Ask any enthusiast where he\’d most like to relax on a boat and you\’ll usually find the Greek Islands come somewhere in the top ten locations. If you\’re planning a trip by boat, always the best way to see the islands, be prepared to be out of contact and check your radio before you set out. Scattered across the wine dark seas of Homer\’s myth are over 6000 islands, yet less than 100 of those have over 100 inhabitants.

And perhaps that is the charm of the islands, that right on Europe\’s doorstep it is still possible to find deserted islands where the only disturbing sounds come from the waves and the call of the birds. Birds, more so than marine species, are an important part of life in the Greek islands as the islands are a major stopping point in the migration of a number of important species. Antikythera, for example, a small island with a population of only 44, plays host to the world\’s largest breeding colony of Eleonora\’s Falcon.

Life in the Greek islands can appear to proceed at a different pace, it\’s not surprising then that some of the islands are privately owned, but many exist, unpopulated, as though in a time warp, ready to welcome any visitor who ties up to eat bread and olives where classical triremes and biremes once sailed.

Unlike more tropical islands, like the Florida Keys, most of the Greek islands are craggy and many are mountainous, some spectacularly so. The cliffs of Santorini surround the stunning lagoon on three sides, rising almost 1000 ft out of the sea. The result of what may have been the largest volcanic eruption known, the central lagoon is over 1000 feet deep and makes a welcome, sheltered anchorage for many types of boat.

Almost four thousand years ago Santorini was a single island which was completely ripped apart by an enormous volcanic eruption. Only the edge was left. Much of the remainder was covered in ash from the volcano, in places some hundreds of feet deep. If you plan to sail around the island, be sure to stop and sample the produce, especially the tomatoes. Volcanic soil is extremely fertile and just as Mount Etna is home to many vineyards, the soils of Santorini produce exceptional tomatoes, cucumber and unusual white eggplants.

Many believe that the ash from the volcano, and the resulting tidal wave, were responsible for destroying the Minoan civilisation on the island of Crete, around 70 miles to the South.

Others believe that the eruption of Santorini is the origin of the legend of Atlantis. Information from the many archaeological digs on the island seems to show that the shape of the original island was remarkably similar to the Atlantis described by Plato. Still others have tied the eruption to the biblical Exodus, believing it to be the source of the plagues on Egypt and linked to the crossing of the Red Sea.

Whether you believe these theories or not, Santorini is a magical place and an ideal spot for a romantic trip. Whether you fly to the island and hire a boat there, a boat is necessary to see the island as it should be, the whitewashed walls and distinctive blue domed churches glinting in the Mediterranean sun.

Archaeologists may yet prove Santorini is not the fabled Atlantis, but those of us who have seen the sunset, the sea and the sky for ourselves can imagine nowhere more likely to be an island of legend.

Author Bio: Whenever traveling by boat you always want to think safety first. Having a reliable form of communication can save your life in an emergency situation.You have several options including marine radios, cb radios, 10 meter radios and a handheld cb radio. 10 Meter Radios offer greater transmitting power then other models and a Handheld CB Radio requires no installation.

Category: Travel
Keywords: boating, travel