White Pearl Villas! Let Us Introduce You to a New -For Greece- Holiday Concept
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‘Welcome to our beautiful island, welcome to White Pearl Villas! Let us introduce you to a new -for Greece- holiday concept. This is not a cookie cutter approach to accommodation, with the usual main unit, reception, breakfast room and impersonal service. The White Pearl Villas are scattered in Oia, are completely autonomous, and absolutely private, and will undoubtedly fascinate you with their impeccable style, comfort, decoration and breathtaking view of Caldera and the volcano. These private villas will be your home away from home. Each property has a different layout and distinctive character, is fully equipped with everything you would need during a self-catering holiday, and are all located at a stone’s throw from the main pedestrian street of Oia, next to all the shops, galleries, restaurants, bars, cafés, pharmacies, ATMs, and super markets. We, the owners and staff of the White Pearl Villas, live in Oia during the summer, and we are just a phone call away. We will be there to provide you with information, recommendations and assistance regarding the island and the villas. We will share with you every little secret of Aegean’s black diamond. Our sense of hospitality is second to none. We will be with you in the blink of an eye when you need us, and then discreetly withdraw, allowing you to fully enjoy your luxurious holidays with absolute privacy.’ Kind regards, The White Pearl Team The History of Santorini overlooked the Aegean, until, 80.000 years ago, the volcano exploded. That The history of Santorini is not just a story tremendous explosion filled the sea with of men. It is the history of a land which flaming volcano materials which formed emerged from the depths of the sea and a pineal tumor as they froze. That tumor constantly evolving and shaped along incorporated with the preexisting islets with its people's lives, since then. The and shaped a new round island. The geological history of Santorini begins island was named ‘Stroggyli’ (from the million years ago, since the Aegean Sea Greek word ‘stroggylos’ that means was just a land known as ‘Aigiida’. After round). long-term geological phenomena Through the ages ‘Stroggyli’ did not ‘Aigiida’ sunk and the sea took its place. maintain its shape. A second tremendous Nevertheless, some peaks of the old land explosion of the volcano took place still protruding, forming the well-known about 1450 B.C. Every sign of life on the Aegean Islands. Three of these peaks still island disappeared. Scientists believe exist in Santorini. They are the mountain that, during the eruption, lava created of Profitis Ilias, the imposing rocks above a huge hollow dome right at the center the port of Santorini (Athinios) and of the island which shattered due to the Monolithos. These rocks, isolated, weight of the rocks, and sunk into the sea. Only parts of the region remained name of the Basilica church at the above the sea which is known today as location Mesa Vouno. During 1579 A.D. the island of Santorini. These parts are Santorini annexed to the Ottoman Santorini, Thirasia and Aspronisi which Empire and took the name ‘Demergic’ embraced the water basin known as which means little windmill in Turkish. ‘Caldera’. After independence, the name Thira The sacramental beauty of the island established by the Greek government brought the Phoenicians to colonize it but the island is famous by the name during 1300 B.C. They gave the island the Santorini which is paraphrase of Santa name ‘Callisti’ (which means the most Irina. beautiful). Later on, probably during 1115 Along with the history of the island, the B.C. the Dorians with their King Thiras - volcano continued its activity and many grandson of Oedipus- arrived at the small eruptions shaped new tumors at island. They built cities, ports and the center of Caldera, the New and the sanctuaries and changed the name of the Old Kameni known today as ‘the island to Thira after their King. In 1204 Volcano’. A.D. the Franks crusaders arrived at Thira and renamed it to Santa Irina from the Santorini at a glance fascinated by the warm colors of the picturesque port of Amoudi during the Cave Houses sunset. Know every single settlement of the island, like Finikia, by walking the Do not miss exploring the famous cave narrow streets of cobblestone and houses, buildings carved in the "aspa", as admire the little white chapels, the cave the thirasian land is called, with the white houses with the blue windows and vaulted ceiling and the close front. These the imposing mansions of the medieval houses which the natives built in the wealthy families of the island. rocks due to lack of constructive materials for protection from the strong Shopping winds are unique in the world. Their Walking at the picturesque narrow unique aesthetics, the characteristic streets of Santorini, provides the scent of the rock and the immediacy with opportunity of knowing the unique the original native materials are worth particular shops, the art stores, the experiencing. galleries and the jewelries, the clothing Tours stores, tourist, souvenir items and local booksellers. Walk the busy narrow streets of Fira, the capital of Santorini and the picturesque Sea excursions Imerovigli overlooking the craggy red An excursion to the seaways of Caldera rock Skaros. Experience the, one in a cliff will excite you. Approach Thirasia lifetime, adventure of going up with with a traditional boat and visit the mules the 286 steps, very closely to the settlements of Potamos and Manolas cliff, that leads to Oia and then glaze at where time has frozen. Make a stop at the marvelous sunset with the thousands the islands Old and New Kameni and colors. Visit Pyrgos, the medieval jewel enjoy a unique experience of exploring that dominates over the hill, offering the the volcano by walking in the crater. You best panoramic view of the island. Be will need light clothing, comfortable The island of Santorini pleases the most shoes, sunscreen and water and you will demanding tastes. Perivolos, Perissa, be amazed by the colorful rocks and the Red and White beach, Vlychada, magma. Then recharge by swimming in Monolithos, Kamari, Baksedes and the healing waters of the hot springs at Amoudi are the most famous beaches of Old Kameni and enjoy the sunset on the island. boat. Alternatively, enjoy a luxury Wine and taste catamaran or speed boat tour in the caldera and visit the Red and White Santorini is a gastronomic paradise of Beaches, snorkel in the blue waters and fine food and wine with its many enjoy the mythic Oia’s sunset on board! restaurants and taverns offering local snacks and special wines for every Monuments and Museums pocket. Taste the sun-dried tomatoes, Discover ancient Thira and the fava, white eggplant, the “chloro” archeological site of Akrotiri where the cheese and capers. Don’t forget to visit volcano eruption at 1450 B.C. covered the local wineries where unique varieties with lava the ancient city and preserved of wine as Aidani, Athiri, Asyrtiko, Mezzo it through the centuries. Archeologists and famous Vinsanto are created. revealed a whole settlement of Fun elaborated houses with colorful murals, shops, streets and sewer, showing the Enjoy your coffee gazing the Caldera greatness of the ancient civilization. Visit view or drink a refreshing cocktail next the museum of Prehistoric Thira where to the sea. Have a drink at the beautiful findings of the Neolithic era are exposed. bars listening to classical melodies or Visit also the archeological museum in dance until dawn at the night clubs of Fira and the Naval Museum in Oia. the island. You will surely find the one Admire the byzantine monuments of the that suites you. island, the chapel of Saint Nicholas and Sports & Activities the chapel of Profitis Ilias with the For sports enthusiasts, Santorini gives Church Folk Museum. Walk the castle of you the possibility to enjoy the sea by Oia and the Tower of Goula in Emporio. scuba diving or increase your adrenaline Beaches with a variety of water sports. You can Every beach in Santorini is unique. Black also do horse riding at the beach, know or white sand, red or white volcano Santorini by bicycle or hike at the rocks, wild moonscapes or golden eyebrow of Caldera. For those who wish peaceful sandy beaches, cosmopolitan to relax there are many wellness places with beach bars and water sports treatments provided to refresh your facilities or isolated bays for relaxation. every sense. The Villages derives from an alternative Fira is the modern capital of Santorini, a pronunciation of ‘Thira’ the ancient traditional settlement, which name name of the island itself. Fira is a city of white-washed houses built on the edge is known for the majestic view of the of the 400 m high caldera on the western sunset. edge of the semi-circular island. Finikia is one of the most authentic and Firostefani: Although Firostefani village unspoiled traditional settlements of the is considered a separate settlement, it is island and such as it can only be walked actually an extension of Fira, the capital by foot. The visitor has the chance to of Santorini. The name ‘Firostefani’ -Fira explore the ‘kalderimia’ (stone-cobbled and Stefani, meaning crown in Greek- narrow pathways) and see the traditional derives from its position on the highest cave houses and churches built part of Fira. Its gifted location on the amphitheatrically on the slope. Don't caldera, on the north part of the island miss one of the most famous feasts of makes it a remarkable site. Santorini, the feast of Panagia Matrona church at October 20th.