Fascination Volcano (8 (9) days study and walking tour on Santorini, Greece)

Fascination Volcano

- 8 (9) days study and walking tour on Santorini, Greece -

"Hi Tom, Thanks again for the super week on Santorini! It really was the experience I expected and I would heartily recommend your trip to anyone interested in combining a holiday on the Greek islands with geologically fascinating day walks. Well done!" (B. Davenport, Bremen)

Church in Fira with the caldera and Nea Kameni volcano in the background

Walking along the bizarre pumice cliffs on Thera's south coast

Location of Santorini in the Aegean Sea

Red poppies on Santorini's fields in springtime

The huge pumice and ash deposits of the Minoan eruption (ca 1613 BC) of Santorini; two students for scale

Lunch break in a lonely bay at the caldera

Colorful and nested houses of Oia, Santorini

Group photo at Ag. Nikolaos on the volcanic island of Palea Kameni

$Deep fracture at the top of the Mikri Kameni lava dome from 1570 on Nea Kameni Island$

Tour code: SAN_FVO

Tour type: Walking & study tour: geology & volcanism - nature & culture - archaeology
Difficulty:
Duration: 8 / 9 days

Dates:

5-12(13) May 12
9-16(17) Jun 12
13-20(21) Oct 12

Price (p.p.): 1050 EUR (8d.) / 1175 EUR (9d.)

Included:

2x lunch (rich picnic days 2 and 6)

Colorful volcanic tuff layers in the caldera walls telling the violent past of the island

At the red beach of Santorini - the interior of an ancient cinder cone perfectly exposed

This walking tour for a small group (6-12 participants) explores the fascinating natural and cultural history of the volcanic island of Santorini. The program is a series of excursions with focus on Santorini's outstanding, text-book quality volcanic and geologic features, as well as its natural beauty and cultural history.

Exclusive program including private boat tours
Intense enjoyment of nature
Excellent Greek (Santorinian) cuisine
Charming, quiet accomodation in superb location
Good mixture of geology, relaxation and fun
Competent volcanologist guide

8 days itinerary

Day 1:	Arrival to Santorini - Introduction Arrival to Santorini - group dinner - introduction Acc.: : Hotel in Akrotiri overlooking the sea (during the whole tour) (D)
Day 2:	Whole-day walk along the scenic southern peninsula Whole-day hike: explore the oldest volcanic products (near Akrotiri), observe spectacular geologic features (pillow lavas, fossils, dramatic faults) extraordinary scenery, swimming breaks, stunning views from the lighthouse.
Day 3:	Walk along the caldera - remains of prehistoric settlements - deposits of the Minoan eruption Half-day hike along the spectacular southern caldera, visit to an abandoned quarry with prehistoric settlement remains, descend into a beautiful remote bay, lunch & swim break, boat ride back along the dramatic cliffs of the caldera.
Day 4:	The volcanic islands Nea + Palea Kameni Whole-day boat trip to the volcano, visit of the active craters of Nea Kameni, warm volcanic springs (bathing) and extended lunch break on Palea Kameni.
Day 5:	Archaeologic highlights - spectacular walk along the caldera to Oia town If open by then, visit the excavated ruins of the Minoan town covered by volcanic ash, then visit the capital Fira and its outstanding archaeological museum. In the afternoon, we follow a dramatic trail around the impressive northern caldera reaching the pictureque town of Oia.
Day 6:	Prof. Ilias mountain - Ancient Thera - Perissa black sand beach Whole-day hike: visit a Medieval village with its Venetian castle, climb Profitis Ilias Mountain (556m), Ancient Greek town of Thera, descend to the black-sand beach of Perissa.
Day 7:	Free day or optional excursion
Day 8:	Departure Departure or extension program.

Note:
If trips on small boat trips are for you, we recommend to add one day to the itinerary for tour with our small boat around the caldera. This results in the following 9-days itinerary:

9 days version

Day 1-7:	Same as in 8-days itinerary Same as in 8-days itinerary
Day 8:	Boat tour around the caldera cliffs - visit Therasia Island Half-day boat trip: visit the opposite island of Therasia, and sail closely around the steep caldera cliffs: an unforgettable experience!
Day 9:	Departure Departure or extension program.

Arrival info:

The tour starts and ends on Santorini. Participants usually arrange their own arrival to the island.
On request, we can also provide you with flight tickets to Santorini or assist with information on how to get to Santorini.

Accommodation:

Our hotel is a charming family-run pension. The building with superb views over the sea is located in the traditional village of Akrotiri far away from the crowded tourist centers, and in immediate vicinity to a good beach. The rooms have terraces and view onto the sea... Its location, the familiar ambience and the friendliness of the keepers provide the surroundings for our small group.