Page 90 - ATHENS RIVIERA JOURNAL 2022

ATHENS RIVIERA JOURNAL
escape

HOLIDAYS IN SANTORINI ARE THE DREAM OF A LIFETIME

FOR MANY PEOPLE, WITH THE ISLAND FAMOUS FOR ITS IMPRESSIVE

CALDERA, VOLCANO AND ROMANTIC SUNSETS.

of a jigsaw puzzle, it’s hard not to feel drawn to
the magical legend of Atlantis – everything below
seems to have a story to tell while the flat glistening New Technologies.
blue sea hints at hidden worlds lost deep down
below. As the airplane prepares to land, a dazzling
mosaic of colors gradually becomes visible, from New Services.
the grey and red rock face of the crater – Calde-
ra from the Greek for “cauldron”, studded with
windmills, the island’s trademark blue-domed New Performance.
churches and terraces of sugar-cube whitewashed
settlements that seem to run along the rim of
the Caldera almost like a ribbon. Probably San-
torini’s most famous image, these whitewashed
settlements with Caldera views in Firostefani,
Fira, Imerovigli and Oia are built into the rock
face from ancient cave dwellings to now boast ex-
clusive hillside hotels showcasing infinity pools
and luxury spas, accompanied by boutique shops,
bars, nightclubs and restaurants.
Today, the aftereffects of the dramatic earth-
quakes of the past represent the island’s two main
sources of wealth, namely tourism and agricul-
ture, with the latter owing its success to the is-
land’s unique and very fertile volcanic soil and
perfect climate allowing it to give birth to ex-
cellent produce such as its fava beans, cherry
tomatoes, capers and famous goat’s milk cheese
known as chloro. What Santorini is best known
for, however, is its wine production which in-
cludes indigenous white grape varieties such as
Assyrtiko, Athiri and Aidani, while other wines
produced are using international varieties as well
as its unique reds made from its indigenous red
grapes known as Mandalieria and Mavrotragano.
With approximately 1,200 hectares of vines scat-
tered around Santorini, the wines are stored in
traditional kanaves (cellars), the most well known
being at Megalochori, Mesa Gonia, Messaria,
Pyrgos and Oia.
Naturally, any mention of Santorini has to include
its magical sunsets. As one of the best places to
view majestic, awe inspiring sunsets, few destina-
tions in the world can match the sheer beauty of
Santorini’s sunset views. With many incredible
vantage points along the edge of the Caldera,
visitors agree that sunsets from Santorini make
for a truly surreal experience which sees the skies
of the Aegean turn into a riotous symphony of TRYFON GEORGOPOULOS
pinks and reds as the day slowly comes to a close,
beckoning the arrival of the night ahead. 

090