A Sunny Santorini on the 9th of June

Mirror-like seas and a hazy hue over the caldera was the early-morning welcome to the idyllic, picture postcard anchorage below the small cliff-top settlement of Fira. If you’ve never visited Santorini you will marvel at the volcanic landscape, the black sand beaches, the red color lava rocks and the beautiful white houses built on the cliffs of the volcano. This is Santorini, with little white churches atop soaring cliffs, deep blue skies; Santorini is truly the zenith of a Greek island cruise experience. As we cruised into the caldera, the morning started somewhat cloudy but it was clear that any cloud coverage was going to blow over as the morning progressed.
Today was one of only three calls that Ocean Village is making this year and, as every call to Santorini does, it didn’t disappoint our passengers who were quickly dispatched in varying directions by some pretty impressive, new shoreside boats.

All of our excursions from Santorini are guaranteed to please and the breathtaking scenery is simply quite amazing. You can absorb so much in such a short time and, to visit the finest viewpoints with ease, a tour is a must to totally appreciate the scenery.

One of our tours starts with a fast boat trip to the port of Athinios where, from here, the windy road takes you up to the Mountain of Prophet Elijah, the highest point on the island. Following this there is a visit to see the classic Greek Aghios Nectarios Church.

After a quick comfort stop at the Santo Winery, where there is also the chance to sample the local nectar, it is onward on a never ending journey of natural beauty.

(The above photo is of the view from the Santo Winery, an unparalleled balm for the soul)
Lunch on the excursion is taken in a beautiful taverna called Pyrgos and entrance is gained through a rather quirky make-up of a small Grecian windmill. From inside, the view to the anchorage where Ocean Village lay peacefully in the far distance was on the left, to the right the plains looking down towards the airport and, away in front, the capital town of Fira perched high on vertical cliffs overlooking the caldera.

All too soon the whistle-stop tour was at an end and the last journey back to the ship lay ahead. Another picturesque winding road and then, from Fira, a short transfer by cable-car back down to the small port area in the distance below.(The above photograph is courtesy of our onboard photo team and is taken from the idyllic clifftop village of Oia)

Whilst waiting for the cable car

Homeward bound

Michael Lobban, Hotel Director