Guest Post: Why Santorini Is One Of The Best 10 Holiday Destinations

You’ll have seen the beautiful pictures on Instagram but now find out why Santorini should be in your top 10 destinations to visit.

Santorini island is a true landmark of Greece. Known far and wide for its mesmerising natural beauty that oozes from every orifice of the intriguing volcanic landscapes, leaving visitors in utter awe. Santorini has some truly iconic features that make the island the greatly sought-after destination it is today. But what would you say are the top three that make it make the top 10 holiday destination lists? Let’s have a look:

The colourful beaches

Santorini boasts a range of colourful beaches: black, red and white. The diversity of the beaches is due to to the geomorphology of the island and its volcanic history. The remnants of which have been ‘washed’ onto Santorini shores, for her visitors to enjoy.

The Black beach is not only limited to one specific beach, as it is this charcoal coloured, volcanic sand that covers most of the island’s coast. Exo Gialos beach is the closest one if you’re staying at a centrally located hotel in the heart of Fira.

The Red beach is the most striking of all perhaps, with a mixture of sand and pebbles and imposing cliff rocks in the background. Although considered a high-risk beach due to occasional landslides. It is perhaps one of the most iconic. No visit to Santorini is complete without setting eyes upon this striking crimson terrain.

The White beach is located next to the Red beach and for most, access is somewhat challenging so we have another ‘white’ alternative: Vlychada beach which features a strange almost lunar landscape due to its ivory creviced cliff backdrop.

The world’s most amazing sunset

Arguably, one of the most breathtaking sunsets features opposite the Caldera stratas every evening, for centuries now. The village of Oia is the best place to watch the sunset. If you’re in the privacy and comfort of your own luxury suite, all the better. As the streets of Oia become crammed by hordes of visitors. Especially with cameras in hand, trying to get a glimpse of it.

The sunset is also impressive from anywhere on the periphery of the Caldera. Although it is not positioned directly in front of you. As it is in Oia. You will still be able to soak in its colourful wake. If you are a sky and sunset lover, you should plan to experience a Santorinian sundown session soon.

The scenarios of the crescent shape

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The peculiar shape of this island has spurred various mysterious scenarios in relation to how it came about. Ancient Greeks spoke about the myth of the nymph that created the famous half-moon shape.

The Argonaut, Euphemus, saw a dream that he made love to a nymph who was Triton’s daughter. The nymph became pregnant but fearing her father’s wrath she begged Euphemus to take a piece of land from Anafi island.

So that he could throw it in the sea so she could have a place to bear her illegitimate child. And so it became. There is speculation that Santorini is a strong contender for the location of the mystical lost city of Atlantis. Interweaving fable with reality, however unsubstantiated.

Related Read;

• Santorini: Iconic moments on the island that will never go out of style

Finally, geologists have noted a volcanic eruption circa 1500 B.C that is believed to have sunk Santorini’s centre. Leaving the current crescent as the final frontier. The area of Akrotiri, meaning literally, cape, is Santorini’s southernmost tip. From where you enjoy stunning views of the Caldera opposite. However, this is the most unromantic scenario of them all. Which one appeals to you the most?

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