The new 2012 guide book
The ‘A to Z Guide to Santorini’ was the third book to be added to the ‘A to Z’ series. A comprehensive, accurate and impartial book that covers all aspects of the island, its history and the many attractions to be found on Santorini (Thira). Tony Oswin the author of the ‘A to Z’ series… Continue Reading…
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News Flash
Date: 16th May I have received emails from people concerned by the recent news coverage of the political situation in Greece and asking for honest information regarding holidays on the islands. Sadly once again there has been some scaremongering in the media regarding holidays in Greece this summer. If (and it is very doubtful) Greece… Continue Reading…
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Below, the latest news & views
Please be advised, to eradicate ‘spam’ our software now compares the email address entered on the comment form against the actual source address. If this does not match, the comment will be automatically deleted and will not be seen by our staff. Regular visits should note that posts are often revised and therefore re-dated, so… Continue Reading…
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June 17 Elections
For those who have booked holidays on the Greek islands that coincide with the forthcoming elections and are worried about any disruptions, please be advised it is unlikely that you will even notice that the elections are taking place. During the last election, unless you drove past one of the polling stations, you wouldn’t have… Continue Reading…
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Drinking and Driving
Whilst I stress this in my guides, please be aware that the Police on the island are strict on ‘Drink Driving’. If you hire a vehicle, either 4 or 2 wheels and you are stopped at one of the random check-points, or for erratic driving and found to be above the legal limit, you will… Continue Reading…
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The Atlantis connection
Contemporary ‘Minoan’ portrayal of Santorini (Thira) I cover the history of the volcano and the story of Atlantis in the book, based on the latest research. However, having received e-mails regarding the confusing and contradictory information that continues to be presented in the majority of guide books and the numerous poorly researched Atlantis ‘documentaries’, I… Continue Reading…
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Major discounts on internal flights from Aegean Airways
This summer Aegean Airways are offering major discounts on internal flights within Greece. The discount offer includes 80,000 seats starting from 39€ and refers to direct flights operated by Aegean from/to Athens and Thessaloniki to all domestic destinations. Offer is valid for bookings until 11/05/2012 and for flights from 20/05/2012 to 27/10/2012. The period of… Continue Reading…
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Discounts from Thomas Cook
Thomas Cook are offering ‘Low Deposits’ from only £75pp available on selected summer 2012 package holidays. If you book 22 or more weeks ahead of your departure date you pay a low deposit from as little as £75pp for holidays to the Greek islands. You can also save up to £400 on their 2012 summer… Continue Reading…
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Extra early booking discounts from Thomson holidays
Thomson (TUI) are offering very attractive discounts for holidays to the Greek islands this summer. Over and above the discount for web bookings, they are offering an extra £40 off all holidays departing 1st May to the 31st October. Also Thomson are offering customers ‘Low Deposits’ starting at just £100 p.p. A direct link to… Continue Reading…
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Great news for UK tourists to Greece!
The great news for UK tourists planning to visit Greece this summer is that the falling value of the euro in the last month means that holidays on the Greek islands could be even better value for money this summer. This and the traditionally low prices for tourist purchases such as food, drink and entertainment… Continue Reading…
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New exhibition of frescoes from Ancient Akrotiri
One event not to miss during your visit to Santorini is the exhibition of “The Reproductions of the Wall Paintings of Thira”, at the Santozeum in Fira town. The exhibited works of art constitute a collection of life-size, three-dimensional photographic reproductions of the original wall paintings of ancient Akrotiri. The reproductions have been commissioned by… Continue Reading…
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Honest tips on choosing a guide book
We have received e-mails from readers who are disappointed that they have unintentionally ordered old editions of our guides and others who have purchased alternative publications which turn out to have little up to date information on the island. As there are many guide books in the marketplace, it can be a bit “hit and… Continue Reading…
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Akrotiri open to the public!
Akrotiri has re-opened I am pleased to confirm that the amazing archaeological site of Akrotiri re-opened to the public today, 11th April, following its inauguration by Deputy Culture Minister Petros Alivizatos and Santorini Mayor Nikos Zorzos. The site will be open from 10:00 until 17:00, Tuesday to Sunday (closed Monday), the entrance fee is 5€… Continue Reading…
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Red Beach voted 7th best International beach
Listverse has ranked Red beach as the 7th in their ‘Top 10 Best Beaches in the World’. They also comment that Santorini’s Red Beach is one of the most picturesque featured in their list. Surrounded by soaring red lava cliffs that give it its name, the beach also has some of the most beautiful and… Continue Reading…
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We listen to our readers
As our prime aim is to offer the most comprehensive and accurate guide book to Santorini, we are constantly accessing and developing the book’s content in response to the feedback we receive from our readers. When we designed the format of the ‘A to Z Guides’, we were careful to address all the wishes expressed… Continue Reading…
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TripAdvisor removed
Our primary aim at ‘A to Z Guides’ is to offer our readers independent and accurate information to help make their holidays memorable and problem free. Initially on this website we added links to TripAdvisor reviews on hotels and restaurants on the islands, however recent media articles and more direct instances of problems have persuaded… Continue Reading…
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Malicious reviews on Amazon
Beware of book reviews In the publishing world, malicious book reviews especially on Amazon are well known and widespread (see relevant links below). Where the origin has been confirmed, it is invariably from a competing author/publication, or others who see the book as a commercial threat. In past years all those posted against our books… Continue Reading…
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Budget airline cost comparison
To help the independent traveller to the Greek islands, we have added links to two budget airline comparison websites. The sites will allow you to simply check the flight costs of the main budget airlines who offer flights to your desired destination. We have chosen two of the main comparison sites, one for UK residents… Continue Reading…
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First Choice go ‘all inclusive’
From May 2012, First Choice Holidays will only be offering ‘all inclusive’ holiday packages. Their sister company Thomson Holidays will be the member of the Tui Group that will be focusing on offering self-catering, bed and breakfast, or half board holidays. Although the islands of Thassos and Santorini are still listed as destinations on the… Continue Reading…
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Join us on Facebook
We have now opened a new Facebook page for all three of our travel guides, so please join us on Facebook. The direct link is below:- ‘A to Z Guides to Thassos, Kos and Santorini’ The existing Thassos Facebook page will continue for our Thassos friends. The direct link for this is below:- ‘A to… Continue Reading…
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No impact from the ‘Sea Diamond’
The impact of the Sea Diamond wreck on the marine environment of Santorini is negligible, according to a report released by the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research today (1st. March). The report was based on research conducted earlier this year. It found that there were no effects on the eco-system and that the quality of… Continue Reading…
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Reduced cost visitors’ ticket
From the beginning of this summer season, visitors to Santorini will be able to purchase a 7-day ticket which will allow entry to all the museums and archaeological sites on the island (including return visits). The price of the ticket will be 8 euro for adults, half price for both children and concessionary tickets. Single… Continue Reading…
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The cost of eating out
To help those who would like an idea of the cost of eating out on the islands this summer, we have surveyed the local restaurants here on Thassos. A meal for two including a starter plus bread, a main course (we chose mid-range priced menu options), the usual complimentary sweet and a large glass of… Continue Reading…
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Plane Finder (New)
Plane Finder provides near real-time ‘virtual radar’ air traffic maps of the world. By clicking any plane logo, a ‘pop-up’ box will give you information on the airline, flight number, departure and destination airports, height, speed and more. We have added Plane Finder to our website for those who would like friends and family to… Continue Reading…
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New archaeological find
A Roman period engraved marble slab was unearthed yesterday on the island near to Perissa. The archaeological find was made during excavations for a new water and sewage system in the area. The slab is 1.8 metres in length and 0.9 metres in height, with a thickness of 25cm, and depicts two adult male figures…. Continue Reading…
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UK flight-only to Santorini 2012
As an alternative to package holiday deals, easyJet offer direct flights to Santorini from Gatwick Airport in the UK. This is in addition to their UK flights into Athens, from where you can take an internal flight to Santorini. Thomson offer flight-only to Santorini from Birmingham, Manchester and Gatwick airports as well as package holidays… Continue Reading…
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Restaurant recommendations
When I set out to write my guidebooks, one of my main objectives was to guarantee the integrity and accuracy of all of the information I published. Therefore, when it came to making recommendations for places to eat out, I decided this wasn’t a good idea. Here are my reasons: 1. The quality of restaurants… Continue Reading…
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Santorini map
Both basic and detailed colour maps are available for you to download and print off for your visit to Santorini. The maps can be found on the ‘Downloads’ page. To print-off a free copy, please go to the ‘Download’ page, under the section headed ‘Maps’ you will find both basic and detailed maps of the… Continue Reading…
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New findings on the island’s volcanic past
Ten years intensive scientific study of volcanic activity on Santorini shows that the south Aegean island has experienced a much more violent history than was previously suspected. Volcanologists now believe the cataclysmic Bronze Age eruption, which they date to 1627-1600 BC, was in fact not responsible for exposing the stratified, multi-coloured cliffs which inspire such… Continue Reading…
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Extended season
Being in the southern Aegean, the summer season on Santorini extends into most of October. So for those who prefer more Western European summer temperatures, Santorini is a perfect holiday destination at this time of year. Whilst the weather is less reliable than in July, August and September, invariably the daytime temperatures are in the… Continue Reading…
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