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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.

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By Chelle and Izzy
September 12th 2007

Planes, Trains, and Fines

Europe » Greece » South Aegean » Santorini

Our 60 Euro Fines!!!!

I had unsuccessfully tried to get through to Olympic Airlines from our hotel to see if we could switch to an earlier flight out…so it was an early rise to check out the flight situation. We were unable to change the flights over the phone though, and the lady suggested going out to the airport as soon as we could to see what they could do…she was fairly certain our flights could be changed from there. Thankfully, it was only 8am, so by 9am we were on the train to the airport. After switching trains at the last suburban stop, a [View Full Entry]

By Penner
September 11th 2007

Volcanoes & Hot Springs

Europe » Greece » South Aegean » Santorini

Eire with Sail Boat
A shot of the town of Eire, located at the west tip of Santorini. Every night it has thousands of tourists lining the streets and restaurant balconies to watch the sunset over the sea.

Upon arriving in Santorini we checked in to a nice hotel just a 10 minute bus ride from the port. The hotel which would usually cost around 150 euro a night during high season was now slashed to only 30 euros a night. We played some pool, took a swim, and then made our way into town. The town was surprisingly full of restaurants, pubs and bars which I did not expect as I thought Santorini was suppose to be a more outdoors touring island, not a drinking one. So, we made our way to a few of the local pubs, [View Full Entry]

By Hulkshaw
September 11th 2007

Rocks...

Europe » Greece » South Aegean » Santorini

Thira city
The white atop the hilltop is all stone building

After circumventing the globe, and any sort of moral conscience we once had, the Captain and I decided to take it easy for a couple days on the glorious volcano Greek Isle of Santorini. This is of course, not to say that our time here was without Mythos or Whiskey...it was just consumed in more, healthier and practical portions. Essentially the focus of such an island is the sunset tours and the volcano. So, in conclusion this island had rocks and gas, gas and rocks. Judge for yourself how marvellous these items can be. Oh, and there also was some lukewarm [View Full Entry]

By TeamTurner
September 4th 2007

What To Do If You Find Yourself In Oia

Europe » Greece » South Aegean » Santorini

Sunset in Santorini

What To Do If You Find Yourself In Oia The Greek Islands: a collection of vastly different ecologies that all have one thing in common - tourism. Amongst these hundreds of islands there are a few that stand out as the jewels in Greece’s island crown: Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes, and Santorini. Mykonos is known for its party life, Crete for its history and Rhodes for its coastal resorts. Santorini, sometimes ascribed with being the most beautiful of the many islands, is known for its whitewashed cliffside villages that tenaciously grip onto the volcanic precipices looking over [View Full Entry]

By KristiMartin
August 27th 2007

Days 212-216: Santorini, Greece

Europe » Greece » South Aegean » Santorini

Our fast ferry to Santorini

Ahhhhh Santorini! This island quickly became ONE of our favourite places in the world. Actually, we were sold from the second we saw it as we approached it by ferry. The soaring cliffs with the hotels and towns perched along the top. It was beautiful. From the second we saw our hotel room we didn't want to leave, and automatically the Greeks that we encountered, in our hotel, restaurants, mini markets, were much, much friendlier than those we had met in Athens and Mykonos. Our hotel room was in a villa built right into the cliffs you see pics of, and [View Full Entry]

By Pua lani
August 26th 2007

Taking the Hydrofoil from Santorini to the island of Mykonos

Europe » Greece » South Aegean » Santorini

The View of the Mykonos Pier from Omiros Hotel

Due to our unplanned early night last night, we got a good night’s rest and woke up early to pack and get ready to head to Mykonos. Before our taxi arrived, I walked up to Café Skiza and bought a couple pastries to go for our breakfast. After that, I met Rose at the Chelidonia reception desk and checked out. Luckily, he called someone to come down and carry both of our heavy bags up the 60+ stairs to the cab pickup location. We were in the cab heading to the Athinos port by 10:30am. Although our hydrofoil to Mykonos was [View Full Entry]

By Pua lani
August 25th 2007

Wine Tasting at Santo Winery & Relaxing on Santorini’s Red Beach

Europe » Greece » South Aegean » Santorini

The Sunset at Ammoudi Bay

We couldn’t leave Santorini without going wine tasting at least once during our stay here. After checking out reviews on the Internet, we decided to visit Santo Winery, the largest one on the island. We caught the bus to Fira, then boarded the bus to Perissa/Perivolos. Santo Winery is one of the stops along the way to Perissa/Perivolos, so it was a very easy trip even though we were without a rental car. Once inside the tasting room, we were presented with a few different options, so we chose the most complete option: a cheese, tomato tapenade, and bread platter, complete [View Full Entry]

Wine Tasting at Santo Winery in Santorini

The View from the Top of Santo Winery in Santorini

By Tantina
August 24th 2007

SUNSET!!! Romantic...but not me..><"

Europe » Greece » South Aegean » Santorini

Art!
Somewhere in Fira..

Santorini is nice!...the Island is spread out ....touristy..but nice vibe! Got to the Youth hostel.....met some Australian girls and hung out a bit with them...nice ne!! Went to Perissa Beach...the black sand beach! and the water was GREAT!! The first time I actually wanted to stay in the water at the beach!!!! ahhhhhhhh! The sand was kinda rocky but comfi to lie on!!=) Today..took a full day tour around the Islands in Santorini...Got on this "old-fashioned" boat...At the hostel, the Australian girls checked out and so, I teamed up with a Kiwi and American guy to the tour!..the tour was [View Full Entry]

By Pua lani
August 24th 2007

Donkey Riding in Fira on the way to the Santorini Boat Cruise

Europe » Greece » South Aegean » Santorini

Fira, Santorini

I don’t think anyone could ever tire of the Caldera views, particularly as the sun breaks through the clouds on another gorgeous Santorini day. Although we attempted to find a different breakfast café, we were unsuccessful and ended up at Café Skiza once again. We sat at the same table, ordered the homemade cheese pie again, and decided to try the quiche lorraine with mushrooms. After leisurely enjoying our breakfast, we caught the bus into Fira and strolled through the many souvenir shops up and down the main road. A couple of days ago, we booked the Thalassa sunset boat cruise, [View Full Entry]

The Line of Donkeys Waiting to Take us Down to the Old Fira Port

By Pua lani
August 23rd 2007

The Beaches at Perissa and Perivolos in Santorini

Europe » Greece » South Aegean » Santorini

Thao and I in Oia at the Church Square

Like clockwork, I woke up after 8 hours of sleep. I immediately walked out on the lanai to enjoy the beautiful Oia views. The temperature felt a few degrees cooler than yesterday, and there was a slight breeze that made it much more comfortable. Thao woke up soon after and we leisurely got ready for our first day together in Santorini. Researching various websites prior to coming to Greece, Thao brought a list of some of the recommended things to see and do in Santorini. Our first goal was to find a breakfast place, so we stopped in to see [View Full Entry]

Picturesque Oia - Right Outside our Villa

Our First Greek Gyros from Oia Souvlaki for Dinner

Travel Blog » Europe » Greece » South Aegean » Santorini