Santorini – is the southernmost and the most mysterious (from geological point of view) island of the Cyclades archipelago. In the 15th century BC, volcanic eruption of immense force provoked inundation of vast areas of Saint Irene island, which used to be round in former times, and gave rise to the rarest phenomenon – a giant crater (caldera).

Santorini is the island of divine sunsets! Thousands of tourists from the four corners of the world come here by air, come here by sea on ferries and rented yachts so as to admire such a captivating sight. Perhaps, skeptics would smile at these words, saying: “In what way can the Santorinian sunsets differ from sunsets in other parts of the planet?!”. But, as the popular wisdom says: words are but wind, but seeing is believing.

Natives keep saying, that Santorini is the island, which has more churches than houses, more donkeys than people, and more wine than water. So it is!

There are about 600 functional churches on the island, the majority of which was built by shipwrecked sailors, who managed to save themselves. And it’s not surprising, since in the beginning of the 19th century Santorini was rather strong at sea.

The second statement is true as well, because there are few local people, who permanently reside at the island. But one could hardly count all the donkeys, which help tourists to surmount hundreds of steps, leading from wharf to the core of the town.

And of course the wine! When it comes to wine-making, the Santorinians are the best ones in Greece. Everyone, who has ever tasted their famous wine "Vino Santo" (sacramental wine), feasting one’s eyes upon Santorinian sunset and listening to light and dreamy jazz-music, will definitely agree with us.

Santorini is a fabulous and extremely beautiful island. Here, white houses of Fira villages seem to hover high above the sea level at the sheer slopes of caldera and resemble snowy peaks. This ancient town is very picturesque: its narrow labyrinthine streets, multiple arches and passages, hundreds of small shops, stores, restaurants and cafés.

It invites, bewitches, makes people come back here over and over again. And as for the answer to the question: “What is the secret of Santorini island?” Probably, it will remain deep in the heart of everyone, who shall ever visit this place...