Hello! We'll be in Santorini next week for 2-3 days so I'm wondering what the must-see sights are. Are Akrotiri and Ancient Thira worthwhile? Are there any villages that are especially interesting? How about the little islands nearby? We'll probably be there Friday and Saturday and stay in Oia. Thanks for any opinions!

We were there 2 weeks ago and enjoyed Akrotiri. We actually ended up 'coat tailing' a tour from a cruise ship so we were able to learn something. Without it, we probably would have been through the site in 5 minutes. <BR> <BR>In terms of other sites, the whole island is quite stunning. It doesn't seem very Greek because of all the tourists, but it is beautiful. We had dinner at Selene in Fia - the view was amazing. Also ate at 1800 in Oia - we didn't have a reservation, so we did not get to eat on the rooftop terrace. Food was excellent, but service was not great to be honest. We rented a car (quite cheap, about $40 CDN a day for 3 days) so we were able to get around easily. <BR> <BR>Have fun!

Paige, Be sure to walk down to the small <BR>fishing village of Ammoudi, just down <BR>from Oia, and eat at Katrinas. A special <BR>place---we had dinner with Barbra & Jim <BR>there in 1998--they were slumming off <BR>of Ralph Laurens yacht at the time.

Though there's a reasonable public transportation system in Santorini, Paige, I would advise you to rent a car for at least a day. If you're young enough to rent a mopped this would be an alternative way to go. If you don't, you would be eating up precious time waiting for buses and stuff. You may rent a minicar for around GRD 10,500/day. <BR> <BR>The main sites in Santorini are considered to be Akrotiri, Ancient Thira and Nea Kameni island. IMO, Akrotiri is a must. It's incredible how advanced the Minoan civilization was some 3,500 years ago. Unfortunately, the wall paintings that are schedulled to be housed in a Santorini museum in the future are still in the Archaeological Museum in Athens. If you have the chance, a visit to this is very rewarding. Ancient Thira is very poor as an archaeological site, though quite scenic. I found that, everything considered, a visit to the Nea Kameni island is is not worth it (too much time - the better part of 2 hours - and swet involved going up to the crater for seeing a few fumes and a view not that more spectacular than from other spots in the main island. I'd rather drive up Mount Ilia and have a view from the highest point (possibly visiting the monastery) instead. <BR> <BR>Considering you probably won't have time to visit Thirassia island, and that you'll spend time both in Oia and Fira, the following other sites may be interesting: <BR> <BR>Ammoudi, as pointed out by Bob, Pirgos and the Akrotiri village. We also loved Kamari beach, lined with it's restaurants, bars and shops (much nicer than Perissa). <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR>

My daughter and i did a half-day tour that brought us to Akritori and the guide was very informative. we also saw the highest point but the monastery was closed, had a wine tasting at a vineyard, saw kamari beach and a wonderful lunch at a local spot, i would highly recommend it as you get to see so much and the guide was very good. we also did another tour of the crater and thira but if you're only there two days i would suggest the first tour we did.

Thanks, everyone! <BR>Hey Bob the Navigator: who are Barbra and Jim? <BR>Does anyone know what the license requirements are to rent a moped or car? Can we call the day before we want to rent or do you think we need to book now? <BR>What's the scoop on 1800? I've seen it mentioned in other posts. Is it supposed to be the best food or something? Is casual attire ok? <BR>Thanks! <BR>

We had no problems renting a car the day before on Santorini. In Naxos, we could have had a car within 1/2 hour, but wanted it for the next morning, so no problem. My husband rented both cars with his Canadian drivers license. To be honest, I don't think I'd rent a moped. John had a sore throat, so we dropped by a clinic on Naxos to see a doctor. Two people came in having been involved in accidents. One was a tourist who had been hurt a week earlier (and had 14 stitches to show for the experience). The other was a local teenager who had a nasty cut on his leg. Not sure what the price difference would be, but I prefer a car. <BR> <BR>I think 1800 is supposed to be one of the top restaurants. It's in an old home and as I said, the food was excellent (and expensive). But we weren't that happy with the service. All around us people were being served much faster. I didn't want to be rushed, but I felt that they left our plates on the table far too long. I think it took us 4 hours from being seated to paying the bill. Getting the bill took about 1/2 hour! But, as I said, the food was excellent.

<BR>Everyone posting here is telling us what towns to visit but no one is explaining why in particuilar one would want to visit these towns. <BR> <BR>How about it Paulo, what is there to see in these towns? <BR> <BR>Any advice would be appreciated. <BR> <BR>

Ammoudi is just a picturesque small fishing village in the small bay with the same name. There's also a small beach. To get there, one has to walk down some 200 steps. <BR> <BR>Pirgos is a picturesque small town at the foot of the Profet Elias mountain. It's where in Santorini medieval elements are best preserved. There are ruins of a medieval Venetian castle and walls that are in the middle of the town. The top of the hill is very peaceful and provides a magnificent view. Finally, the are several churches, just about all of them with some elements of interest (we visited 6 or 7). Just off the route from Pirgos to Kamari is the Episkopi Gonias church, the most important Bizantine monument in the island (Greek cross plan, with dome and nartex). Some of the Bizantine frescoes (1100) remain, and the iconostais in Marble is intact. <BR> <BR>Akrotiri village is kind of isolated and IMO the least spoiled village in the island. There are rests of a Venetian fort and a few nice churches. <BR> <BR>When we were there, Paul, we actually had no info at all. We had a map and only knew we wanted to visit the Akrotiri excavations and actually layed it by ear. Driving from Fira to Akrotiri, we first stopped at Megalojori, where we visited a couple of churches. Continuing our tour, we stopped in the Akrotiri village. From there to the excavations. Tracking back, before reaching Megalojori once again, we turned right, to Emborio and Perissa. on the way to Emborio there's an interesting church entirely in marble. It was built from a doric temple the structure of which is intact. Emborio is also picturesque with its narrow alleys, old houses, windmills and majestic (contempeorary) church. Then on to Perissa, Ancient Thira, down to Kamari, and up Mount Ilias. Since the ladies loved Kamari beach, we returned for dinner at Camille Stephani and also the next day, visiting Pirgos and Episcopi Gonias on our way. From Kamari we went on to Oia. <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR>

Hi Paige and everybody else, <BR>I guess you know more than you need for a 2-day visit to that beautifulo island !I would only add, it's worth taking the small boat to Thirassia island (NW of Thira), and climb the 700 steps on donkey or foot to the pituresque little village on top. View is excellent, and you may eat for cheap in 1 of local taverna terraces (right in front of homes)... <BR>Also strongly advise the visit to Ammoudi (wear comfortable hiking shoes or rubber soles!), Emporio and Profitis Ilias monastery. The tourist rush to see the sunset at Oia is ridiculous, you're probably better off wacthing it sipping a good wine (or beer) from one of the terraces at Firostefano (the more upscale, less visited suburb minutes north of Fira by foot) <BR>

Hello! My fiance and I are traveling to Greece for our Honeymoon next September. Our plans are to stay in Athens for two days (to see the Acropolis, etc) and then head to Santorini. <BR> <BR>We'd like to be close to the action, but not right in it, so we're leaning away from staying in Fira. Oia sounds fabulous, but a bit too far away from the action. <BR> <BR>What are your thoughts on Imerovigli? This village sounds like its a perfect place to stay...quite, yet close enough to what Fira has to offer (shopping, nightlife, transportation, etc.) <BR> <BR>Also, we've been looking at several traditional homes/hotels in this village. Has anyone stayed in a place they'd recommend, or not? <BR> <BR>Thanks!

Hi Laurent- I was reading your advise about taking the small boat to Thirassia Island and either taking the donkey or walking by foot to the village on top. I had seen this excursion and thought it was very interesting- would you recommend the donkey or the walking? My other question is did you do this through a guided tour or on your own? If you did it on your own, how did you get there? You also strongly suggested seeing the sunset in Firostefano- I am thinking about staying in Firostefano (Astra Apartments) but keep reading that Oia is the place. What is your true recommendation. Is Oia really worth what they say or can we get the same from Firostefani? I am planning my honeymoon for July, 2001. Any other info you can provide would be very much appreciated. Thanks!! <BR>

Hello again! I'm the original poster. We spent 2 1/2 days in Santorini. The first night we stayed in Imeroviglia at the Roccabella hotel. Yuck!! Don't stay there!! Among other things, it was out in the middle of nowhere, the hotel staff was unprofessional and seedy, the view of the caldera was obstructed with construction materials and the rooms and bathrooms were tiny! We moved to the Chelidonia Villas in Ia and absolutely loved it!! I'd recommend Ia over Fira anyday. Fira was too touristy. Ia had plenty of shops and restaurants and a more laid back atmosphere than Fira. Fira was overrun with tourists. We spent one day wandering around Ia (did I mention I loved it?!) and the next day rented a car for 12,000 drachma and toured the island. We went to Akrotiri, Kamari and Fira. <BR>Paulo, we ate at Camille Stefani also! <BR>Joyce, what sort of 'action' are you looking for? I have no idea about nightclubs on the island.

Only one celebrity spells her name like <BR>that---BARBRA---nuff said !