Tinos

It is the southest island of Cyclades. Literally it's a complex of islands comprised from Thera, Therasia, Aspronisi, Palea and Nea Kameni. It is an island with long history that has suffered a lot of catastrophes due to volcano eruptions that have changed its shape.

But human power turned to be stronger than rough nature. Today the -almost- lunar scenery with the black, grey and red volcanic rocks has turned into a white state. The mild architecture of Cyclades islands has changed the island's sight. The graphic villages, with the narrow cobblestone pavements, the small squares and their churches impress every visitor. View to volcano that most tourist resorts have- is spectacular. The picture is unique especially the sunset. Photos of Santorini's sunset are all around the world. At dawn all visitors run to Caldera to see the reddish sky.

Sunset to SantoriniAll of Santorini is a site. The significant archaeological places (Akrotiri, Ancient Thera) the museums, the monasteries, the churches, the tenable settlements, the volcano, all pieces of a puzzle that join yesterday with today and prove how special Santorini is. Vivid life tempos characterize Santorini. It's one of the most cosmopolitan islands in Greece with tourist development. It offers high standard services to all visitors. As for accommodation you will find hotels and rooms to let of all categories that satisfy all demands. Concerning gastronomic delights, Santorini's cuisine is famous for its special dishes, you can accompany with the local wine. Concerning nightlife and options for entertainment Santorini satisfies all preferences. Santorini has an airport that connects the island with Athens and most of the big cities, while in its port arrive in everyday courses ferries from Piraeus, Crete and the rest of Cyclades islands.

Fira: the picturesque town
One of the most beautiful cities of Greece is Fira. The capital of Santorini is built in an impressive location on the top of the abrupt rocks, in a 260m height. It was established at the end of the 18th century and it's structured according to the traditional architecture of Cyclades islands. Fira is located 10km from Santorini's port. Touring around the city will be a thing to remember. Graphic neighborhoods, white houses, churches with blue cupolas, characterize this charming capital. In its paths of great resort you will find a lot of shops, coffeehouses and restaurants to remind you that you are in the most cosmopolitan island of Cyclades.

Sunset to Firostefani
In the highest spot of the capital is located Firostefani. The last and most graphic settlement of the city that has an extraordinary view. Here you will experience one of the best sunsets in Santorini. The village has now become one of the most cosmopolitan tourist resorts. Luxurious hotels, restaurants, cafes and clubs create the ideal scenery for dreamy holidays.

Imerovigli: the traditional settlement
During your tour around the island you will see the traditional settlements and the beaches of Santorini. One of the villages you have to visit is Imerovigli. It is built in a privileged location, the highest spot of kaldera, in a 300m height between Fira and Oia. This graphic settlement is considered conserved and it’s ideal for romantic walks. The houses built according to the traditional architecture of Cyclades islands and the dreamy view from the village leave no one untouched. In Imerovigli you will see the remains of the Enetic castle "Skaros" built by Marcus Sanoudos, used as a winepress during the Venetian rule. The path from Skaros leads to the small church of Theoskepasti that has a spectacular view to the volcanic islands Palea and Nea Kameni

The famous Ia
Approaching Oia, one of the most famous summer resorts you will be fascinated by the incredible beauty that lies before your eyes. It's the first settlement in Greece considered conserved. It's located in the north part of the island and it would be a pity not seeing it. Especially at dawn to see one of the most beautiful sunsets in Greece. Oia's name is connected with sunset. Every afternoon, when the horizon is painted with the colours of fire, crowds of people "hang" in caldera to see this unique spectacle. The carved in rocks settlement, house- caves, that are excavated in rocks, are its characteristic. That kind of settlement can only be found in Santorini, due to its particular type of ground.

An excursion you have to schedule while being in Santorini is that to the volcano. Boats from the old port of Santorini, Skala, will take you to Nea Kameni, the island of the volcano. It is a once in a lifetime experience you can't miss. Walk around the black volcanic stones and see the crater. The smell from the brimstone is strong. 

Volcano's history is connected with that of the island's. It is estimated that the first eruption occurred around 80.000BC. Because of this eruption the island of Strongili was created. 

Around 1450BC the volcano erupted in the most violent way that has ever been recorded worldwide the past 10.000 years. This eruption destroyed completely the civilization of Strongili and large part of it sank in the depths of Aegean Sea. Later explosions created two smaller islands, Thirasia and Aspronisi. 

There have been totally 12 large-scale eruptions during the past 200.000 in the island. The eruption in the middle of the 15th century created Mikri Kameni. 
In 1707 the volcano woke up again. For five years its activity troubled the locals. The eruptions brought on the level of the sea small pieces of land from which Nea kameni was created. The island's age is not over 425 years. Some smaller eruptions and earthquakes followed in 1866 and 1925. The last activity of the volcano was recorded in 1956. Then the island suffered huge catastrophes from a severe earthquake.