Sunset Cruise- Santorini, Greece

As I have mentioned a time or two (or ten), I do love a scenic cruise. It is hard to beat a few hours out on the water, under the warm summer sun. Gentle ocean breezes, cool drinks, and wide open water. I seek these excursions out, and will take them whenever I can. I have yet to be disappointed, except when we got bumped off the boat in Hawaii due to overbooking. I am still salty about that. However, perhaps the best cruise I have ever taken departed from the Greek island of Santorini; it spent several hours exploring the archipelago’s bays and volcanoes, before literally sailing off into the sunset. It really does not get much better than that.

Your journey begins with a steep 220 meter cable car decent down from Fira to Old Port, where you catch your cruise. You can elect to hoof it down on a donkey if you are feeling more traditional, but the cable car, at three minutes, is much quicker. Soon, you are sailing across the Aegean sea, en route to Nea Kameni, an active volcanic island just off the coast of Santorini.

It is a stark, barren, steaming island, with little protection from the blazing sun. It is also unbelievably beautiful, and will excite anyone who loves geology. You have about an hour on the island, which is more than enough time to hike to the top of the 130 meter crater, and appreciate the fact you are standing on an active volcano. Bring lots of water, and shade if you can find it.

After exploring the basalt beauty, you’re on your way to the small bay of Agios Nikolaos, where the boat drops anchor, and you dive into the sea. This feels unbelievable after the previous stop’s hot hike. A short swim brings you to the shallow waters of Palia Kameni, a hot spring renowned for its healing properties. I can’t swear to that, but it is obscenely beautiful and relaxing.

Back on the boat it is time to sit back, grab a drink, and watch the stunning scenery unfold. You are surrounded by ports, perched cities, and millions of years of geology. Again, it doesn’t get much better than this.

You’ll spend about another hour sailing the seas before turning into the sun. It will surely be a day you’ll never want to end, and one of your memorable sunsets ever.