Aegean Islands (Greek: Νησιά Αιγαίου) are the group of islands in the Aegean Sea.
Santorini (Greek: Σαντορίνη) or Thira is an island in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km (120 mi) southeast of Greece's mainland. The island is the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history: the Minoan eruption (sometimes called the Thera eruption), which occurred some 3,600 years ago at the height of the Minoan civilization. The eruption left a large caldera surrounded by volcanic ash deposits hundreds of metres deep and may have led indirectly to the collapse of the Minoan civilization on the island of Crete, 110 km to the south, through a gigantic tsunami. Another popular theory holds that the Thera eruption is the source of the legend of Atlantis.
- - Sights: The major settlements include Fira (Phira), Oia, Emporio, Kamari, Perissa, Imerovigli, Pyrgos, and Therasia. Akrotiri is a major archaeological site, with ruins from the Minoan era.
- - Gastronomy: Local specialties are Brantada (local Santorinian fish dish), Koskosela, Santorinio Sfougato, Tsounisti, Fava, Melitinia (dessert).
Rhodes (Greek: Ρόδος) is the largest of the Dodecanese islands in terms of land area and also the island group's historical capital. Historically, Rhodes was famous worldwide for the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
- - Sights: The Medieval Old Town of the City of Rhodes has been declared a World Heritage Site. Today, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe.
- - Gastronomy: Local specialties are avranies, koulouria, pitaroudia, pouggia, tsirigia, fanouropita, katimeria, melekouni, pouggakia, takakia, or mantinades, and muchalebi.