...We'd like to say a big thank-you to you all for being such excellent companions during our stay on such a wonderful island. Also a special thank-you to Tobias for being such a understanding and helpful guide for a really wonderful week. A. Frazer, October 2010
The spring at Plaka (c)Tobias Schorr
Chapel at Ia (c)Tobias Schorr
The red beach (c)Tobias Schorr
The bay of Nea Kameni (c)Tobias Schorr
View ofer Nea Kameni (c)Tobias Schorr
View to Palea Kameni (c)Tobias Schorr
Thermal bay (c)Tobias Schorr
Arrival at Palia Kameni (c)Tobias Schorr
Crater lake on Palia Kameni (c)Tobias Schorr
Orchid (c)Tobias Schorr
Spring flowers (c)Tobias Schorr
Santorini is one of the most well-known and beautiful islands not only of Greece, but the whole world. Despite its popularity, it still has many hidden treasures to discover.
On this relaxed walking tour, we lead you through its volcanically-shaped landscapes away from the beaten tracks. Normally guided by photographer Tobias Schorr, we have time to take photographs and notice the little details, such as minerals, rare animals and plants and prehistoric remains.
You will find time to meet local people and get to know true Greek hospitality - Tobias who has lived many years in Greece has many friends on the island and knows the country better than anyone.
As an enthusiastic geology and mineralogy fan, he also makes the tour a great introduction to Santorini's fascinating geologic history and its connection to Ancient (Minoan) and modern culture and history.
- Nature (many rare kinds of plants & animals)
- In spring time: Rare orchids!
- Archaeological sites
- Volcanological sites
- Rare minerals
- Beautiful villages
- Contact with local people
- Boat-trip to the active volcano island Nea Kameni and a visit of the active craters
8 days itinerary Santorini
Day 1: Arrival on Santorini
Arrival at Santorini airport and transfer to our hotel Anemomilos in Ia village or to one of our partner hotels in Acrotiri village. Group dinner in the evening.
Acc.: Nice family run hotel in the most beautiful village of Santorini - Ia. Alternative hotel in Acrotiri village near the excavations.
Day 2: Caldera walking
Spectacular walk along the caldera from Fira to Oia. On this tour you have great opportunities for taking photographs. Also you will get a first introduction to the geology of the island.
Acc.: Hotel in Ia or Acrotiri
Day 3: Visit of the castle of Emporio
Visit of the pittoresque village of Emporio
Acc.: Acc: hotel in Ia or Acrotiri (breakfast, dinner)
Day 4: The read beach & Acrotiri peninsula
Walking tour from the village Akrotiri to the red beach, along the coast and to the cape of Arotiri. Discover the oldest volcanics and - if you are lucky - of rare minerals!
Acc.: hotel in Ia or Acrotiri
Day 5: From Pirgos to Ancient Thira and Perissa beach
Tour to the ancient acropolis of Thira and down to the beach of Perisa or Kamari. You will start at the best time to have the ancient highlights in best light!
Acc.: hotel in Ia or Acrotiri
Day 6: Boat trip to the volcano islands
The most fascinating tour with a private charterd boat to the volcanic islands Nea & Palea Kameni in the centre of the Santorini caldera. We have time to explore the volcanic centres of the youngest Greek island. Also you will meet the only man who lives on Palea Kameni island.
Acc.: hotel in Ia or Acrotiri
Day 7: Free day
This day is reserved for relaxing, shopping, bathing or for optional common activities
Acc.: Hotel in Ia or Akrotiri
Day 8: Departure from Santorini
Transfer to the airport Santorini and departure
Acc.: Hotel in Ia
Arrival info:
This tour starts and ends on Santorini.
Tour code: SAN_PAS
Tour type: Walking & study tour: nature & culture - geology & volcanism - archaeology
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Group size: 6-8
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Dates:
16-23 May 2020 19-26 Sep 2020 3-10 Oct 2020
Price (p.p.): 1480 €
Included:
- Accommodation in double room
- Half-board
- All transfers on Santorini
- Entrance fees
Tour guide:
The tour is normally guided either by German volcanologist Dr. Tom Pfeiffer or photographer Tobias Schorr. Both have been traveling on Santorini for more than 20 years and know the island better than even most local people and are well connected there.
Tom finished his PhD studies about the great Minoan eruption of Santorini. He made the important discovery of a 3600 year-old olive tree buried alive in the pumice deposit that now can be seen in the small geological museum in Perissa.
It allowed the so-far most precise dating of one of the most significant natural event in the Bronze age (to 1613+-13 years BC).
His friend Tobias, with whom Tom alternates on this tour, is a true specialist for Greece in general: its culture and history, people, flora, fauna and of course geology. He is legendary for his good eye and often discovering rare minerals, plants, animals, or hidden archeological artifacts during the various excursions.
8 days itinerary Santorini
Day 1: Arrival on Santorini
The hotel Anemomilos
The hotel GuilelmosThe hotel Acrotiri
The hotel Acrotiri
Arrival at the airport of Santorini JTR and transfer to the hotel in the beautiful village Ia or at Acrotiri. 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 through the beautiful lanes of Ia village or around Acrotiri.
Optional: Arrival at Athinios harbour if you travel by ship.
Acc.: Nice family run hotel in the most beautiful village of Santorini - Ia. Alternative hotel in Acrotiri village near the excavations.
Day 2: Caldera walking
Spring view on the caldera
The cliffs of the Santorini caldera
An old volcanic vent near Ia village
Spectacular walk along the caldera from Fira town to Ia village. After a bus trip to the capital town of Santorini island, Fira we stroll through the narrow lanes dotted with shops and cafés. We visit the archaeological museum, where items discovered in the excavated Minoan settlement near Akrotiri are exposed. In the afternoon, we walk along the caldera back towards Oia village. There are great views into the volcano caldera that offer many motifs for unforgettable photographs. In a little café at the caldera rim we will enjoy fresh-pressed orange-juice and homemade nutcake. Our route passes by some fresh-looking volcanic cinder cones. To enjoy its famous sunset, we are back in Oia village. (Breakfast, Dinner in Anemomilos restaurant)
Acc.: Hotel in Ia or Acrotiri
Day 3: Visit of the castle of Emporio
Church in Emporio
Chapel on the path to Emporio
The hidden chapel in the fields
At this hiking tour we will visit the beautiful mountain village Pyrgos with its nice chapels and view to the caldera. Later we will choose a little path to Emporion.
The village of Emborio is one of the most beautiful castle villages on Santorini and ideal for taking photographs. We have time to stroll through its lanes and later we may walk also to the windmill hill near the village.
Acc.: Acc: hotel in Ia or Acrotiri (breakfast, dinner)
Day 4: The read beach & Acrotiri peninsula
The prehistoric ruins of Akrotiri
The village Akrotiri
The faous red beach
The highlight of the Santorini island is of course the Minoan town that was excavated near the village Acrotiri. Before entering the excavation site, Tobias Schorr will prepare you with all the important information to enjoy the site. There you will discover prehistoric buildings, lanes, kitchen vessels and many items dating back to 1627 B.C. We will walk along the coast line to the famous “red beach” with its cinder cone. Depending on weather conditions, we will walk up to the village of Acrotiri or hike to the western part of the Acrotiri "peninsula". Later return to our hotel in Ia or Acrotiri. (breakfast, dinner)
Acc.: hotel in Ia or Acrotiri
Day 5: From Pirgos to Ancient Thira and Perissa beach
The Stephanos chapel at Ancient Thera
The eagle in the Artemidoros sanctuary
The dolphin in the sanctuary of Artemidoros
We will get direct to Kamari village to ascend to the excavation of ancient Thira to catch the best morning light for the famous Artemidoros sanctuary. Later on, we walk down to the black sand beach of Perissa, where we can get refreshments and / or swim in the sea. The bus will take us back to our hotel in the late afternoon.(B, D)
Acc.: hotel in Ia or Acrotiri
Day 6: Boat trip to the volcano islands
The erinia bay on Nea Kameni island
The Georgios crater
The little crater lake on 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 Acrotiri in the afternoon.(B, D).
Acc.: hotel in Ia or Acrotiri
Day 7: Free day
The Christiana volcanoes
At the southwest cape of Santorini
Sunset at Ia
Free day for relaxing or for spontaneous activities with the group. Time for shopping in Fira or Ia, too. Also a day for doing tours that could not be done due to bad weather conditions or other causes.
In the evening, we meet once again for a delicious group dinner (B, D)
Acc.: Hotel in Ia or Akrotiri
Day 8: Departure from Santorini
Aerial view over the caldera of Santorini
Aerial view to the volcano Nea Kameni
Evening flight from Santorini to Athens
This tour ends with the transfer to the airport (optional port of Athinios harbour if you arrived by ship) or your private tour extension. It is also possible to connect this tour with a private journey to the neighbour islands Milos, Naxos or Paros.
Acc.: Hotel in Ia
| Dates |
Status |
Price p.p. (€) |
SRS (*) |
Group size |
| 16-23 May 2020 |
space available |
1480 € |
150 € |
4-8 |
| 19-26 Sep 2020 |
space available |
1480 € |
150 € |
4-8 |
| 3-10 Oct 2020 |
space available |
1480 € |
150 € |
4-8 |
| (*) Single room supplement |
Prices for tours at custom dates: on request
Included:
- Accommodation in double room
- Half-board
- All transfers on Santorini
- Entrance fees
Not included:
- Travel to Santorini
- Single room supplement if requested
- Lunch outside the hotel
- Alcoholic Drinks
Additional info:
Physical requirements:
Normal good physical condition is required and you should have some experience walking on unpaved trails in hot, dry climate. The hikes on tours range between 1 and 5 hours, but include frequent and sometimes longer breaks and the pace of walking is very relaxed.
Arrival info:
This tour starts and ends on Santorini.
"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)
