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Santorini is a beautiful and impressive island known all over the world for its active volcano. Its last eruption took place in 1950 but more than 100 eruptions have taken place during the last 40 centuries. The most disastrous one occurred 3.5 thousand years ago and lead to the burial of a flourished civilization under tonnes of lava. The eruptions followed by lava spreading have lead to the creation of two small islands in the centre of the caldera area of Santorini, named as Palea Kameni (Old Burnt island) and Nea Kameni (New Burnt island). The first one is 2,000 years old consisting of a thin fertile soil level where locals cultivated animal feed, in the past. Nowadays, one can see wild animals like rabbits or goats that try to survive there. The second island, Nea Kameni, is much bigger that Palea Kameni and is composed of lava rocks with a few plants and rabbits as well as a lot of lizards living there.
The two small volcanic islands are surrounded by the Santorini complex which consists of Thira (the half moon shaped island), Thirasia (on the north west side of Thira) and Aspronisi (south Thirasia) which are the earth parts that stayed above sea level after the volcano eruption, 3,500 ago, that created the caldera of Santorini.
The eruptions were always preceded by warnings such as water warming, water subsiding, earthquakes.
The Santorini volcano has been sleeping for the last 60 years while hot springs on the coasts of Palea and Nea Kameni and gas emissions remind people of its being alive. However, scientists have installed an equipment network in order to get notified of any pre-eruption phenomenon so as to keep save both locals’ and visitors’ lives.
Guided tours are organized to the volcano area so everybody can visit it, swim in the medicinal baths of the hot springs and see the rocks or the soil that have been created by the lava.
Mount Tiede is Spain's only active volcano. It has views from the top of the other six Canary Islands - but requires visa/permit from Santa Cruz.
National Parque
Probably the most amazing of the Greek active volcanos (others include Santorini, Methana, Milos). The island of Nisyros is located south of Kos and is accessible with ferry and hydrofoil.
If you don't fancy a whole week in close quarters with 20 strangers on a small boat, but still want to see Galapagos; If you want to walk on miles of empty beaches, stay in a sleepy fishing village with sandy streets, snorkel with turtles and sharks, kayak and hike on active volcanoes...
Canter through farms, rivers and rice terraces, followed by the magical El Misti, the view of which you still can't capture the wonder and awe of, even with three joined-up shots on a panaramic camera.
Half day trips from Arequipa.
On the NW Pacific coast Cosiguina is an extinct volcano with high biodiversity.
Chinandega Department, Nicaragua
If you're visiting Cappadocia, this town is an easy side trip from the main tourist sites. Much as Konya is the historic centre of the Mevlevi, or whirling dervishes, so Hacıbektaş is to the Bektashi, and if such things interest you it is definitely worth a visit. Less touristed than Konya, simple piety is the behavioral mode. The museum complex contains the tomb of the founder, Hacı Bektaş, and the saints of the order. The Bektashi promulgated the study of the sciences, the pictorial arts, and the equality of women. The architecture of the compound is extraordinary, almost as if an Anatolian Frank Lloyd Wright had dropped by, so ideally does it suit the landscape. In summer, Bektashi dances are demonstrated in the courtyard a few afternoons a week, and there is a Bektashi Festival at the end of July or the beginning of August.
There are a very few hotels, but the local food is good. A pideci on the way out of town on the Nevşehir road makes some of the best pizza I've had anywhere, and provides an ideal lunch.
North of town there is a ceremonial hill commanding a fine view of the volcano Mt. Erciyes and the steppes east.
North on the road out of Nevşehir past Gülşehir and on the the way to Ankara.
As you take a well-earned rest after ascending 1000m, a feeling of warmth seeps into your trousers - which is par for the course when you are sitting on an active volcano. Regular and spectacular eruptions, as well as the sight of all the cruise ships watching these from the water, are the very convincing reason to make the three hour guided climb up here.
Coming down, although slightly disconcerting as you slide down the ashy slopes, is much quicker. The climb is enlivened by the amazing variety of flora and fauna and of course, the views. It's necessary to have a guide, and trips can be booked from Lipari and the other Aolian islands.
Stromboli, Aolian Islands
Mount Vesuvius is still one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world and as such is constantly monitored with a seven day warning system. Assuming that no warning has been issued, it's well worth climbing to the top to peer into the ashen crater and view the Bay of Naples which looks all too vulnerable as it spreads out from the foot of the mountain. Coach trips will take you so far up the ascent, but the last 1000 feet must be done by foot, once you've paid your entry fee of course. Unless you're feeling charitable, it's best to ignore the little man handing out 'walking poles', as they're not of much use and he'll demand a few euros from you when you've come back down.
To get there, it's best to take an organised trip - you can drive there, but there are very limited parking facilities.
Smack in the middle of Waitemata harbour, Rangitoto Island (not that silly casino-tower) is Auckland's real landmark. Black rock and shrubby vegetation cover a steep volcanic cone. It can be a hot and mildly strenuous walk to the top, but worth it. Rumoured to be dormant rather than extinct, but unlikely to erupt anytime soon. Hopefully.
Quito's latest attraction, the Teleferiqo is so new that it doesn't yet feature in many guidebooks. Starting from the base of the Pichincha Volcano the small cable cars will transport you to nearly 14,000 feet where you can truly look out on the roof of the world. Allow a good time to do the trip, as the are queues in the day (you can circumvent them by paying a higher rate), and many things to see and do at the entertainment complex at the base.
At the top there is a range of restaurants to suit all tastes and you can walk on up to the crater of the volcano. Just remember that it is very high (you will be breathless and need to have acclimatised to Quito's altitude first) and despite Quito being on the equator, the altitude means it can be quite cold - bring a warm jumper and jacket.
www.teleferiqo.com/
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