43008GRE
Andy’s Tours’ Local Representative:
Helga Kussmaul- Santorini Express (next to Town Hall in Fira).
Tel: + 30 22860 25331
Helga’s mobile: + 30 6948 523066
Arrival and Departure
Helga will meet you on arrival at the Ferry Port or airport and assist with hotel transfers. The hotel we usually use is the El Greco Resort. Santorini style whitewashed buildings, multiple pools, lovely restaurant for breakfast (dinner sometimes also included here). It is located a 10-min walk from Fira (main town):
Tel: +30 22860 24946-7 www.elgreco.com.gr
EXCURSIONS
Akrotiri Archaeological Site (approx. 2.5 hours).
This site offers the visitor an incredible opportunity to walk through an active excavation site similar in feel but much smaller in scope (and much older) than Pompeii. Sturdy shoes are recommended although the path is a new structure. The site is covered, so you will not be exposed to direct sun while on site. The guide will handle the logistics. However, a passing knowledge of the development of Minoan and Mycenaean culture would be very helpful. Also, if you visit here it would be a good idea to combine it with a visit to the Nomikos Foundation (see below).
Morning Guided visit to Nea and Palea Kameni islets (3 hours).
Ferry from Old Port (Skala Firas). The Old Port is accessed by funicular from Fira Town. You can also walk up (half an hour ascent, only for fit pax).
- Group should be told to bring sun-screen, water, and motion sickness medication and wear sensible shoes.
- The visit to Nea Kameni involves a fairly strenuous 30-minute uphill hike to the crater summit (127m).
- The visit to Palea Kameni provides an opportunity to swim from the boat to hot springs with sulphurous mud. Only reasonably strong swimmers should attempt this. Tell them to wear swimsuits under their clothes and a change for afterwards-they’ll have to change on the small boat.
Late afternoon and evening excursion
Visit to Museum of Prehistoric Thera. Continue to Oia (pronounced EE-yuh) to watch sunset (dinner is sometimes in Oia, other times in Fira).
FACTS AND FREE TIME
Tourist Office
A kiosk on the main street just above the bus station.
Archaeological Museum
Near the top of the steps down to the Old Port. Not to be confused with the Museum of Prehistoric Thera which may be included in the afternoon excursion (see above). The Archaeological Museum has classical material and finds from Ancient Thera (not to be confused with Minoan Thera at Akrotiri).
Nomikos Foundation
Contains a complete collection of full-size reproductions of the wall-paintings from Akrotiri. Many of the originals have yet to be exhibited.