Stay in a Santorini Hotel: an experience as unique as the island itself - By: Webmaster Pegasus

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On the southern Aegean, there is the island of Santorini, the famous volcanic island that constitutes the top Greek destination. Receiving more than 6 million tourists every year, Santorini attracts people from all over the world who come to enjoy the romantic sunset, take a tour to the volcano, see the Cycladic architecture and stay in a traditional Santorini hotel that has the shape of a cave. The island actually looks like a half-moon. It is believed that in the ancient times it was round but the enormous volcanic eruption that happened in about 1,650 B.C. submerged some parts and emerged some small islets. The Volcano of Santorini, which is active till today, lies on the islets of Palea and Nea Kameni that stand right opposite the main island. The most characteristic feature of the geography of Santorini is the caldera, formed by the volcanic eruption. Many villages have been built on the edge of the caldera and many tourists prefer to find their Santorini hotel with view to it. There are no high mountains on the island, the highest is only 565 m tall. The ground gets rocky in some points but generally is very fertile, due to its volcanic elements. This ground is cultivated by the locals to give many products, such as the famous cherry tomatoes of Santorini and fava, a kind of legume. However, the most famous product of Santorini is its wine, which has received many awards in local and international competitions. Many wineries exist today all over the island and some also work as a museum. Some old wineries have stopped making wine and have turned into Santorini hotels. An old winery that has turned into a Santorini hotel also keeps its traditional vibe: the stone walls, the light wine smell, the cool atmosphere. The capital of Santorini is Fira, which is the busiest town in Santorini as it receives most tourists that arrive on the island. The town has been built on the edge of a cliff and gives excellent views. You will find many tourist facilities there. Some tourists choose to have their Santorini hotel in Fira or Imerovigli village, a couple of km from Fira, to be closer to transportation and most amenities. The second most known village on Santorini is Oia, on the northern side of the island. This town is said to be more romantic than Fira and to have the most beautiful sunset in Greece. You will see many artists in Oia who get inspired from the beautiful landscape as well as donkeys to carry people up the paved streets of Oia. Cafeterias, restaurants and hotels in Oia give amazing view to the caldera, the sunset and the opposite remote island of Thirassia. Staying in a Santorini hotel is a special opportunity for tourists to enjoy the traditional architecture and the welcoming character of the locals. A traditional Santorini hotel is usually made of stone and has wooden furniture. The room looks like a cave, because that is how houses in Santorini looked like till some decades ago. The cave shape intended to protect the inhabitants from extreme weather conditions, such as much sunshine or the strong winds that blow often over the Cyclades. Such Santorini hotels are found not only in the villages, but also in the beaches, such as Perissa, Kamari and Perivolos. Of course, apart from a traditional Santorini hotel, you will also find any other accommodation category. Your Santorini hotel for this summer could be a simple room to rent with view to the caldera or a beach, or even a luxurious village with all the modern comforts. After all, what counts most is the place. Holidays on Santorini are certainly a special experience, as the island gives visitors everything they ask for: from beautiful beaches, picturesque villages and ancient sites, such as the Minoan town of Akrotiri, to comfortable tourist amenities. It is worth to mention that Santorini is always referred by international travel magazines as one of the most popular destinations in the world and is chosen by many couples for their wedding ceremony or their honeymoon, as it provides the perfect romantic landscape for such occasions. Note that usually a Santorini hotel keeps its best rooms for newly-weds.