Long-awaited Aegean Island Hopping from Santorini

Travelling around the islands of the Aegean Sea is something many of us dream of. Among them, Santorini stands out as one of the most popular destinations. A little research quickly reveals that its appeal goes far beyond the iconic whitewashed houses and blue sea. I was particularly drawn to the island’s dramatic volcanic landscapes and its astonishingly long history, stretching back as far as 3600 BC.

In this article, I share the highlights of Santorini as experienced during my stay, focusing on its scenery, activities, food, and accommodation.

Contents Cyclades island hopping Discover the spectacular views of Santorini Underwater hot spring Santorini wine Minoan ruins Beaches and boat tours Accommodation Useful informaion

---

I had always wanted to explore the islands of the Aegean Sea, but I wasn’t interested in a cruise, and I was also reluctant to take a long boat ride from Athens, so I looked up islands with direct flights from London on British Airways. When I searched, I found that quite a few islands were connected to London by direct flights, although only in the summer.

I wanted to visit Koufonisia, an island recommended by a Greek friend, so I planned a trip from London to Santorini, then to Koufonisia, and finally to Mykonos and back to London. Mykonos was a great place to stop by last year, and I already knew the location of the port and airport.

Discover the spectacular views of Santorini

Santorini is an island in the Aegean Sea that is as popular as Mykonos. The typical Cycladic landscape of white houses, churches and blue sea can also be seen in Mykonos. So what is it that attracts so many travellers?

The cliffs that line the west side of the island can only be seen in Santorini. If you see them in person, you will be amazed at their ruggedness. They are said to be 200m high. The view of the archipelago floating in the Aegean Sea, the breathtaking beauty of the sunset, and the white houses lined up on the cliffs – the difference in height makes all of these views even more impressive.

Especially if you arrive on the island by boat, the view heading towards the cliffs will give you a sense of awe that you cannot experience from an airplane.

Out of the various things I researched before going on my trip, I was really looking forward to this.

Underwater hot spring

This cliff is part of a caldera formed by large-scale volcanic activity around 1628 BC, and volcanic activity is still ongoing. There is an underwater hot spring on Palea Kameni, an island floating to the west of Santorini, which is also the result of this volcanic activity.

Even in Japan, a country with many volcanoes, I have never heard of an underwater hot spring. I was very curious and decided to join the tour. When the boat got as close to the shore as possible, I was given a float, which I used to swim and soak in the hot water. Reddish-brown mud had settled everywhere, and I could smell a faint sulfur smell.

I somehow felt that it would be good for my skin, so I tried applying it to my body like everyone else. You can’t really imagine the smooth texture of the mud or the subtle difference in temperature from normal seawater to warm water until you get in.

Santorini wine

The island’s topography, with its high west side and low east side, seems to affect the air flow and the daily temperature difference. During my stay, I also felt that Santorini was more humid than other Greek islands. I visited Santo Wine and toured the cellar, where I was told that in Santorini, where there is almost no rainfall, the humidity in the air becomes morning dew and provides the moisture necessary for grape cultivation.

After touring the cellar, of course, we tasted wine. When I was a student, I helped harvest grapes for wine in Germany. I was surprised that grapes can be harvested and wine can be made in such climatic conditions. Santo Wine actually has a great view from the outdoor seats, so if you have time, I recommend a meal there. It is popular at sunset, so reservations are required.

Minoan ruins

A city buried by a volcanic eruption in 1628 BC has been excavated and is open to the public as the Akrotiri ruins. A city that became ruins due to a volcano reminds me of Pompeii, but there are no painful excavations of the victims like those in Pompeii. My only regret is that I was not able to visit the Prehistoric Archaeological Museum in Fira due to time constraints.

Beaches and boat tours

Santorini is a popular destination that rivals Mykonos, but in terms of the satisfaction of its beaches, it is not quite as good as Mykonos. The volcanic soil gives Santorini its distinctive red and black sand, but after seeing the sand of Mykonos, it somehow feels like something is missing.

I decided to join the boat tour recommended by the hotel, because it would allow me to fully enjoy the true beauty of Santorini’s ocean.

When I went out to sea, a beautiful deep blue sea spread out before me. I put on the snorkel that was lent to me, and jumped into the sea as I was urged. I will never forget the sight of the fish that were hard to see from above, swimming so comfortably close that I could almost reach out and touch them. One thing to be careful of is that the boat can rock a lot depending on the weather until you go out to sea. I don’t usually get seasick, but this time I felt very sick.

Accommodation

Basically, I always plan my trips on the assumption that I won’t rent a car, so I look for places with convenient bus transportation, but this time I had a hard time deciding between Fira and Oia. Fira was my first choice, but because it was close to the centre, it seemed cramped and the view was not good, so I couldn’t find a place that appealed to me. I started to think that I might be more satisfied if I stayed in Oia, where you can see the sunset, which is said to be the most beautiful in the world.

In the end, I decided to stay at a place in Fira called Aroma Suites, which I happened to come across, and it was the right choice. It was just the right distance from the hustle and bustle of the centre of Fira, so I was able to relax when I returned to the place. The terrace in front of the room had a great view, so I was able to spend a beautiful time slowly watching twilight come.

I also remember having breakfast while looking at the magnificent view.

I am very grateful to the people at the place who were always considerate to me during my stay, arranging recommended restaurants, optional tours, and taxis.

Check out Aroma Suites on booking sites>>

>>If you like what you see, why not go ahead and book your stay?

Useful information

When boarding a ship, always pack all your large belongings in one suitcase and keep one hand free. In summer, it’s scorching hot while waiting for the ship at the port, so you’re likely to want to wear flip-flops, but this is not so practical: it’s difficult to maintain balance on the ship, and the luggage storage areas on popular routes are extremely crowded.

Luggage is placed according to destination, so once you’ve placed your luggage in the designated area, move to your seat. If you’re in first class, you’ll be assigned a seat number, but second class seats are often free to sit wherever you like, so it’s basically first come, first served. Generally, the air conditioning is too strong on all ships, so if you’re planning on spending a long time on the ship, you might want to think about how to protect yourself from the cold.