kiwivern

My husband and I are doing a 7 day sail around the Greek islands Sept 2013. We will have a week or so both before and after the sail and are trying to decide the best use our our time.
Some thoughts have been fly into Istanbul or Ankara and make our way to Athens, sail then spend the last week in and around Athens. The other was to fly into Barcelona or Madrid, spend a week there and then fly to Athens, sail, and again the last week around that area. We have never been to this region so it seems it might be better to spend the whole time in the 'area', ie neighboring countries. We will have the opportunity to return in the future. Any advice on this, itinerary, getting from place to place, things not to miss, places to stay etc would be appreciated. My husband does have some walking limitations. Thanks.

HappyTrvlr

I would spend the week before the cruise in Athens and on the Peloponnesean Peninsula in beautiful Napflion. I would travel to Crete for the week agter the cruise. Concentrate on Greece this trip and it will so much more rewarding.

otherchelebi

If you are interested in modern art and Western architecture, doing Spain makes sense.

If you are interested in Neolithic, Hittite, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, early Christian, Seljuki and Ottoman history, you should definitely not miss Turkey.

Many travelers will give about three days maximum for Athens and at least that much for Istanbul.

Doing the Turkish Aegean coast along with the Greek islands as you sail will allow you to visit some Anatolian sites like Ephesus, Cnidos, Kekova, etc.

Have a look at Fodors threads and web sites on Cappadocia and the Lycian Way also.

bobolink

Since you plan to return to this area in the future, I suggest that you hit a couple of highlights and then if you find one that are of special interest you can visit them in depth later. I would strongly suggest two or three days in Istanbul and then on to Athens. Turkey has some wonderful attractions and is well worth a visit and of course is not that far from Greece.

Robert2533

As already mentioned, instead of wasting your time in airports, I would concentrate on exploring as much of Greece as possible, it's a beautiful country. Hopefully by September 2013 much of the chaos in Athens will have subsided.

ParisAmsterdam

I agree with the 'stick to Greece' school of thought. You could spend a week in Athens, Attica and the nearer parts of the Peloponnese before the cruise then Delphi, Meteora and north to Thessalonika after the cruise. Or venture back to spend more time on an island or two....

Heimdall

With a week either side of your 7 day sail around the Greek Islands, it would make sense to spend one in Turkey and the other in Athens and the Greek mainland. The "chaos in Athens" has had little effect upon tourists.