- 9-days combination walking & study tour to Santorini and Milos Islands, Greece -
The famous Sarakiniko bay on Milos
Little chapel on top of Pyrgos village
The Venetian castle and village Akrotiri
The famous "red beach" volcano
A bay with thermal sources on Nea Kameni island
The crater lake on Palea Kameni island
Sunset over Milos
The ancient theatre of Milos
One of the huge mines on Milos
The manganese mine Vani on Milos
Rare orchids can be discovered in spring time
The bay of the former sulphur mine
Sulphur deposits at Paliochori beach
A rare quartz crystall from Milos
The obsidian was one of the first industrial minerals used from Milos
A natural bridge at the north coast of Milos
The basalt columns of Glaronisia
Santorini island is no doubt one of the most famous volcanic islands in world. It is still an active volcano and the prehistoric eruption did not only harm the prehistoric Minoan culture, but created a new landscape and fascinating geological sites. The beauty of Santorini will impress you!
Milos is another great volcanic island, totally different from Santorini, but not less exciting. There are many volcanic features and great landscapes to be discovered. There are many signs, that this is also an active volcano. You will discover not only the fascinating geology, but also its beautiful nature.
- Small group
- Expert guiding
- The famous volcano of Santorini and its spectacular caldera
- Dream-like landscapes of Milos
- Prehistoric cultures
- Varied beautiful volcanic landscapes
- Signs of active volcanism
- Scenic boat tours and relaxed walking excursions
- Delicious authentic Greek food
Santorini & Milos - 9 days version
Note:
Due to unforeseen weather, ferry schedule and other conditions, the itinerary can undergo modifications on location. In particular, the order of excursions or days mentioned can be changed.
Day 1: Arrival on SantoriniArrival at Santorini airport and transfer to our hotel at Akrotiri village. Group dinner in the evening.
Acc.: Nice family-run hotel in Akrotiri village near the excavations (D)
Day 2: The Minoan excavation and the caldera walkingWe start with the famous Minoan excavation of Akrotiri, drive to Thira town, visit the prehistoric museum with items from the excavation and hike along the caldera.
Acc.: Hotel in Akrotiri
Day 3: Red Beach & Akrotiri peninsulaWalking tour from the village Akrotiri to the red beach, along the coast and to the cape of Akrotiri. Discover the oldest volcanics and - if you are lucky - rare minerals!
Acc.: as before (B, D)
Day 4: Boat trip to the volcano islandsThe most fascinating tour with a private chartered boat to the volcanic islands Nea & Palea Kameni in the center of the Santorini caldera. We have time to explore the volcanic centers of the youngest Greek island. Also you will meet the only man who lives on Palea Kameni island.
Acc.: as before (B, L, D)
Day 5: Sailing to Milos island & ancient MilosSailing from Santorini to the island of Milos and after arrival a visit of ancient Milos at Plaka village.
Acc.: hotel in Adamas (D: dinner)
Day 6: Abandoned sulfur mine and mineral beachBefore the visit of an abandoned sulfur mine on the western coast (spectacular scenery), we will visit the interesting mining museum to get an introduction, how this mine was operated.
Transfer to the paradise-like beach of Paleochori, with its hot springs, fumaroles, colorful rocks.
Lunch in a wonderful beach restaurant. Afternoon: swim break, optional 2 hour walk in the area.
Late afternoon: return to Adamas, free dinner.
Acc.: as before (B, L)
Day 7: Phylakopi - Sarakiniko - AdamasHalf-day walk along the spectacular north coast (ancient obsidian trading center of Phylakopi, Papafrankos and Sarakiniko). Picknick lunch and swim break at Sarakiniko. Return over the hills to an active fumarole at Adamas village and return to the hotel.
Acc.: as before (B, L, D)
Day 8: Spectacular boat trip around Milos and to Kimolos IslandFree day or optional boat tour around the island with its spectacular volcanic coastline (cost per person: ca 80-100 EUR). Delicious lunch on board. Free evening.
Acc.: as before (B, L)
Day 9: Return to Athens - end of tour or own extensionOur tour ends today. We recommend you to stay longer on Milos, e.g. to enjoy its fabulous beaches and explore more of this comparably large and very varied island.
If you leave, we provide transfer to the airport or port from where it is a short flight or ferry ride back to Athens.
Acc.: none (B)
Arrival info:
The tour starts at the airport of Santorini JTR and ends on Milos island
Tour code:SAN_MIL
Tour type: Walking & study tour: nature & culture - geology & volcanism - photography
Difficulty:Easy-Moderate
Group size:4-8
Duration: 9 days / 8 nights
Dates:
17-25 Apr 2021Price (p.p.): 1760 €
Included:
- Accommodation as described
- Transfers from pick-up in Santorini to departure Milos
- Boat tour on Santorini (weather depending)
- Half board, meals as indicated with B(reakfast), L(unch), D(inner)
- Drinks during meals in reasonable quantities
- Entrance fees and guided excursions as described
- Experienced guide
Tour guide:
Tobias Schorr is a German photographer and hobby-geologist with a long experience in guiding tours. He has been living for many years in Greece and did many tours to the Greek volcanoes Methana, Milos, Santorini, Nisyros and even older volcanoes like Lesvos. He is always having an eye on the small details like orchids, ancient items or even rare minerals.
Tobias Schorr with a piece of fossilized palm leaves from Santorini island.
Santorini & Milos - 9 days version
Note:
Due to unforeseen weather, ferry schedule and other conditions, the itinerary can undergo modifications on location. In particular, the order of excursions or days mentioned can be changed.
Day 1: Arrival on Santorini
The hotel Akrotiri
The hotel Acrotiri
The hotel Acrotiri
Arrival at the airport of Santorini JTR and transfer to the hotel in the beautiful village of Akrotiri. Meeting in the evening for a dinner and a first introduction to the island and our tour. If you arrive early that day, you will have time for a first stroll at the beautiful coast of Akrotiri, red beach or even the fields around.
Optional: Arrival at Athinios harbour, if you travel by ship. If you arrive a day earlier, we will give you the information, how to get to the hotel.
Acc.: Nice family-run hotel in Akrotiri village near the excavations (D)
Day 2: The Minoan excavation and the caldera walking
The golden ram from Acrotiri
The cliffs of the Santorini caldera
An old volcanic vent near Ia village
To understand the importance of the prehistoric volcano and its impact in the prehistoric culture, we start with an visit of the spectacular Minoan excavation site and discover the items, that were found, in the museum of prehistoric culture in Thira town. There we can understand, how the arts and culture of this island was forming in thousands of years until it was cut by the disastrous volcanic explosion 1627 B.C. After this historic introduction, we will stroll through the modern, touristic town of Thira and along the caldera cliffs. After a while we will leave the "touristic" sector of Thira, Firostefani and Immerovigli. The first volcanic items are our target. There are many geological interesting sites with lava, ash and former volcanic dykes. We will have a nice brake in a café and on top of one of the older volcanic cinder cones we will enjoy the sunset at a picturesque chapel over viewing Ia village.
Acc.: Hotel in Akrotiri
Day 3: Red Beach & Akrotiri peninsula
The village Akrotiri
The famous red beach
The volcanic intrusion
Akrotiri is not only famous for its excavation, but also for its picturesque "red beach", which was an old volcanic cinder cone. It is the first point of interest on our tour. We will hike up to the mountain and follow an old path to a valley with an impressive volcanic intrusion. At another one, that created a hill, we will have a break at a nice chapel. Later over some vine fields we will get to one of the best traditional taverns on Santorini with tasty local food.
Acc.: as before (B, D)
Day 4: Boat trip to the volcano islands
The erinia bay on Nea Kameni island
The Georgios crater
The crater lake Palea Kameni island
In the morning we embark on a chartered boat that will be at our disposal for all the day. From the little port of Amouthi or Apothikes (Akrotiri) we will sail to the youngest land of Greece: Nea Kameni, the still active volcano of Santorini. We will start early in the morning, avoiding the crowds and having the best light of the moon-like crater landscape. Hot gas-exhalations (so called "fumaroles") show that the magma chamber below the volcano is still active. Later, we will sail along the island to the other volcanic island Palea Kameni. Enjoying the spectacular cliffs of the caldera from the boat, we will return to Oia or Akrotiri in the afternoon.
Acc.: as before (B, L, D)
Day 5: Sailing to Milos island & ancient Milos
Aerial image of Milos (c) Tobias Schorr
The ancient theatre of Milos (c) Tobias Schorr
Volcanic obsidian glass (c) Tobias Schorr
There will be a transfer to the port of Athinios and we will sail to the island of Milos. Evening dinner in one of the restaurants of the port town Adamas. After check-in there will be a transfer to the village of Plaka. Descent to the ancient theatre and the place where the famous Venus statue has been found. On the return to Adamas, there will be exciting layers of sedimentary rocks, containing bubbles of obsidian glass. There have been huge volcanic eruptions in past and the obsidian was used for tools even 5000 years ago!
Acc.: hotel in Adamas (D: dinner)
Day 6: Abandoned sulfur mine and mineral beach
The abandoned sulfur mine (c) T. Schorr
Mine shaft (c) Tobias Schorr
The coast of Paliohori (c) Tobias Schorr
Before the visit of an abandoned sulfur mine on the western coast (spectacular scenery), we will visit the interesting mining museum to get an introduction, how this mine was operated.
Transfer to the paradise-like beach of Paleochori, with its hot springs, fumaroles, colorful rocks.
Lunch in a wonderful beach restaurant. Afternoon: swim break, optional 2 hour walk in the area.
Late afternoon: return to Adamas, free dinner.
Acc.: as before (B, L)
Day 7: Phylakopi - Sarakiniko - Adamas
The walls of Phylakopi (c) Tobias Schorr
The Saracinico bay (c) Tobias Schorr
The fumarole at Adamas
Half-day walk along the spectacular north coast (ancient obsidian trading center of Phylakopi, Papafrankos and Sarakiniko). Picknick lunch and swim break at Sarakiniko. Return over the hills to an active fumarole at Adamas village and return to the hotel.
Acc.: as before (B, L, D)
Day 8: Spectacular boat trip around Milos and to Kimolos Island
Boat tour at the Glaronisia (C) T. Schorr
The basaltic columns (c) Tobias Schorr
The bear rocks (c) Tobias Schorr
Today is a very relaxed day, with the option to spend much of the day on a boat tour around Milos' legendary coastline: we
sail around Milos' bizarre and fantastic coastlines,- likely to become an unforgettable excursion! Be sure to have plenty of film/storage media with you, since you might be using it
ALL!
A swimming break in particularly beautiful spots is included (weather and sea conditions allowing).
Highlights include Cape Vani with its impressive lava intrusions, old pillow lavas, sea caves, the white famous "Kleftiko" cliffs, made of imposing
white pumice layers where in former times, fishermen and pirates used to hide within the bizarre coastal area.
We pass the cross-section of a large volcanic pumice cone (Tsigrado) and multi-colored cliffs of hydrothermally altered volcanic rocks on Milos' southern and eastern coasts. Another highlight are the Glaronissi islands, where we can marvel at their spectacular columnar-jointed lavas, and the white pumice cliffs of Sarakiniko.
The boat tour normally costs between 80-100 EUR per person.
The evening is free (dinner not included).
Acc.: as before (B, L)
Day 9: Return to Athens - end of tour or own extension
Our tour ends today. We recommend you to stay longer on Milos, e.g. to enjoy its fabulous beaches and explore more of this comparably large and very varied island.
If you leave, we provide transfer to the airport or port from where it is a short flight or ferry ride back to Athens.
Acc.: none (B)
| Dates | Status | Price p.p. (€) | SRS (*) | Group size |
17-25 Apr 2021
(9-days version) | space available | 1760 € | 225 € | 4-8 |
| (*) Single room supplement |
Prices for tours at custom dates: on request
Included:
- Accommodation as described
- Transfers from pick-up in Santorini to departure Milos
- Boat tour on Santorini (weather depending)
- Half board, meals as indicated with B(reakfast), L(unch), D(inner)
- Drinks during meals in reasonable quantities
- Entrance fees and guided excursions as described
- Experienced guide
Not included:
- Travel to Santorini and from Milos
- Meals not mentioned as included
- Drinks
Discounts:
Returning customers receive 5% (or 8% - if you have been on at least 3 trips with us) discount on the base tour price.
Group booking discount: If at least 4 people together book this trip, 5% (additional) discount is given, combineable to a maximum of 10%.Additional info:
Physical requirements:
A good fitness and health condition for hiking on sandy, rocky and sometimes steep paths.
Arrival info:
The tour starts at the airport of Santorini JTR and ends on Milos island
"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.
Feedback Milos-Tour April 2012
Customer feedback for the Milos-Tour in April 2012
"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 tothank 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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Karen inside a spectacular cooling fracture on the volcano of Methana.
Regina, Tobias and Karen in a cafe on Poros Island, Greece (Saronic Gulf tour, Oct. 2005).
"Hi Tom, Hi Tobias, Just a very brief message to say "hello" and to thank
you for making my first encounter with Greece such a special one.
I have many fond recollections and stories to last a lifetime. ... I am slowly adjusting to life back in the states, but missing my traveling companions very much. Please send my best regards to Regina and remember too that you will always have a place to stay should you come to San Francisco. With warm regards. Karen" (San Francisco, Oct. 2005)
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)
