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Santorini at a Glance (a.k.a. Thira or Thera)

The Cycladic island of Santorini is officially known by the name of its ancient Dorian colonizer ’Thera’ or ’Thira’. Santorini, the name in common parlance today is a contraction of this Greek islands medieval name under the Venetian occupation: Saint Irene.

Although Santorini has several villages the capitol, which hugs the 1000 ft. high cliffs is called ’Fira’ and is, because of its fantastic and dramatic views, the place where those in the know choose to stay. ’Caldera view’ is what to ask for and preferably with pool! A very difficult combination to surpass!

Due to its rather unique and remarkable geological features Santorini is in a dead heat with Mykonos as to popularity and number of Greek island visitors. Accommodations are particularly scarce on these two very popular islands.

Many ooh and ah about Santorini’s black sand beaches and for good reason: they are beautiful and scorchingly hot on ones bare feet.

On Santorini’s black beaches, sandals or flip flops are mandatory beach attire along with your bathing suit because there are very few nude beaches on the island. Red beach is the place to go for naturalists.

As hinted at above the real beauty of Santorini is its cliff top views and for those with the where-withal to enjoy them its like a separate and more exclusive part of the island.

Sure anyone can walk around the many picturesque paths and alleys which make up Fira and adjacent Firo-stefani but there is nothing like waking up first thing in the morning and having a poolside view of the volcano from the comfort of your caldera view traditional lodging. This will be the high-lite of your trip to the Greek islands that you and your loved one(s) will never forget - Guaranteed!