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Looking for input on our Italy, Greece, Turkey itinerary

My husband and I are planning a trip to Italy, Greece, and Turkey. We are in our late 20's and are up for some adventure, sightseeing, and fun. I have been to Europe twice before, but only for week long trips to London, Paris, and Amsterdam, so never on an a more extensive trip like we are planning. We have a preliminary itinerary planned and I am hoping other people that have traveled to these countries can give me any input they might have. Does this seem like a good plan? Any sugestions? Thanks in advance!

6/12-6/16 Rome (and Ostia Antica, Vatican City)

6/17 Morning train from Rome to Florence

6/18 - 6/20 Florence(maybe Pisa, Siena, or Assisi)

6/20 take evening train to Venice

6/21-6/22 Venice

6/23 Tues. Morning Train from Venice to Milan

6/24 Wed. Fly from Milan to Athens

6/25-6/28 Four day classical tour of Greece (organized tour group), return to Athens Sunday night, 6/28

6/29 Mon. Day and night in Athens

6/30 Tues. Ferry from Athens to Santorini

7/1 Wed. Day in Santorini, ferry to Paros, night in Paros (or take ferry to Rhodes?)

7/2 Thur. Day and night in Paros or Naxos (or Rhodes?)

7/3 Fri. Ferry from Paros/Naxos to Samos, ferry from Samos to Kusadasi, night in Kusadasi
(or take ferry from Rhodes to Marmaris and bus to Kusadasi)

7/4 Sat. Day at Ephesus, night in Kusadasi

7/5 Sun. Train/bus & ferry to Istanbul, night in Istanbul

7/6-7/9 Istanbul

7/9 Thurs. Fly to Rome, night in Rome

7/10 Fri. Depart Rome, return to NYC

Posted by
990 posts

I'd recommend staying in Selcuk to see Ephesus. It's got some excellent small hotels and is the nearest town to Ephesus. Kusadasi is overrun with cruise ship tours.

In any event, I would strongly suggest flying to Istanbul from Ephesus. It's actually about the same cost via low cost airlines like Onur Air and Pegasus to fly from Izmir to Istanbul as to do the train/bus/ferry route and it saves you most of a day for touring that way. Your hotel can arrange a shuttle or taxi to Izmir Airport.

Posted by
2 posts

Thanks for the tips! I will definitely look into those flights.

Posted by
1 posts

We did a extended trip thru Greece and Turkey a few years ago and here are a few tips.

Look into Open Jaws flights (if you haven't booked already). We flew into Athens and out of Istanbul. This prevented having to back track.

Look into flights from Athens to Santorini. We were able to fly for only alittle more then the ferry. This also gave us more time in Santorini.

To get to Samos from Santorini we took a morning ferry to Paros and left our bags at a bag hold place and spent the day in Paros. We then took the overnight ferry from Paros to Samos. Thus, didn't have to stay overnight in Paros.

We spent two nights in Samos (which I though was more interesting then Paros). We rented a car for the day and drove all over Samos.

John

Posted by
81 posts

That looks like a dream trip! I wold maybe fit one extra day in Florence especially if you want to see the surrounding area or nearby cities (don't miss San Gimignano). Maybe cut one of the Venice days (I am not a fan of Venice... too much touristic. Worst food you can find in Italy).

Four days in Istanbul also seems a lot... why don't you rest in a nice little Greek island for a couple more days? Otherwise you're constantly on the road.