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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 DeefromNZ
September 20th 2006

More photos from Santorini

Europe » Greece » South Aegean » Santorini

Firostefani Church
The much photographed church at Firostefani. I took possibly 100 different shots of this church.

More photos from glorious Santorini. These ones are of the 'famous' church at Firostefani. I came here many times hoping to strike some great light. The church is beside Apartments Gabby, a place I was thinking of staying at as it boasts fantastic views over the Caldera. [View Full Entry]

By Cy7
September 19th 2006

Greek Island of Santorini

Europe » Greece » South Aegean » Santorini

Oia church
Pfft. Flying in Santorini is quite an effort under the Mediterranean sun. And the white-washed paint doesn't help - I need to grab my pair of sunglasses.

Although 'blue' is not my official color (they are cardinal and gold), but the quaint Santorini is only best described as 'beautiful' and 'blue', and I have to admit that I even like it. I haven't seen anything bluer than the Mediterranian Sea water, which contrasting the white-washed churches and houses here. Donkey is the main transportation up the hill from our cruise ship to Fira, somewhat the center of Santorini. But we mainly spent our day in Oia, which is quiter and better, in my opinion. Off we go, back to our cruise ship. -Cy [View Full Entry]

By bekmac
September 19th 2006

update in greek islands

Europe » Greece » South Aegean » Santorini

Ok, so this is now the third time I've typed this, as it keeps deleting what I type. The flight to Milan from Madrid was a disaster. From the zig zagging on the tarmac before we even took off, to the bad pressure in the cabin, to the turbulence, to the fact that they didn't even apologise for being over an hour late, we were mightly sick of easyJet when we got off. Once in Milan, now an hour late, we lost any chance of getting a bench to sleep on, as we had a 7 hour layover until our flight [View Full Entry]

By DeefromNZ
September 18th 2006

Santorini

Europe » Greece » South Aegean

Here I am at last......WOW, what can I say. If you all thought I was obssesed about Santorini before I left NZ you will be worried to hear that now that I am here I am even more obssesed. So much to say, so little time. Most of it will have to wait I think until I get back home. My expectations were huge for this place and they have been met and then some. I love it immensly. I don't want to come home..........but don't worry Dad I will!! Have met wonderful people at hotel, girls from UK and USA. [View Full Entry]

By DeefromNZ
September 17th 2006

Santorini photos

Europe » Greece » South Aegean » Santorini

Fira

Photos of Fira, the main town in Santorini. I loved Fira and was staying in a villa just outside the town. Some people have written that Fira is overly commercial, sure it is commercial but no more so realistically, than Queenstown in NZ. Santorini is a tourist island, as Queenstown is a tourist town. Get over it! And enjoy everything else it has to offer. There is nothing like sitting back in a comfy chair sipping an ice cold drink with cruisy sounds playing in the background as you take in the wonderful view of the amazing caldera. Fira also has [View Full Entry]

By chrisx2
September 17th 2006

Sun, Surf, Sand and a Greek Wedding to Boot

Europe » Greece » South Aegean » Santorini

Hey all Told you we would write again soon. We have had another busy day. Last night we went out for dinner with the Aussie couple and their daughter. We went to a restaurant where they were holding a greek wedding while waiting for our table we were invited to join the celebrations that were going on. The red wine started flowing and the father of the groom welcomed us all into the party (family). We met the groom and bride and watched on as the dancing took place all around us it was certainly a very special time. When we [View Full Entry]

By DeefromNZ
September 16th 2006

Santorini Pics

Europe » Greece » South Aegean » Santorini

Dee and Ally
Me teaching Allison some basic Ceroc moves on the edge of the Caldera. This was taken just after we had finished the wine tasting....funny that.

Photos from the great day/night I had when I went out with 'the girls' I met at my villa. What a blast. [View Full Entry]

By chrisx2
September 16th 2006

Paradise at last

Europe » Greece » South Aegean » Santorini

Sorry for not posting as often as promised. But as we have made it to a truly beautiful place we are kicking back enjoying this terrific place. If you would like to have a look at our second lot of digs go to www.dreamislandhotel.gr yes it does look as good as the brochure. Since our last post we survived our night at Hotel le gatwick and were well and truly on time for our 630am flight to athens. We had another good flight they seat the aircraft depending on how early you checked in and as we checked in the night [View Full Entry]

By ezlex
September 15th 2006

Back in Naxos

Europe » Greece » South Aegean » Naxos

Lex on Iraklia

huray its alex here and we are back in bloody naxos again...needless to say we are both pretty sick of tyhis island but its the go between for all the little islands. we have just spent a loverly 5 days on a smaller island iraklia which was pretty cool and remmote...stayed with a gourgous greek lady, Maria who finally gave us some greek hospitallity and grandmothered us to death with coffee and kisses ...ez isd getting itchy fingers to have a go so i gracefully take my leave (also anna i didnt get your email!!!!?? how are u hun??) oh and [View Full Entry]

By Tav
September 11th 2006

‘Like Here, Nowhere’

Europe » Greece » South Aegean » Santorini

The Crew
Sarah, Lisa, Arty, Nikki, Jason, Jo - Out near the Donkey Pepper

The next day I went for a walk through the streets and look at all the shops and the donkeys making their way through the steep winding hills as they made their way up the stairs... Sarah thought that there was an overwhelming smell of pepper, turned out to be donkey pepper!! Awesome view, awful smell!! Next day woke up and it was cloudy, after Arty told me that it’s NEVER cloudy in Santorini!! What’s going on there?!?!?! Had brekkie (with cake at the end!! Love holidays!!) and then to Maria to have the obligatory frappe who is just adorable and [View Full Entry]

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