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5+1 Activities in Santorini by Santorini Heights Luxury Suites/ Part II

Following our previous post, today we are going to examine three more activities that you can indulge in when Santorini. We are taking a closer and more detailed look to where you can go climbing in Santorini, cycling and introducing one of the latest activities in Santorini, the helicopter tours.

Climbing. If climbing is one of your favorite sports then the rock that divides Perissa and Kamari will become your new favorite spot. On the side of Perissa is where the routes that will bring you to the top of the mountain start. Note that if you do go climbing, it is advisable to start early in the morning as the sun heats up the rock as the day moves on!

Cycling. There are some organized cycling tours in Santorini provided by Santorini Adventures but you can also ask the staff of Santorini Heights Luxury Villas to rent a bicycle for you to discover the beauty of the island of Santorini on two wheels. A return cycling tour from Santorini Heights to the village of Pyrgos is good start!

Helicopter Tours. This is among the latest additions on the island’s activities list and a first class experience to see and admire Santorini from a higher point of view. You can ask the people of Santorini Heights for details on the routes and prices or you can find some info on the helicopter experience in Santorini at www.helicopter-tours-santorini.com.

Bonus activity: This is more like a Santorini Heights exclusive activity; you can enjoy a paragliding experience starting from a spot close to your suite.

Of course there are more to experience and be part of the beauty of the island through the activities that you can indulge in. You can also read some interesting information at www.santoriniheights.com/luxury-suites-location/nearby-activities , where for arrangements and details the people of Santorini Heights Luxury Suites are at your disposal to guide you through the essential Santorini experiences!

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5+1 Activities in Santorini by Santorini Heights Luxury Suites/ Part I

Santorini can be many things, but a dull island is not one of them. Apart from the beauty of the caldera and the amazing views from your luxurious suite at Santorini Heights, a whole world of thrills and intriguing activities unfolds its secrets just beneath your feet. The people of Santorini Heights Luxury Suites have plenty of exciting things to suggest and arrange for you, but before you start inquiring, here is some vital info on the wine tours, sailing and the museums available in Pyrgos village and Santorini. 

Wine Tours. You have probably heard of the world famous Santorinian Vinsanto wine. Well, Santorini has plenty more wines to be proud of! The varieties of Assyrtico, Aidani and Athiri give some of the most unique wines in the world. A complete wine tasting is offered in every winery on Santorini, whereas the closest ones to Santorini Heights Luxury Suites are the Santowines and the Venetsanos wineries. Both feature amazing caldera views and in-house shops where you can purchase their delicious wines and other local products. As for the wine itself, in your suite you will find a wine cooler for keeping your wine at the right temperature, where at our cellar, a tantalizing selection of Santorini’s best wines is waiting for you to uncork them and enjoy. 

Sailing. We move on to probably the most renowned activity in Santorini; sailing around the island. From the veranda of your Santorini Heights Luxury Suite you will get to see a lot of catamarans and traditional boats sailing around the island. Well, booking one is the easiest thing, and the people of Santorini Heights will give you all the details to guide you through this amazing experience. Itineraries include visits to the nearby island of Thirasia, the volcano where you can swim at the Hot Springs and a round trip to the whole island with stops to remote beaches like the White one. Drinks and food are available on board and we highly recommend choosing the cruises on sunset time. You will feel amazing! 

Museums. This is the best way to discover the history of the island. Let’s start with the museums of Pyrgos; The Traditional Village of Drossos Chrysos; Yesterday’s Santorini which hosts exhibits of the everyday life on the island; the Collection of Icons and Liturgical Objects next to the church of Agia Triada; these are the museums to start with. Among your museum stops, don’t leave out the museum of Prehistoric Thera and the Archaeological Museum, both located at Fira. Also, if you travel to Oia, visit the Naval History Museum for a glimpse into the rich maritime past of Santorini.

We will return with the second part of our overview of the activities in Santorini soon. Meanwhile click on www.santoriniheights.com to check out our accommodation proposals in Santorini Heights Luxury Suites!

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Santorini at the top of the world; a list-topping overview!

Santorini and worldwide lists of top travelling destinations have developed a “loving” relationship over the last few years. In every list related to top holiday destinations, honeymoon escapes or places that you simply must visit, we find the island of Santorini constantly flirting with the first positions, if not the very top one!   To begin with, the acclaimed holiday travel websites Trip Advisor and the 2016 Traveller Choice Awards placed Santorini at the very top among the best islands in Europe for 2016 and at the second place on the entire globe.  The world’s top travelling magazine Travel & Leisure and its awards for the best of travelling for 2016 could not leave out the island of Santorini, as we find the unique island where Santorini Heights Luxury Suites is located, at the second place among the best European islands and fifth on the list with the best islands in the world. When it comes to competing among the world’s most beautiful islands things can be really tough, but not for Santorini as in the Annual Reader’s Choice Awards of Condé Nast Traveller the island was among the best 20 .   Travel website Planet Ware positions Santorini at number 5 in the 16 Most Beautiful Islands on the World list, where the updated US Travel News puts Santorini at the very top of its list of the Best Islands in the World. The travel website Dot News in its list with the 10 Most Beautiful Islands places Santorini at the second place, right after exotic Maui. When it comes to themed vacations, Santorini is once again placed among the world’s top destinations, especially for an unforgettable honeymoon. The Condé Nast Traveller suggests that Santorini is among the world’s top islands for honeymooners. The countdown of Live Trading News reveals a surprise as Oia is named second most beautiful village in the world. Business Insider places Santorini on the list with the world’s top places with the best view. CNN awarded Santorini by placing its viniculture among the 15 best of the world, where Santorini find its place among wine destinations like Napa in California, US and Bordeaux in France. Well done for yet another year, gorgeous island of Santorini! If you wish to admire for yourself the reasons why Santorini is always among the most beautiful places in the world then you have to book you accommodation at the highest spot of the island; at Santorini Heights Luxury Suites! For more, click on: www.santoriniheights.com.   

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Santorini Events: “Santorini Experience”

A major sport event takes place in Santorini. The “Santorini Experience” is an event that includes sports activities such as running and swimming. 

Locals, visitors and professional athletes participate in the two days sport event in Santorini and discover the landscapes of Santorini through running and swimming as far as the volcano for a unique athletic Santorini Experience.

For further information, visit www.santorini-experience.com.

Choose Santorini Heights Luxury Suites in Santorini for your accommodation during this amazing sports event in Santorini.

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Santorini Events: Redbull Art of Motion

Athletes from all over the world are coming to Santorini every year to compete in their favorite sport. At the rooftops of Oia’s houses and mansions and with the magical scenery of the island as a backdrop you will admire the spectacle of "the art of escape running", as some call the bewildering sport of parkour. 

During the first day of October the village of Oia Santorini becomes the parkour center of the world, hosting an athletic event to remember.

For further information you can ask the people of Santorini Heights Luxury Suites in Santorini.

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Santorini Events: “Ifestia” (Volcano Fireworks Event)

(Photo Domenico Salvagnin)

This is the most impressive event happening annually in Santorini. Organized by the Municipality of Thera, the Ifestia (Volcanoes) is a fireworks spectacle that represents the volcanic eruption that devastated the island 3500 years ago.

The show is visible from every spot with a view to the caldera and the volcano and of course the Santorini Heights Luxury Villa place, Pyrgos Village in Santorini!

It is a magical night that everyone is looking forward to. Do not miss this unique night in Santorini.

(Photo Klearchos Kapoutsis)

It will be even more enjoyable if you organize a dinner with some exquisite wine to keep you company as the fireworks will paint the night skies of Santorini!

Special Tip: You can enjoy the fireworks event by a boat or a catamaran tour form the sea level just a few meters from the volcano! When: Ask reception of  Santorini Heights Luxury Villas for the time & date that this event will happen.

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Read all about the architecture of Pyrgos Village in Santorini!

Let your imagination travel you back to the medieval times, when pirates scoured the seas and the islanders lived under the constant fear of an imminent attack. In those times, the people of Santorini, in order to protect their hometowns, started building their homes next to each other, with thick outer walls that almost formed a fortress, or “Kasteli”, as it came to be known. These Kastelia stood on high grounds, had only one entrance and a watchtower – or “Goulas”, as well as some defensive measures like battlements and escape tunnels.

(Image:  Klearchos Kapoutsis)

The village of Pyrgos is what remains of its namesake Kasteli, the most modern one in Santorini with an architectural style that captures your eye from a distance, long before you reach close to it. Simple, yet imposing, with a medieval allure that seems to make time stand still. The solid wooden door that used to guard the residents guides you to the narrow alleys that wind through the tall buildings. Their walls are all joined together; their windows stare on the outer perimeter, from where the danger would come. On top of the walls between two homes there was a dome, but sadly, after the last earthquake they were demolished for safety reasons. The pristine white walls of the mansions and their hidden courtyards seem to carry the rich history and heritage of this land on their shoulders, making you feel that if you look behind them you’ll get a glimpse of some Venetian era Santorinians and maybe even a pirate ship in the horizon. The minimalistic churches of the Kasteli that served as a haven for the people in times of danger now are a reminiscence of those old rugged times and the everlasting piousness of its residents.

It’s in villages like Pyrgos where you can truly feel the origins of the Cycladic architecture, where you can feel what it was like to live in those times, where romance and nostalgia blend and seem to transcend the barrier of time. This is the village of Pyrgos, a magnificent medieval remnant that still lives and breathes, capturing the hearts of its visitors of Santorini who never stop loving it. Read more about the village of Pyrgos at www.santoriniheights.com/luxury-suites-location/pyrgos-village.

Santorini Heights Luxury Suites, Pyrgos Village Santorini

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The Natural Environment of Pyrgos village and the Santorini Heights Area!

The privileged location of Pyrgos village offers not only beautiful views across the island and the sea; it is also surrounded by the magnificence of nature which you can admire, especially in the spring and summer time, in every step you take. Wherever you are entering the village of Pyrgos from, you will notice the vineyard fields, still cultivated in the traditional way to produce the famous wine of Santorini, the Vinsanto, as well as blends made with Assyrtico, Athiri and Aidani; Pyrgos is also where the Santowines and the Chatzidakis wineries are located!

Let’s now move upwards to the top of Mesa Vouno, where the Monastery of Prophet Elias is located and the sophisticated Santorini Heights stands proudly overlooking the beautiful environment of the slopes of Mesa Vouno.

The area is protected by the Natura 2000 initiative; still you will find fields in berms all around the slopes of the mountain. In these fields besides vines, delicious sweet cherry tomatoes of Santorini and the notorious fava beans are still grown every year with love and care by the local producers. At the fields around Pyrgos you will also find numerous varieties of mushrooms.

Tip: You can ask the people of Santorini Heights Luxury Suites to stock up your pantry with some of these products or you can even pick them yourself from the gardens of Santorini Heights!

Nature lovers find in the area surrounding Santorini Heights a natural paradise where colourful wild flowers, herbs and trees compose a delightful - and fragrant- atmosphere at the highest spot of Santorini. The Monastery of Prophet Elias at 567 m. offers, besides this feast of magnificent natural views to the entire island and the sea, the soothing serenity of its remote location. Santorini Heights is just a few steps away from it, and if you wish to truly immerse in the beauty of the wilderness, we highly recommend that you follow the paths starting from Santorini Heights leading to the village of Pyrgos, the Ancient Thera archaeological site and the village of Emporeio; especially passing through the fertile nature of Pyrgos will give new meaning to the beauty and the serenity of the natural side of Santorini! Miss nothing and visit Luxury Suites in Pyrgos Village

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Recommend.com: Opulent Accommodations Around the Globe

Santorini Heights Luxury Suites in Santorini, was featured in the online edition of Recommend Magazine. Recommend.com is one of the leaders in the travel trade marketplace. Recommend.com offers a wide array of travel related products and services providing people with in-depth destination and product information. Read the whole article at Recommend.com - Santorini Heights.

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Hiking Special: Routes starting from the village of Pyrgos!

The island of Santorini, with its magnificent landscape and jaw-dropping views to the Aegean Sea from almost every spot on the island, is a hidden paradise for nature lovers. Beyond the stunning, cosmopolitan caldera, the island’s hinterland presents some interesting opportunities for hiking and explorations, starting from picturesque, medieval villages or intriguing archaeological sites.

Some of the most pleasing routes in the paths of Santorini are:

The path from Pyrgos to the monastery of Profitis Ilias: Follow the stone paved path that begins from the village of Pyrgos leading to the monastery of Profitis Ilias, the highest spot of the island. There is adequate signage on the way, or simply, when the route splits in half, take the path on the left. On the way, you will find the scenic church of Agioi Apostoloi, and after hiking for a little less than an hour you will reach the imposing monastery.

From Profitis Ilias to Ancient Thira: the path leaving from the monastery leads to the archaeological site of Thira, the ancient capital of Santorini. The route lasts another hour, and it offers awe-inspiring panoramic views to the beaches of Perissa and Perivolos to the right, and the bay of Kamari to the left.

From Pyrgos to Emporeio: on the route from Pyrgos, follow the right path towards the picturesque village of Emporeio. This route is a virtual travel back in time, as you pass through the deserted houses and churches of old Emporeio, in a scenic ravine that truly gives you a taste of the olden Santorini.

From Emporeio to Perissa beach: After you have reached Emporeio and admired the impressive architecture, typical of the Cycladic isles, you can follow the path down to the beach of Perissa, another route with panoramic views to the coastline and the Aegean. The road to Perissa also leads to the ancient Thira, and you can combine your visit to the archaeological site.

Visiting Santorini is a unique experience, one that you will truly cherish after hiking in its path and feeling the island’s authentic appeal, its medieval ambiance, its soul. Make sure you have your hiking boots on and prepare for a hike into time, and into Santorini’s hidden treasures.

On the following links you can find very useful information about the paths’ details and where to stay during your adventure trip in Santorini.

Paths of Santorini

Hotels in Pyrgos Santorini

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Wine Special: The viniculture and the wineries of Pyrgos village

The wines of Santorini are one of the most important “ingredients” for a complete gastronomic experience of the island. In today’s Santorini Heights’ special wine article we will take the first sips of the importance of viniculture for the island of Santorini. Read to the end of this article to uncover the wine surprise that waits for you at the Santorini Heights.

The viniculture

The village of Pyrgos is surrounded by vineyards. You will notice as you drive towards the village of Pyrgos and the Santorini Heights Villas that the vines are cultivated in a circular shape, the so called kouloures. That is being done to protect the vines from the strong winds and to keep the moisture near the root of the plant, as water here is scarce.

The main wine varieties

The main wine varieties of Santorini are Assyrtiko, Athiri and Aidani that comprise the white wine blends of the island, where the recent re-cultivation of Mavrotragano and Mandilaria added to the wine proposals of Santorini some well-balanced, distinctive red ones.

The Vinsanto wine

(Image by http://www.newwinesofgreece.com/en/vinsanto/index.html)

The most famous wine of Santorini is the Vinsanto. The “Vi-no of Santo-rini” is a combination of Assyrtiko with sundried grapes and you can enjoy it as an aperitif or as a dessert wine after a lovely dinner on the island or at your Santorini Heights villa.  

The wineries

At Pyrgos village you will find the biggest winery of the island, the SantoWines Winery (www.santowines.gr) at the entrance of the village. The winery features amazing views to the caldera and offers organized wine tastings. Note also the Hatzidakis Winery (www.hatzidakiswines.gr) where you will also enjoy some particularly delicious wines. Not exactly in Pyrgos village but  close to Santowines, the Venetsanos Winery (www.venetsanoswinery.com) is another wine stop that you simply must add to your wine adventures in Santorini, whereas if you wish to see some interesting photos and crafts on the viniculture of Santorini then visit the “Santorini of the Past museum” (www.santorini-museum.com) at the village’s main square.

Wine Tasting at Santorini Heights

To begin with, residents of the villas in Pyrgos Santorini have access to an exclusive wine collection cellar; moreover, the people of Santorini Heights luxury suites can prepare for you a complete wine tasting at the privacy of your villa. You are just a click from booking an unforgettable holiday experience in Santorini satiated with the aromas and the tastes of the unique wines of Santorini! Just click on www.santoriniheights.com

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The Medieval Aura of Pyrgos: The village’s history!

(Image:  Klearchos Kapoutsis)

The village of Pyrgos, situated just one kilometer from the Santorini Heights Luxury Villas, is a monument of significant historical value for the island of Santorini. It is one of the five Kasteli, the castle cities, the medieval form of the island’s citadels; in fact, it is the most recent one. It was built in the late 1500s, and it served as the island’s capital after the Kasteli of Skaros was abandoned until the early 20th century.

Before its construction, a tall watchtower – or Goulas stood on the top of the hill, one of the highest spots on the island. After the tower was brought down, the monastery of Agios Georgios was erected, and gradually, houses were built around it with adjoining outer walls that served as fortification for the settlement. In order to hide and escape from enemy attacks, a web of underground tunnels was created under the citadel, leading probably to the village of Oia, but today only the entrance is known. Most of the tunnels have caved in after earthquakes, and they were filled in to prevent any damage to the buildings above.

From the beginning to the mid-19th century, the first school of Santorini was based in Pyrgos, gathering scholars from all around the Cyclades. A place of gathering, especially for the aristocrats of the time was the Main Square right in front of the castle’s entrance where today you can admire a memorial dedicated to the casualties of the wars in the 1912-1921 period.

Pyrgos was the home of nobility, and you can see some of its history revive in the mansions that are now renovated and host museums, exhibitions, hotels as well as charming cafes and restaurants that offer amazing views, not only on the island of Santorini that lies at its feet, but also a view back in the rich heritage and tradition of the land. Santorini Heights is located at the very top of the Pyrgos village meaning that you can spend as much time as you wish in this beautiful village and be part of the history and the beauty untouched by time. Read more about the village of Pyrgos Village in Santorini.

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Sightseeing In Pyrgos: The Profitis Ilias Monastery near Santorini Heights!

It is a common fact that everywhere in Greece, the highest peak of a region or an island is the location of a monastery dedicated to Profitis Ilias, the biblical prophet Elijah. Accordingly, the iconic Profitis Ilias monastery of Pyrgos in Santorini proudly stands on top of its namesake mountain, at an altitude of 567m, overlooking the entire island with breathtaking views reaching a far as the eye can see. This is the closest site to visit when staying in Santorini Heights.

The monastery was founded in the early 1700s, and it held an influential status in the island’s course over the century, creating schools, provisioning for the poor and needy and financing numerous charitable institutions as well as the Greek revolution. It was built in a fortress-like manner, in accordance to the island’s medieval architecture of the Kastelia. Today, the monastery showcases an impressive collection of religious artifacts, including the icon of Profitis Ilias which is considered as miraculous, especially during great droughts where the devout precede it in litany praying for rain. These artifacts are displayed in two museums in the premises of the monastery, the Folklore and the Ecclesiastical Exhibitions. In the Ecclesiastical section you will have the chance to admire the holy relics of a number of Orthodox saints, icons, sculpts and chalices of immense historical. The folkloric heritage of Santorini is demonstrated in the second museum through antique furniture, everyday apparatus and traditional embroidery as well as rare books and documents from the monastery’s and the island’s rich history.

The monastery of Profitis Ilias is less than a kilometer away from the Santorini Heights Luxury Suites, through a charming route with awe-inspiring views to Pyrgos, Exo Gonia and the beaches of Kamari and Perissa, a path perfect for hiking. Please, do not hesitate to ask the people of Santorini Heights for further information on the monastery and how to reach it. We would be more than happy to assist you.

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Travel Information: Pyrgos Village in Santorini

All the basic information, distances and useful telephone numbers

The village of Pyrgos in Santorini is the former capital of the island and ranks among the most beautiful and picturesque villages of Santorini. Pyrgos is the highest village in Santorini with a unique medieval atmosphere that travels you back in time and enchants you with its mystical allure. One of the five castle cities (Kastelli) of the island, Pyrgos today features cafes, restaurants and many worth visiting sites. Here you will find all the necessary information regarding the bakeries, convenient stores, distances and useful telephone numbers that will make your stay in Santorini Heights even more relaxing.

(Photo By User: Bgabel at wikivoyage shared, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22682515)

Pyrgos Village: Basic Information

Once in Pyrgos village Santorini you will find:

A bakery at the entrance of the village.

A super market/ souvenir shop at the village’s central square (Maria) and an even bigger one at the village’s suburbs (Vidalis Market)

The kiosk at the Pyrgos village central square is open until late at night during the summer months.

If you decide to travel to the village of Pyrgos by car you will find a parking lot at the entrance of the village, just a few meters from the central square.

There is also a drug store at the village’s entrance.

For an ATM you will have to reach the central square of the village, where the main bus stop is located.

Pyrgos is home to 2 museums: the Collection of Byzantine Icons ([phone]), the Cultural Village, Santorini of the Past ([phone]) exhibition and museum.

There are many cafes, restaurants and street food proposals in Pyrgos village. Ask the people of Santorini Heights for the best gastronomic stops in the village.

(Photo By Klearchos Kapoutsis from Santorini, Greece - Pyrgos village in WinterUploaded by Yarl, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25307991)

Distances from Pyrgos village & Santorini Heights

The convenient location of Pyrgos Village, almost in the center of the island, makes travelling around easier and shorter. So, the airport is 7 km away and the port just 3 km. The capital of the island Fira is only 4 km away and when in Pyrgos village you are equally far from the main island’s beaches: the beach of Perivolos and Kamari are approximately 5 km from Pyrgos. For the distances from the Santorini Heights just add one more kilometre.

(Photo By Bernard Gagnon - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20311458)

Pyrgos & Santorini Useful Telephone Numbers

Bus Station: [phone]

Taxi Station (Fira): [phone]

Health Center (Fira): [phone]

Police (Karterados): [phone]

Santorini Central Clinic (Fira): [phone]

Pyrgos Village Pharmacy: [phone]

Santorini Airport (JTR): [phone]

Santorini Port (Athinios): [phone]

For any further information the people of Santorini Heights Luxury Suites at the very top of Pyrgos village will be delighted to share and make your stay even more relaxing and carefree.

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Santorini Heights | Luxury suites in Pyrgos Santorini

Luxury suites in Pyrgos, Santorini with private pools located on the highest spot of Santorini island. Enjoy the unobstructed views across the Santorini island

Visit our website & Book Online your vacations in Santorini www.santoriniheights.com 

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Relax & Enjoy the endless view from Santorini Heights Luxury Suites in Santorini. #santoriniheights #hotel #santorini

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In an altitude as high as 480 meters enjoy the views and the accommodation of the brand new Santorini Heights Luxury Suites! More details at www.santoriniheights.com.  #santorini     #santoriniheights     #greece