During the earthquake of 1956 Smaro's house collapsed into ruins. Only a few things had survived. She gathered them up, and with her husband, children and memories of all the years she had lived there, she left.
Earthquake victim camps were set up in Fira on the lower road. At that time the area was covered in trees and fields and the camps stretched as far as the eye can see.
Artemis's great love for his boat and the sea was captured in the hearts of all his children. This love endures until today.
The morning brings fresh eggs for breakfast, cakes, jams, toast & butter, juices and something hot to drink. The larder is filled with fruit, yoghurts, local syrup sweets, coffee and tea, milk and sugar, and tidbits of all kinds.
Then in 1956, the devastating earthquake struck destroying 85% of the structures on the island. I returned next in 1961, once more with my brother, our family doctor and some friends from France. Signs of the destruction were everywhere, yet the hospitality and the generosity of the people was unforgettable 
The first time I visited Santorini in 1961 as a newly appointed Curator of Antiquities for the Cyclades, Thanasis Yannakas, the late lamented caretaker of the Museum welcomed me with the words, "If you are lucky, sir, there may be a little eruption for you to admire. It really is a marvelous sight". Santorini voted 2011 Top Island Destination. "Santorini is a new World's Best Island Overall winner, moving up from its No. 6 ranking on last year's list of Top Islands Overall and displacing the Galápagos from the No. 1 position." Capital : Fira
Architecture
Food & Agriculture
Position & Size
How to Get There
Santorini is a group of islands in the south Aegean sea: Thira, Thirassia, Aspronisi, the Christiana Islands, Palia Kameni, Nea Kameni (Volcano). The Province of Thira is made up of Santorini, Anafi, Thirassia, Ios, Folegandros and Sikinos.
Cave Houses, neo classical mansions, cobbled streets, winding paths, domed churches, most houses have a dome at some part of the roof structure.
Vineyards, wine, grape cultivation, cherry tomatoes, fava bean, capers, cucumbers 'Katsouni', watermelon, chloro cheese, sweet pies 'Melitinia'
128 nautical miles from Piraeus port, 63 nautical miles north of Crete, 73 square kilometers in size, main port - Athinios,
Latitude - 36 19’ 56” to 36 28’ 40” N., Longitude - 25 19’ 22” to 25 29’ 13” E.
Boats depart from Piraeus all year round. During the summer season hydrofoils also leave from Piraeus, as well as connections from Crete & other islands. Direct flights from Athens International Airport are available all year round.
