Greece is a sacred and beautiful land. When blue and white are used to their extreme, romance becomes the most common occurrence. Greece boasts the world's most beautiful sunsets and the most magnificent seascapes, which is why people often compare it to a paradise where the sea meets the sky. This is especially true when you arrive at the brightest pearl of the Aegean Sea—the island of Santorini.
In recent years, as more and more people have become fascinated by Greece, the number of people choosing to immigrate and settle in Greece has grown exponentially, especially since the Greek government promoted its investment immigration policy.
Arrive in Santorini to experience the sunshine, blue skies, turquoise seas, beaches, and that endless expanse of white and blue. Wander between the port and the villages on a donkey, take a boat to explore the volcanic islands, enjoy grilled meat by the Aegean Sea, and watch what is known as the world's most beautiful sunset in Oia, becoming "lost" in this picturesque utopia.
Santorini attracts tourists from all over the world for vacations every year. Before embarking on a perfect journey, a travel guide is essential. Below, we provide a brief travel guide for Santorini, Greece:
Air Travel: It takes 1 hour to reach Santorini by plane from Athens. There are several flights daily from Santorini Airport to Mykonos. During the peak summer season, connecting flights to Rhodes and Crete are also available.
Ferry: It takes about 9 hours to travel from Athens to Santorini by ferry. In summer, there are several ferries daily, while in the off-season, there are about one or two per day. The route stops at islands such as Paros, Naxos, Ios, Mykonos, and Sifnos. During the peak tourist season, you can take a high-speed boat to reach Santorini in 4.5 hours, though it is more expensive. It is best to book your ferry and hotel in advance, as most hotels will provide pick-up and drop-off services at the port and airport.
Other: There is a cable car to visit the volcano, or you can use the villagers' donkeys. The road conditions on the island are quite good; if you can drive, you can rent a car to explore. There are also motorcycles for rent on the island, but be careful as accidents occur occasionally due to the high number of renters. During the peak summer season, it is best to book a taxi in advance.
Dining: Family-run Greek seafood restaurants near the beach or in the community are relatively inexpensive. Pita gyros are a delicious, affordable, and time-saving choice. There are also many restaurants in Fira and Oia. Tomato fritters (Keftades) are a local specialty; if you order a salad, you can ask for local tomatoes to be added, which are very delicious.
Accommodation: There are many towns on the island, so pay attention to the location of your hotel. It is best to stay in Fira on Santorini for convenient access to everywhere, or you can stay one night in Oia to enjoy the sunset. You can choose to stay by the sea and then visit Fira, Oia, and the magical volcano, or stay on the volcano and then take a car to the seaside for a swim.
1. Winters are very cold, May-June is best; 2. Purchase overseas travel insurance; 3. Hotels are negotiable but do not include breakfast; it is recommended to stay in "Oia", "Fira", and "Imerovigli" for sea views; 4. You can rent a car on the island for about 40 Euros per day; 5. Many shops do not accept credit cards, but you can get a discount if you pay in cash; 6. Oia is the best spot on the island to photograph the sunset, which occurs between approximately 20:00 and 20:30.
Customs and Taboos: In some villages, every New Year's Day, people bring a large stone as a gift to visit relatives and friends, placing it on the floor and wishing the host: "May you have a piece of gold in your house as big as this stone!" Hospitality is a Greek tradition; they will treat those who come for help with sincerity, even if they were once enemies.
Greek business people have a high sense of humor and love to joke. When discussing business, the host will first ask the guest to choose between strong Greek coffee or the Greek spirit Ouzo. Refusing abruptly will be seen as an insult. The best time to visit is from September to May of the following year. Business visits are not recommended during the two weeks around Christmas, the week around Greek Orthodox Easter, and the vacation months of July and August.
Today, both the Greek tourism market and the Greek immigration market are at a good time. Understanding some common knowledge about life in Greece is very beneficial for visiting the country. For example, after reading this article, you should know that you should not choose July or August for business visits to Greece.