I've arranged an all day tour through Santorini, with a private touring company. However, I would like to compare costs. A full day's tour will run 250E for two. Each additional person is 25E. This includes any entrance fees as well as touring a winery (fee is included in tour price).

Does anyone know what the cost would be through Radisson for a full day's tour?

Is it wiser to just tour with a cab and how easy is it to find a cab?

Denise,
Here is the list of RSSC tours for the Diamond this month, maybe you can compare prices there.

Diamond Santorini excursions

Just my opinion but Santorini is one island that I think is very doable on your own. My favorite place was Akrotiri, where the ruins are just fascinating. In fact, the town and building are so well preserved, I hesitate to call them ruins.

We did the ship tour that included Akrotiri and the winery. The winery was probably the oddest excursion we have ever been on. After the tour, we were all ushered to a little room in the winery where we all watched a 1/2 hour video of psychedelic images. We all just sat there looking at each other and giggling.

If I had it to do over again, I think I would just taxi to Akrotiri (or even take the ships tour that doesn't include the winery), and spend more time exporing Fira before returning to the ship.

Can you walk to town from the port or rent a car to see more of the town?

Andi, you tender in to the area where you have your choice of a donkey or cable car to take you up the cliff to Fira :) Fira is totally walkable.

Here are some great videos you can watch of Fira, the cable car, Akrotiri and Oia.

Santorini videos

Thanks. Lots to think about. How far to Oia?

Oia is about 15 minutes away from Fira by cab. I agree with Karen, you really do not need a guide for this island, and that's a lot of money! I loved Oia. It's where you see more of the white-washed blue-domed buildings, and the views over the sea are even better than in Fira. It is also much less commercial. Oia and Akrotiri are on extreme opposite ends of the island and both worth seeing. If the guys don't mind driving, why not rent a car? You are there in off season, so the traffic will not be heavy at all.

Agree.. would take a taxi directly to Akrotiri.. but check at their website as they were closed for a while..
then just wander the town.. it's wonderful!

Thanks for the great information. I agree that there is a lot to think about.

I have heard that Akotiri is not that much of a must see. However Oia is supposed to be magnificent.

I assume that cabs are easy to come by after we dock, correct?

Denise,

We booked with Markos Taxi for a few hours. I thought about renting a car, but the person driving never gets to see as much as the passenger. (Unless they watch the sights instead of the road.) :)

If you like, I could email you the info so you could compare.

Kathy

Thanks, Kathy. Yes, I would like the information and hopefully, a contact e mail address, if available.

I believe you have my e mail address. If not, please post and let me know.

I appreciate your help.

Sounds like walking with an assist from a cab or 2 is the way to go.

Karen: What is the charge for the cable car?

Doug

Doug, I'm not Karen, but I was there last year (Voyager), and it couldn't have been much, it is only like a 5 minute climb. Much preferable to the donkey ride I did about 10-12 years ago on a land trip. The donkeys hung to the left side of the path and I often scrapped my leg on the wall, they stunk, and they vie with each other for position (like trying to nose in from behind the one you are riding). We certainly laughed alot, though! This was 6 women who had no idea, and we were ready for whatever! I think you guys just need 2 cab drivers, one to get you to either Oia or Akrotiri in the a.m., return to Fira for lunch at a wonderful restaurant overlooking the sea and some time to stroll the streets, and then go to the other in the afternoon. For the afternoon site, just be sure you make the ship, as it is off season, and there are not so many of cabs at either end of the island. I did not do the winery tour, but loved Karen's description...it sounds like one I'd like to miss, after the special one I had in Beaune many years ago at Louis Jadot! Did you know that today T&L released its World Best ratings, and Santorini was the #1 Island in Europe?

Denise: When we were there the cable car was broken - we had no choice but to ride the donkeys to the top - awful but we did laugh alot - just as Olvia explains - once we got to Fira a public bus went by and we jumped on for something like 50 cents and went to Oia...magnificent - took bus back to Fira in late afternoon had lunch and walked around - easy on your own - there were cabs around but the bus was just so simple and great people watching - joanna I cannot rem the name of the restaurant we ate at but I think Olivia knows - hangs over water and was quite good -

Denise, This is a small island; altho, very beautiful. Take the inclinator up or ride a donkey. You are right in the village of Fira (whatever) and thre are many shops & restaurants. You will see a long narrow street full of shops; turn right and after walking a bit turn left. You will see down a hill still shops, etc. There are several small car rental places there. Very cheap. Only $25 for the day. The cars are small and kind of crappy but it is fun. You really cannnot get lost on this isle. We drove to a winery and did some tasting and then to the opposite end of the island to Oia. A cute little village with houses on the cliffs and many restaurants. The drive is so pretty; and so much like driving along a country road and not much traffic. I would go for the car rental. That island is not that big to do a ship's tour. Just have fun exploring by yourselves.

Doug, Andi, Denise, et. Allen, have we convinced you yet? If not, we will continue!Denise, yes, cabs are easy to come by going. Coming back in the morning should not be a problem. Thus my warning to you about the afternoon, whereever you may be. We were there at the same time of year, and I think the cab driver that we declined to pay for the 1/2 day just figured we would be ready to come back, and came to get us!

I knew I could count on all of you for some excellent suggestions and information. Thanks, again!

Will consider all the possibilities. However, I hope the cable car is operating. Olivia's description of the donkey ride is enough for me!

It was a once in a lifetime experience - JUST ONCE - Joanna

Dear Joanna - I'll take your word for it!

Denise, Akrotiri blew us away. It is probably one of my foundest memories of site-seeing to date.

I think a car and cable car is the answer, Denise. Thank all of you wonderful LCTers.

Now, what about Rhodes? Please advise.

The name of the restaurant was Sphinx. It has a website, but I am in a rush to leave and couldn't find it with a google search. Don't bother making reservations as it is off season. Besides, if it is too cool to sit outside you might rather pick your own place.

Denise,

I totally agree with Karen about Akrotiri. You will never see anything like it. It really adds to the legend that Santorini and Atlantis are one and the same!!

Aw, come on, Denise!
Let's do the donkeys!
It has to be easier than walking on a wall!!

Doug (who chickened out on taking the donkey ride down the Grand Canyon)

Thanks, again, for all the great information and suggestions.

Doug, we don't need no stinkin' donkeys!

Donkeys stink!!!! J0anna

Thanks for confirming this, Joanna!

Case closed, Doug!

He never lets me do donkeys.

What an ass.

Trust me - your clothes will stink for days after riding the donkeys - we sent everything out to be cleaned but still thought they smelled (I am sure they didn't but we thought so)- one of the bartenders told us NOT to do it but we didn't have a choice - so Tony bought him a little stuffed donkey in Fira and gave it to him that night where it sat on the bar - he would hold his nose everytime he saw us! Joanna

So many travels, so few donkeys..

The only donkey I vividly remember was in Mexico. Pay for the slightly overcharged bottle of beer & watch the donkey grab the once openned bottle & chug it! I guess having 4 legs really helps keep one steady after heavy drinking in the Mexican sun.
(yet another reason why I do not plan to go back to Cancun)

Doug

Oh dear!! :eek: ...this donkey sounds like today's college student!

Doug, uh-oh, a LOT of us are already heading for Mexico in November on MINT. Shall we assume that because we are not going to Cancun that we are safe?

Doug,

After the donkey downed your beer, did he then allow you to "pin the tail on the donkey?"

Sorry. Long day at work.

Andi - funny! ;)

Doug - you think RSSC would allow us to bring up a donkey on the pool deck of the Mariner to demonstrate this technique? :eek:

Masaki

Me thinks you meant Denise.

I'm sure if Doug could find a way, he'd be just the guy to do it.

We could just bring Doug. RSSC would think he was a guest because I usually keep him in my room. :b:

When we were in Santorini we had planned on taking the bus to Akrotiri. Do not plan this as the schedule is not condusive to touring. Ended up taking a cab and asking the driver to wait for us. A word of caution to the ladies...use the restrooms in Fira before heading to Akrotiri.



Unless you have managed with the restrooms in Turkey (holes in floor) you will be better off in Fira. Lunch in Fira is the best. We did stop off at winery on the road back to Fira. Had a couple of bottles of wine and really enjoyed just hanging out there.



Take note when you are there of all of the cats. They are everywhere. Upon returning one of my travelmates gave me a calendar of the Cats of Santorini for Christmas. It was wonderful.



After lunch in Fira try taking the bus to Oia. The bus travels quite fast along the narrow twisting road following the crest of the volcano rim. Often times the tail of the bus is hanging over the cliff. Quite exciting :)

jeff

Jeff, I have a picture of Mark and I sitting in an outdoor tavern overlooking the bay, eating baklava and drinking wine. There is a dog asleep on Mark's feet. Ahhhh what a memory!

You are right about the cats, they appear to be plentiful on all the Greek isles!

I love the picture from Akrotiri Jeff.. thanks.. That is the most incredible place I have ever been too..by the way :
They refer to it as the Lost Continent of Atlantis..
DO not miss seeing that.
And as for the donkeys.. use the cable car up..I think it was a couple dollars?
those donkeys look like they have seen much better days....
and if you plan on walking up.. which of course is possible.. well plan on throwing out your shoes....messy...if you catch my drift...
The restaurant mentioned called Sphinx is a must..

Here's the web site www.sphinx.gr