Day 5 – Santorini – we decided that we will try to come back soon!!!

We arrived at sunrise at the island of Santorini – the tenders took us to Fira where we caught the cable car to the top of the island. We found a wonderful and very knowledgeable taxi driver to take us to Oia – one of 14 towns on Santorini, and the place where all the ‘calendar’ pictures were taken.

Oia - one of 14 villages on Santorini

It was beautiful and breath-taking. We wished that we could stay for a week – maybe we will come back.

Irene and Steve at Oia

 



Our driver told us about the volcanic history of the island…the red, black and white lava rocks and sands, and also about the drought which has reduced agricultural business a lot – this used be an island famous for tomatoes and pistachios; now there are only low growing grape vines and a minimal wine crop.

However, tourism is so good that Santorini is not suffering from Greece’s bad economy yet.

Old Windmill style - now apartments



Two more stops on this cruise – the Greek island of Corfu tomorrow, and then Dubrovnik on the Serbian coast before arriving back in Venice on Monday.

 

Pistachio Trees and Vineyards