# data[].attributes.body
Greece is nar the Aegean sea

# data[].attributes.body
tourists say Chora is a nice place to visit on the Aegean sea

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Greeks tend to call Chora a popular traditional whitewashed village in the Aegean Sea, which is most often located on the highest point of the island. The cube-like, white-blue houses, with their multicoloured window shutters, the narrow cobblestone alleys aligned with flower pots, the picturesque chapels and village squares, the ruined castles and windmills are some of the reasons that make these villages so special.
Let us introduce you to the most charming ones!
Serifos
As you approach the island of you'll notice, at a glance, the Pano and Kato Chora Villages built on the hill side (their names, Pano and Kato, describe where the villages are built, on higher or lower grounds respectively). These two medieval villages are connected by a stairway. Walk up to the top of the castle and afford panoramic views of the archipelago. Enjoy strolls around the popular area of Piatsa in Pano Chora, visit the Folklore and Archaeological Museums in Kato Chora and make sure to capture some pictures at the windmill square, which is especially beautiful at night.

Chora Village on Island, with its picturesque whitewashed houses, yards and alleys, is built on the ruins of an old venetian castle. Within this traditional village, no cars are allowed, so walking is the only way to discover its charms and its numerous nice churches. The two big in Chora are well worth a visit. They were built in the 19th c. on opposite sides of the hill marking the village's boundaries. Workers from this island migrated to Athens and built the Anafiotika neighbourhood, on the foot of the Rock, following the island's architecture.

Chora on Island is built on the edge of a hilltop, in and around an old medieval castle, offering panoramic views of the villages below, the archipelago and the Sporades Islands. The village is picture perfect with the bougainvilleas adorning the houses' balconies. Park your car on the outskirts and enjoy walks within village on the cobblestone streets that lead to green public squares. Don't forget to savour local dishes at Dounavidon Square and sip your rakomelo (Greek raki spirit mixed with honey) at Piazza Square.

Chora is built in the centre of Island among hills, far from the sea, on a rock where a venetian castle is located. The sunlight reflected on the whitewashed houses and alleys, and the colourful window shutters create an immaculate ambience. Visit the castle and the churches, talk with the friendly locals, take a break in the shady public squares and drink raki in one of the most beautiful Chora of the .

At a short distance from Linaria Port you'll come across Chora, which is built around a byzantine castle overseeing the seaside villages bellow and the Islands. Skyros is renowned for its art and culture, which are portrayed on artifacts in the Archaeological Museum, as well as in various aspects of everyday life. Pay attention to the local architecture, which resembles the aegean one with their flat roofs, however they are different in terms of interior decoration.

Chora is both the capital and the harbour of Astypalaia Island. It is one of the most beautiful towns in the Aegean, built on a cliff projecting into the sea creating two bays. On the northernmost side of the cliff you'll come across the Gouerini Castle (13th c.) where the whitewashed domes of Evangelistrias and Agios Georgios Churches appear. The castle is surrounded by white cube-like houses with blue windows and doors, and wooden venetian style balconies. The first thing you'll notice upon your arrival at Chora are the imposing stone built windmills. Two cobblestone streets begin from the Town Hall Square and lead to the castle. One road goes by the Panagia Portaïtissas parish where you'll get the chance to see some of the nicest churches within the and enjoy the view towards the bay of Livadi. The other route gives you the opportunity to pass by Megali Panagia Church with its blue dome and pebble-paved yard.

Kimolos
An off the beaten track island is , whose capital Chorio is a whitewashed village, with well manicured yards and alleys adorned with flowerpots and the numerous picturesque churches. In the centre of Chorio there's a medieval castle that separates two neighbourhoods. These are Mesa Kastro (meaning inside the castle) and Exo Kastro (meaning outside the castle), which interconnect via entrances called portares in Greek. The in-line outer walls of the houses create a type of fortification for the village. Stroll around Agora, the main road of the village, stop by one of its picture perfect squares such as Theoskepasti, Kampou or Scholeio and enjoy a drink or food in one of its nice shops.
It's up to you to hop on the next plane and explore our wonderful destinations. Hope to see you soon!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Greeks tend to call Chora a popular traditional whitewashed village in the Aegean Sea, which is most often located on the highest point of the island. The cube-like, white-blue houses, with their multicoloured window shutters, the narrow cobblestone alleys aligned with flower pots, the picturesque chapels and village squares, the ruined castles and windmills are some of the reasons that make these villages so special.

# data[].attributes.body
82,626 miles squared

# data[].attributes.body
According to Greek Mythology the Aegean Sea owes its name to the King of Athens, Aigeas (Aegeas).

# data[].attributes.body
The Aegean Sea is experiencing the most dangerous escalation of tensions in decades.

# data[].attributes.body
39.0192° N, 25.2686° E

# data[].attributes.body
In 1943, Winston Churchill ordered that British forces capture the Aegean Islands in Greece. Churchill believed that control of the Aegean Islands would give the Allies greater control of the eastern Mediterranean and would also be a morale sapper to the Axis forces still based in the region. Senior British Army leaders were far from convinced that the islands needed to be occupied but such was the political clout Churchill had, that the plan was put into operation. By the time the campaign ended, it had proved itself to be a costly failure.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Citation: C N Trueman "The Aegean Campaign 1943"
historylearningsite.co.uk. The History Learning Site, . .

In 1943, Winston Churchill ordered that British forces capture the Aegean Islands in Greece. Churchill believed that control of the Aegean Islands would give the Allies greater control of the eastern Mediterranean and would also be a morale sapper to the Axis forces still based in the region. Senior British Army leaders were far from convinced that the islands needed to be occupied but such was the political clout Churchill had, that the plan was put into operation. By the time the campaign ended, it had proved itself to be a costly failure.

Churchill believed that the campaign could only be carried out by Special Forces. He placed a very high premium on the work done by those small elite forces that operated behind enemy lines. Churchill saw the work of the Special Air Service(SAS) and the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) as vital to the war effort - though his enthusiasm for them was not always shared by his senior army commanders.

The attempt to take the Aegean Islands started in the autumn of 1943. America refused to take part in a full-scale invasion, as Roosevelt's government believed that the islands had little strategic importance and that other campaigns that were ongoing deserved to have the resources that might have been sucked away by the Aegean campaign. Churchill, therefore, decided that in Operation Accolade, Britain would go it alone.

The first attack was done by the Special Boat Squadron when three men from the SBS, led by Major Earl Jellicoe, parachuted into Rhodes. Their plan was to convince the Italian force that was on the island that their best interests lay in joining the side of the Allies. The Italian commander initially expressed his interest but then his doubts when he was informed that only a few hundred soldiers would land on the island to take on 6,000 German troops. While he was making his mind up, the Germans acted and arrested all the Italian soldiers on Rhodes. The commander was shot. The Germans took control of the biggest of the Aegean Islands, which greatly enlarged its presence in the area - the complete opposite of what Churchill had wanted to achieve.

Rather than pull back and reassess the situation, Churchill declared that the men had to push on and seize other islands. The next target was Kos, though units from the SBS and the Parachute Regiment landed on a number of the numerous islands that exist in the region. In total, 5,000 men were on a large number of islands. However, supporting them was another issue. Both the Royal Navy and the RAF were meant to do this but it was an almost impossible mission.

When it became clear what the British were attempting, Hitler made it known that the islands had to remain German at all costs. The RAF had huge difficulties supporting the men on the islands as only one Spitfire squadron had been allocated for the whole region and was based on Kos. The Royal Navy was very vulnerable to air attacks.

When the Germans retook Kos, the British lost (killed, wounded and captured) 680 soldiers and 500 RAF personnel. 3,500 Italian soldiers were also lost during the fighting.

After the loss of Kos, the largest British base was on the island of Leros. Churchill sent a message to the men there urging them not to despair and to "cling on if you possibly can". He also, once again, asked for American help. Roosevelt, again, refused.

The Chief of the General Staff, Sir Alan Brooke, was also highly sceptical about the venture. He wrote:

"He (Churchill) has worked himself into a frenzy of excitement about the Greek islands. He refuses to listen to any arguments or to see the dangers. The whole thing is sheer madness."

The head of the RAF in the region, Air Chief Marshal Arthur Tedder, felt he was "throwing good money after bad".

The Germans attacked Leros and after a five-day fight, the British and Italian forces on the island surrendered. Between them, they could put over 8,000 men into action. The Germans succeeded with just 2,000 men.

The LRDG lost more men in the short Aegean campaign than in three years of fighting in North Africa. In total, the Royal Navy lost four cruisers, five destroyers, five minesweepers and two submarines. The RAF lost 113 aircraft.

After the campaign was called off, Churchill privately blamed America for not helping out. However, to the Americans his Aegean campaign smacked too much of his ill-fated Dardanelle's campaign in World War One.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Aegean Campaign 1943 - History Learning Site

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In 1943, Winston Churchill ordered that British forces capture the Aegean Islands in Greece. Churchill believed that control of the Aegean Islands would give the Allies greater control of the eastern Mediterranean and would also be a morale sapper to the Axis forces still based in the region.