Whitewashed buildings are typical on the island.Whitewashed buildings are typical on the island.

Santorini’s natural beauty makes this Greek island one of the world’s top tourist hot spots.

With its black volcanic-soil beaches, whitewashed buildings and dramatic views, it’s little wonder Santorini was voted Europe’s best island by Trip Advisor reviewers recently.

This southernmost member of the Cyclades islands has a population of just 15,550.

Many of them live in the famous white cube houses amid blue-domed churches. Small shops border the stone streets, while beautiful galleries, quality leather and loads of gold shops sit side by side with local handicrafts and small souvenir outlets.

For unforgettable sunsets head to Oia. Perched on a cliff-top, it offers magnificent views over the volcano of Palia and the island of Thirassia.

It’s a traditional village of charming houses, cheerful tavernas and sunbathed verandas.

Santorini’s cuisine is primarily based on the island’s own agricultural products.

Traditional dishes include tomato balls, Santorini salad, split peas in all their variations, white aubergines, stuffed round courgettes, omelette, cooked capers, fresh cheese and local specialties, such as apohti (a type of cured ham).

If you add the great variety of wines produced on the island, from the dry whites to the sweet Vinsanto and the wonderful taste combinations that they create, then you will understand why many restaurateurs and gastronomy experts have embraced and promoted the tastes of Santorini.

Most of the bars and nightclubs are situated in the island’s capital, Fira, but also in Oia, and in the two major beach resorts, Kamari and Perissa.

If you visit in July, check out the annual Santorini Jazz Festival (www.jazzfestival.gr). During August and September, you can visit the Santorini International Music Festival (www.santorinimusicfestival.com), featuring international singers and musicians performing classical music at the Nomikos Centre in Fira.

Don’t miss Akrotiri, an ancient city underground, preserved by volcanic ash. Some call it the Pompei of the Greek Islands.

Rediscovered in 1866, it has become closely connected with the legend of Atlantis. Streets, buildings, stairs and even second floors of buildings are still visible. Visitors can stand in the ruins and look at Minoan pottery and frescoes.

If you want to get up close and personal with the volcano itself, there are daily cruises . Boats to the volcano depart every morning from Athinios port or from Fira old port.

The usual excursion involves climbing the volcano, stopping at the hot springs for a swim, a further stop of about two hours at Thirasia for swimming or lunch, and return to the port.

Experience Santorini with ROCS travel

ROCS Travel has included eight magnificent properties in Santorini in its 308-page World Holidays 2013 Brochure.

Package rates start from €359, inclusive of return Air Malta flights to Athens, seven nights’ accommodation, daily Greek buffet breakfast and all taxes. Book your holiday by May 15 and get a ROCS Travel suitcase for free.

For more information about the Santorini packages, call ROCS Travel on 2015 1515 or e-mail travel@rocsgrp.com.

www.rocsholidays.com

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.