Other dates - tour variants:

20.-27. Sept. 2004
27 Sept. - 4 Oct. 2004
30 April - 8 May 2005
Sep./Oct. 2005

Walking tours, geologic excursions, meetings etc.:

Since 1997, Tom has been (co-)organizing walking tours, geologic excursions, and, occasionally, meetings on Santorini such as the 1999 workshop of the Working Group of the European Seismological Commission.

The 6-days Santorini walking tour is designed for small groups of people who want to explore at least parts of the fascinating natural and cultural history of Santorini in a limited time frame (4 full days on Santorini). The program consists of a series of excursions, which usually are far "off the beaten tracks". Focus is Santorini's outstanding, text-book quality volcanic features as well as its natural beauty. You are assured first-hand knowledge and competence of the island; Tom Pfeiffer, volcanologist and tour guide, has lived on Santorini for many months doing field work and guiding geologic walks. In addition, he speaks German, English, Danish and Italian fluently, as well as 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)

If you are interested, please contact Tom via Email:
tpfeiffer@decadevolcano.net

Upcoming dates:

20-27 Sep. 2004 (8 d.)
27 Sep. - 4 Oct. 2004 (8 d.)
30 April - 8 May 2005 (9 d.)
9-14 May 2005 (6 d.)
Sept./Okt. 2005

Individual arrangements:
For complete groups (tourist groups, school classes, hobby geologist groups, etc...) and individuals with specific interests (e.g. geological excursions, filming etc.), I can help to or arrange individual programs. 

Program (6-days trip):

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

2. Day
Half-day walk (total ca. 3 hours, 8 km length, 200m climb down), 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
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 (3-4 hours, ca. 10 km, climb ca. 100m) 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.

4. Day
Whole-day excursion with private minibus, taxi, and boat and short walks (max. 2 hours) to interesting outcrops, viewpoints and other sights: drive to to oldest medieval village of Santorini, Pyrgos with a visit to its Venetian castle, continue (drive) to the top of Profitis Ilias mountain (556m) with its stunning views over the island group. From there, easy hike (ca. 2 hours) to the ancient Greek city of Thera, visit of its extensively excavated ruins. On the way observation of spectacular karst and faulting features of the limestone massif visit, that illustrate the origin of the Cycladic land massiv. Short drive down to Kamari black sand beach, lunch and swim break. Short boat trip around the impressive cliffs of the limestone massiv to the opposite beach of Perissa. Visit of Roman ruins that were washed free by the 1650 tsunami, and a preserved small Roman temple, and Hellenistic graves cut into the mountain. Short walk to impressive pumice formations at the coast, perhaps coffee and/swim break at a beautiful beach. Continue with minibus through the variated landscape of the Akrotiri peninsula, where the oldest volcanic formations of Santorini are exposed (observation of a beautifully exposed scoria cone, marine fossiles as proof for the uplift of sea floor during volcanic activity, spectacular faults). The tour ends at the lighthouse at the tip of the southern peninsula with its magnificient views over the caldera and the neighboring island of Theraisa. Back at the hotel on late afternoon.  

5. Day
Whole-day boat trip (private small boat from the beach below the hotel) to visit the youngest historic volcanic island of Nea Kameni (craters, lava flows and domes, fumaroles, iron-bearing springs, sulfur crystals, huge cooling fractures of lava domes). Short hike to the summit craters of the volcano. Lunch and swimming break on Therasia. Slow round-trip close to and along  Santorini's spectacular inner caldera cliffs (an unforgettable highlight!) and return to our hotel in the early afternoon (see photos taken during these trips). In the evening group dinner in a nearby beach tavern.

6. Day
Departure or prolonged stay on Santorini.

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

Price: 800 EUR (Nov-April)
(6-12 Participants)

The price includes:

- 6 nights in double room with caldera view and bath, incl. breakfast (Greek breakfast buffet). Single room supplement: 100 Euro.
- 1x Greek lunch (incl. wine/water/coffee) during the walks (day 2)
- 3x dinner (incl. all drinks and extras) on days 1, 2, and 5.
- 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

The price does not include:

- travel to Santorini
- extra meals and drinks