Greece

Greek tourism - including domestic tourism and related investments - contributed 13% to the country's gross domestic product, amounting to 28.5 billion euros, in 2023. 

The Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY) has updated its emergency bulletin for hazardous weather phenomena, with severe weather continuing to impact many regions of the country with snow, rain, and gale-force winds.

Greece was bracing for more wintry weather on Thursday, with heavy rain, gale-force winds and snow expected across multiple regions.

Many English words, such as dialogue, diplomacy and democracy, have Greek origins, and the term "diaspora" is no different. Derived from the Greek word meaning "to scatter seeds far and wide," it has long referred to Greek communities spread across the globe.

Defense Minister Nikos Dendias visited Alexandroupoli and the Kipoi border post along the Greek-Turkish frontier on Christmas Day, accompanied by top military officials. He attended the Christmas holly mass and later visited the Kipoi bridge surveillance outpost, where he exchanged greetings with personnel.

A visit by a deposed king was a huge political deal 30-odd years ago, with some people even viewing it as a genuine threat to the nation. The government of Konstantinos Mitsotakis was even compelled - under pressure from the media - to scramble helicopters and navy ships to keep an eye on the former royal family, as if they were carrying out an invasion. History's wounds were still very fresh.

Heavy rainfall is expected in coastal areas across Greece, with thunderstorms in Sporades, central and northern Evia, and the Dodecanese. These conditions will also briefly affect the southern parts of the eastern Aegean (Samos-Ikaria region) until midday. They will later shift to eastern Thessaly (Magnesia), eastern Central Greece, southern Evia and western Cyclades in the afternoon.

Greek Heritage Night was honored last night at Chicago’s United Center before the jumping off point at the Bulls’ game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Winter weather is forecast for Greece this Christmas and December 26 with heavy rain and snowfall in some parts of the country. 

Snowfall is forecast for Christmas Day and December 26 across the mountainous regions of mainland Greece, as well as the mountains of Evia and Crete, and the semi-mountainous areas of central and northern Greece.

Although Greeks, like the rest of Europeans, have shortened their vacation days, they now seize every opportunity for short escapes both within and beyond the borders.