Louise and I spent a week in Santorini during August 2013. By chance we timed it to coincide with the annual festival during which an impressive firework display is used to simulate an eruption of the  Nea Kameni volcano.

We watched the display at close quarters from the deck of a boat. It was one of the highlights of the trip. Another the Volcano Adventure tour we took that included both a guided walking tour up the Nea Kameni volcano with a very knowledgable and informative guide and a chance to swim in the thermal waters of Old Kameni.

 

Santorini 7

Walking tour of volcano Nea Kameni

Fireworks simulating eruption of volcano Nea Kameni during the Santorini festival August 2013

As tourists on Santorini we couldn't miss the Oia sunset. After a day in which we descended to the old port of Fira by cable car and returned to the town by donkey then travelled by public transport to Kamari for a lazy afternoon on the beach we went in the early evening (by local bus) to Oia and sat for nearly two hours watching the sunset, taking photographs and drinking sangria.

Santorini - sunset over sea with windmill on right

Sunset at Oia

One of the hightlights for Louise was the Greek night of eating, drinking, dancing and plate smashing (although the audience didn't get to join in with the plate smashing). One of her low-lights was walking the costal path from Imerogivli to Oia (we took the bus back) although she was less bothered by the shorter walk in the opposite direction to Fira where she enjoyed the shopping.

Santorini - walking the costal path

Walking the costal path from Imerovigli to Oia

We stayed in the Krokos Villas hotel. It was extremely pleasant and friendly. The service was excellent particularly the room (or balcony) served breakfast.

breakfast on the patio outside hotel apartment Breakfast on the patio

phoca thumb l Santorini 2 Our villa at hotel Krokos, Imerovigli

More pictures here and additional information on Santorini here: Wikipedia, Greek Islands.