I was blessed to be able to accompany some friends of mine to Europe for a Mediterranean cruise in September 2009. The weather was beautiful and we went to many ports along the 12 day trip. This gallery highlights our time in Santorini, Greece.

I think this was my second favorite stop on the entire cruise. Santorini is one of several volcanoes lying in the southern Aegean Sea's volcanic arc. During the Minoan era, approximately 1450 BC, the volcano erupted changing the geography forever. The center of the island sank into the sea and Santorini went from a circular volcano to the shape of a crescent. The explosion exterminated all life on the island and produced a tidal wave approximately 820 feet high traveling at the speed of 217 mph which also claimed the lives of the entire Minoan civilization on the island of Crete, which is about 75 miles south of Santorini.

Santorini is known for its white washed cliff-top villages with stunning views. Santorini is the southernmost island of the Cyclades chain, and is considered to be one of the most beautiful of all the Greek Islands. I hope that you enjoy this gallery of pictures shot over a few hours on this wonderful island.