Santorini–a natural and historical wonder–is a must-stop for any group exploring the Greek Islands. Here, Sea Cloud anchored in a flooded caldera, and guests tendered to shore to tour the remarkable hillside villages and archaeological sites of the volcanic island.
Jeff was raised in upstate New York and completed his B.A. in geography at Middlebury College in Vermont. He attained his master’s degree in water resource science at Oregon State University where his research focused on glacier hydrology in the Paci...
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Like the first day of our voyage, some improvisation occurred on our last, and the strong winds of the Aegean led us to the charming island of Poros. There, we enjoyed an unhurried morning in a typical Greek port town of shaded cafes, lively shops, and photogenic pathways draped in fragrant jasmine and bright bougainvillea. After a guided walk up to the clock tower which offered splendid views of the surrounding landscape, some of us opted for one final swim in the Saronic Gulf, while others browsed the town’s enticing shops. Back on the ship, our afternoon was once more spent sailing the lovely waters of Greece. This evening, we gathered on the lido deck for a cocktail hour hosted by Captain Sergei, followed by a sumptuous farewell dinner in Sea Cloud’ s elegant dining room. We concluded our memorable week aboard this beautiful ship sharing enlightening conversation with our fellow travelers.
The ruins of Delos are impressive, and the efforts at restoration are even more so. Bit by bit, dedicated people are working on projects in an attempt to piece back together and reveal the grandeur that was once Delos. Mount Kynthos offered a great view for the hearty few that ventured to climb the 367 feet. This made the swim off Sea Cloud upon our return all the sweeter, or would it be more in line to say saltier? A unique opportunity to climb partly up the foremast was an activity later tried by a few and watched by many. The safety harnesses were substantial, and the views breathtaking.
Swell from prior windy days had closed the port on Santorini, so we went into expedition mode, as that is what we do best! We tendered to the gondola landing and in a succession of little cable cars, up we went to the top of the cliff. The magnificent Museum of Prehistoric Thera was empty except for our intrepid explorers. The displays of wall frescos excavated from Akrotiri are beyond exceptional. To think, less than 5% of the site has been unearthed, which means treasures such as these will keep archaeologists enthralled for decades to come. We also stopped briefly at Magalochori and later to a wonderful lunch filled with Greek specialties. We enjoyed a visit at Oia for blue dome saturation and then lastly to Fira for a cable car ride down the cliffside. Our navigation out of the caldera was punctuated by a green flash sunset.
