This blog is all about (well, for the most part at least) travel, right? Well, here you go:
Planning a trip to Greece? Birthplace of civilization, democracy, and the gyro. Should be good. But for the moment, maybe you should reconsider.
I think Greece's economic crisis is pretty well documented. Well, if you really just have to make it to Athens, be sure to bring your riot gear:
http://www.reuters.com/news/pictures/slideshow?articleId=USRTR2NP17#a=1
That is right in front of the Greek Parliament, at the end of Syntagma square, one of the city's more popular areas.
Oh and, another thing. When I went to Athens last year, it was still considered one of the safest cities in Europe. I found that a bit strange, seeing as people could be seen openly using drugs on the street during the daylight hours and prostitutes would make themselves known in some spots (ok, I am assuming they were ladies of the night, they gave that vibe). Well, according to the trusty New York Times, violent crime is spiking in the city. This includes knifings, and robberies involving criminals wielding Kalashnikov rifles. Yeep!
If you don't believe me, check out the article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/15/world/europe/15iht-greece15.html
So, Greece, and Athens in particular, might not be your best bet for a travel destination at the moment. If you are just in a Balkan state of mind, here are some perhaps lesser-known options.
Mostar, Bosnia-Herznegovina. I will let the article and the photos do the talking:
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/946
Croatia, including the capital Zagreb ( I have it heard resembles Vienna, Prague and Budapest. Which, you know, is pretty good company), and the beautiful Adriatic cities of Dubrovnik and Split.
Here is some stuff:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/croatia/dalmatia/split Lonely Planet Guide to Split, Croatia
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Croatia/Dalmatia_Dubrovnik_Region/Dubrovnik-387793/TravelGuide-Dubrovnik.html Virtual Tourist Guide to Dubrovnik, Croatia
http://wikitravel.org/en/Zagreb Wikitravel Article on Zagreb.
So there are some other places that will put you in the Balkans and close to the sea, without having to worry too much about economic collapse, riots, and getting shanked for your wallet.
On another note, expect a lot more postings with neat articles/photo essays that I happen upon. The Matt Taibbi article from yesterday is a good example. The above links really don't count, I just found it my journalistic/travel-junkie duty to inform you that Greece, while still an interesting place to visit, is probably best moved down the list for the moment (Also: If you are from the Greek government/tourism authority, my apologies).
Planning a trip to Greece? Birthplace of civilization, democracy, and the gyro. Should be good. But for the moment, maybe you should reconsider.
I think Greece's economic crisis is pretty well documented. Well, if you really just have to make it to Athens, be sure to bring your riot gear:
http://www.reuters.com/news/pictures/slideshow?articleId=USRTR2NP17#a=1
That is right in front of the Greek Parliament, at the end of Syntagma square, one of the city's more popular areas.
Oh and, another thing. When I went to Athens last year, it was still considered one of the safest cities in Europe. I found that a bit strange, seeing as people could be seen openly using drugs on the street during the daylight hours and prostitutes would make themselves known in some spots (ok, I am assuming they were ladies of the night, they gave that vibe). Well, according to the trusty New York Times, violent crime is spiking in the city. This includes knifings, and robberies involving criminals wielding Kalashnikov rifles. Yeep!
If you don't believe me, check out the article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/15/world/europe/15iht-greece15.html
So, Greece, and Athens in particular, might not be your best bet for a travel destination at the moment. If you are just in a Balkan state of mind, here are some perhaps lesser-known options.
Mostar, Bosnia-Herznegovina. I will let the article and the photos do the talking:
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/946
Croatia, including the capital Zagreb ( I have it heard resembles Vienna, Prague and Budapest. Which, you know, is pretty good company), and the beautiful Adriatic cities of Dubrovnik and Split.
Here is some stuff:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/croatia/dalmatia/split Lonely Planet Guide to Split, Croatia
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Croatia/Dalmatia_Dubrovnik_Region/Dubrovnik-387793/TravelGuide-Dubrovnik.html Virtual Tourist Guide to Dubrovnik, Croatia
http://wikitravel.org/en/Zagreb Wikitravel Article on Zagreb.
So there are some other places that will put you in the Balkans and close to the sea, without having to worry too much about economic collapse, riots, and getting shanked for your wallet.
On another note, expect a lot more postings with neat articles/photo essays that I happen upon. The Matt Taibbi article from yesterday is a good example. The above links really don't count, I just found it my journalistic/travel-junkie duty to inform you that Greece, while still an interesting place to visit, is probably best moved down the list for the moment (Also: If you are from the Greek government/tourism authority, my apologies).
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