For many travelers and local residents who rely on tourism dollars, this year was an ‘annus horribilis,’ with disasters, upheavals and unparalleled weather events devastating top travel destinations across the globe.
After the prime minister of Greece called for the British Museum to return the Parthenon marbles, his British counterpart abruptly called off their meeting.
It is one of Europe’s fastest-growing economies, and while investors and tourists are flocking to the country, memories of austerity measures are still fresh for Greeks.
Greek military forces were called in to assist the rescue efforts. At least four people in Greece and at least nine in neighboring Turkey have died this week amid torrential rains and flooding.
The floodwaters ravaged bridges, stranded tourists and swept away cars and buildings. Thousands of households were still cut off from power on Wednesday.