Introduction:

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, which usually are far "off the beaten tracks", with focus on Santorini's outstanding, text-book quality volcanic and geologic features, as well as its natural beauty and cultural history. Your tour guide, volcanologist Tom Pfeiffer, has first-hand knowledge and competence of the island. Since he has worked on Santorini since 1997 and lived there for many months doing field work, he also knows many local people. In addition, he talks German, English, Danish, Italian fluently and fairly well Greek and French.
 

"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!"
(Bob Davenport, Bremen, Robert-Anton.Davenport@astrium-space.com)

Program (9-days trip):
7 - 15 May 2005
24 Sep. - 2 Oct. 2005

1. Day (Sat)
Arrival and transfer to the hotel, welcome dinner and short introduction to Santorini's volcanic history.

2. Day (Sun)
Half-day walk, starting at the hotel, along the steep caldera cliffs with magnificent views , observation and explanation of the typical volcanic sequence of Santorini. Descend into a secluded bay, with extensive swim and lunch break including Greek specialties and wine. Opportunity to collect ore minerals, bath in a warm thermal spring. Transfer back to the hotel (boat trip along the southern caldera walls if sea conditions permitting). In the evening, visit of a small traditional wine cave in the charming village of Megalochori and dinner in a nearby local restaurant. 

3. Day (Mon)
Whole-day walk on the scenic southern peninsula. Observation of the oldest exposed volcanic rocks, a typical cross-section of a small volcano (cinder cone, crater with dike and lava-lake), marine fossils. Lunch in a small tavern on the way. Along the way swim breaks possible.

4. Day (Tue)
Short walk to and visit of the nearby Minoan excavations, coffee/ swim break on the beach of Akrotiri. Local bus transfer to the capital Fira, visit of the archeological museum, extended lunch break at free disposal (opportunity to buy souvenirs, send postcards etc.). In the afternoon half-day walk along the spectacular cliffs of the northern part of the caldera to the picturesque town of Oia. Visit of the remnants of a Venetian castle, eroded stratovolcanoes, tuff rings, ancient graves and observation of fossil stromatolites. Dinner in Oia, famous for its brilliant sunsets. Taxi or bus transfer back to Akrotiri.

5. Day (Wed)
Whole-day boat trip (private small boat from the beach below the hotel) to visit the historic volcanic islands of Palea and Nea Kameni (craters, lava flows and domes, fumaroles, bath in warm, iron-bearing springs, sulfur crystals). Short hike to the summit craters of the volcano. Extensive lunch and swimming break.

6. Day (Thu)
Whole-day walk to the Profitis Ilias Mountain (556m) and the excavated ancient Greek town of Thera. On our way coffee break in the medieval town of Pirgos with its Venetian castle, lunch snack under the shadow of trees next to the ancient Greek theater. The excursion ends in Perissa with its famous black-sand beach on the early afternoon. Rest of day can be spent on the beach (with bus or taxi transfer back to the hotel arranged, or facultative hike back along the coast and through impressive pumice canyons).

7. Day  (Fri)
Day at free disposal or additonal walkkíng program

8. Day  (Sat)
Half-day boat trip (private small boat) inside the caldera, likely to become an unforgettable highlight of the tour. After a lunch- and swimming stop on Thirasia island we sail slowly along Santorini's spectacular inner caldera cliffs and return to our hotel for a free afternoon (see photos taken during these trips). In the evening group dinner in a nearby beach tavern.

9. Day (Sun)
Departure or prolonged stay on Santorini.

Note: the order of days and the exact program might change slightly.

Price: 980 EUR*
(6-12 participants)

The price includes:

- 8 nights in double room with caldera view and bath, incl. breakfast (Greek breakfast buffet). Single room supplement*: 150 Euro.
- 3x lunch (Greek picknick incl. wine/water/coffee) during the walks (day 2, 5 and 6)
- 3x dinner (incl. all drinks and extras) on days 1, 2, and 8.
- All necessary transfers on Santorini (incl. pick-up from and to airport/ ferry)
- 3 boat-trips as described in the program (depending on weather conditions)
- Wine-tasting and all entry fees
- Accompanying material
- The English-German-Greek speaking geologic guide
- Travel cancellation insurance

The price does not include:

- travel to Santorini
- extra meals and drinks

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*Single room accommodation:

The supplement for single room occupancy is 150 EUR. If you are willing to share accommodation with another group member during the whole trip and if I can locate another person of the same sex, no supplement is needed. If however, no other client willing to share a room can be located, the single room supplement is split in half, i.e. you only need to pay 75,- EUR extra for the single room.

Individual arrangements:

For complete groups (tourist groups, school classes, hobby geologist groups, etc...) and individuals with specific interests (e.g. geological excursions, filming etc.), any tailor-made geologic program can be arranged at custum dates. If you are interested, please contact Tom directly at: tpfeiffer@decadevolcano.net.