Background: Greece achieved its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1829. During the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, it gradually added neighboring islands and territories, most with Greek-speaking populations. In World War II, Greece was first invaded by Italy (1940) and subsequently occupied by Germany (1941-44); fighting endured in a protracted civil war between royalist supporters of the king and communist rebels. Following the latter's defeat in 1949, Greece was able to join NATO in 1952. A military dictatorship, which in 1967 suspended many political liberties and forced the king to flee the country, lasted seven years. The 1974 democratic elections and a referendum created a parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy. Greece joined the European Community or EC in 1981 (which became the EU in 1992); it became the 12th member of the euro zone in 2001.
May 15th 2008Europe » Greece » Attica » Athens Athens was such a delight to fly into. The views were beautiful and the airport uncrowded. Our bikes appeared off the plane about an hour after we did, and we wandered over to the train station and ... [full story]
May 13th 2008Europe » Greece » Attica » Athens We started the day out by having a roaming breakfast. We went to the Coffee Right to get a cup of coffee, kind of like Tim Horton's. The cheapest place to get coffee. Filtered coffee is1.60E for a ... [full story]
May 13th 2008Europe » Greece » Attica » Athens On Monday, we went to the Acropolis. This area is composed of many different ruins such as the Parthenon and the Theatre of Epidavros. You can see shows in this theatre but we were too early in th ... [full story]
May 12th 2008Europe » Greece » Attica » Athens My trip to Athens began on Saturday May 10th, Stephanie and I left Indy to go to Philly to connect our flight to Athens. Security wasn't a problem and we got right through with no problems!!! The prob ... [full story]
May 12th 2008Europe » Greece » Attica » Athens After a long restless night, we went downstairs to wait for our walking tour. At 9am, the lady told us the guide had called and wasn't coming, so she refunded our money, gave us a map, and some inform ... 6 photos[full story]
May 11th 2008Europe » Greece » Attica » Athens First full day in Greece and it was busy. We went to the Monastiraki Market where you can get anything from furniture to fruit. Too bad we couldn't bring back a couple of antique tables!
We ... [full story]
May 11th 2008Europe » Greece » Attica » Athens We are back in Athens after 2 weeks. it feels like we've come home. the view of the Acropolis from the balcony still leaves us breathless. Last night we got in at 8 o'clock after the shortest flight i ... [full story]
May 10th 2008Europe » Greece » Attica » Athens We left Pensacola on time, after a near catastrophe.. I left my backpack in the Jeep. After failing to contact Tanya to return, Monica got her on her cell phone. She was already returning because she ... [full story]
May 9th 2008Europe » Greece » Attica » Athens Apres 5 ans de vie de couple, je croyais avoir vu toutes les facettes de Felix. Et bien non, il en manquait une...jusqu à la semaine dernière ou j'ai pu voir ce que peut d'entre vous ont deja vu: son ... 26 photos[full story]
May 9th 2008Europe » Greece » Attica » Athens Just a quick note to let all know we made it to Athens. The Athens International HI hostel is pretty typical. More later this evening when we've seen something to write about! ... [full story]
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