Santa Barbara Museum of Art on a tour that explores Santorini February 13, 2006 See the islands in flower DISCOVER the archeological treasures of the Greek isles on a 10-night tour that explores Santorini and Crete. The tour, sponsored by the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, begins May 10. It's a wonderful time of year when wildflowers are blooming, enhancing the beauty of the historical sites, said Theresa Payne, a museum representative. She pointed out that, unlike during a cruise, participants will have an opportunity to enjoy life as the locals do. Participants spend four nights on each island and two nights in Athens, where the tour begins and ends. The itinerary in Athens includes the Acropolis and Olympic stadium. The group flies to Heraklion on Crete and drives along the coast to Rethymnon. Stops include the Palace of Knossos and the Monastery of Arkadi. On Santorini, the group tours the excavations of Akrotiri, scales the extinct volcano at Fira and takes a cruise to the caldera islet of Thirassia. Cost: $4,245 per person, double occupancy ($350 single surcharge), including round-trip airfare from Los Angeles to Athens, accommodations, all meals, internal flights and scheduled sightseeing and entrance fees. Contact: The Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Santa Barbara; (805) 884-6476, http://www.sbmuseart.org Author : LA Times