Guide to Thira

'Clinging to the rim of an extinct volcano, with multi-hued cliffs plunging hundreds of feet into the sea filled crater below – holiday spots don't come much more dramatic than Thira.'

Choose your table early in the evening, pour yourself a glass of chilled, local white wine, and prepare for a treat. The sunset in Thira is one of the most memorable light shows anywhere in the world. Restaurant terraces cascade over the edge of the caldera, all vying for the best view, and from most you can make out the shape of the ancient volcano, which sank under the sea in possibly the largest volcanic eruption the world has ever seen. In the centre of the sea filled caldera, you can see two small islands where craters still smoulder and mud springs still bubble. Once you have taken in the view, you can turn your attention to the food, which may vary from pizzas and pasta to local tomato keftas and dips, to fine Mediterranean dining. Linger late enough to see the sky turn orange and after your meal head into town for a night on the tiles. By day, the whitewashed lanes are busy with shoppers browsing in Santorini's jewellery stores. You'll also find lots of trendy boutiques selling designer names at designer prices – you may need to stop at one of the sun drenched cafes to recover after a purchase. And, if you'd like to find out about the history of this extraordinary island, visit the Megaron Gyzi Museum which has photos of Thira before and after the huge 1956 earthquake. Two other small museums go further back in time, with finds from the archaeological site at Akrotiri, and ancient Cycladic art.

Find the cheapest late deals to Thira leaving in the next six weeks.