Santorini: Small-Group Highlights Tour of Venetian Castles

Santorini’s rich Venetian heritage comes alive on this captivating small-group tour. Visitors can explore picturesque villages, discover ancient ruins, and unwind at a volcanic beach – all while seeing the island’s captivating history. With an optional interactive music show and the chance to witness the famous Oia sunset, this tour offers a well-rounded experience that caters to diverse interests. Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or simply seeking a memorable day in Santorini, this highlights tour promises to reveal the island’s enchanting charm in a intimate, engaging manner.

Key Points

• This 8-hour small-group tour showcases Santorini’s Venetian architectural legacy, including visits to Pyrgos Kallistis, Megalochori, Akrotiri, Emporio, and Oia.

• The tour offers guided explorations of Venetian castles and villages, a winery visit, and an optional interactive music show in Megalochori.

• Guests can relax at Perivolos volcanic black sand beach and witness the famous sunset in Oia, complementing the cultural and historical experiences.

• The tour includes hotel pickup/drop-off, a live guide, and a wine tasting, with free cancellation available up to 24 hours in advance.

• The tour is suitable for adults, children, and infants, with moderate walking involved and seasonal variations for certain stops.

Tour Overview and Details

Offering a comprehensive exploration of Santorini’s Venetian castles, this 8-hour small-group tour provides visitors with a captivating glimpse into the island’s rich history and cultural heritage.

Priced at €2,254 per person, the tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a live English-speaking guide, and various stops at key sites like Pyrgos Kallistis, Megalochori, Akrotiri, Emporio, and the iconic Oia.

Travelers can expect a moderate level of walking, with the option to visit a winery and attend a concert in Megalochori.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance is available for a full refund, making this tour a flexible and enticing choice for those seeking to uncover Santorini’s Venetian legacy.

Itinerary Highlights

This comprehensive tour takes visitors on a captivating journey through Santorini’s Venetian heritage, with a carefully curated itinerary that showcases the island’s most remarkable castles and sites.

The tour begins with a guided exploration of the picturesque village of Pyrgos Kallistis, followed by a visit to Megalochori, where guests can optionally attend a concert featuring handmade instruments.

Next, the tour stops at Akrotiri for a photo opportunity and guided tour, before heading to the volcanic black sand beach of Perivolos for a relaxing break.

The itinerary then continues with a guided walk through the charming village of Emporio and a visit to a local winery for a self-guided tour and wine tasting.

The tour culminates with a photo stop in Firostefani and a visit to the iconic sunset destination of Oia.

Venetian Castle Discoveries

Amidst the picturesque villages of Santorini, visitors embark on a captivating journey to uncover the island’s Venetian architectural legacy.

The tour takes them to the historic Emporio, where they’ll explore the Venetian Castle and its cobbled streets.

Next, they’ll visit the well-preserved Akrotiri, a former Venetian settlement, for a guided photo stop.

The highlight of the excursion is the guided tour of the Pyrgos Kallistis, a stunning Venetian Castle that offers panoramic vistas of the island.

Interactive Music Show

During the Highlights Tour, visitors are treated to an interactive music show in the charming village of Megalochori. This optional activity allows guests to participate in a lively performance using handmade traditional instruments.

Skilled local musicians guide participants through the rhythms and techniques, creating an engaging, hands-on cultural experience. The music show lasts approximately 75 minutes and incurs an additional fee.

Visitors can expect to learn about Santorini’s musical heritage while actively contributing to the music-making. This unique activity provides an opportunity to take in the island’s vibrant cultural traditions in an interactive and memorable way.

Volcanic Beach Relaxation

The volcanic black sands of Perivolos Beach provide a tranquil haven for visitors to unwind and rejuvenate during the Highlights Tour.

After exploring the Venetian Castles, guests can indulge in a leisurely 1.5-hour break at this picturesque beach. They can either relax on the soft, dark sand or take a refreshing swim in the clear, Aegean waters.

The tour’s flexible schedule allows ample time for visitors to savor a delicious local lunch, stroll along the charming seaside promenade, or simply soak up the serene atmosphere.

This leisurely interlude offers a welcome respite from the tour’s active itinerary, leaving guests rejuvenated and ready to continue their discovery of Santorini’s iconic landmarks.

Famous Sunset in Oia

The highlight of the Highlights Tour is the visit to the picturesque village of Oia, renowned for its breathtaking sunset views.

Guests will have 80 minutes to explore the charming streets, browse the shops, and find the perfect spot to witness the sun dipping below the horizon.

The tour guide will provide a brief overview of Oia’s history and architecture, ensuring visitors make the most of their time.

With its whitewashed buildings, blue-domed churches, and stunning caldera vistas, Oia offers an unforgettable sunset experience that’s the perfect culmination to this comprehensive Santorini tour.

Inclusions and Exclusions

The tour’s inclusions cover hotel pickup and drop-off, a group tour, wine tasting, a tour escort, air-conditioned minivan transport, and local taxes.

However, the tour excludes lunch, food and drinks, tips, and the optional entrance fee to the Symposion, which is 13 EUR.

Comfortable shoes and swimwear are recommended, and guests should notify the supplier of their hotel name and location at booking.

Moderate walking is expected during the tour.

The Symposion visit is only available from April to October, and Firostefani isn’t visited in October due to shorter days.

The tour is suitable for adults, children, and infants, but not for pregnant women or wheelchair users.

Important Information

Comfortable shoes and swimwear are recommended for the tour, as moderate walking is expected during the day.

Guests should notify the supplier of their hotel name and location at the time of booking.

The tour is suitable for adults (18-99), children (4-17), and infants (3 and younger), but not for pregnant women or wheelchair users.

The Symposion visit is available from April to October, and the Firostefani photo stop isn’t included in October due to shorter daylight hours.

The key things to remember are:

1. Wear comfortable shoes and swimwear.
2. Provide hotel details when booking.
3. Suitable for most ages, but not pregnant women or wheelchair users.
4. Symposion visit and Firostefani photo stop have seasonal variations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Maximum Group Size for This Tour?

The tour has a small group size, though an exact maximum is not specified. The description indicates it’s a small-group tour, allowing for a more intimate and personalized experience compared to larger group tours.

Can I Request a Private Tour Instead of a Small Group?

Yes, customers can request a private tour instead of a small-group tour. Private tours offer more personalized attention and flexibility, though they typically cost more than small-group tours. Customers should inquire with the tour provider about availability and pricing for a private option.

Is There an Option to Visit Other Sites Not Mentioned in the Itinerary?

There may be options to visit additional sites not mentioned in the standard itinerary, but these would likely come at an extra cost and require advance arrangements with the tour operator. Travelers should inquire about customization possibilities.

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Tour?

Participants can bring their own food and drinks on the tour, but they’re not included in the tour price. The tour includes hotel pickup, transportation, and other specified services, but any additional expenses like meals are the responsibility of the participants.

Are There Any Discounts or Special Offers Available for This Tour?

There are no special offers or discounts mentioned for this tour. However, the tour does offer free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, which could provide some flexibility in planning.

Recap

This tour offers a captivating glimpse into Santorini’s Venetian heritage. Visitors can explore picturesque villages, visit the Akrotiri archaeological site, and unwind at Perivolos Beach. The optional music show and iconic Oia sunset further enhance the experience. With a small group size, this tour provides a personalized and immersive way to discover the island’s rich history and natural beauty.