· Local wine of Santorini:
Santorini remains the home of a small, but flourishing, wine industry, based on the indigenous grape variety, Assyrtiko, with auxiliary cultivations of two other Aegean varietals, Athiri and Aidani.
The vines are extremely old and resistant to phylloxera (attributed by local winemakers to the well-drained volcanic soil and its chemistry) so the vines needed no replacement during the great phylloxera epidemic of the late 19th century. In their adaptation to their habitat, such vines are planted far apart, as their principal source of moisture is dew, and they often are trained in the shape of low-spiralling baskets, with the grapes hanging inside to protect them from the winds.
The viticultural pride of the island is the sweet and strong Vinsanto (Italian: "holy wine"), a dessert wine made from the best sun-dried Assyrtiko, Athiri, and Aidani grapes and undergoing long barrel aging (up to twenty or twenty-five years for the top cuvées). It matures to a sweet, dark amber-orange, unctuous dessert wine that has achieved worldwide fame, possessing the standard Assyrtiko aromas of citrus and minerals, layered with overtones of nuts, raisins, figs, honey and tea.
White wines from the island are extremely dry with a strong, citrus scent and mineral and iodide salt aromas contributed by the ashy volcanic soil, whereas barrel aging gives to some of the white wines a slight frankincense aroma, much like Vinsanto.
It is not easy to be a winegrower in Santorini; the hot and dry conditions give the soil a very low productivity. The yield per acre is only 10 to 20% of the yields that are common in France or California. The island's wines are standardised and protected by the "Vinsanto" and "Santorini" OPAP designations of origin..

· Santorini's traditional - local specialities:
Local specialities:
Brantada (traditional fish recipe - food)
Koskosela (local Strapatsada - recipe / food)
Santorinio (traditional speciality only in Santorini)
Sfougato (traditional Meat Custard recipe - food)
Tsounisti (Manestra - local specialty recipe / food)
Melitinia (dessert - local specialty recipe /food).

· Other local products of Santorini you can taste:
Santorini tomatoes are renowned; they are cherry tomatoes that are extremely tasty and sweet, and with an intensely red, staining colour. Santorini "fava" is a purée made of the hulled, then sun-dried, then boiled legume Lathyrus clymenum - not from the yellow split pea as in the rest of Greece. The white eggplants of Santorini are very sweet, with very few seeds, and can be eaten raw. The katsoúni is a unique local variety of large cucumber which, if left unpicked when green, turn yellow and acquire a sweet taste almost indistinguishable from that of melon.

Discover Santorini the magic island:

Day trip to the volcano:
You can take a day trip to the volcano by boat from Gialos (the old port of Fira), Athinios port, or Ammoudi, near Oia. The boat will take you first to Nea Kameni (the volcano) where you can walk to the rim of the volcanic crater. The boat will then take you to Palaia Kameni and the thermal springs. The captain will drop anchor in the shallows, where you can take a swim. The waters are yellowish and five degrees hotter than the rest of the sea. Soon after that, you will arrive at the picturesque islet of Therassia. In the afternoon, the boat will sail along the impressive Caldera passing below Oia.

The villages built on the Caldera rim All the villages of the Caldera are impressive and each one has its own "personality":
Fira is the largest settlement and the capital of Thera. Hotels, rooms to let, clothing and accessories shops, jewelry stores, galleries, gift shops, super markets, groceries, banks and ATMs, pharmacies, bars, clubs, restaurants, travel agencies, are located in the capital. Here you will also find some of the most important museums of the island. The walk from Fira to Firostefani through the old cobblestone path is the best way to visit this picturesque settlement, enjoying the magnificent view.
Imerovigli (or Merovigli): is a linear settlement which was developed on the edge of the cliff along the Caldera, at its highest point, so it offers really impressive view to the volcano.
Oia is the most romantic destination. It is famous all over the world for the magnificent sunset visitors enjoy from the Goulas (watch tower) of Aghios (St) Nikolaos castle. Walking around you will admire the carved-in buildings and the so called captains' houses ("kapetanospita"). In recent years the buildings of the picturesque village have become hotels, restaurants, cafes, galleries, stores.

The Prehistoric settlement of Akrotiri:
The most prominent archaeological site in Santorini -and one of the most important in the Aegean Sea- is the Prehistoric settlement that was discovered in the area of Akrotiri. After several years, the archaeological site re-opened for the visitors since April 2012, after the new roof was in place.

Discover the ancient Thera:
The view from up there is amazing. Ancient Thera stands on Mesa Vouno, at an altitude of 396 m.
It was founded in the 9th century BC by Dorian settlers, led by Theras. Building remnants belong to the Hellenistic era, which is the last period of the city's prosperity. The residential development is amphitheatrical due to the inclination of the terrain.

Trekking: If you would like to live a true experience in Santorini, walking will worth your while!

Even in mid-summer you will see people of any age walking early in the morning or at dusk, not only in the Caldera, but in other areas of the island as well. We suggest the following hiking trails: Fira-Firostefani-Imerovigli-Oia, ancient Thera-Perissa and Prophet Elias-ancient Thera.

Sailing around the Caldera:
Admired from the inside of the Caldera, the views of Santorini will be a memorable experience.
Even if you arrive on the island by ferry or cruise ship in the afternoon, this awe-inspiring land will leave you speechless. The sunset light adds more color to the scene and you will have the feeling that you are sailing across the centre of the crater. You can rent a boat with your friends and enjoy a private tour.

Pyrgos and the medieval castle:
Medieval Santorini comes to life in Pyrgos. Built at the foot of Prophet Elias, the village stands out from a distance. Pyrgos' castle (Kasteli) was one of the five castles built by the Venetians during the 15th century. You can tour around admiring the old churches, the mansions and the houses built in the traditional architecture.

Santorini's villages:
of the hinterland Akrotiri settlement and its Goulas.
Vothonas and Karterados villages, where you can see rock-hewn houses and old churches.
Emporio village and the medieval Kasteli village which is very well preserved.
Episkopi Gonia and the Byzantine church of Panagia Episkopi.
Exo Gonia village offering wonderful view to the Aegean Sea.
Megalohori village where you can see old mansions and churches.
Finikia the picturesque village near Oia, filled with old wineries called kanaves:
All these villages and their attractions await for you in the hinterland of Santorini.

Santorini's museums:
The most important museums of the island are situated in Fira.
It is the museum of Prehistoric Thera and the archaeological museum. You can also pay a visit to Santozeum in order to admire the reproductions of the Akrotiri wall paintings.
In Oia there is the Maritime museum.
In Pyrgos the Ecclesiastical Collection and the Cultural Village "Santorini of the past".
In Kontohori, near Fira, you can visit the Folk museum of Emm. Lignos.

Santorini's vineyard:
Lined one after the other, bent down low to avoid the strong winds, the vines of Santorini have an age-long history. The volcanic soil has worked its miracle and the island's wineries their own, offering better quality and more labels each year. Among others there is the famous Vinsanto, the award-winning sweat wine which is being mentioned by foreign travellers on the island since the 19th century.
To taste the local wines you can visit the wineries all over Thera.

Santorini's tasty local products:
The products of the volcanic soil are delicious. Try the dry cherry tomato, called anydro (waterless), split peas (fava), caper, white eggplant, katsouni (a kind of small cucumber), and dishes from the traditional cuisine –such as tomato balls (pseftokeftedes).

Santorini's mini guide is a suggestion from the official turism portal of the municipality of Thira: www.mail.santorini.gr

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Museums, monuments, monasteries, attractions and events, traditional celebrations and local festivals!

Santorini island: The volcano / caldera:

• SANTORINI - The volcano / caldera:
  Recent volcanism Fira from Nea Kameni volcanic Island. In 1707 an undersea volcano breached the sea surface, forming the current centre of activity at Nea Kameni in the centre of the lagoon, and eruptions centred on it continue — the twentieth century saw three such, the last in 1950. Santorini was also struck by a devastating earthquake in 1956. Although the volcano is quiescent at the present time, at the current active crater (there are several former craters on Nea Kameni), steam and carbon dioxide are given off. Santorini has erupted many times, with varying degrees of explosivity. There have been at least twelve large explosive eruptions, of which at least four were caldera-forming.[10] The most famous eruption is the Minoan eruption, detailed below. Eruptive products range from basalt all the way to rhyolite, and the rhyolitic products are associated with the most explosive eruptions. The earliest eruptions, many of which were submarine, were on the Akrotiri Peninsula, and active between 650,000 and 550,000 years ago.[10] These are geochemically distinct from the later volcanism, as they contain amphiboles. Over the past 360,000 years there have been two major cycles, each culminating with two caldera-forming eruptions. The cycles end when the magma evolves to a rhyolitic composition, causing the most explosive eruptions. In between the caldera-forming eruptions are a series of sub-cycles. Lava flows and small explosive eruptions build up cones, which are thought to impede the flow of magma to the surface.[10] This allows the formation of large magma chambers, in which the magma can evolve to more silicic compositions. Once this happens, a large explosive eruption destroys the cone. The Kameni islands in the centre of the lagoon are the most recent example of a cone built by this volcano, with much of them hidden beneath the water..
  
  
  

The most popular beaches in Santorini island:

Santorini's beaches: This is the realm of volcanic rocks in awe-inspiring shapes and colors.
The beaches on the east and north side of the island offer, sun beds and umbrellas, beach bars, canteens, sea sports, restaurants and many more. Visit Kamari, Perivolos, Perissa, Vlychada, Monolithos, Kokkini (Red) and Aspri (White) beach. If you want more privacy you may go to the more isolated ones such as Kantharos, Almyra, Exo Gialos, Gialos, Balos, Mesa Pigadia, Pori, Culumbos, Baxedes-Paradeisos.
Deep blue waters; white, red and black sand; vertical cliffs; red and black volcanic pebbles and spectacular rock formations…Some people like them, some don’t…
But all of them admit: the beaches of Santorini are the strangest, the oddest they have ever seen!
Santorini’s coastal treasures have been profoundly influenced by the volcanic nature of the island.
Its unique lunar landscape and the exceptional clarity of the Aegean Sea are simply superb.
Let us guide you along the crystalline beaches which form an uninterrupted line along the island’s windswept shores so that you can get an idea of their mysterious, awe-inspiring and curiously compelling beauty: