I'm trying to find a good guide to arrange for a private day excursion while in Santorini.
There will be about 8 or so in our group.

Can anyone provide some names and contacts? Thx!!

Sherry, I don't think I've heard of one on this board. You might try the Ports of Call board at cruise critic. There really isn't much touring to do in Santorini that I remember from a land trip there several years ago. At one end of the island, there is the village of Oia, at the other end are the ruins of Akrotiri (forgive the spelling), and in the middle there is Thira, or Fira, which is where the boat tenders in. Lots of shopping there. Taxi's were plentiful on my two visits.

I agree with Olivia - we did it on our own - painless and took bus to Oia 20 minutes? - an experience we loved! Had lunch at Sphinx in Fira table overlooking water - walked town center - wonderful!!! Joanna

I also agree. We just took a taxi to Akrotiri (forgive the spelling as I copied Olivia's spelling!) and the ruins are pretty spectacular. Then we just came back and lunched Thira/Fira. Santorini is one of my most favorite spots on earth!

We had lunch at Sphinx, too! Oh, maybe I told Joanna about it. Great view.

I love Santorini too. When I was on the land trip, I felt sorry for cruise people who were having to leave just as we were having cocktails sitting on lounge chairs watching the sunset.

If you're hale and hardy, a donkey ride might be fun down to the water to meet the tender! Been there, done that! A great travel memory!

No we did Sphinx in Sept 2003 - we had not met yet O - we just saw it and thought OH MY what a view!! My hale and hardy days are over for Santorini donkeys :b:

I was last there in Sept. 2002 on the Mariner. I know I talked about it on cc, and so though I recommended it around the time you were planning for you 2003 cruise to Greece, on Diamond, right? B2b for your first cruise.

Oia is to die for. The scenery is amazing. Fira we could have lived without (except for a great restaurant that we had lunch in). If I went back to Santorini, I'd spend my entire day in Oia.

Could be - you are younger have better memory!!!! :mecry: :mecry:

Denise: My post was for "O" -

I'm not younger with a better memory, too? :(

I figured that comment was for O.

We went to a winery and then to town, did a lot of damage at a jewely store, then walked, and took the donkeys down and returned to the ship, we were the last tender to get back to the ship, before a wind storm like I have never seen before, we were very late in leaving that evening, but Santorina is one of our favorite places in the world. I don't think you will need privite guide there, not a lot to see, just remembered there are some ruins there. I will be the big 60 this year , so my memory fails me most of the time. Anyway thats a good excuse.

Denise, Joanna still knows you are younger than "us", still stand by my post of trying to fit both in the day..

We were almost ripped off at a jewelry store in Mykonos. You have to be really careful shopping in Greece/Turkey. I would say Greece was worse with deceptive "deals."

O & J - I may be younger...but not by much after tomorrow ;)

We had a great one 1 1/2 year ago - an English nurse who went for "holiday" and never returned to England, married a Greek and had 2 kids. Unfortunately, she was planning to return to England shortly after we were there because of schooling issues for their daughters. I'll try and find her name just in case she didn't leave.
Robyn

rhb, Sounds like a Shirley Valentine sort of thing! Anyone remember that movie? On my land trip, all my gal pals with me took pictures to remind all the husbands of what might happen. We had a chair on a beach, overlooking some island. It was just like the movie! Fun!

I LOVED that movie!!!!!!!

Hi Sherry!

My partner Hiro and I will be in Santorini later this month. Weve hired Ocean Wave Tours to provide a day-long private tour for our group of 5 people. Here's their link:

www.greektravel.com/greekislands/santorini/oceanwavetours/index.htm

Hope this proves helpful...



Eric

Thanks all, for the quick replies. If I weren't in charge of about 16 people, I'd do the town by bus, on my own. I guess it will be saner to book us a guide and check out the island together.

Eric, Ocean Wave Tours is already booked that day, but thx for the link. I'll continue my search...

I can't wait to be there!

Hi there, Everyone:

I will be there in October. I took the link for OceanWave tours. Thank you. My mom is in her 70s and walking is tough for her.

Can you recommend a private tour for Sorrento (Amalfi, etc.), Taormina, and Kusadasi?

Best,

Kim

Hey just take the bus to Oia and walk around. If you want you can bus over to the Akrotiti (sp) ruins and that is very interesting. Eat in Thira and save your private tour money for a great lunch onshore. MMMMM grilled lobsters and fish.