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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 Mel and Gareth
May 20th 2007

Eau de Pussy

Europe » Greece » Thessaly » Meteora

Perfect Picnic
Nafplio - don't look down!

Greece: Another emotional rollercoaster ride for us. We experienced many gloriously uplifting moments and more than our fair share of stoic teeth-grinding (Gareth) and throw-your-pack-down-and-chuck-a-proper-wobbly (not Gareth) frustrations. Coming as we did from Turkey, Athens was a bit of a dive. Okay, they've got the Acropolis, but if that Parthenon wasn't perched on that particular hill it certainly wouldn't be so cool. Ephesus (Turkey) kicked the butt of the Acropolis, it's just not up on a big shiny pedestal - still, it was the highlight of our Athens experience. Otherwise the city [View Full Entry]

Ruins in the foreground, and the rest of Athens

By Sam and Sal
May 18th 2007

Greek Island Hopping

Europe » Greece » Thessaly » Meteora

Abandoned Jetty
St. Georges Beach - Naxos

Greek Island - Naxos Instead of doing the usual Mykonos, Ios, Santorini stuff - we thought we'd escape the 18 year olds and head to two of the other islands in the Aegean. We had a long trek over from Turkey with planes and ferries etc. but it was well worth it in the end. The first thing we thought when we got here was this place is paradise. We checked into an apartment no more than 10 metres from the beach with an awesome view out to sea. The best thing about Naxos is that, although it is one of [View Full Entry]

By SBNick
May 16th 2007

More Greek Isles

Europe » Greece » Thessaly » Meteora

Monday we were in Rhodes, Tuesday Santorini and Today we're in Katakolon. The days are flying by and all running together in my mind. While in Rhodes we went on a tour called Liesurely Lindos, which consisted of a bus ride to a small village on the other side of the island called Lindos and a brief tour of a "Traditional ceramic factory". The only thing liesurely about this tour was the bus ride. Both stops were too rushed to enjoy and the mono toned tour directors put us to sleep as she droned on and on in her broken english [View Full Entry]

By ceves
May 11th 2007

Greece

Europe » Greece » Thessaly » Meteora

Evzones
Change of guard which was excellent!

Greece Very good! Was nice to step out of hotel and wander around feeling safe, no hassle shopping, green gardens and parks, warm weather which is a nice change, having little free touristy things like change of guard and tourist information boards for little extras. People are not overly friendly or Greek looking for the matter but just go about their business. They are good at jumping queues if you don’t be very assertive. Countryside is beautiful! Olive trees everywhere, beautiful winding country roads on flats and hillsides. Athens - awesome. Saw change of Evzones at Parliament [View Full Entry]

By Sianne and Aaron
May 9th 2007

Greece!!!

Europe » Greece » Thessaly » Meteora

Spent the day in Greece today. Caught a ferry from Kusadasi to a Greek Island called Samos. Took about an hour and a half and we were in Greece. Greece border security is great. One guy smoking a cigarette while stamping your passport. Not much to do in Samos. Went to the museum, visited the old part of the city and had a great souvlaki. Good to say we have been in Greece though. Best bit of the day was the starbucks coffee before we got on the ferry. 1st coffee in a while. [View Full Entry]

By delphinus
May 8th 2007

Katakolon

Europe » Greece » Thessaly » Meteora

Katakolon is a very small port, but it is the gateway to see Olympia, a sleepy little town. We were struck by how rural it was. Interesting for a cruise ship port. However, this was a great first stop. We were on the bus for about 30 minutes to get to our destination, the original site of the very first Olympic Games where it all began. This was a fascinating journey into the past. I had never done any reading on the subject of Olympia, but was impressed with how much history was behind the games. I particularly liked the fact [View Full Entry]

By Glindy
May 7th 2007

Greece

Europe » Greece » Thessaly » Meteora

Delphi

Greece Europe » Greece By Glindy May 7th 2007Hey i have just returned from 2 weeks in greece. I loved this place! The islands and main land is so beautiful. The people were really friendly, food fantastic and islands were crazy! [View Full Entry]

By Mr Leeds United
May 7th 2007

Running in the Olympics

Europe » Greece » Thessaly » Meteora

Parthenon
As you can see, the view is pretty much destroyed by the scaffolding everywhere.

Well since my last update, I have think I have covered more of Greece than I have of New Zealand! First was Athens, and some of you may know I enjoy my sport a little bit, so the highlight of Athens for me wasn't the Parthenon, the Acropolis or the ruins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus, but visiting the stadium where the first Olympic Games were held all the way back in 1896. They have been done up a bit since then because they were also used when the Olympics were held here last time in 2004. Anyway back [View Full Entry]

By HEPHAESTUS
April 28th 2007

Say what you want about the movie

Europe » Greece » Thessaly » Meteora

Thermopolie

Untitled James Emerson I really dont think I had much of a choice in the matter. This one site contained in it so many things that I love, History, Ancient warfare, world changing events, and there have been comics written and moveis made about Thermopolye. Yes thats right, the actual site of where the movie 300 was said to take place. And you can say what you want about the movie, but take it for what its worth, a good piece of historical fiction. Did It happen exactly the way that it did in the movie, no of course not, [View Full Entry]

By Spain07
April 13th 2007

Spring Break 07' Ferry Dwarves

Europe » Greece » Thessaly » Meteora

Our limo
Lets go to Greece

Vale, let’s make our way to Greece, only a 16 hour ferry ride stands between us. Step one: Remove the bags from our backs Step two: Scout the boat for somewhere to sleep Step three: Buy liquor Step four: Get a little tipsy Luckily our ferry was still in off season, so we were able to put our bags down and grab a reclining seat that we did not pay for to sleep in. Onto step three… “Can we eat dinner first?” “Claro” Spinach, rice, and turkey contraption welcomed me to Greece. It was amazing even though I had to [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Europe » Greece » Thessaly