Greek Island Hopping to Santorini for Seniors
Older People’s Holidays on Volcanic Santorini to See Archaeological
Oct 19, 2009
Travel to Santorini for seniors is straightforward as it has direct flights not only fom Athens but also several European cities including London.
Greek Island Hopping
For Greek island-hopping, a visit to Santorini combines easily with other islands in the Cyclades as there are regular high-speed ferry services from Athens (4 hours) which call at Mykonos, Paros and Ios and continue on to Crete. In addition many older people arrive on cruise ships as Santorini is a most spectacular port of call as it is perched along the rim of a the world’s largest volcanic crater.
Cruising into the Volcanic Santorini on a Senior’s Holiday
Arriving on Santorini (or Thira, its ancient name), the cruise ships, with day-trip boats plying to and fro around them, moor in the world’s largest caldera, now a water-filled crater which was created 3500 years ago by a massive volcanic eruption.
This blew half the island into the sea leaving a 100-metre high ridge which curls like a crab's claw from one of end of the island to the other (13 miles) and slopes down to the sea on the other side.
Fira Town is Capital of Santorini
Fira town, the small capital, perches in the middle of the volcanic caldera rim above dark blue sea. Its white buildings look like a topping of icing on the bare grey cliffs along the rim.
In Fira Town, hub of Santorini’s sightseeing for seniors, white-washed cubed buildings spill over the cliff on one side, with narrow streets leading steeply down from it on the other. Many are devoted to souvenirs, especially pottery, interspersed with a few galleries selling the work of leading local artists.
Hotels in Fira Town
To be handy for the best restaurants and shops as well as the island’s spectacular views, a hotel within walking distance of the centre of Fira Town is the most appropriate accommodation for older people for a holiday on Santorini.
The most exclusive are those with caldera views on the edge of the rim while others are in quieter surroundings but without caldera views.
Oia on Santorini
An alternative place to stay is Oia (pronounced ee-a), an atmospheric old village on the north-west tip of the island which is renowned as the best place to see Santorini’s famous sunsets.
Older people, as well as the young who are not staying there, flock in from late afternoon to see it.
The bus network,including a ‘hop on hop off’ service, makes it easy for seniors to explore further afield without the need to hire a car.
By comparison the newer tourist developments at Kamari and Perissa on the less scenic east coast are souless.
Santorini Beaches
Santorini is not noted for its beaches as most have gritty black volcanic sand.
The best option is on a day trip to the Red Beach at Akrotiri at the southeast tip of the island.
Akrotiri Archaeological Remains and Other Sightseeing on Santorini for Seniors
For older people on holiday in Santorini, a visit to the Museum of Prehistoric Thira (closed Mondays) is a highlight. Opened in 2005 it displays finds from the Akrotiri archaeological site. In 1967 the remains of a large town abandoned nearly 4000 years ago were discovered. Buildings and their contents were remarkably well preserved under layers of volcanic ash following a huge eruption.
All kinds of kitchen gadgets including cooking pots and a clay oven are displayed and also decorated pottery and fragments of beautiful frescos. The site itself cannot at present be visited.
Seniors will also want to visit Ancient Thera, north of Perissa, which has less extensive archaeological excavations and dates back 2000 years.
Archaeological Remains Combine with Santorini’s Unique Volcanic Setting
The archaeological remains both at Akrotiri and Ancient Thera, combined with good weather and the island’s unique setting on the rim of an extinct volcano, make Santorini a fascinating destination for older people’s holidays.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
