Of all the places I have traveled, Santorini is the most magical. It feels like a place that does not exist anywhere else in the world; a place with an amazing caldera and a simple yet dramatic architecture. Volcanic eruptions sank most of the island, leaving behind a large crescent-shaped land mass and a small piece in the middle. This created the high cliffs that most of the settlements reside upon.
While there is a large airport in Santorini, most travelers island hop to adjacent islands by way of an ocean liner. Crossing the Aegean Sea, you pass many Greek islands.
The journey is half of the experience in Santorini. Traveling by boat, you can swim near one of the island's natural hot springs that spew lukewarm water from the Earth's core. Like anywhere else, there are cars and buses, but the more adventures may prefer bicycles, small mopeds, and ATV's that are available for rent to explore the island on your own. I chose the latter.
The entire island's inhabitants flock to the streets of Oia at days end to watch the sunset, a moment to savor.
Come nightfall, nothing beats sitting back with local Santorini wine, lamb souvlaki, and good company.
