Santorini, Greece

Santorini, Greece

Who would think that a collection of volcanic islands like Santorini, Greece, would be considered as a prime hotspot for tourists in Europe?

Actually Santorini, Greece has a huge lagoon amidst its three cliffs. It is connected to the sea in the southwest and northwest sides. The water is about 400 meters deep, making it a perfect harbor for small and large ships. Santorini, Greece's ports are all located in this lagoon and no other ports can be found beyond the island. The towns that make up Santorini, Greece are all situated high above the cliffs that bow down to the lagoon.

The Latin Empire gave Santorini its name which was derived from "Saint Irene". It used to be called Kalliste, and meant "the most beautiful one". Santorini, Greece experienced one of the biggest volcanic eruptions several years ago. However, a caldera is the sole remnant of that frightful day.

Because of the absence of rivers, Santorini, Greece has scarcity in water. People used to collect rainwater from the roof of their houses. Right now, residents are provided with running, non-potable water by a desalination plant.

Santorini, Greece can be best described by diving it into three islands. The caldera side is composed of such villages as Thira, Firastefani, Imerovigli, and Oia. This side is considered as the bustling commercial center of Santorini, Greece. Tourism is it major industry and this is where most of the revenue comes in.

The second side is made up of the towns Kamari and Perissa, which are both popular for their collection of black sand beaches. Beach-clad tourists flock to these towns to experience the unique features of the black sand. Not are they only a marvel to look at, but they are strange to the feel as well. Black sand are hot, more so during the summer season. Flip flops should be worn even if you are just going to trudge from the shore to the sea. Another great thing about these parts of Santorini, Greece is they are full of bars, shops, and restaurants.

Akrotiri is the third part of Santorini, Greece which is actually a very quiet town. Tourists do not often see much in Akrotiri, although it is still a nice place to explore. The old fortress that can be seen above the town is a familiar sight. It used to be the original town before the 1956 earthquake destroyed it. The two best Greece beaches, Red Beach and Vlichada, are both nestled in Akrotiri.

Wandering off through the different towns in Santorini, Greece will give you the real feel of the country's culture and history. And if you think that the nights on the island are dead-calm, you're wrong. The evenings do come alive.