The iconic blue domes of Santorini cathedrals
The Greek islands can be divided into a few groups based on their location like the Cyclades, Dodecanese, Ionian, Northern and Southern Sporades and other individual islands on the Aegean Sea.
Santorini (Thira officially and Thera in ancient Greek) the southernmost member of the Cyclades group. The Cyclades group is made up of over 200 small islands, the most popular being Santorini, Mykonos, Ios and Paros, other major ones being Amorgos, Anafi, Andros, Antiparos, Delos, Kea, Kimolos, Kythnos, Milos, Naxos, Folegandros, Serifos, Sifnos, Sikinos, Syros and Tinos. Cyclades comes from the term kyklos meaning circle as the islands form a rough circle around the central island of Delos which was considered sacred as it is the birthplace of Greek Gods Apollo and Artemis in Greek mythology. The Cyclades islands were also blessed with raw materials like obsidian (or volcanic glass), copper and marble which were exported and brought prosperity through the ages and explains the distinctive culture and style of these islands.
View of Caldera in Oia and its typical Santorini architecture
Santorini itself is a group of islands that form a crescent – back in the 15th century, a massive volcanic eruption caused the middle of the island to collapse forming steep craters known as a caldera. The other islands in the crescent are Thira (yes same name as main Thira/Santorini – also the capital), Thirassia, Aspronissi, Palea and Nea Kameni.
White walls, bright bougainvillea and cobbled narrow lane are part of Santorini charm
Santorini is southeast from mainland Greece and approximately 230 kms from Athens. Apart from the stunning views of the Aegean Sea from the caldera, and the unending charm of everything Mediterranean – what makes the Greek islands such a popular destination is the long summer season! You can get a taste of this heaven from May to October – the summer sun creates a dazzling frame of whitewashed houses and blue domes, the red and pink bougainvillea. It’s hard to believe that it is indeed real and not a painting stemming from the imaginations of an artist! The food is another surreal factor that kicks your sensations into paradise! What’s not to love about being in a paradise and feasting on food that’s fit for the Greek Gods!