Crete & Santorini

Santorini is possibly the most photographed island in Greece with its striking landscape of towering cliffs and huge, circular caldera draped with whitewashed villages overlooking the deep blue bay.  The violent eruption which caused the centre of the island to collapse into the sea occurred 3600 years ago during the Late Bronze Age and forced the abandonment of this thriving Aegean Island and it is somewhat ironic that it is also the reason why so many visitors are attracted to the island today. In antiquity, the island was eventually resettled as ancient Thera and became an important crossroad between the east and west. We are based in Kamari, a small seaside village situated on the southeastern coast of Santorini at the foot of Mesa Vouno mountain.  The location is ideal for our visit to ancient Thera and not far from the busy capital which is a few kilometres away. Opening in 2021, the Radisson Blu Zaffron is a new 5 star, resort hotel. Designed to complement the white-washed, curved rooved houses Fira is famed for, its 103 rooms, suites and villas are spread between one main block and four adjoining buildings.  Facilities include two salt-water swimming pools and a wellness spa. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, flatscreen TV, safety deposit box, hairdryer, small fridge and coffee machine.

Ancient historians such as Strabo refer to Heraklion as the port of Knossos although no evidence has yet been discovered to support this statement. Nevertheless, the harbour town stood for approximately 2,000 years on the site of the modern port and the eastern suburbs of Poros and Katsambas. Like Chania, Heraklion, expanded rapidly during Venetian and Ottoman occupation but after a devastating earthquake in 1856 most historic buildings were lost. The fortified town walls and the Lions fountains are amongst the handful still visible today. Contemporary Heraklion is a cosmopolitan city, the third port in the country and one of the major Mediterranean harbours. It is linked by sea with Athens (Piraeus), Thessaloniki, the Aegean Islands, Cyprus, and Egypt. The Lato is a family-owned hotel located in a quiet corner of Heraklion, opposite the old Venetian port and a short walk from the archaeological museum. Rooms are compact, but all are equipped with hairdryer, TV, minibar, tea/coffee making facilities, safety deposit box and free Wi-Fi.

Ancient historians such as Strabo refer to Heraklion as the port of Knossos although no evidence has yet been discovered to support this statement. Nevertheless, the harbour town stood for approximately 2,000 years on the site of the modern port and the eastern suburbs of Poros and Katsambas. Like Chania, Heraklion, expanded rapidly during Venetian and Ottoman occupation but after a devastating earthquake in 1856 most historic buildings were lost. The fortified town walls and the Lions fountains are amongst the handful still visible today. Contemporary Heraklion is a cosmopolitan city, the third port in the country and one of the major Mediterranean harbours. It is linked by sea with Athens (Piraeus), Thessaloniki, the Aegean Islands, Cyprus, and Egypt. The Lato is a family-owned hotel located in a quiet corner of Heraklion, opposite the old Venetian port and a short walk from the archaeological museum. Rooms are compact, but all are equipped with hairdryer, TV, minibar, tea/coffee making facilities, safety deposit box and free Wi-Fi.

Ancient historians such as Strabo refer to Heraklion as the port of Knossos although no evidence has yet been discovered to support this statement. Nevertheless, the harbour town stood for approximately 2,000 years on the site of the modern port and the eastern suburbs of Poros and Katsambas. Like Chania, Heraklion, expanded rapidly during Venetian and Ottoman occupation but after a devastating earthquake in 1856 most historic buildings were lost. The fortified town walls and the Lions fountains are amongst the handful still visible today. Contemporary Heraklion is a cosmopolitan city, the third port in the country and one of the major Mediterranean harbours. It is linked by sea with Athens (Piraeus), Thessaloniki, the Aegean Islands, Cyprus, and Egypt. The Lato is a family-owned hotel located in a quiet corner of Heraklion, opposite the old Venetian port and a short walk from the archaeological museum. Rooms are compact, but all are equipped with hairdryer, TV, minibar, tea/coffee making facilities, safety deposit box and free Wi-Fi.

Elounda is a small fishing village situated just north of Agios Nikolaos on the Gulf of Mirabello.  Its natural harbour, known as the Gulf of Korfos, is surrounded by rocky peninsulas and was once protected by the Venetian Fortress on Spinalonga.  Nearby is the ancient Dorian city of Olous positioned on the isthmus connecting Spinalonga to the mainland but is now submerged, probably due to earthquake activity in the 2^nd century AD. The Elounda Palm is a small, family run property in a slightly elevated position overlooking the Bay of Mirabello. Just a short walk from Elounda harbour and close to the sea (1km). Rooms are simply furnished with a modern finish, but all are equipped with air-conditioning, satellite TV, safety deposit boxes, free WiFi, hairdryer, a mini-fridge and tea-and-coffee-making facilities. There is an outdoor swimming pool (seasonal opening hours).

Elounda is a small fishing village situated just north of Agios Nikolaos on the Gulf of Mirabello.  Its natural harbour, known as the Gulf of Korfos, is surrounded by rocky peninsulas and was once protected by the Venetian Fortress on Spinalonga.  Nearby is the ancient Dorian city of Olous positioned on the isthmus connecting Spinalonga to the mainland but is now submerged, probably due to earthquake activity in the 2^nd century AD. The Elounda Palm is a small, family run property in a slightly elevated position overlooking the Bay of Mirabello. Just a short walk from Elounda harbour and close to the sea (1km). Rooms are simply furnished with a modern finish, but all are equipped with air-conditioning, satellite TV, safety deposit boxes, free WiFi, hairdryer, a mini-fridge and tea-and-coffee-making facilities. There is an outdoor swimming pool (seasonal opening hours).