| Santorini, in the Greek Cyclades Islands, is one of the | | | | to go where the jet set goes, try the Enigma and |
| playgrounds of the rich and famous. It's famous for | | | | Koo Clubs for loud techno or disco music, body to |
| its nightlife (there are some really hot clubs where | | | | body dancers and plenty of alcohol! |
| you can literally dance till dawn), the incredible sunsets | | | | When you've had enough of the party scene, check |
| and its volcanic black and red sand beaches. | | | | out Fira's town square, where you'll find little shops |
| Quick History of the Santorini Volcano | | | | still open, and you can buy a pastry and a strong cup |
| Around 1500 B.C., there the volcano on the ancient | | | | of Greek coffee! |
| island of Strongili (now known as Santorini) erupted - | | | | The best places to watch the sunset |
| and the eruption and subsequent lava flow changed | | | | To see a truly spectacular sunset, I recommend the |
| the shape of the island forever. | | | | village of Oia (pronounced E-ah). It's on the north side |
| However, it left the island with some unique features | | | | of Santorini and two of the best places to kick back, |
| such as: | | | | enjoy a drink and watch the sun go down are the |
| - Red and black volcanic sand beaches | | | | Sun Spirit and Kastro. |
| - A crisp and delicious wine that has a one-of-a-kind | | | | During the day, Oia is a bit of a tourist trap as well - |
| mineral flavor, and | | | | full of people from the cruise ships that come to see |
| - One of the most dramatic landscapes in the world. | | | | the views (which really are spectacular) and the |
| (Where else can you sit on the edge of a volcano | | | | sunsets. At nighttime however, it becomes a lovers' |
| and sip the local wine while watching the sun sink into | | | | paradise, and is a perfect place to enjoy the |
| the Aegean Sea and set it on fire | | | | company of the one you love... Or, as the song says, |
| The Villages of Santorini | | | | 'If you can't be with the one you love, love the one |
| Santorini's two main villages - Oia and Fira - are | | | | you're with.' |
| perched high on the caldera side of the island. (A | | | | Since you're visiting Santorini from your own privately |
| caldera is a large crater caused by a violent eruption | | | | chartered yacht, you won't need to worry about |
| of a volcano.) The buildings in both villages are mostly | | | | trying to book a hotel (which can be almost |
| that brilliant shade of white that Greece is known for, | | | | impossible during high tourist season, and very |
| and many of the houses are built right into the cliffs | | | | expensive to boot). |
| themselves. | | | | Where to eat on Santorini |
| The beach towns Kamari, Perissa and Vlyhada are | | | | But we do recommend having a romantic dinner at a |
| worth a visit, as they offer everything from peaceful | | | | table for two - try the delicious cuisine at Feredini's if |
| isolation to wild parties that where you can dance till | | | | you'd like to sample contemporary Greek cuisine that |
| dawn (literally). | | | | takes advantage of the freshest local ingredients. |
| And to discover the 'authentic' Greek lifestyle, add | | | | Two other good restaurants are Ambrosia and |
| Imerovigli, Firostefani and Pyrgos to your vacation | | | | Papagalos. If you've booked a yacht through |
| itinerary, because of their rich history, simple | | | | Seapaths, your customer care representative can |
| pleasures and warm and welcoming locals. | | | | even make your dinner reservations for you, all you |
| Fira is the port town where most of the visiting | | | | have to do is ask. |
| cruise ships stop. So you may at first be disappointed | | | | Romance, delicious food, wonderful wines and |
| by it's touristy look and feel (and, especially in the | | | | amazing sunsets - what more could you ask for? |
| summer months, when it's hard to keep up with the | | | | Santorini is one of the best destination choices for |
| tourists, it's a little dirty.) But it's also 'the' place to go | | | | anyone who wants to charter a yacht in Greece and |
| for the hottest night spots on the island. If you want | | | | sail the Greek Cyclades Islands. |