Santorini Reviews -General

Hello

We recently went on a Mediterranean Cruise which was fantastic.

However, there was one issue which did spoil the holiday which I wanted to raise with you and it is an issue which I feel that all relevant cruise companies could easily rectify and also raise their own profile from.

Whilst I appreciate that the donkeys in Santorini earn the locals a living, and it is a tradition which we shouldnt change, I do feel that the Cruise Companies who dock regularly in the port, and encourage their passengers to support using the donkeys, along with yourselves, could do more for the welfare of the animals.

We walked the steps, there is no shelter for the animals, in the hot sun - and I feel that simple shelters could easily be installed. All of the donkeys/mules were desperately trying to find shade.

Also, there was no water for them, even in buckets, and again, installing water troughs in this day and age, should be an easy thing to do.

A lot of money has been spent on Santorini itself, with lot of expensive bars and hotels but it seems that the welfare of the donkeys has not changed at all over the many years they have been there.

A small amount of investment from all the cruise companies could make a huge difference to the welfare of these donkeys.

It is also worth noting from a Health & Safety point of view, that it is quite a hazard walking up the steps, with groups of donkeys being driven back down at a run.

Karen & Garry Peat