Santorini to 1 more island then turkey help!

In Santorini, when you've had enough of the sunsets you can go to the impressive archaeological site of Akrotiri.

Since there is only one ferry per week to Kos, take it and book a cabin. The crossing from Santorini to Kos with the Ariadne does not last 9 hours but 5:30.
If you think 10 days in Turkey is too long and since you are passing through Kos, why don't you stay 2 or 3 days in Kos?
The island is quite touristy but beautiful (and there is a sunset too in Zia !)

Don't expect a whole lot of advice about Turkey on this forum - go to the RS Turkey forum. Many contributors to the Greece Forum may have been to Turkey once, as part of a combined tour like yours ... but the "regulars" here are not Turkey experts Me, I haven't been able to make myself go to Turkey yet ... because as a historian, I've read just too much history about what that nation did to Greece for over a thousand years. Look it up after you get home.

I think your current plan sounds good. You found some amazing travel bargains.

Two days in Santorini is enough for most people. It's very expensive and can be mobbed with cruise ship crowds. But it's a great place for photography and beauty.

The late night ferry isn't ideal but hopefully you can find a comfortable place to nap. Google Bodrum and you'll see that it is very picturesque. You might want to get a hotel and spend your first day (and night) there, then pick up your rental car.

Ten days is NOT too much for Turkey. It's a huge country, with long driving distances between places. One possible itinerary: drive from Bodrum to Cappadocia for 2-3 nights (splurge for a hot air balloon ride); then to Istanbul for 3-4 nights; then to Ephesus, for 2 nights (allowing one full day to tour the site); then back to Bodrum. If you have extra time, you could stop at Pergamon, another photogenic archeological site, on your way from Istanbul to Ephesus.

Two days in Santorini is more than enough time. See the caldera view and visit Akrotiri. Mykonos is a good for a beach experience. We liked it much more than touristy Santorini but preferred other islands -Paros, Spetses, Syros, Kas, Rhodes, Naxos-more than either of them. And then there is wonderful Crete!
Ten days is not long in Turkey with a car. How long will you plan to stay in Istanbul without a car?

Thanks, good input so far guys, keep it coming if anyone has any new suggestions.

Suki, I'll likely have to take the car to istanbul, I will pick it up at bodrum Airport cause it seems much cheaper than bodrum city center where I land and I need to go there for my flight to paris anyway... I think I will start by traveling east from bodrum and circle back to istanbul and the Ephesus and the bodrum. I also want to see the Nemrut statues... no idea how long I'll stay in istanbul, it's hard to travel and plan at the same time, lol, but it has to be done this way on an 8 week trip I guess.

In santorini 1 hour... yeah, current plan is fine... 2 full days here is plenty, 1 am ferry is better than day. Getting off the boat and up the mountain was nuts, it's big business, felt like a sheep getting herded onto a bus, lol, happy to be in hotel... man, this is quite a different experience compared to relaxing and melo milos.

NObody will believe what we tell them about Santorini crowding and commercialism, until they experience it for themselves. Thru the years, since my Newbie companions always insist it is a must-see, I have had to return repeatedly, but I have worked out a way to enjoy it more... have found a little-known guesthouse gem, about 10 yards from the rimside view, 8 rooms, run by lovely family... outside the hubbub of Fira, but an easy walk there along the rim path... and also just 20 yards from th OIdest taverna on the island, family-run.. you can sit right by the rim-wall @ sunset, no crowds.. Taverna Aktaion, look it up.

From Kos you will be able to use the ferry system to visit another nearby Greek island. Consider Lymnos or Kalymnos. I spent some time in and around Bodrum several years ago. I think Turkey is fascinating and you won't be disappointed. Near Bodrum is a beautiful village called Gumusluk. Spend a night or two there. In the north, before you reach Istanbul, visit Truva, otherwise known as Troy.

Thanks, santorini caldera is nice, hard to photograph. Gonna try a tasting at a vineyard later, wine tours too expensive and apparently many refuse to take only one person. Couples only. Gonna try to dive tomorrow. If I hear one more "like" ritch american valley girl "like" talking about "like" the sunset, I think I'm gonna "like" vomit 🤢 .