Santorini’s villages, known for its peace and tranquillity, fantastic sunsets and beauty. Firostefani is a small village within walking distance from Fira (the island’s capital replete with bars, shops, restaurants and nightclubs) and is almost like a suburb to the capital of Santorini, distinguished for its traditional architecture, wonderful Caldera views and its tourism development. Further along the edge of the Caldera, Imerovigli is like an extension of Fira albeit situated on a higher cliff. Also providing very romantic views, Imerovigli offers peace and quiet as well as proximity to the hustle and bustle of Fira. Akrotiri is a traditional village located next to the famous Red Beach which hosts the most important archaeological site on Santorini. Still unspoilt by mass tourism, Akrotiri offers one of the most peaceful spots on the island. Other traditional villages include Emporeio. Surrounded by vast vineyards and old windmills, the village is distinguished for its vivid Medieval character, its castle located on top of a hill and elegant neoclassical mansions. Others such as Messaria, Megalochori, Finikia, Mesa Gonia, Karterados, Ammoudi and Vothanos offer visitors glimpses into quiet traditional Greek village life.

Holidays in Santorini are the dream of a lifetime for many people, with the island famous for its impressive Caldera, volcano and romantic sunsets frequently included among the best destinations in the world. Its popularity has gained such momentum that over the last few years, the tourist season has extended from early April to early November meaning that visitors can enjoy all of the island’s attractions for a longer period every year.

Apart from its traditional villages and awe inspiring views, Santorini offers a multitude of attractions. The island’s many wineries offer incredible wine tasting opportunities. One such winery is the Artemis Karamolegos Winery that combines a great respect for Santorini’s winemaking traditions with a modern outlook and constant investment in the vineyards and in wine-making equipment. Meanwhile, the Minoan Site of Akrotiri, one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece, provides an incredible insight into the Minoan civilisation, as the town was covered by volcanic ashes from the eruption of Thera, making for an incredibly interesting visit. The volcano which lies in the centre of the sunken Caldera is still active today and can be accessed via boat tours from the old port of Fira which go to the volcano and the hot springs while the famous Santorini sunset can also be viewed from a boat. Then of course there are the island’s beaches, including the famous Red, White and Black Beaches providing cool respite from the summer sun with their clear, cool waters, as well as the opportunity to enjoy a multitude of exhilarating water sports. There are also the island’s many tavernas serving the dishes that wonderful Santorini has come to be so well known for. •

The maze of narrow alleys will remind you of an M.C. Escher painting.