The Famous Santorini Sunset
by Vic5
The best place to view the sunset is by the Kastro Walls in Oia. It's a bit difficult to explain where this is exactly, but you have to walk through the main square and through some narrow winding streets. There'll be hundreds of people going the same way about an hour or so before the sun sets so you should find it OK. Do get there early for a good view!
*********! A VT EXCLUSIVE TERM
by DAO
Please note this tip has been edited to meet guidlines. My favorite thing about Santorini is you have a great atmosphere to let your hair down and be silly and have fun. Please relax while you are here.
If you would like to know more or want to know what the tip was about before, please email me.
Why do Greeks Break Plates?
by Euromeet2007
Greeks smashing plates to accompany musicians is a mental image of Greece practically as common as the sight of the Parthenon. But if it were really as common in Greece as foreigners believe, there wouldn't be a saucer left intact in the entire country. How did this noisy custom get started?
Ancient Origins
In its earliest form, plate smashing may be a survival of the ancient custom of ritually "killing" the ceramic vessels used for feasts commemorating the dead. The voluntary breaking of plates, which is a type of controlled loss, may also have helped participants in dealing with the deaths of their loved ones, a loss which they could not control.
Similar offerings may also have been presented at other times to include the dead in festival proceedings, with the result that this custom for the dead began to be tied in with all kinds of celebrations.
Breaking plates can also be a symbol of anger, a classic part of domestic disturbances. Since plate breaking often occurs at happy occasions, it may have begun as a way of fooling malicious spirits into thinking that the event is a violent one instead of a celebration.
Worldwide, noise is believed to drive away evil, and the sound of the plates smashing against the stone or marble floors of Greek houses would be loud enough to scare off almost anything.
Step lively, children
There is a phrase used by children about sidewalk cracks - "Step on a crack or you'll break the Devil's dishes". In early Crete, ritual offerings and vessels were thrown into cracks and fissures located near peak sanctuaries. These "cracks" would certainly have had "dishes" in them, and later followers of Christianity may have demonized the old practice.
Since the children's chant is actually a caution to avoid stepping on cracks, it may refer back to ancient associations with these "dishes". So breaking plates during a performance may be a way of protecting the dancers and musicians by destroying supposedly evil influences present in the poor plates.
SANTORINI DIVING CENTER
by greekcypriot
At Caldera Beach you will find the Diving centre. It is a small remote beach with traditional caves below the cliffs of Akrotiri.
Ask to be transfered from your hotels here.
Santorini Dive Center has an office also in Perissa village, at the southeast part of the island and is located in Perissa Camping in front of the famous Black Sand Beach, between the Beach Bar and Yazz bar.
Illuminated Romance
by Gwynneth
Oia, (pronounced E-ah).
'The enchanting sunset' from high on the cliff-top you can witness the most magnificent views on Santorini. With picture-book roads winding around the cliffs that over look the sea you'll be lost in a dream in this romantic town.