Santorini — Beachcomber Pete Travel Adventures

Akrotiri, Greece

The village of Akrotiri, Greece, is on the island of Santorini in the Aegean Sea approximately 120 miles southeast of the Greek mainland. Santorini is one of the Cyclades Islands. Akrotiri is in the southwestern part of the island approximately eight miles southwest of the Santorini National Airport. Transportation options from the airport to Akrotiri include renting a car, taking a taxi or taking a bus. Visitors can take ferries to Santorini from the other Cyclades Islands and Athens. The ferry port is in the town of Fira about seven and a half miles from Akrotiri. Buses run between Fira and Akrotiri.

Archaeological excavations in the Akrotiri area revealed that the area was inhabited 3,500 years ago. A town near Akrotiri was buried in a volcanic eruption in 1,450 B.C. Buildings and objects in the town were preserved under volcanic ash. The size of the town indicates that it was a main port on the Aegean Sea.

Places to see in Akrotiri include historic sites, a caldera, a lighthouse and the beach. Visitors can see the remains of the Venetian Castle from medieval times.

The caldera is a large depression created by the volcanic eruption in 1,450 B.C. It is visible from the road to Akrotiri and from several locations in the village.

The lighthouse was built in 1892 and is occasionally open for tours. Visitors can see spectacular sunsets here.

Red Beach and White Beach are two of Akrotiri’s beaches. The Red Beach has black sand with a reddish tint. Beach chairs are available here. There is a small canteen. Black and red volcanic rocks are behind the beach. There are places for snorkeling at Red Beach.

White Beach is only accessible by boat. The sand here is white, gray and black. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available here.

The Apanemo Hotel is one of the places to stay in Akrotiri. Guests can stay in studios or apartments. The apartments have kitchenettes. Visitors will have views of the caldera and the sea. The hotel has a swimming pool.

The Santorini Princess Suites in Akrotiri has three-bedroom suites with three bathrooms. This hotel has a heated swimming pool, a tennis court and a garden.

Akrotiri visitors can order traditional Greek food in the village’s restaurants. Grilled squid is served at the Taverna Aeolos. Menu items at Kapetan Dimitris include grilled fish and a split pea purée with onions.

Filed Under: Akrotiri, Europe, featured, Greece, Santorini

Larissa, Greece

In the heart of the dazzling Thessalian plain lies the historic capital city of Larissa. Larissa is the capital of the Thessaly region of Greece. It is surrounded by Pieria and Kozani on the northern border of Thessaly; and Fthiotida and Magnisia on the southern border. The Thessaly Region hosts a breathtaking scene of lakes, rivers, forests, plains and mountains. The mountain range Olympus, which houses the twelve ancient gods of Greek mythology, is located in the region as well as Mitikas, the highest peak in Greece.

Larissa is the largest city in the region and has a long history with a very strong connection to Greek culture. The city has a variety of historical landmarks and attractions. One such landmark is The Church of Agios Achilios. There is a horse, a symbol, in front of the church. In the past, Larissa was well known for its horses. The horse symbolizes this. Nearby is the Alcazar Park. The park is a great place for a picnic or relaxing with the family. There are sculptures, statues, and fountains throughout the park as well as a playground and an amphitheater. Also in the vicinity is another popular landmark, an ancient Greek theater. In addition, there are also several museums and art galleries.

The Municipal Art Gallery of Larissa – G. I. Katsigras Museum was established in 1983. The museum houses a large collection of Greek paintings dating between the 19th and 20th centuries.

The Archaeological Museum of Larissa has an enormous assortment of artwork dating back to the Palaeolithic period and continuing to the Roman period. The museum has some very interesting exhibits including amazing tomb inscriptions written in Roman and Archaic, fascinating fossils dating back to the Palaeolithic period, primitive monuments, Roman and Hellenistic sculptures, evidence of Byzantine and Archaic structures, and variety of beautiful artifacts and artwork dating back to the Archaic epoch, the Neolithic epoch, and the Geometrical epoch.

The Folklore Historical Museum of Larissa was established in 1983. The museum has enormous displays of artwork and artifacts presenting the middle class society of the pre- industrial time period. In addition, there are also displays of religious artwork, photographs, documents, maps and engraved pieces of artwork.

For those looking for fun and relaxation, Larissa offers the natural beauty of the mountains and beaches. Tourists can find many All inclusive deals, visitors will enjoy hiking along one of the many trails through the mountains either on foot or by horseback. Tourists can also enjoy frolicking and swimming in the crystal clear water of any one of numerous beaches available including Agiokampos, Karitsa, Paliouria, Stomio, Rakpoptamos, and Velika.

Greece is in the temperate climate zone. With mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers, Larissa is an ideal vacation getaway.

Greece
Greece	Aegean Sea	Mediterranean Sea
Athens	Heraklion	Kavala
Larissa	Patras	Thessaloniki
	Volos
Islands of Greece
Crete	Euboea	Lesbos
Rhodes	Santorini

Filed Under: Aegean Sea, Athens, Crete, Europe, featured, Greece, Larissa, Patras, Santorini

Euboea, Greece

Across the Euripus Strait from the Greek mainland lies the island of Euboea. Also known as Evia, this island is part of a great mountain chain forming the eastern border of Thessaly and extending beyond Euboea to form the neighboring islands of Mykonos, Tinos and Andros. Euboea has a rich, colorful history and today is a growing tourist destination.

The island was settled by Ionian Greeks from Attica, who established the island’s major cities, Eretria and Chalcis. These cities grew to prominence and became colonizing powers in their own right, establishing the colonies of Sicily, Cumae and Rhegium among others. Because of its wealth and strategic position, Euboea was a choice plum and much desired by the mainland Greeks. In the fourth and fifth century BC, both Eretria and Chalcis were defeated by Greeks who forcefully deported the residents and moved their own colonists onto the island. Throughout the Middle Ages the island was fought over and occupied by the Lombards, the Venetians and the Ottomans, finally becoming a part of the Greek state established by the Greek War of Independence in 1830.

Today Euboea is a perfect holiday destination for travelers because it has been largely undiscovered by tourists until recent years. Now the island is slowly coming to the attention of the world, but still remains relatively unspoiled. There are archaeological sites, excellent spas and beautiful beaches with good diving.

Ancient Chalcis, now spelled Khalkis, is still the principal city of the island, and attracts countless travelers. Visitors can see the ruins of the old walls in the Kastro, a Turkish district, as well as the fifth century church of Ayia Paraskevi and the ancient aqueduct. Just outside the city is the Kastelli, a 13th century Venetian castle from the island’s period of Latin domination. Moving out from the city, travelers can see the archaeological dig at Ramnous with its burial grounds, ruined fortress and sanctuaries. In the village of Ayia Thekla there is a 15th century church with exquisite frescoes.

Euboea has natural geothermal springs that have been praised for their therapeutic value since ancient times. Today visitors can have a luxurious spa experience at Loutra Adipsou or Kamena Vourla, a restful interlude in a tour of Euboea’s northern coastal region.

The natural scenery is a main attraction in Euboea. Hikers and divers can find countless little-known places of stunning beauty waiting to be explored.

Greece
Greece	Aegean Sea	Mediterranean Sea
Athens	Heraklion	Kavala
Larissa	Patras	Thessaloniki
	Volos
Islands of Greece
Crete	Euboea	Lesbos
Rhodes	Santorini

Filed Under: Aegean Sea, Athens, Euboea, Europe, featured, Greece, Rhodes, Santorini

Aegean Sea

The Aegean Sea may hold more history and legend in its waters than any other body of water in the world. Located in the eastern Mediterranean, this is the sea upon which those thousand Greek ships sailed when they set out to sack Troy and rescue the lovely Helen. The Aegean is where western civilization was born; the Myceneans, the Minoans, and later, the more well-known states like Athens and Sparta lined its coast. Plato likened the situation to “frogs around a pond.”

A history lesson and a few thousand years’ worth of ancient ruins, however, are just a couple of the many reasons to visit the region. Located in the eastern part of the Mediterranean, the Aegean enjoys a comfortable subtropical climate. This makes it an ideal destination for cruises and vacationers: summers are dry with warm to hot temperatures, and the winters are fairly mild with more rainfall. While other nations and states have shared the Aegean coast in the past, only Greece and Turkey border it nowadays.

The Aegean Sea covers roughly 83,000 square miles, with the Black Sea feeding into its northeastern corner via the Dardanelles. On the western side is Greece and a strait that connects to the Ionian Sea, which lies between the Italian peninsula and the Dalmatian coast.

Hundreds of islands are to be found in the Aegean, both large and small. Most of them belong to Greece, but recent decades have seen some disputes with Turkey over the details. Despite a lack of technology, many ancient travelers found it easier to travel over the water than to navigate Greece’s rough land routes. An Aegean sailor was never very far from landfall. Crete, at the southern edge where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean, is the largest of the Aegean islands. It is perhaps the most famous as well, but none of them are short on beauty.

However, the Aegean is not a place to go in search of a lush tropical paradise; it is generally too dry during the warmer parts of the year. Most of its islands are rather rugged, some are volcanic, and some are downright barren. The beaches, however, are excellent, as is the food. The pristine blue waters of this sea draw visitors from across Europe and the rest of the world. You’ll find the standard delicious Mediterranean fare here: lots of wine, olives, olive oil, and other Greek staples. Seafood, of course, is never in short supply. It’s as healthy as it is tasty.

Greece
Greece	Aegean Sea	Mediterranean Sea
Athens	Heraklion	Kavala
Larissa	Patras	Thessaloniki
	Volos
Islands of Greece
Crete	Euboea	Lesbos
Rhodes	Santorini

Filed Under: Aegean Sea, Athens, Crete, Euboea, Europe, featured, Greece, Heraklion, Kavala, Larissa, Lesbos, Patras, Rhodes, Santorini, Volos

Athens, Greece

There are few cities in the world that can boast such as rich a culture and history as Athens. Athens is the capital and the largest city in Greece. It is also one of the oldest cities in the world and is often referred to as the Cradle of Western Civilization and the Birthplace of Democracy, due, in part, to a fierce commitment to education, culture and improving and evolving civilization. The city is named for Athena, the goddess of wisdom. Today, Athens is a modern city with advanced culture, technology, infrastructure and tourism all combined with the rich history and culture that has made Athens great for over 7,000 years.

Athens is home to some of the most famous and remarkable architecture in the world. Buildings such as the Parthenon, the Acropolis, the Herodes Atticus Theater and the Academy of Athens all stand as landmarks and architectural wonders in the city. The buildings and architectural features of the city are such a prominent part of Athens culture and history that the city makes a large number of taxi, bus and trolley tour services available to tourists on a daily basis. These tours have been greatly improved since 2004, when Athens was host to the Olympics. At the time, the city used much of the profits from hosting to improve the infrastructure and bring travel and tourism more up to date with modern transportation options.

Museums, of course, are an important part of a city with such a notable cultural and historical background. The city of Athens has no shortage of museums such as the Natural Archeological Museum, the largest archeological museum in the country or the Numismatic Museum, which contains a fantastic collection of both ancient and modern coins. Athens has long been home to amazing art and is particularly well known for its statues. The Byzantine and Christian Museum houses some of the most notable Byzantine art in the world while the Museum of Cycladic Art displays some of the statues for which Athens is famous in addition to a vast collection of art.

While certainly known for a rich historical significance, Athens also has a prominent scene of modern activities and attractions. There are shopping, entertainment, dining and nightlife opportunities a plenty in Athens. The city also offers a number of live theaters and cinemas for great entertainment. Perhaps most important to the local culture, is the dining and nightlife in Athens. Europeans are often known for their affinity for late nights and the culture in Athens readily reflects that. Athens is home to a vast array of restaurants, cafes, bars and clubs to provide endless entertainment and excellent dining. The city of Athens has much to offer and is an excellent choice in tourist destinations.

Greece
Greece	Aegean Sea	Mediterranean Sea
Athens	Heraklion	Kavala
Larissa	Patras	Thessaloniki
	Volos
Islands of Greece
Crete	Euboea	Lesbos
Rhodes	Santorini

Filed Under: Aegean Sea, Athens, Crete, Euboea, Europe, featured, Greece, Heraklion, Kavala, Larissa, Lesbos, Patras, Rhodes, Santorini

Santorini, Greece

Santorini is one of Greece’s most popular islands, and as any visitor can attest, it’s easy to see why. The island has gorgeous beaches, whitewashed houses set against the hillsides, breathtaking views, an active volcano, great nightlife, wineries, and plenty of places to eat, drink, and shop.

Santorini has a typical Mediterranean climate, with extremely warm summers, a relatively warm spring and fall, and mild winters. The tourist high season starts in May and lasts through October. During the low season from December to February, many hotels and shops close.

Santorini is easy to reach by plane or boat. Numerous flights leave daily during the tourist high season from cities across Europe, including Athens. Flights can be pricey, though, and often sell out far in advance. For a more economical way to reach Santorini, try a ferry. A high speed ferry from Piraeus takes visitors to Santorini in about four and a half hours.

Once visitors arrive in Santorini, there are lots of things to see and do on their visit. One of the main reasons people go to Santorini is for the amazing views. Whitewashed houses cling to the side of the mountains in towns like Oia, Fira, and Thirasis, and there’s a cable car that takes visitors from Fira to the port. If the view of these towns isn’t enough, the island is also known for its gorgeous sunsets. Many people also come to Santorini for the beaches. Beaches such as Perissa, known for its black sand, and Kamari, known for its black pebble sand, are incredibly unique and beautiful. In Akrotiri, visitors can enjoy Red Beach, a popular beach due to its red sand and otherworldly-looking qualities, and White Beach, only reachable by sea from Red Beach.

Another place of interest to many Santorini visitors is the active volcano. There, travelers can take excursions to the islands of Nea Kamini and Palia Kamini, both located in the bay that sits within the caldera of the volcano. Walking along the caldera from the town of Fira to the town of Oia is also recommended for its stunning views of the island.

Though it may seem like it, Santorini is not just beautiful views and interesting landscapes. The island also offers a number of historical ruins and architecture that are perfect for the history buff. There are ruins from Ancient Thera, founded in the ninth century B.C., that can be reached by climbing a mountain located between Perissa and Kamari. The island also has two great museums, the Museum of Prehistoric Thera, and the Archaeological Museum.

For those who love to drink wine or want to learn how it’s made, Santorini boasts a number of wineries. Volcan Wines Museum & Winery, Art Space Gallery & Winery, Santo Wines, and many others offer tours and tastings, as well as food. Since the island is small, it’s easy to take a winery tour during the day and still have plenty of time left for other activities.

Greece
Greece	Aegean Sea	Mediterranean Sea
Athens	Heraklion	Kavala
Larissa	Patras	Thessaloniki
	Volos
Islands of Greece
Crete	Euboea	Lesbos
Rhodes	Santorini

Filed Under: Aegean Sea, Athens, Europe, featured, Greece, Santorini