Santorini holidays

Things to do

Delve into Santorini's rich history at Akrotiri, where excavations reveal paved streets, beautiful frescoes and storerooms encased in ancient lava, dating back 5000 years. See paintings and icons in Mesa Gonia's Byzantine church and archaeological treasures in Thira's museum. Ride the heart-stopping cable car from the cliff top capital of Thira to the port, 260m below, and sail to the volcanic isles of Palea Kameni, to bathe in warm springs, and Nea Kameni, to soak up breathtaking views of the flooded volcano.

Explore your destination

Volcano and Hot Springs (half-day)
A unique opportunity to visit the active volcanic crater on the island of Nea Kameni and then sail to the islet of Palea Kameni for a paddle in its hot springs. After lunch on the island of Thirissia, you'll return to your starting point at the old port in Fira.

Santorini Sunset Dinner Cruise
A night to remember, as dusk falls you'll sail around Santorini's famous caldera in a traditional sailing boat. As the sun slowly casts its amber glow across the evening sky, you'll be able to sit back and admire the unforgettable view while dining on board.

Cooking Lessons and Wine Tasting
Soak up a little local flavour. Following in your teacher's footsteps, you'll prepare a traditional Greek dish, then, after a wine presentation, you'll taste some of Santorini's best wines, the perfect complement to your home-made lunch.

Highlights

• Seeing the water turn red as you watch the sunset from the rim of Santorini's sunken volcano, the caldera: the highlight of any Santorini holiday
• Discovering Santorini's history at Akrotiri, where digs have uncovered paved streets, beautiful paintings and storerooms covered in lava, over 3,500 years old
• Soaking up a spot of culture in Fira's Archaeological Museum, where you can see photos of the island before its 1956 earthquake
• Touring Santorini's wineries, a good excuse to sample some of the island's crisp whites and light roses and reds
• Walking through the narrow streets of Oia, famous for its unforgettable sunsets, before heading down to enjoy the fish tavernas in the Ammoudi port area
• Imagining the first dig at Ancient Thira, which began at the city of Mesa Vouno; be amazed at the ruins of houses, mosaics and temples and wow at the stunning views
• Finding spots to take the best photos of the island's famous powder-blue domes and sugar cube buildings that cover the black volcanic rock like icing on a cake
• Taking a boat trip from Fira to the active volcanic craters of Nea Kameni and Palia Kameni, with its hot springs, and sailing to the quiet island of Thirassia for lunch
• Going island hopping around the Cyclades, setting sail from Santorini to see Naxos, famous for its cheese and wine and Mykonos, with its dazzling white villages
• Sailing south to Crete to discover golden sands, Minoan palaces, unforgettable mountain scenery and lovely old towns to wander around

Food and drink

Seaside tavernas and inviting fish restaurants are a big part of Santorini holidays, with traditional dishes including crispy fried cuttlefish and swordfish skewers.

Unique to the island is Fava, a yellow split-pea puree; Chloro, cheese made from goat's milk; aubergine; and Santorini's aromatic Tomatina, baby tomatoes often served deep-fried.

Capers and pistachio nuts are also used in many dishes, from Greek salads to topping ice-creams.

Fira serves up fine international restaurants, some with rooftop seating and spectacular views, while, along the beachfront in Perissa and Perivolos, you'll find restaurant boards promising Greek classics and grills..

Evening Flavour

Santorini's magical capital, Fira comes alive with open-air clubs, bars and tavernas buzzing late into the night; with many places along the caldera offering amazing views.

An essential experience on your Santorini holiday: have a few cocktails along the caldera, watching the sun set over the sunken crater, especially good from Fira and Oia.

On other nights, visit Kamari's beachfront bars, tavernas and discos or outdoor cinema and head to Perissa, which also has bars, restaurants and clubs to spend your evenings in.

Shopping

Nose around Fira's posh boutiques for designer clobber and beautiful gold jewellery.

Shop along Kamari's seaside promenade, head to Fira's art galleries or Oia for beautiful paintings of the island on your holiday in Santorini.

In Fira's little souvenir shops, you can find ceramics and pumice stone and, if you really want to spoil someone, you'll find local wine and handmade jewellery at Antoniou Jewels and Wine, opposite the cable car stop.

Santorini's shops stay open late into the night, so you can browse after dinner, when it's cooler and quieter.

Local weather

Information

Language: Greek. Currency: Euro. Greek Tourist Office: 4 Conduit Street, London W1S 2DJ. Tel: 020 7495 9300. Fax: 020 7287 1369. www.gnto.co.uk

Travel money

Euro

You can get foreign exchange on currency notes and travellers cheques at most First Choice Travel Shops and Holiday Hypermarkets.