This small island has a lot to offer visitors, from its amazing landscapes, incredible beaches and coves, a lagoon that sits in the midst of time to its' unique culture that is steeped in tradition and immersed in the past. Santorini is a little bit of paradise on earth that nature has fashioned in her own special way. Throughout time Santorini was a place where tired travellers took shelter from stormy seas. Today the island is a haven for people who want to get away from it all and spend some quality time in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
When a cruise ship approaches the sun-baked islands of Santorini in the Aegean Sea, the first thing the passengers notice is the daunting 800 foot rock wall of Thira that stretches from the sea to the mountain top where the principal town of Fira is located. There are three ways to get from the water's edge to the town above. In 1715, the island inhabitants built a rough path into the side of the sheer mountain so they could hike to the summit. Before long, donkeys were enlisted to help carry cargo and passengers to and from the ships and town. In 1930, the walkway was improved and more donkeys were added to aid in the assent and decent. Finally, in 1979, a cable car was installed to automate the process - but the most fun ride is still by donkey.
On the fourth side of the island, the small island of Therasia separates the lagoon from the sea. The lagoon is approximately 400 meters deep, which makes it an excellent shipping port. The volcano that created the island is one of the most active volcanoes in the Aegean Sea. The eruption that created the island is one of the largest volcanic explosions ever.
Walk up if you can, The zigzag walkway from sea to city is paved in stone, and because of the many switchbacks, the distance from one end to the other is 1300 meters or 4,265 feet. There are 657 four- inch tall steps on the walkway, and this natural stair-master provides a very good workout on a sunny day. Donkey vs. cable car, The cable car ride lasts approximately 3 minutes (the wait can be fifteen minutes), and the much more exhilarating donkey ride takes almost one-half hour to go up, and just 15 minutes to come down. The down journey is faster and more thrilling for two reasons. First, descending is inherently easier, and second the donkey food is at the bottom of the walkway.
A small word of caution, The downhill donkey ride is not without its peril. Banging legs against a fellow rider on a tight curve - while going full donkey tilt - can be painful. In addition, on any given day, there will be one or two cranky donkeys that are out of sorts for one reason or another - and they bite. This aside, the rewards far outweigh the risk. The next time you find yourself on a cruise ship in the picturesque old port of Skala, Santorini, start your visit with a smile - ride a donkey up to all those unforgettable views and remarkable restaurants that all the other travel writers have written about. Try and Enjoy Adventures On The Greek Island Of Santorini.
When a cruise ship approaches the sun-baked islands of Santorini in the Aegean Sea, the first thing the passengers notice is the daunting 800 foot rock wall of Thira that stretches from the sea to the mountain top where the principal town of Fira is located. There are three ways to get from the water's edge to the town above. In 1715, the island inhabitants built a rough path into the side of the sheer mountain so they could hike to the summit. Before long, donkeys were enlisted to help carry cargo and passengers to and from the ships and town. In 1930, the walkway was improved and more donkeys were added to aid in the assent and decent. Finally, in 1979, a cable car was installed to automate the process - but the most fun ride is still by donkey.
On the fourth side of the island, the small island of Therasia separates the lagoon from the sea. The lagoon is approximately 400 meters deep, which makes it an excellent shipping port. The volcano that created the island is one of the most active volcanoes in the Aegean Sea. The eruption that created the island is one of the largest volcanic explosions ever.
Walk up if you can, The zigzag walkway from sea to city is paved in stone, and because of the many switchbacks, the distance from one end to the other is 1300 meters or 4,265 feet. There are 657 four- inch tall steps on the walkway, and this natural stair-master provides a very good workout on a sunny day. Donkey vs. cable car, The cable car ride lasts approximately 3 minutes (the wait can be fifteen minutes), and the much more exhilarating donkey ride takes almost one-half hour to go up, and just 15 minutes to come down. The down journey is faster and more thrilling for two reasons. First, descending is inherently easier, and second the donkey food is at the bottom of the walkway.
A small word of caution, The downhill donkey ride is not without its peril. Banging legs against a fellow rider on a tight curve - while going full donkey tilt - can be painful. In addition, on any given day, there will be one or two cranky donkeys that are out of sorts for one reason or another - and they bite. This aside, the rewards far outweigh the risk. The next time you find yourself on a cruise ship in the picturesque old port of Skala, Santorini, start your visit with a smile - ride a donkey up to all those unforgettable views and remarkable restaurants that all the other travel writers have written about. Try and Enjoy Adventures On The Greek Island Of Santorini.
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