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Updates

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We're arriving to the island a few days before with our family and staying at Athina Luxury Suites in Fira. We are delighted to be with our guests for our evening before, wedding day, and day after wedding celebrations. Honeymoon begins Monday 😉

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samantharoundtheworld

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Shaun & I love to travel! As we like being a little adventurous, this will be our first time traveling to Greece and we can’t wait to experience it with a close group of our family and friends. I love to research/plan beforehand and read travel blogs so I figured why not write one. Greece is a country in Europe with thousands of islands in the Aegean and Ionian seas. Starting 2025, U.S citizens and Canadians need to register with ETIAS (Visa Waiver) to travel to Europe. The ETIAS application is 100% online and takes a few minutes. 95% of applications will be approved following automatic processing. However, you should apply in advance in case of unexpected delays. Also, it’s a good idea to check your passport’s expiration 😉 Your passport must be valid for at least three months after the date you intent to depart. Athens is the capital of Greece and you will need to fly into Athens to reach Santorini. There is one airport in Athens (ATH). You can reach Santorini by plane or ferry. The flight is less than an hour or the high speed ferry about four hours. It may make more sense to fly if prices are fairly similar at the time. Santorini has one airport as well (JTR). Transportation in Santorini includes renting a car or ATV 😯, taxi, Uber, or the local bus, and a lot of walking. Weather in August includes temperatures in the 70s-80s. Santorini is one of the Cylclades islands in the Aegean Sea. A volcanic eruption in the 16th century B.C. changed its landscape into the beautiful caldera that is today with villages built into the the cliff face. Although dormant, Santorini is an active volcano. With stunning scenery unlike anywhere else in the world, Santorini is a popular destination.

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Villages of Santorini

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The island is 28 square miles with a population of less than 16,000. There are about 20 villages, Oia and Fira being the most famous. Oia is in the northern part of the caldera, 12 km from Fira. Oia is renowned for its magical sunset and picturesque village. Hundreds of people gather every evening to watch the most beautiful sunset in Greece. Many luxury accommodations will be here. Fira (also known as Thira) is closer to the airport and is the biggest and busiest village in Santorini (being the capital). Fira is where you will find the majority of hotels, shopping, and nightlife. Imerovigli is an alternative to staying in Fira or Oia as it is located in the middle. Other areas include Pyrgos, Megalochori, Kamari, Perissa, and Akrotiri. Pyrgos, an authentic village, has the highest peak within the island offering a 360 view of the mainland, volcano, and sea. Megalochori is located on the southwest part of the island and is another quiet, traditional village. Kamari is a beach resort on the east coast and known for its volcanic landscapes. Perissa another coastal village known for its beach. Akrotiri is located on the southern end of the island and is closer to the beaches. Our venue, Cavo Ventus, is located on the caldera of Akrotiri, 10 km from the airport and 9 km from Fira.

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Activities

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Santorini offers a variety of activities such as: explore the stunning caldera views, visit the picturesque villages, indulge in local cuisine and wine tasting, relax on beautiful beaches, and visit the island’s archaeological sites. Additionally, you can enjoy boat tours, sunset cruises, hiking, and water sports like snorkeling and diving. Santorini is best known for its crisp, dry whites and sweet vinsanto. There are 21 Wineries, with the top rated being Santo Wines, Venetsanos Winery, Estate Argyros, and Domaine Sigalas. One of the most famous beaches on the island, Red Beach, is covered in reddish-black gravel created from volcanic lava. The cove next to the Red Beach is known as the White Beach. It is very similar but the surrounding cliffs are white. Perissa Beach, known for its beach bars, is covered in black sand and is longer. Adjacent to Perissa is Perivolos Beach, it too is covered with black sand and has a vibrant beach scene. Another popular black sand beach is Kamari Beach. Popular beach clubs include Yalos, Nikki Beach Club, Tranquilo Beach Bar, Wet Stories, JOJO, Forty One 41, Seaside by Notos, and Theros Wave Bar. Notable archeological sites in Santorini include Akrotiri, Ancient Thera, and the Musuem of Prehistoric Thera. The most popular hiking trail is the Fira to Oia trail. This trail is about ten kilometers along the caldera ridge, offering views of the Aegean Sea and passing through the villages of Firostefani and Imerovigli. This hike is three to four hours long. Shorter trails include: Skaros Rock Trail (30-45 min), Pyrgos to Ancient Thera Trail (2-3 hrs), and Emporio to Perissa Trail (2-3 hrs). Other activities include: - Fira to Old Port via 587 steps or cable car - Oia Castle - Cliff jump at Ammoudi Beach - Boat tour to volcano and hot springs - Santorini Cathedrals - Naval Maritime Museum - Akrotiri Lighthouse - Santorini Photoshoot - Atlantis Bookstore - Kamari Open Air Cinema - Greek cooking class

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Accommodation Suggestions

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Luxury - Canaves Oia Suites - Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santorini (Marriott Property) - Cavo Tagoo Santorini - Cocoon Cave Suites Santorini Mid-Range - Secret View Hotel - Rocabella Santorini - Dana Villas & Infinity Suites - NOUS Santorini (Marriott Property) - Vedema, a Luxury Collection Resort, Santorini (Marriott Property) Budget - Terra Blanca Suites - Grand View Hotel - Goulielmos Hotel - Kokkinos Villas

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Restaurant Recommendations

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- Ammoudi Fish Tavern - Sunset Ammoudi by Paraskevas - Roka - Lolita’s Gelato - Skala - Pitogyros Traditional Grill House - Melitini - Lefkes - Anogi - La Maison - Kokkalo - Volkan on the Rocks - Selene Restaurant - Kaliya Reimagined Food & Drinks - Metaxi Mas - Raki - To Psaraki - The Good Heart Cafes - Confetti Dessert Boutique - Galini - Irini’s - Enigma - Franco’s - Brusco Nightlife - Mamounia Club - Koo Club - Enigma Club - Murphy’s Bar - Kira Thira Jazz Bar - Two Brothers Bar