Hi,

We are considering a cruise that will take us to Santorini on Friday, April 24. Since the next Sunday is the Greek Easter, would that mean that Friday is what we would consider "Good Friday". If so, what problems might we face with places being closed?

Also, what would be the alternatives to taking a "ship" tour of Santorini. Are their local guides? Could we plan a trip on our own? What are some "must sees"?

Thanks for the help.....Jim

depending on how you have there, I would try and get the local bus from fira (the town at the top of the cliff, where you will end up after getting off the ship) to AKROTIRI, a bronze age village which was covered and partially preserved pompeii style by the eruption. Its one of the most impressive sites I have been too, because it is very "advanced" for its time period.
The bus winds its way there, think it takes 30 minutes or so via a number of other vilages, so you get a chance to see what the isalnd is like. Apart from that just wnadering around Fira (Thera) and taking in the amazing views. You will need to decide on your method of getting from cliff bottom to top. there is a cable car (need euros), donkeys, or you can walk (best choice if you want to take lots of pictures. You can obviously choose to use two diff methods for up and down!!! going down by donkey looks PRETTY scary

Yes you will run into problems... many many things will be closed! WHy would you take a cruise during Greek easter week. Is it being offered at a bargain rate??? If so, it's probably because of the timing!! I would not risk it.

BTW, that info about Akrotiri is inaccurate. Due to scaffolding collapse Akrotiri site has been closed since fall '05 no opening date. Santorini is mainly about the caldera view.

Is there a reason you are going at that particular time of year? Why not a bit later? Weather better, more things open. ANd you ask, can you plan a trip on your own?? Of course! And it will give you a much better experience of actual Greek islands than a cruise. Fact is, Cruise is a SEA voyage, with brief stops at ports -- NOT an ISLAND experience.

THere ARE ways to travel independently, yet have an agency handle details of booking ferries, planes and hotels. What you need to decide is -- how many days do you have? What Month? What's your total budget outside of int'l air fare?
(If you want, you can PM me to help figure this out). THat will dictate what kind of itinerary is feasible. THEN you can weigh the 'must-sees'.

You have plenty of time to put together a nice trip for 2009 -- and it's a great way to while away these hot July 2008 days!

Hi Jim -My husband and I took a cruise that included Santorini a couple of years ago. We were there in June. The weather was a bit foggy in the morning but otherwise breezy and pleasant. We did do a ship tour of Pyrgos. There were only about 20 of us and it was leisurly, informative and included lunch. For Santorini itself, we just wandered on our own. It's hard to get lost and the people we met we eager to talk about themselves and give us ideas on where to go and what to see next. If you want to do the donkey ride, I suggest you go upward and use the tram to travel downward. The views are better this way. -Kim

Excuse me, for what year are you talking about?

According to internet sources:

http://www.eortologio.gr/arthra/pasxa.htm
http://www.orthodoxie.net/gr/Texte/Osterdaten_Gr.htm
http://clubs.pathfinder.gr/Arxontariki/597972

Orthodox Easter of 2009 will be on April 19 (and Holy Friday on April 17).

Stefanos

Hi,

I am talking about 2009. Thank you very much for the correction! Somehow, I was thinking that the Western Easter was the 19th, but now I realize it is the 12th. I am really looking forward to seeing Santorini as I have heard so much about it, and want to make sure we have a good day!

Again, Thanks for bringing my error to my attention.

Jim