SELDOM elsewhere in Greece are the diverse layers of history that have accumulated in this ancient land more apparent today - or more frustrating for archaeologists - than they are in and around the Old City of Chania, in northwestern Crete.

Inhabited since at least the late Neolithic period some 5,000 years ago, Chania - ancient Kydonia - was one of the five main Minoan centres of Crete in the Late Bronze Age during the second half of the 2nd millennium (...)

The arrival of a 293-meter-long cruise ship at the port of Piraeus on Tuesday has opened this year's cruise season.

The MSC Magnifica, a 293-meter-long vessel was built in France in 2010, features 17 decks. It can host up to 3,200 passengers and 1,100 crew members.

The vessel also has a theatre, sports facilities and a specially designed retractable roof, making it ideal for winter cruises.

It what promises to be a brief but spectacular cosmic fireworks display, a Quadrantid meteor shower will kick off a new stargazing year in the pre-dawn hours of Wednesday.

Unlike most of the meteor displays in 2011, which were washed out by a bright moon, the Quadrantids are anticipated to put on a spectacular show without lunar interference, thanks to a waxing gibbous moon.

Attica's rural landscape is dotted with the fascinating remains of ancient military installations, ranging from massive fortresses and lesser walled camps to single watchtowers, signalling posts and temporary fieldworks. Most of these strategic facilities belonged to Athens, but others were established by the city's allies or enemies.