Tourists enjoy a quieter, emptier Athens, despite the heat

A couple of tourists stand at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of Parliament in central Athens on Tuesday morning, when temperatures soared close to 40 degrees Celsius (104 F) for the second time in as many days. The streets of the capital were quieter than usual as much of its population has left for the islands or family villages for the summer break. Attica’s beaches were crowded again as thousands of Athenians and foreign visitors alike sought respite from the sweltering temperatures. [Tatiana Bolari/Eurokinissi]