Santorini - is there a cable car alternative?
Nov 5th, 2010, 09:42 AM
#22
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Wug, if you'll read the next-to-last posting by Dayenu, the cruise ship stops only from 1pm to 10 pm, so they would not be likely to see all that much ... they could go to Oia, and maybe see the great little Prehistoric Museum in Fira (do that first, I think it closes at 3 pm?), and have a nice meal at sunset. Akrotiri will still be closed in 2011 ... and taking a taxi out to beaches on such a short stay ... not so much
Dayenu, since you'll have to think about getting back to the pier around 9-ish, and the sunset is about 8:45 that time of year -- do NOT think of SUnset in Oia! It's too crowded anyway & no place to sit down for people with bad knees/hips. Instead, Here's what I recommend for the walking-climbing impaired couple (and maybe you'll find a couple to share the transportation with you):
(1) Take cable car up, and walk SOUTH on the wide rimside Pathway to the Cathedral, taking snapshots of the view as you go. (2) beyond the Cathedral is the Prehistoric Thira Museum, very worth a visit (takes only 45 minutes or so). Since the Akrotiri dig will be closed, this will show most about Santorini (3) Right next to it, by the Atlantis Hotel is a little square "Fabrica Shopping Center", which has a NICE place to eat a late lunch.. OUZERIE. Instead of a biggie plate, you order a bunch of little plates. Fun! (4) As you get ready to leave Fira Town, stop at a cafe that's right in front of the Cathedral, on the water side of the path... Palia Kameni... and reserve a table with the best sunset view, for about 7 pm. It's a few steps down but not horrendous. (5 ) GO TO OIA -- by now it will be 4 pm, and the crowds will be LEAVING Oia... so take a taxi up there, and get your photos of the lovely views, in the late-day sun. (6) Taxi BACK to FIra Town, to your sunset cafe, relax, have a glass of wine and some light refreshment between 7 - 9, and enjoy.
Dayenu, since you'll have to think about getting back to the pier around 9-ish, and the sunset is about 8:45 that time of year -- do NOT think of SUnset in Oia! It's too crowded anyway & no place to sit down for people with bad knees/hips. Instead, Here's what I recommend for the walking-climbing impaired couple (and maybe you'll find a couple to share the transportation with you):
(1) Take cable car up, and walk SOUTH on the wide rimside Pathway to the Cathedral, taking snapshots of the view as you go. (2) beyond the Cathedral is the Prehistoric Thira Museum, very worth a visit (takes only 45 minutes or so). Since the Akrotiri dig will be closed, this will show most about Santorini (3) Right next to it, by the Atlantis Hotel is a little square "Fabrica Shopping Center", which has a NICE place to eat a late lunch.. OUZERIE. Instead of a biggie plate, you order a bunch of little plates. Fun! (4) As you get ready to leave Fira Town, stop at a cafe that's right in front of the Cathedral, on the water side of the path... Palia Kameni... and reserve a table with the best sunset view, for about 7 pm. It's a few steps down but not horrendous. (5 ) GO TO OIA -- by now it will be 4 pm, and the crowds will be LEAVING Oia... so take a taxi up there, and get your photos of the lovely views, in the late-day sun. (6) Taxi BACK to FIra Town, to your sunset cafe, relax, have a glass of wine and some light refreshment between 7 - 9, and enjoy.
Nov 5th, 2010, 11:19 AM
#23
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(1) Take cable car up,
this is the major problem. I am so afraid of those small cars... and from photos I see they take like 6 people at a time, I took the one in Portland, OR that is bigger, came out shaking...
I wonder if I can watch sunset from the top of the ship
this is the major problem. I am so afraid of those small cars... and from photos I see they take like 6 people at a time, I took the one in Portland, OR that is bigger, came out shaking...
I wonder if I can watch sunset from the top of the ship
Nov 5th, 2010, 11:59 AM
#26
Or changing your plans from a cruise ship to using the Greek ferries? Easy and a beautiful way to see Greece.
There were so many large cruise ship groups walking around Oia when we stayed there. Perhaps you'll need to book the ship's excursion if this is the only way to get up on top of the cliffs..Do you suffer from fear of heights also? If so, you may have a problem once you get to the top.
There were so many large cruise ship groups walking around Oia when we stayed there. Perhaps you'll need to book the ship's excursion if this is the only way to get up on top of the cliffs..Do you suffer from fear of heights also? If so, you may have a problem once you get to the top.
Nov 5th, 2010, 01:18 PM
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If you can handle getting up to Fira, the schedule Travelerjan suggested is great!
Travelerjan, I did not mean to imply that Dayenu could do all those things in the time allowed. Just a list of suggestions to look into. I'm sorry if I confused you, Deyenu.
Travelerjan, I did not mean to imply that Dayenu could do all those things in the time allowed. Just a list of suggestions to look into. I'm sorry if I confused you, Deyenu.
Nov 5th, 2010, 02:35 PM
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Dayenu, I too have acrophobia (fear of going up heights) ... and I took the cable car. How? I took the side with my BACk to the view, and I faced the rock, it is only 10 feet from your face. This type of car is not the kind of thing that hangs in the air and sways (like a ski lift car); it is affixed to the side of the cliff, and goes straight up, no swaying, more like a funicular. I think you might do just fine. Reserve judgment until you see. And contact your cruise company, don't wait until spring, to find out about docking.
Nov 5th, 2010, 03:19 PM
#30
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"Reserve judgment until you see." - this is exactly what I am going to do!
Usually I close my eyes, and pretend I am on a plane. But I do it in large cars, like in Switzerland, or Masada.
Usually I close my eyes, and pretend I am on a plane. But I do it in large cars, like in Switzerland, or Masada.
Nov 5th, 2010, 03:28 PM
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Oh, Dayenu, this is a piece of cake. I have a problem with heights and swing in the air cable cars. Basically, this one does not leave the ground, just hovers as it goes up or down along the cliff. Well worth it to see what's up there!
Nov 6th, 2010, 01:04 AM
#32
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Heimdall, there is never a time that is justified to use the donkeys. They are poorly treated and have been the cause of lots of comment and campaigning in Europe.
To those unfeeling commenters on this thread who feel that they don't matter, maybe it reveals more about you than about them!
To those unfeeling commenters on this thread who feel that they don't matter, maybe it reveals more about you than about them!
Nov 6th, 2010, 01:50 AM
#33
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<i>...maybe it reveals more about you than about them!</i>
Indeed it does! I was thinking of the couple who can't walk up the steps and are afraid to take the cable car. You are showing compassion for the donkeys, and I was showing compassion for Dayenu and hubby. What does that reveal about you? ;-)
Indeed it does! I was thinking of the couple who can't walk up the steps and are afraid to take the cable car. You are showing compassion for the donkeys, and I was showing compassion for Dayenu and hubby. What does that reveal about you? ;-)
Nov 6th, 2010, 02:15 AM
#34
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BTW, I have compassion for the donkeys too, and agree they shouldn't be used, but every now and then an exceptional circumstance arises. Perhaps Dayenu and hubby don't even wish to ride the donkeys, but they shouldn't be made to feel guilty if that is the only way for them to get to Fira. People matter too!
Nov 6th, 2010, 08:33 PM
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Stop arguing, kids!
If I could, I would ride a donkey. It's not about the donkeys, it's about humans and their families. If I would be desperate to feed my family, I would use a donkey to transport tourists if this was my main source of income.
If I could, I would ride a donkey. It's not about the donkeys, it's about humans and their families. If I would be desperate to feed my family, I would use a donkey to transport tourists if this was my main source of income.
Nov 7th, 2010, 01:38 AM
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Yes of course people matter, but here we have relatively well off tourists unthinkingly perpetuating cruelty to anuimals. If as a tourist you don't get to see Fira, so what? It ain't the end of the world and you aren't going to suffer.
Now let's take the case of an animal made to stand for hours on end in the boiling sun and then forced (and I do mean forced) to carry often overweight people up a virtually perpendicular cliff.
As has been said before, the cable car is not like an alpine one, it hugs the cliff and doesn't swing high in the air over a long drop. It's more like getting on a tramcar. Take the cable car and spare the suffering of animals who have no choice. If you don't ride them, then the practice will eventually cease and maybe the Greeks will put in a second and maybe a third cable car to take people to the top.
Now let's take the case of an animal made to stand for hours on end in the boiling sun and then forced (and I do mean forced) to carry often overweight people up a virtually perpendicular cliff.
As has been said before, the cable car is not like an alpine one, it hugs the cliff and doesn't swing high in the air over a long drop. It's more like getting on a tramcar. Take the cable car and spare the suffering of animals who have no choice. If you don't ride them, then the practice will eventually cease and maybe the Greeks will put in a second and maybe a third cable car to take people to the top.
Nov 7th, 2010, 02:05 AM
#38
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Or even better, a funicular railway which never leaves the ground: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funicular
Lifeman, how nice it must be to see everything in black and white! No moral dilemmas to agonise over, just a simple "there is never a time that is justified..." If you thought I didn't ponder long and hard before writing that post you would be wrong.
Lifeman, how nice it must be to see everything in black and white! No moral dilemmas to agonise over, just a simple "there is never a time that is justified..." If you thought I didn't ponder long and hard before writing that post you would be wrong.
Nov 7th, 2010, 06:01 AM
#39
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Hello! This is how it works. Your cruise ship is moored in the Caldera and in all honesty this is truly what Santorini is about. Your tender will pick you up and drop of off at the Old Port just underneath the main town of Fira. It is a very small port, which is where you will either (a) take the cable car (b) take a donkey - they're well taken care of by the way (c) walk up the 500 odd stairs to reach the top. If you do not want to do the conventional way I would suggest that you get a boat to pick you up at the Old Port, do a short tour of the Caldera (about 3 hours is Perfect) then either get them to drop you off at the Bay of Amoudi (just underneath Oia) - picture perfect and well worth a visit, or take you back to the Old Port by boat. If you take the option to be dropped off in Oia, they can arrange a cab to be waiting for you to take you up to Oia where you can first explore this picturesque town OR go straight back to Fira, where you can catch the cable car down, walk the stairs or take a donkey.
The best for the boat tour would be Panos and the boat Alex. You can reach him via his site at: www.santoriniboatrental.com or email at [email protected].
Hope this info was useful & that you have memorable trip!
The best for the boat tour would be Panos and the boat Alex. You can reach him via his site at: www.santoriniboatrental.com or email at [email protected].
Hope this info was useful & that you have memorable trip!
