Greece's new far-left Syriza party promised to dump tough austerity measures - but will that mean the country will have to leave the Eurozone to do it?

Two years ago, news that a left-wing, anti-austerity party had won power in Greece would have sent seismic waves through Brussels and the money markets.

Five years ago the prospect that Greece might need to revert to a currency of its own filled the euro zone with horror.

Anti-austerity party on the brink of a landmark election victory in Greece as critics claim it could haul the country out of the Eurozone and leave it bankrupt.

Exceptionally low oil prices have thrown world financial markets a curve ball by driving bond yields sharply lower and undermining share prices.

In dramatic terms 2014 ended with several big business and economic stories on cliff- hangers.

Greece will face a snap general election next month after MPs failed to elect a president in the final round of voting yesterday, prompting alarm in Athens’ financial market and the eurozone over the country’s commitment to its bailout terms.

"The sphinxes are probably ready to reveal their secrets," says Greek Culture Minister Konstantinos Tasoulas.

Herald editorial cartoonist Rod Emmerson travels the Greek Isles and Turkish coast on a seven-night cruise aboard the luxurious Azamara Journey.

Austerity measures imposed by the Greek Government since the economic crisis have inflicted "shocking" harm on the health of the population.

Jared Savage enjoy a new view from his room each morning as he cruises the Mediterranean.

Santorini, or Thera, is an island of many names but in ancient times it was known as Kalliste, the most beautiful one ... Justine Tyerman agrees.

Police hunting the parents of 'Maria', the blonde girl found living with gypsies in Greece have charged the couple she was found with, and released photos of them.

This feels like a joke in the making but there we were, a Kiwi, an Australian, an American and a Pom standing round a remote cafe on the Greek island of Kos.

Rod Emmerson experiences the time-honoured tradition of breaking plates on the Greek isle of Rhodes.

Hopping through the 200-island archipelago, Sankha Guha finds an enchanting region of Greece that offers a chance of beating the crowds.

Youth unemployment in Greece has soared to a record 64.9 per cent as the country's downward spiral continues almost unchecked.

The Greeks invented the most enduring, most popular, most commercially sophisticated and prescient system of governance ever devised, but the nation that perfected democracy seems to be struggling to preserve its economy.

Julia Shallcrass discovers a love for cruising around the Greek Isles on a 12-night voyage aboard the Crown Princess.

Justine Tyerman explores Crete and Spinalonga Island.