Greece - Korina Miller [60]
MARINE ISSUES
In its vast amounts of sea territory, Greece’s marine life leads a precarious life. In many respects, tourism has been the cause of much of the demise of the Greek seas, as well as the motivation for cleaning them up. Legislation aimed at preventing water pollution has been noticeably effective at keeping the quality of Greece’s seawater at a respectable level of salinity. Water clarity in the Saronic Gulf – once notoriously polluted – is now almost on a par with the further reaches of the Aegean archipelago. The country’s bathing water quality is now rated as number two in Europe by the European Commission. Nevertheless, foreign ships continue to be threats as many illegally discharge their waste into the sea.
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Loggerhead turtle hatchlings use the journey from the nest to the sea to build up their strength. Helping the baby turtles to the sea can actually lower their chances of survival.
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A more endemic problem lies in overfishing – a problem that is admittedly Mediterranean-wide. While Greeks love their fresh-fish restaurants and will pay a premium to eat at them, finding the fresh fish is getting increasingly difficult, with fish-farming becoming more common. Greece now produces more than 60,000 tons per annum of farmed fish, and around 60% of the EU’s sea bass and sea bream.
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Athens & Attica
Αθα & Αττικ
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ATHENS ΑΘΗΝΑ
HISTORY
ORIENTATION
INFORMATION
DANGERS & ANNOYANCES
SIGHTS
ACTIVITIES
WALKING TOUR
COURSES
ATHENS FOR CHILDREN
TOURS
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
SLEEPING
EATING
DRINKING
ENTERTAINMENT
SHOPPING
GETTING THERE & AWAY
GETTING AROUND
PIRAEUS ΠΕΙΡΑΙΑΣ
HISTORY
ORIENTATION
INFORMATION
SIGHTS
SLEEPING
EATING & DRINKING
SHOPPING
GETTING THERE & AWAY
GETTING AROUND
ATTICA ΑΤΤΙΚΗ
CAPE SOUNION ΑΚΡΩΤΗΡΙΟ ΣΟΥΝΙΟ
ELEFSINA (ELEUSIS) ΕΛΕΥΣIΝΑ
MARATHON & AROUND
VRAVRONA ΒΡΑΥΡΩΝΑ
RAFINA ΡΑΦΗΝΑ
LAVRIO ΛΑΥΡΙΟ
AROUND PEANIA
MT PARNITHA ΠΑΡΝΗΘΑ
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Ancient and modern, with equal measures of grunge and grace, bustling Athens is a heady mix of history and edginess, lively cafes and alfresco dining, chaos and downright fun.
The magnificent Acropolis rising majestically above the sprawling metropolis has stood witness to the city’s many transformations. Over a decade of radical urban renewal Athens has reinvented itself. Post-Olympics Athens is conspicuously wealthier, more sophisticated and cosmopolitan. The shift is evident in the stylish new restaurants, shops and hip hotels, and in the emerging artsy-industrial neighbourhoods and entertainment precincts.
The car-free historic centre is an open-air museum, yet the city’s cultural and social life takes place around these ancient monuments, reconciling past and present. Beyond its fascinating ancient ruins and museums, Athens has a rich cultural calendar of festivals and a burgeoning contemporary arts scene. Its seasonal social life gives it an exciting energy.
Athens remains a city of contradictions, as trying as it is seductive, as quirky and villagelike as it is urbane. Despite its work-in-progress facelift, the city will always have a gritty side, though its architectural hotchpotch and run-down areas become undeniably more palatable when the sun sets and the city lights up, bringing on its renowned nightlife.
Athens used to be a love-it-or-hate-it place. These days it’s hard to not concede it’s come a long way and be enamoured of its intoxicating mix of history, bustling streetlife, cafes and late-night dining culture. Athens is a city to experience, not just to visit.
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HIGHLIGHTS
Ancient Splendour Climbing to the awe-inspiring Acropolis
Historic Trails Promenading around the streets of Athens’ historic centre Click here
Greek Treasures Viewing the superb antiquities at the National Archaeological Museum
Ancient Stage Catching an Athens Festival show at the