Snap selfies at the most photogenic spots in and around Santorini, many of them iconic attractions that define the city. To ensure the best possible results, a selfie expert guide will offer tips so you can capture just the right angle, lighting and composition for every shot. Selfie sticks are available and complemented by a convenient photo frame, enabling you to capture, share, and post the best pictures in the future.

As you walk and ride through Santorini, you will pause at designated selfie stops that include:
• Aroma Avlis restaurant
• Oia’s Blue-Domed churches
• Three Bells of Fira church

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions in Santorini.
• Follow tips from your selfie expert guide to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• Sample local specialties at Aroma Avlis, a hilltop restaurant with panoramic views.
• Pose in front of the blue-domed churches in Oia and explore the coastal town.
• Stand above the Three Bells Fira Church and capture the ultimate shot of the city Fira.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Be sure your phone or camera is fully charged.

Gain an understanding of how local craftsmen make traditional Greek musical instruments and take in the island's natural beauty. Pyrgos is known for its 13th-century Venetian castle, the classic Cycladic design of its homes and the panoramic views from its hilltop location. It will be an ideal setting to pause for a cup of coffee and a Greek sweet. Megalochori is equally picturesque, as you will discover while meandering the village's atmospheric cobbled streets lined with neoclassical houses. The intriguing Museum of Musical Instruments honors the history of the instruments that make Greek music so recognizable. You will learn how classic instruments such as the bouzouki and laouto are handmade and have the chance to play some of them. Afterwards, you will visit the family-owned Gavalas Winery, which has been producing traditional wines such as Katsano and Nykteri since the 19th century. There you will sample wines indicative of Santorini's terroir and snacks that pair perfectly with them.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Pause for a snack and to revel in the village of Pyrgos’ classic Cycladic setting.
• Discover how some of the most recognizable Greek musical instruments are hand-crafted.
• Sample a selection of traditional wines and local delicacies at a family-owned winery.

Enjoy a lively Greek celebration with the food, wine and dances of Greece, together with great views of this scenic island. After tendering to the port of Athinios, you'll drive to Pyrgos village, one of the oldest settlements and the highest village on the island. Admire the Venetian fortress crowned by several churches and from the highest point of the island the views out over the caldera are majestic.

Head to the picturesque, village of Oia for more magnificent views of the caldera. With its cobblestone streets and beautiful old homes perched on the cliffside, you'll appreciate why the traditional Cycladic architecture is so appealing and a perfect complement to the natural beauty of the area. Here, you'll have free time to stroll and explore this charming village.

Visit one of Santorini's renowned Greek restaurants, where you'll enjoy traditional Greek food, wine, music and dances. Join in the lively celebration, dancing to 'Zorba the Greek' and breaking plates while the bouzouki plays its solo, Opa! After a buffet style meal, you'll continue to Fira town, the lovely capital of the island built on the rim of the caldera wall, before returning to your ship.

On this educational and enjoyable excursion, you’ll explore the fascinating excavations of Akrotiri, the most important prehistoric settlement of the Aegean and delight in the views of the caldera while tasting Santorini’s famous wines.

Visit Akrotiri, one of the 10 top Archeological sites in the world and learn about this prehistoric city of Santorini also known as, the Pompei of the Aegean. This unique Minoan settlement was destroyed by the Theran eruption of approximately 1627 BCE and the extensive excavation was started by Spyridon Marinatos in 1967.

This almost thirty five centuries old city still preserves many remains of its fine frescoes, everyday objects and artwork, as a result of the volcanic ash that protected them from the elements. At the time of the eruption, the city had reached great development and prosperity, with an elaborate drainage system and sophisticated multistoried buildings. Among other things, Akrotiri, has been suggested to be the inspiration for Plato's story of Atlantis.

Stop at an impressive winery where you'll have the opportunity to taste Santorini's famous wines, enjoy the magnificent view and relax in its peaceful environment. Your final destination is Fira, the cosmopolitan capital and one of the most famous and picturesque places in Greece. Here you'll have time to admire the white houses built on the slopes of the crater and explore the narrow paths before taking the cable car and the tender back to your ship.

OVERVIEW

Embark on an unparalleled culinary odyssey amidst the enchanting landscapes of Santorini, where the Mediterranean's allure takes center stage. This experience invites you to discover the time-honored craft of creating traditional Greek pies alongside another delectable local specialty, exclusive to Santorini: the renowned "tomatokeftes.", crafted from a tantalizing blend of tomatoes and legumes. Listen carefully as your experienced chef demonstrates how these culinary marvels are made. Following the demonstration, participants will indulge in both dishes, celebrated for their flavors and hailed as essential tastings in Greek cuisine. Starting from the port, our journey leads to the restaurant, nestled along Kamari Beach, famed for its ebony sands and inviting waters, providing the perfect setting to savor these local delights. After that, we will visit Fira as well, where our guests will have the opportunity to explore and learn about the local gastronomy tips and recipes.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Indulge in the flavors of these Greek specialties at Kamari Beach.
• Take home the recipes to recreate these delicious dishes at your convenience, ensuring you can enjoy the taste of Santorini wherever you go.
• Explore Fira for your leisure time and immerse yourself in local shops while discovering the charm and beauty of this renowned Santorini village.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Recognize how Santorini's architecture has evolved through the centuries by visiting cities that were built during different time periods. At Akrotiri - the so-called Pompeii of the Bronze Age - you will see the archaeological remains of homes with colorful frescoes and streets lined with commercial buildings that reveal urban life in the Minoan period. Volcanic ash from a second millennium B.C. eruption preserved the buildings. Another historical perspective awaits you in the village of Pyrgos, where you will see a 13th-century Venetian castle so well-built that it survived a 1956 earthquake that destroyed many of the buildings around it. The 15th-century castle in clifftop Oia didn't survive that earthquake nearly as well, as much of it collapsed into the sea. The village is better known for its Ottoman-influenced winding streets and gorgeous white-washed houses trimmed in blue. The architecture is quintessentially Cycladic and the views of the ancient caldera below are spectacular.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Browse the excavated ruins of a Minoan-era archaeological site in Akrotiri.
• Meander through Pyrgos, a medieval settlement and former capital of Santorini.
• Observe the classic Cycladic architecture in the whitewashed village of Oia.
• Hear about the volcanic eruptions that have shaped Santorini, especially the one in 1956.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Hike along the rim of the massive caldera that a violent volcanic eruption formed millennia ago and spend free time in at the Kamari Beach. The caldera is the largest in Europe and such a significant natural phenomenon that UNESCO declared it a World Geological Heritage site. As you hike around the edge of the caldera, starting at Imerovigli and heading towards Fira, you will be treated to enjoy sweeping views of the hauntingly beautiful, stark landscape. To enhance the experience, the guide will describe some of the legends associated with Santorini's volcanic eruptions, in particular the one that supposedly caused the mythical city of Atlantis to disappear into the sea. The sights are equally photogenic in Fira, where white-washed houses built on the steep slope of the caldera. Feel free to admire the traditional Cycladic architecture and behold the remains of the 15th-century castle.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Follow the hiking trail that winds along the rim of Santorini’s volcanically formed caldera.
• Admire the absolutely breathtaking views of the caldera and beyond.
• Hear about the past volcanic eruptions that created Santorini.
• Spend free time at the beach, renowned for its unique black sand.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Enjoy some of Santorini's highlights when you visit a well-known, quality winery and the beautiful village of Oia. You'll stop at one of the island's finest wineries where you'll taste some of the best wines in Santorini. Continue on to picturesque Oia, situated on top of an impressive cliff and enjoy the unrivaled, spectacular views of the Aegean.

This traditional village offers charming houses and quaint narrow streets that are ideal for a stroll. Blue domed churches, sunbathed verandas, plenty of shops, tavernas and cafes await your discovery. Many artists have fallen in love with this idyllic setting and their presence is obvious in the many art galleries.

OVERVIEW

View Santorini from two vastly different perspectives - while cruising the caldera and by walking through the enchanting village of Oia. Built on the precipitous slope of the caldera, Oia is extraordinarily photogenic and the views from most everywhere are truly breathtaking. The architecture is pure Cycladic, a minimalistic style that features white-washed cube houses and blue-domed churches. Free time in Oia allows you to browse the shops before continuing on to Athinios, where your boat experience will begin. You will cruise through the caldera's island-dotted waters. Few views can rival looking up at the barren rocky cliffs from the water with Fira blanketing the top, If the water conditions do not permit us to cruise as an alternative, you may relax on a beach that offers its own unique perspective of Santorini.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Behold the beauty of Santorini while traveling between the villages of Oia.
• Browse the classic white-washed village of Oia, which perches above Santorini’s caldera.
• Enjoy a unique perspective or Santorini while cruising the caldera or relaxing on a beach, if the water conditions do not permit us to cruise.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring your swimsuit and a towel from the ship.

OVERVIEW

Dine at a restaurant in the well-preserved medieval village of Pyrgos and enjoy spectacularly panoramic views of Santorini while riding a cable car from Fira Town. Once the capital of Santorini, Pyrgos perches on a hill at the foot of Mount Profitis Ilias. It offers a wonderfully laid-back ambiance for your multi-course lunch. The menu will likely include an entrée of slow-roasted lamb cooked in parchment, a classic dish served throughout the island. The mezes and other offerings will also be locally sourced, so you will come away from the meal with an excellent feel for Santorini's cuisine. Not far away, you will board a cable car and begin a descent down the steep cliffs that lead straight to the old port. The ride takes about four minutes and the views will be breathtaking the entire time. Besides seeing your cruise ship below, you will gaze out over a number of idyllic islets.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Savor a traditional Greek meal in the medieval village of Pyrgos, the island’s first capital.
• Ride a cable car between the old port and Fira Town, Santorini’s present capital.
• Enjoy the ambiance of Pyrgos and the views of the sea from the cable car.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Ever think of taking a boat ride to an active volcano and hike its gravel terrain? Board your local boat "caique" from the old port of Santorini for a 15 minute trip up to Nea Kameni. En route, admire the volcanic shores with the peculiar shape formations of the black volcanic rocks and the white pumice. After disembarking, a steep and fast paced 30 minute, 3/4 mile hike on rocky and gravel terrain takes you to the crater of this still active volcano.

During your walk up an ascending path, you'll have the opportunity to observe the lava fragments and the volcanic rock formations. Once you reach the crater, you'll have time to relax and enjoy the view of Santorini and the amazing cliffs of the caldera. Board you boat and sail towards the thermal springs of Palea Kameni, with its green sulfur warm waters and temperatures that reach 37° C (98° F). Here you'll have the opportunity to jump off the boat and swim to the springs, weather permitting.

Built high up on the ridge of red rocks, Oia offers breathtaking views of the blue Aegean and the caldera below. Take a stroll around the narrow streets with free time to visit the art galleries, antique shops and perhaps enjoy a cup of coffee in one of the cafés or pastry shops. Many artists have fallen in love with this idyllic setting and their presence is obvious in the many art galleries. This traditional village offers you spectacular photo opportunities of the famed blue domed churches and sundrenched verandas.