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About us

Imagining Greece: How Tourism Shaped a Nation
Imagining Greece is a digital exhibition that explores the evolution of tourism in Greece from the end of World War II to the closing chapters of the Cold War. The exhibition examines multiple aspects of the phenomenon by showcasing a wealth of textual and visual material curated from a wide range of state and private archival repositories and sources, including the Greek National Tourism Organisation, architectural firms, advertising agencies and both domestic and foreign press and periodicals. It is further enriched by an ongoing oral history project that captures firsthand experiences from specialists and the general public. We hope this exhibition will bring the history of tourism in Greece to life while deepening understanding of its profound impact—both on Greek society itself and on the millions of international visitors whose journeys have helped transform Greece into one of the world's most beloved destinations.

Our Team
We are an interdisciplinary team with expertise spanning history, visual culture, design studies, architectural history, cultural heritage, and digital humanities. Led by Professor Eirini Karamouzi (Principal Investigator) and Dr Mary Ikoniadou (Co-Investigator), our team includes:

Dr Stavros Alifragkis and Dr Emilia Athanasiou (Scientific and Artistic Curators, Lead Researchers), Dr Christos Christidis (Special Advisor), Despina Tsilimagkou (Digital Humanities Director), Dr Marina Emmanouil, Dr Metaxia Papageorgiou and Dr Aphrodite Kamara (Researchers). Our work has been generously supported by the Onassis Foundation, the National Bank of Greece and Research England. We are honoured to have the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) and the Greek Ministry of Tourism as our patrons, and we work closely with Greece’s National Historical Museum.

Our Goal
Our goal is to make Imagining Greece a widely accessible digital exhibition that serves as a valuable resource for schools, universities, tourism professionals, and the public in Greece and beyond. We aim to promote a deeper understanding of tourism as a crucial element of Greek culture, economy, politics, and society. The exhibition is organised around four thematic experiences: Picture, Travel, Discover, and Remember. Each theme presents carefully chosen artefacts in an intuitive, easy-to-explore journey. Visitors will explore a rich collection of promotional materials, including advertising, audio-visual culture, periodicals, commercial and government sources, tourist guides, tourism infrastructure and architecture, cultural artefacts from folklore, feasts and festivals, leisure activities, books about Greece, souvenirs, vacation photographs, and postcards. The entire spectrum of Greece as a tourism destination is accessible through the thematic experiences, the interactive map, or the chronological timeline.

The Future of Imagining Greece
Imagining Greece will continue to grow with new artefacts, and we welcome your contributions. If you have relevant materials to share, please contact us at: info@imagininggreece.com

Legal Notice / Disclaimer
Every reasonable effort has been made to trace and contact the copyright holders of all material reproduced in this digital exhibition, ‘Imagining Greece: How Tourism Shaped a Nation, 1945-1989’, and to obtain their permission for the use of copyrighted material. We apologise for any omissions in acknowledging copyright. If you own the copyright for any material used on our website and believe it infringes upon your rights, please contact us directly at info@imagininggreece.com. Please note that all images and materials remain the property of their respective copyright holders, and may not be reproduced, distributed, or otherwise used without their prior permission.

Acknowledgements
We thank the numerous institutions and private individuals who have contributed their valuable archival materials to this project:

Benaki Museum’s Photographic Archives Department, Michael Cacoyannis Foundation, Greek Film Archive, Greek National Tourism Organisation, Hellenic Literary and Historical Archive, Hellenic National AudioVisual Archive - Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation, Hellenic Touring Club, Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece – National Historical Museum, Historical Archive of the National Bank of Greece, Constantinos A. Doxiadis Archives, ‘Konstantinos G. Karamanlis’ Foundation, The Library of the Hellenic Parliament, Modern Greek Architecture Archives of the Benaki Museum, National Bank of Greece Cultural Foundation, Neraida Floating Museum - John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, Olympic Airways Workers Cultural Center, Philatelic Postal Museum, Spyros Vassiliou Archive - Dominum Artifex NPO, The Alpha Bank Art Collection, The Ghika Gallery - Benaki Museum.

Dimitris Antonakakis – Atelier 66, Archimidis & Eleni Athanassiou, Tasos Biris – Tassos Biris Architectural Firm, Vassilis Bogakos, Vassilis Giannakis, Panos Haratzopoulos, Erifyli Hontolidou, Maro Kardamitsi-Adami, Yannis Karlopoulos, Kostas Katsigiannis, Konstantinos Lyssaridis – ETETH SA, Eirini Philippides, Marina Philippides – AMK Architecture + Design, Jenny Perivolari, Christos Rallis & Georgia Sovatzoglou, Vassia Stylianidi – WOBI Architects, Vaggelis Stylianidis - Stylianidis Vaggelis Architects, Nicos Valsamakis – N. Valsamakis Architectural Firm, Ioannis Vikelas – Vikelas Architects.

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Picture
Travel
Discover
Remember
Displaying 156 artefacts
Photograph
Mycenae Tourist Pavilion artifact

Mycenae Tourist Pavilion

Photograph
Architectural Drawing
Arta Xenia Hotel artifact

Arta Xenia Hotel

Photograph
The demolished Xenia Hotel in Ioannina artifact

The demolished Xenia Hotel in Ioannina

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Karpenissi Xenia Hotel artifact

Karpenissi Xenia Hotel

Photograph
Missolonghi Xenia Motel artifact

Missolonghi Xenia Motel

Photograph
Xanthi Xenia Hotel artifact

Xanthi Xenia Hotel

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Postcard
Edessa Xenia Hotel artifact

Edessa Xenia Hotel

Photograph
Paliouri Xenia Motel artifact

Paliouri Xenia Motel

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Port Facilties at Igoumenitsa artifact

Port Facilties at Igoumenitsa

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Evripos Tourist Pavilion artifact

Evripos Tourist Pavilion

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Ouranoupolis Xenia Motel artifact

Ouranoupolis Xenia Motel

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Omonia Hotel artifact

Omonia Hotel

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Minos Beach Hotel artifact

Minos Beach Hotel

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Sunbathing inflatable comforts artifact

Sunbathing inflatable comforts

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Ypati Thermal Springs Xenia artifact

Ypati Thermal Springs Xenia

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Dwelling the beach artifact

Dwelling the beach

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Dry hair and swimming in safety artifact

Dry hair and swimming in safety

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Platter hats and canoeing in the 50s artifact

Platter hats and canoeing in the 50s

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Transporting visitors in Alonissos artifact

Transporting visitors in Alonissos

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Tourists in Steni Vala, Alonissos artifact

Tourists in Steni Vala, Alonissos

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Playing music aboard artifact

Playing music aboard

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The seal Thodoris artifact

The seal Thodoris

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Hanging out with the local priest artifact

Hanging out with the local priest

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Moutzouris the train on the Pelion railway line artifact

Moutzouris the train on the Pelion railway li...

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Print Ad
Hotel Delphi in Athens artifact

Hotel Delphi in Athens

Photograph
Print Ad
Greta Garbo in Aedipsos artifact

Greta Garbo in Aedipsos

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The historic KYMA pavilion in Aedipsos is undergoing restoration artifact

The historic KYMA pavilion in Aedipsos is und...

Photograph
Video (Promotional)
End of an era for Panellinion hotel artifact

End of an era for Panellinion hotel

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Artists in Aegli artifact

Artists in Aegli

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Hotel Aristotelis in Lake Volvi Baths artifact

Hotel Aristotelis in Lake Volvi Baths

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The refectory of the spa complex of Langadas artifact

The refectory of the spa complex of Langadas

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Hotel Alexander the Great in Langadas Thermal Baths artifact

Hotel Alexander the Great in Langadas Thermal...

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Postcard
Sunbaithing in Minos Beach artifact

Sunbaithing in Minos Beach

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The demolished Xenia Hotel in Heraklion, Crete artifact

The demolished Xenia Hotel in Heraklion, Cret...

Photograph
Mediterranean Palace Hotel artifact

Mediterranean Palace Hotel

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The shell seekers artifact

The shell seekers

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Free Camping in Halkidiki in the '70s artifact

Free Camping in Halkidiki in the '70s

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Florina Xenia Hotel artifact

Florina Xenia Hotel

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Andritsaina Xenia Hotel artifact

Andritsaina Xenia Hotel

Photograph
Swinging by the sea artifact

Swinging by the sea

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Xenia hotel in Portaria artifact

Xenia hotel in Portaria

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Postcard
Hotel du Lac Xenia in Kastoria artifact

Hotel du Lac Xenia in Kastoria

Photograph
Postcard
Honeymooning at the Hotel du Lac artifact

Honeymooning at the Hotel du Lac

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Sailing in the Saronic Gulf artifact

Sailing in the Saronic Gulf

Photograph
Café and open-air swimming pool at Zea Marina artifact

Café and open-air swimming pool at Zea Marina

Photograph
Architectural Drawing
Beach racquet game by the sea artifact

Beach racquet game by the sea

Photograph
American Express Finance & Travel Office, Athens artifact

American Express Finance & Travel Office, Ath...

Photograph
Akronafplia Xenia Hotel in 1961 artifact

Akronafplia Xenia Hotel in 1961

Photograph
Postcard
Chios Xenia Hotel artifact

Chios Xenia Hotel

Photograph
Samos Xenia Hotel artifact

Samos Xenia Hotel

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Kos Xenia Hotel artifact

Kos Xenia Hotel

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Vytina Xenia Motel artifact

Vytina Xenia Motel

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Volos Xenia Hotel artifact

Volos Xenia Hotel

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Serres Xenia Hotel artifact

Serres Xenia Hotel

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Kalamata Xenia Motel artifact

Kalamata Xenia Motel

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Guesthouses near the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus artifact

Guesthouses near the Ancient Theatre of Epida...

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Tourist Pavilion in Epidaurus Archaeological Site artifact

Tourist Pavilion in Epidaurus Archaeological...

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The Athens Hilton artifact

The Athens Hilton

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Architectural Drawing
Tourist Pavilion in Eretria 1959 artifact

Tourist Pavilion in Eretria 1959

Photograph
Drawing
Wine Festival 1957 artifact

Wine Festival 1957

Photograph
Wine Festival 1967 artifact

Wine Festival 1967

Photograph
Amalia Hotel Athens artifact

Amalia Hotel Athens

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Architectural Drawing
Restaurant Pamela's at Voula artifact

Restaurant Pamela's at Voula

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Amalia Hotel Delphi artifact

Amalia Hotel Delphi

Photograph
Architectural Drawing
Grand Hotel Astir Palace, Rhodes artifact

Grand Hotel Astir Palace, Rhodes

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Architectural Drawing
White Rocks Hotel, Cephalonia artifact

White Rocks Hotel, Cephalonia

Photograph
Architectural Drawing
Apollon Palace, Kavouri artifact

Apollon Palace, Kavouri

Photograph
Architectural Drawing
Hotel Apollo, Aegina artifact

Hotel Apollo, Aegina

Photograph
Architectural Drawing
Amalia Hotel Olympia artifact

Amalia Hotel Olympia

Photograph
Architectural Drawing
Amalia Hotel Nafplio artifact

Amalia Hotel Nafplio

Photograph
Architectural Drawing
Robinson Daidalos, Kos artifact

Robinson Daidalos, Kos

Photograph
Architectural Drawing
Amalia Hotel Meteora artifact

Amalia Hotel Meteora

Photograph
Architectural Drawing
Olympus Car Camp, Skotina Beach artifact

Olympus Car Camp, Skotina Beach

Photograph
Architectural Drawing
Olympic Airways 1957 - A new era artifact

Olympic Airways 1957 - A new era

Photograph
Print Ad
Akronafplia Xenia Hotel in the 1980s artifact

Akronafplia Xenia Hotel in the 1980s

Photograph
Xenia Hotel in Drama artifact

Xenia Hotel in Drama

Photograph
Igoumenitsa Xenia Motel artifact

Igoumenitsa Xenia Motel

Photograph
Komotini Xenia Hotel artifact

Komotini Xenia Hotel

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Mykonos Xenia Hotel artifact

Mykonos Xenia Hotel

Photograph
Greek pavilion in Fiera di Palermo 1954 artifact

Greek pavilion in Fiera di Palermo 1954

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Architectural Drawing
Greek pavilion in Paris Fair 1953 artifact

Greek pavilion in Paris Fair 1953

Photograph
Architectural Drawing
Oceanis Restaurant in Vouliagmeni artifact

Oceanis Restaurant in Vouliagmeni

Photograph
Organised beach in Arvanitia, Nafplio artifact

Organised beach in Arvanitia, Nafplio

Photograph
"Thetis" Xenia Hotel in Skyros artifact

"Thetis" Xenia Hotel in Skyros

Photograph
Fterolakka Ski Centre on Mount Parnassus 1977 artifact

Fterolakka Ski Centre on Mount Parnassus 1977

Photograph
Banknote Museum of the Ionian Bank artifact

Banknote Museum of the Ionian Bank

Photograph
Thassos Xenia Hotel "Alkyon" at Limenas artifact

Thassos Xenia Hotel "Alkyon" at Limenas

Photograph
Album
Kallas in Herodeion artifact

Kallas in Herodeion

Photograph
Guesthouse of GNTO in Samothrace artifact

Guesthouse of GNTO in Samothrace

Photograph
Gregory Peck in Lindos, Rhodes artifact

Gregory Peck in Lindos, Rhodes

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The first bus tours of GNTO artifact

The first bus tours of GNTO

Photograph
Unofficial first day cover (FDC) of the Festivals of Greece stamp set artifact

Unofficial first day cover (FDC) of the Festi...

Photograph
Stamp
44th International Fair of Thessaloniki artifact

44th International Fair of Thessaloniki

Photograph
The Tower of Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE), 1979 artifact

The Tower of Hellenic Telecommunications Orga...

Photograph
The "Neraida" sailing the Greek seas artifact

The "Neraida" sailing the Greek seas

Photograph
"Neraida" manoeuvring in Hydra Port artifact

"Neraida" manoeuvring in Hydra Port

Photograph
The "Aegean" anchored in Gialos Santorini artifact

The "Aegean" anchored in Gialos Santorini

Photograph
The Port of Hydra by McCabe artifact

The Port of Hydra by McCabe

Photograph
Boutaris' Pavillion in HELEXPO artifact

Boutaris' Pavillion in HELEXPO

Photograph
Inauguration of the 31st Thessaloniki International Fair artifact

Inauguration of the 31st Thessaloniki Interna...

Photograph
Grande Albergo delle Rose in Rhodes artifact

Grande Albergo delle Rose in Rhodes

Photograph
Moralis' artwork on the Athens Hilton's facades artifact

Moralis' artwork on the Athens Hilton's facad...

Photograph
PM Karamanlis visits the Athens Hilton construction site artifact

PM Karamanlis visits the Athens Hilton constr...

Photograph
Foundation stone-laying ceremony or the Athens Hilton artifact

Foundation stone-laying ceremony or the Athen...

Photograph
Inauguration of the Athens Hilton 1963 artifact

Inauguration of the Athens Hilton 1963

Photograph
John Voglis at Thessaloniki Film Festival artifact

John Voglis at Thessaloniki Film Festival

Photograph
Thermal Hotel Asklepios in Platystomo artifact

Thermal Hotel Asklepios in Platystomo

Photograph
Psarotherma Thermal Springs in Samothrace artifact

Psarotherma Thermal Springs in Samothrace

Photograph
Apollonia Spa Town artifact

Apollonia Spa Town

Photograph
Eftalou hot springs in Lesvos artifact

Eftalou hot springs in Lesvos

Photograph
Hotel Miramare in Ixia, Rhodes 1958-60 artifact

Hotel Miramare in Ixia, Rhodes 1958-60

Photograph
Postcard
Inauguration of the Athenian Ski Friends Club's Centre on Mount Parnassus 1976 artifact

Inauguration of the Athenian Ski Friends Club...

Photograph
The decay of Thermal Tourism in the 1990s artifact

The decay of Thermal Tourism in the 1990s

Photograph
Apollonion Vacation Village in Porto Rafti 1970-1981 artifact

Apollonion Vacation Village in Porto Rafti 19...

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Glyfada Astir Beach and Resort artifact

Glyfada Astir Beach and Resort

Photograph
Vouliagmeni Astir Resort artifact

Vouliagmeni Astir Resort

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Alexandroupolis Astir Motel artifact

Alexandroupolis Astir Motel

Photograph
Kythnos Xenia Spa Hotel artifact

Kythnos Xenia Spa Hotel

Photograph
Exarchakos Family Tower in Vathia, Mani artifact

Exarchakos Family Tower in Vathia, Mani

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Architectural Drawing
Hotel Leto, Mykonos 1951 artifact

Hotel Leto, Mykonos 1951

Photograph
Mikra State Airport - Terminal Building Extension artifact

Mikra State Airport - Terminal Building Exten...

Photograph
Delphi Xenia Hotel artifact

Delphi Xenia Hotel

Photograph
Postcard
MS Daphne artifact

MS Daphne

Photograph
Brochure
Early Christian Basilica II at Philippi artifact

Early Christian Basilica II at Philippi

Photograph
The Miramare in Corfu artifact

The Miramare in Corfu

Photograph
Xenia hotel in Tsagkarada, Pelion artifact

Xenia hotel in Tsagkarada, Pelion

Photograph
Postcard
Tourist Pavilion in Daphni, Attica artifact

Tourist Pavilion in Daphni, Attica

Photograph
The "Ainos" Xenia Hotel in Argostoli artifact

The "Ainos" Xenia Hotel in Argostoli

Photograph
Young woman from Rhodes wearing the traditional women's costume of Emponas, 1950 artifact

Young woman from Rhodes wearing the tradition...

Photograph
Young woman from Symi wearing the local costume, 1950 artifact

Young woman from Symi wearing the local costu...

Photograph
Young women from Leros wearing local costumes, 1950 artifact

Young women from Leros wearing local costumes...

Photograph
Women from Nisyros wearing local costumes, 1950 artifact

Women from Nisyros wearing local costumes, 19...

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Woman from Karpathos with a little boy wearing local costumes, 1950 artifact

Woman from Karpathos with a little boy wearin...

Photograph
Kos, the Tourist Pavilion artifact

Kos, the Tourist Pavilion

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Kos, the Tourist Hotel "Batis" artifact

Kos, the Tourist Hotel "Batis"

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Kos, the Tourist Hotel "Zephyros" artifact

Kos, the Tourist Hotel "Zephyros"

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Thermal Baths in Niisyros artifact

Thermal Baths in Niisyros

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The Tourist Hotel at Lakki, in Leros artifact

The Tourist Hotel at Lakki, in Leros

Photograph
Albergo del Cervo and Albergo della Cerva, Rhodes artifact

Albergo del Cervo and Albergo della Cerva, Rh...

Photograph
Sea Baths La Ronda at Mandraki, Rhodes artifact

Sea Baths La Ronda at Mandraki, Rhodes

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Kallithea Thermal Baths in Rhodes artifact

Kallithea Thermal Baths in Rhodes

Photograph
The Historical Archive Museum of Hydra artifact

The Historical Archive Museum of Hydra

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East side of the port of Hydra artifact

East side of the port of Hydra

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"Neraida" arrives at the port of Hydra artifact

"Neraida" arrives at the port of Hydra

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Tourists on the Hydra Waterfront in the 1960s artifact

Tourists on the Hydra Waterfront in the 1960s

Photograph
Water bike in Vouliagmeni beach artifact

Water bike in Vouliagmeni beach

Photograph
Μουσείο Φυσικής Ιστορίας στις Πεταλούδες, Ρόδος artifact

Μουσείο Φυσικής Ιστορίας στις Πεταλούδες, Ρόδ...

Photograph
Agia Mavra fortifications in Lefkada artifact

Agia Mavra fortifications in Lefkada

Photograph
Port of Kavala artifact

Port of Kavala

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Tourist Information Centre in Kavala artifact

Tourist Information Centre in Kavala

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Koumpelidiki Church in Kastoria artifact

Koumpelidiki Church in Kastoria

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Kellaria Ski Centre on Mount Parnassus 1981 artifact

Kellaria Ski Centre on Mount Parnassus 1981

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Dimitris Papaefstratiou, a true visionary of Greek tourism artifact

Dimitris Papaefstratiou, a true visionary of...

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Konstantinos Melas: laying the foundations of Greek Tourism artifact

Konstantinos Melas: laying the foundations of...

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Nikolaos Fokas, an inspired, modern GNTO administrator artifact

Nikolaos Fokas, an inspired, modern GNTO admi...

Photograph
Nikolaos Lekkas, the pioneer of Greek tourism artifact

Nikolaos Lekkas, the pioneer of Greek tourism

Photograph