Santorini is one of the most photogenic islands in the world.
Little chapel in Ia village
Easter flags in Ia
Chapel in Ia
Sailing boat in the sea of the caldera
In Finikia
Windmill
The "heart of Santorini"
The Taxiarhes hill
Barbara and the horse of her son
An spring orchid
The ancient eagle in ancient Thira
Window at Episcopi
Greek coffee
Meletinia sweet
Papaver rhoeas in sunlight
Santorini needs not much introduction: beautiful white nested houses in harmonic shapes and ever-changing arrangements, blue churches, a truly unique light on the deep blue Aegean Sea surrounded by steep, colorful volcanic cliffs... Santorini Island is an all-time classic for photographers. There is probably no single picture book about Greece and the Mediterranean that does not have at least a few photos from Santorini.
It has some of the most picturesque examples of Cycladic architecture, a grand and unique volcanic landscape. But it also has a much less known side of rural life and living traditions of Greek island life.
This tour can be fully customized and arranged at custom dates for individuals and small groups on request.
- Unique photo opportunities for great landscape, nature, architecture and traditional life
- Some of the best light in the world
- Expert photographer guides (Tobias Schorr or Tom Pfeiffer) - both speak also Greek!
- Explore unknown gems of Santorini
- Small group sizes
- Flexible program adapted to your preferences & weather conditions
- Beautiful accommodation in great setting
- Delicious local food and wine
Santorini photo tour -7 days sample itinerary
Day 1: Photography on Santorini (arrival & 1st walk)
There is no particular itinerary and each tour will be different, but we will show you a sample itinerary. According to weather and light, as well as your photo preferences, we take you around the island on excursions by car, boat and usually short hikes to the most interesting and scenic locations, celebrations and whatever comes up.
Quite often, we will use the "Golden Light" in the morning, as well as the warm afternoon and evening light and the "Blue Hour", while during the day, we have time to go exploring locations and discover new facets of the island group.
After arrival (depending on your arrival time) we will do a first round walk in Ia village for your orientation and to find great spots for taking photos the next days.
Day 2: Day 2: Morning photography at Ia & sunset
To get the best photos of Ia village, without crowds of tourists, we will start early in the morning. The lanes with the shops being still closed give us great opportunities for photos. We will get back to the hotel or to a nice café for our breakfast. Later we do a round tour to discover the entire island. There will be an afternoon break to relax. We will in teh late afternoon to walk to one of the best spots for taking the sunset above the Aegean Sea with the best view on Ia village. We may stay longer to take also night photos with the tripod.
Day 3: Tour to the capitol town Thira
Even Thira town is the capitol town and the first target of all tourists, we will discover the best spots for photography. There are some nice lanes without tourist shops. We may see also the architecture of the catholic quarter or we walk along the caldera to Imerovigli. If you like, it is even possible to hike from Thira back to Ia. In spring time we can also look out for rare plants at the mountains of Mavrovouno with orchids, ideal for close up photography & macro.
Day 4: Private boat tour to the volcanic islands
One of the most exciting tours is sailing with a private chartered boat to the volcanic islands in the center of the caldera. There are great opportunities for unique photos. There are the craters of Nea Kameni with beautiful lava structures. Also the colors of the thermal springs flowing into the deep blue sea are amazing. With our friend Sostis we can visit places, the other mass-tourism-boats can not reach. In his island Palea Kameni, we will see the beautiful crater lake, his goats and have great landscapes in sight.
Day 5: The cliffs of Vlyhada &
There are great spots for landscape photography and one of the most impressive places is the coast line of Vlyhada with its huge rocks of pumice. Also there are many details at the beach for macro photography. If there is still time and interest, a little walk to the ancient cemetery of Perissa is possible. There are a lot of interesting places for photography around...
Day 6: The villages Pyrgos and Emporio
The village of Pyrgos on a mountain top is ideal for overviews over all the caldera. There are nice lanes and chapels. Later we may do a hike down to the castle like village of Emporio with many opportunities for architecture photographs. In the late afternoon we could do some nice sunset photos from the caldera near Acrotiri.
Day 7: The red beach and Acrotiri village
The red beach of Acrotiri is famous for its red volcanic rocks in which there you find also the picturesque chapel Agios Nikolaos. If you like, also a visit of the prehistoric excavation of Minoan Acrotiri is possible. If you like hiking, there are many interesting place to discover on the western part of Santorini island.
Day 8: Departure
On the departure day we will bring you back to the airport of Santorini or tho the ferry boat in Athinios harbour.
Arrival info:
The tour starts and ends on Santorini. Santorini can be reached easily by air via Athens (and in the summer directly from many European cities), or by ferry from Pireus and other islands.
If requested, we're happy to help making arrangements or include the flight / ferry to Santorini for you.
Tour type: Photography tour: photography - geology & volcanism - nature & culture
Difficulty: Easy
Group size: 1-6
Duration: 4-7 days
Dates:
Custom and group dates
Price (per person): on request
Included:
- 7 days accommodation (mid-class hotel)
- All transfers as needed on the island (except boat trips, arranged as needed)
- Half board
- Professional photographer guide and photo workshop
- Possibility to store your photos on USB-Stick (we will have our PCs in the hotel)
Tour guide:
The tour can be guided by photographer Tobias Schorr or volcanologist Dr Tom Pfeiffer who both know the island like their second home and are experienced photographers.
Santorini photo tour -7 days sample itinerary
Day 1: Photography on Santorini (arrival & 1st walk)
The church of Agios Minas
There is no particular itinerary and each tour will be different, but we will show you a sample itinerary. According to weather and light, as well as your photo preferences, we take you around the island on excursions by car, boat and usually short hikes to the most interesting and scenic locations, celebrations and whatever comes up.
Quite often, we will use the "Golden Light" in the morning, as well as the warm afternoon and evening light and the "Blue Hour", while during the day, we have time to go exploring locations and discover new facets of the island group.
After arrival (depending on your arrival time) we will do a first round walk in Ia village for your orientation and to find great spots for taking photos the next days.
Day 2: Day 2: Morning photography at Ia & sunset
Greek traditional architecture
The famous photo spot at the sunset
Evening on the sea
To get the best photos of Ia village, without crowds of tourists, we will start early in the morning. The lanes with the shops being still closed give us great opportunities for photos. We will get back to the hotel or to a nice café for our breakfast. Later we do a round tour to discover the entire island. There will be an afternoon break to relax. We will in teh late afternoon to walk to one of the best spots for taking the sunset above the Aegean Sea with the best view on Ia village. We may stay longer to take also night photos with the tripod.
Day 3: Tour to the capitol town Thira
Agios Minas church in Thira
A private terrace in Thira
View into the cladera
Even Thira town is the capitol town and the first target of all tourists, we will discover the best spots for photography. There are some nice lanes without tourist shops. We may see also the architecture of the catholic quarter or we walk along the caldera to Imerovigli. If you like, it is even possible to hike from Thira back to Ia. In spring time we can also look out for rare plants at the mountains of Mavrovouno with orchids, ideal for close up photography & macro.
Day 4: Private boat tour to the volcanic islands
The Erinia bay on Nea Kameni
Captain Sostis in a bay with thermal water
The crater lake of Palia Kameni
One of the most exciting tours is sailing with a private chartered boat to the volcanic islands in the center of the caldera. There are great opportunities for unique photos. There are the craters of Nea Kameni with beautiful lava structures. Also the colors of the thermal springs flowing into the deep blue sea are amazing. With our friend Sostis we can visit places, the other mass-tourism-boats can not reach. In his island Palea Kameni, we will see the beautiful crater lake, his goats and have great landscapes in sight.
Day 5: The cliffs of Vlyhada &
The sun over the pumice rocks of Vlyhada
Window in the pumice rocks
The coast of Vlyhada
There are great spots for landscape photography and one of the most impressive places is the coast line of Vlyhada with its huge rocks of pumice. Also there are many details at the beach for macro photography. If there is still time and interest, a little walk to the ancient cemetery of Perissa is possible. There are a lot of interesting places for photography around...
Day 6: The villages Pyrgos and Emporio
A little lane in Pyrgos village
Chapel in Emporion
Inside the castle of Emporio
The village of Pyrgos on a mountain top is ideal for overviews over all the caldera. There are nice lanes and chapels. Later we may do a hike down to the castle like village of Emporio with many opportunities for architecture photographs. In the late afternoon we could do some nice sunset photos from the caldera near Acrotiri.
Day 7: The red beach and Acrotiri village
The famous red beach
The chapel of Agios Nikolaos
The village Acrotiri
The red beach of Acrotiri is famous for its red volcanic rocks in which there you find also the picturesque chapel Agios Nikolaos. If you like, also a visit of the prehistoric excavation of Minoan Acrotiri is possible. If you like hiking, there are many interesting place to discover on the western part of Santorini island.
Day 8: Departure
Flight over Santorini
AAerial view of the caldera
Aegean Airlines is one of the best airlines to get to Santorini
On the departure day we will bring you back to the airport of Santorini or tho the ferry boat in Athinios harbour.
Prices for tours at custom dates: on request
Included:
- 7 days accommodation (mid-class hotel)
- All transfers as needed on the island (except boat trips, arranged as needed)
- Half board
- Professional photographer guide and photo workshop
- Possibility to store your photos on USB-Stick (we will have our PCs in the hotel)
Not included:
- Flight / ferry to and from Santorini (can be included on request)
- Boat trips if needed / wanted
- Lunch (usually light snacks)
- Additional drinks
- Personal equipment
Additional info:
Physical requirements:
The level of physical effort is variable and can be adapted to each group.
While most locations for best photo shoots are easily accessible by car and on short walks, some of the more hidden corners of the island with very interesting and scenic locations are only available if you're prepared for hikes of 1-2 hours, sometimes on uneven steep trails.
Arrival info:
The tour starts and ends on Santorini. Santorini can be reached easily by air via Athens (and in the summer directly from many European cities), or by ferry from Pireus and other islands.
If requested, we're happy to help making arrangements or include the flight / ferry to Santorini for you.
"Thanks for making our visit a great experience" (Larray & Linda from Oregon about the tour on Santorini)
Feedback from our guests
The small group, guided by Tobias Schorr
The cinder cone and red beach at Acrotiri.
Often, we receive very nice cards or other small signs of appreciation after a tour has ended. Here's an example from our recent tour tour on Santorini in May 2019. More photos of the tour you can find here Tour Photos.
"Dear tom,
Thanks a lot for great cooperation : travel agent called us to say guests had an outstanding tour with a wonderful guide J
All the best."
Olivier Jeannier
Agent de voyages Sales & Operations Specialtours & Groups
Tourisme Pour Tous
Myriam from France about our recent tour on Santorini
Les ponces de l'éruption Minoenne
Chèvre sur Palea Kameni
Le groupe avec des amis
"Bonjour de France, enfin du soleil ici pas le même que celui de Santorin bien sûr, mais c'est toujours agréable.
Le retour en France a été difficile après avoir vécu une semaine hors du commun dans un décor extraordinaire. Je remercie Tobias et toi pour votre façon de partager votre passion et de nous faire entrer dans cet univers décalé avec la vie "normale" de tous les jours.
J'ai apprécié la découverte géologique de l'île, l'initiation à la compréhension de la formation de l'île et des volcans, les rencontres avec des gens simples mais de caractère de Santorin.
Le temps s'est arrêté pendant une semaine et je garde des souvenirs d'odeurs, de couleurs, de plats partagés avec le groupe.j'ai revu les photos prises pendant le voyage, les couleurs et les paysages étaient tellement extraordinaires que les résultats sont surprenants même avec mon simple appareil photo. J'aimerais envoyer les photos de groupe prises dans la taverne de nicolas à "yurgos", peux-tu m'envoyer leur adresse?Egalement j'aimerais commander le livre de Walter Friedrich, mais je n'ai pas noté l'éditeur.Merci pour ces renseignements.
Bonne continuation dans tes voyages
ps: quelques photos jointes... Myriam" (Myriam T., Orléans)
Margrit from Potsdam about the Faszination Volcano tour on Santorini (Oct 09)
"Hallo Tom,
wieder einmal war es sehr schön auf Santorin und ich möchte mich für alles bedanken. Die Organisation, unser Hotel und die vielen neuen Eindrücke, welche du uns vermittelt hast sind kaum in Worte zu fassen. Vor allem aber danke, dass ich noch so kurzfristig teilnehmen konnte.
Eure Touren sind schon etwas Besonderes und mit viel Esprit, sehr persönlichen Einsatz, so dass man sich sofort wohlfühlt und immer gern wiederkommt.
Herzliche Grüße, Margrit" (Margrit from Potsdam, Faszination Volcano tour)
Gudrun from Dresden about the "Fascination Volcano" Tour in October 2009
"Hallo Tom,
nochmals vielen herzlichen Dank an Dich und die anderen für die schöne gemeinsame Woche mit dem gelungenen Mix aus Natur und Kultur, Sonne, buntem Stein und blauem Meer, Wandern und Neues Lernen, ein bisschen Anstrengung und Genuss!
... Weiterhin viel Glück bei allen Euren Unternehmungen und herzliche Grüße - Gudrun"
Sandra from California about the "Fascination Volcano" tour on Santorini:
"...Somehow I missed Tobias' link to photos and, fortunately, saw it through your note. Just finished looking at each image. Now, I"m exhausted! Stunning, and brings back keen memories, indeed. A whirling, dizzying journey to a version of Santorini unknown to most travelers. From moment we dropped luggage at Aktori to wine-tasting, to walk between villages, to our magical boat trips, to trek around caldera ledge, to climb up limestone mt., to smoking sulpher, to ancient city of Thira, to dreamy soups, best goat cheese, limpets and baklava...on and on. Tom and Tobias, our intrepid, ever-onward guides are a terrific team. Such compatibility among group of 17--wondrous again. How lucky was that??
Crazily, I just returned from 12 days in China...thus, a combo Greece/China 5-week adventure to savor and treasure. From yogurt, white villages & volcanoes to noodles, mountain temples & cave grottos. All intrigue and mystery and contrasts galore...
Best hugs,
Sandie"
Valerie's feedback from the trip on Santorini, May 2009
"Dear Tom & Tobias. Thank you for our remarkable trek in Santorini and Methana--for the beautiful memories and breathtaking photos.
... Coming home to Tobias' pictures gave me time to slow down and appreciate the remarkable experience we had.
I braved edges with Tom's help, jumped on boats with swirling seas (Daphne said I landed, elephant like, on poor Steve flattening him). ... The views took my breath away. ... Remember the oasis where we drank fresh squeezed orange juice and cake? I doubt whether juice will ever taste that good again. ... Little did I know that a bonus to our trip was the leader's desire for good food--and wine-- at the end of the day.
I have new appreciation for magma, volcanic bombs, the beauty of the caldera, smoking sulphur, adjectives that describe volcanic formations and olive trees found preserved in volcanic ash.
Thank you Tom and Tobias for a remarkable experience, and for your good choice in participants. It was a great group. Valerie" (Fascination Volcano, Santorini tour)
"... This was one of those wonderful adventures that we loved at the time, but loved even more as we looked back at all of the places we'd been, the lovely people we met, the great bond we developed. And......a birthday - high atop a volcano - that I will remember forever!
...Many hugs, Daphne" (D. Lewis, Washington, Santorini tour)
"Hi Tom,
This trip had everything! It was so much better than the standard tourist trip to Santorini (we felt so superior the folks who arrived on the 10 story floating skyscrapers and who apparently devoted their time on the island to shopping!). The hikes were good exercise, but with your encouragement to the less athletic among us, not too tough. We got to see so many parts of the island that most visitors don't get to see. And our reward for energetic hiking was delicious food, and lots of it. I appreciated that we got to eat a whole variety of local foods and wines which do not appear on the conventional menus of Greek restaurants in the U.S. I ate like a champ but didn't gain any weight!
I particularly appreciated the interpretation of the geology that you provided. On the way to the airport, you asked what was my favorite thing we did. I liked all the hikes, and especially the accomplishment of doing so much in a short time, but the big thrill, I think, was visiting the small geology museum in Perissa and seeing the critically significant preserved olive tree that you discovered and having you tell us about the find. Thanks for a really wonderful experience!" (Linda K, Olympia (WS), Santorini May 09)
"Hallo, Tom Zuerst vielen Dank für die tollen Photos, ich zeigte sie auch Helene und wir schwelgten wieder in Erinnerungen an unsere gemeinsamen Ferien. Es war eine wirkliche lehrreiche und zur gleichen Zeit auch sportliche Reise gewesen. Vor allem wurden auch unsere grauen Zellen aktiviert........
Auch über die Organisation muss ich Dir noch nachträglich ein grosses Lob aussprechen!!!!!
Irgendwann werde ich wieder eine Reise mit Deiner Organisation durchführen. Ich habe ja Einiges lesen können ( sites internet). Ich wünsche Dir eine schöne Adventszeit sowie natürlich auch vielleicht ruhige Weihnachten und einen tollen Rutsch ins Jahr 2009, sowie weiterhin viel Erfolg auf Deinen Reisen.
Und vielleicht irgendwann einmal wieder ?! Alles Liebe und Gute Uta" (
Fasination Vulkan, Santorin - Okt. 08)
"Tom, I'm thinking you might be on your way to Krakatau now -- I hope you all have a great trip. We had such an excellent time on our Santorini tour and I keep going back to your web site to figure out which volcano tour I want to try next... " (Jill, USA)
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Thanks again, Tom, for
this great week in Santorini.
Thanks for your competency, your kindness, your support in all situation. Thanks for the ouzo, the orange juice, the wine ...Keep in touch, Marie-Paule (
Fascination Volcano, Santorini)
 One of the participants sent us this nice spostcard she made herself.  Sacred Sites in Greece 2007 tour - hand-made postcard. |
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"Bonsoir Tom,
Merci pour les photos de Santorin qui sont magnifiques! Et encore
félicitations pour l'organisation de ce voyage. Quand on revoit les photos et le film qu'a fait Yvon, on se rend compte qu'on a non seulement
bien vu l'aspect Géologie de cette île, mais aussi l'aspect humain... Bonne continuation (les Suisses disent "bonne suite")
und alles gute. Nathalie et Yvon" (
Santorini tour, Sep. 2006)
"Un
très grand merci, Tom. Quel plaisir de revivre ces moments fabuleux grâce à tes photos ! J'espère que ton périple italo-sicilien se déroule aussi bien que le nôtre et je te redis ma reconnaissance pour la
qualité de l'organisation et les commentaires dont tu nous a fait bénéficier. Cordialement, Geneviève" (
Santorini tour, Sep. 2006)
Pirgos village on (Greek Easter) Good Friday (21 April 2006)
"Hi Tom, Now that we are back home, I wanted to thank you for your patience in showing us so many different aspects of Santorini: the history of volcanic eruptions and geology, local wine and food, Easter pageants, great walks and views, ancient excavations, etc. We enjoyed our stay very much! ... please give our regards to Koula and her family. We really appreciated that they invited us to share their fabulous Easter meal with them. It was very kind of Tobias to meet us for an evening on such short notice. ... Viele herzliche Gruesse Ursula and Bill" (May 2006, Ursula & Bill from Canada)
"Hi Tom,
just a note to thank you for a great tour in October, it was great fun and I learned much, the food and company were excellent, the whole experience was fantastic. I see I even made it to the picture gallery! I have been busy with the thin sections, and have attached a few photos for you to look at. As is often the case ones that you expect to be good are disappointing, e.g. Cape Riva Ignimbrite, while Dacite, which looks to be just glass, shows a lot of structure, flow aligned crystals and good zoned feldspar and pyroxene. The sale of slides seems to be going well and I have stared a ‘shop’ on ebay http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Geosec-Slides which is difficult to keep stocked as they sell so quickly. The fund for future collecting expeditions is growing nicely! ... Once again thanks for October, send my regards to your Mother, and have a happy Christmas. Rob" (UK, Dec. 2005)
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Some nice words from a mixed group on Santorini ... (French, English, German speaking)
"Thank you Tom for a wonderful week of discovery & wonderful surprises! Judith."
Lunch break on the volcano of Santorini (1)
Lunch break on the volcano of Santorini (2)
"Dear Tom
Many thanks for a wonderful trip to Santorini, it was great! Hope things go well at the conference. Well, I said I would send you the octopus photos so here they are, hope they don't clog your mailbox I have no zip function on this computer! All the best Ann" (Newcastle, UK)
"Hi Tom, Thanks again for the super week on Santorini! It really was the experience I expected and I would heartily recommend your trip to anyone interested in combining a holiday on the Greek islands with geologically fascinating day walks. Well done!" (Bob Davenport, Germany)
"…I am so pleased to tell you about Tom's Santorini tours! My preference for travel is to be "as close to the ground" as possible. By that I mean I avoid tourist areas and really look for unusual or cultural/educational experiences.
Tom's tours are both intimate and professional. Tom is an expert in not only volcanic activity past and present, but he is also an expert on Greek life and culture. He knows the people, and they love him. Because Tom has lived in Greece for several months of the year for several years, he is well known and appreciated by the locals. This appreciation for Tom and the people he brings on his tours is rewarded by the community with absolute joy in service. For example, the last night of the tour we had a meal at a taverna on a beach. The restaurant gave us each a choice of anything on the menu. We were treated to amazing traditional Greek food, from small fish to hardbread, feta and olives, and amazing desserts. All of this was served in casual fashion on a makeshift outdoor patio almost in the sea! (not quite)
My favourite day was the trip to the volcano. We boarded a small boat and were transported to the volcano by the most humerous and typically Greek character, Sostas. Sostas is a friend of Tom's and can be seen on the Discovery show featuring Tom and Sostas and this tour. We landed on the volcano and Tom explained its history and answered any questions we had. We then swam in the volcanic waters at Sostas's house as Sostas prepared a traditional fish soup, hardbread, feta made from the goats that wander around the hills surrounding Sosta's property, olives, ect. An absolutely marvelous day. I must point out local tours to the volcano generally involve large boats with hoards of tourists who are dropped off and picked up with no explanation of the volcanic activity or history. Tom ensures a personal and educational cultural experience." (Shelly Logan, Canada)
"Hello Tom, I send our last Bulletin because there is one article on the excursion Santorini. I profit to thank you again very much for the way you lead this tour all the people were very happy." (Pierre Vetsch, Société Vulcanologique de Genève, SVG) - the report (in French) is found in the Bulletin Nr. 45 of the SVG.
Extract of the bulletin report mentioned above, referring to the Oct. 2004 tour: "...L’histoire de Calliste (le très beau nom donné à cette île par les anciens Grecs) est extraordinairement bien inscrite sur les flancs de sa caldeira (plutôt des restes de ses caldeiras successives). Des évidences ont été trouvées pour au moins 4 caldeiras, suite à autant d’éruptions explosives. La dernière, la Minoenne, date de 1645 BC. Elle est gravée dans la mémoire de l’humanité... tellement elle est récente ! C’est tout cela, et bien d’autres choses encore, que nous sommes allés admirer (et tenté de comprendre) au cours de ce voyage.
Le magicien dans cette affaire, c’est Tom Pfeiffer, géologue-volcanologue mandaté par notre président pour nous accompagner. Tom a parfaitement répondu à notre attente. Passionné, attentif, pédagogue, à l’humour taquin, volontiers francophone, il nous a fait découvrir les secrets de cette île en sept jours bien remplis. Je parlerai plus loin de son parcours professionnel..." (Jean-Maurice Seigne, Genève, Switzerland)
