Croatia, Greece and Turkey
 

Want to get the Forum's thoughts about a proposed trip in June 2015. We would fly into Dubrovnik, Croatia, and spend 3 days. Then perhaps fly to Athens for 3 more days. We would take a ferry to a Greek Island and let it be our base for 6 days. Any suggestions for an island that would have cultural and historical characteristics with a great beach would be great. Also , suggestions for an island that has ferry access not only to Athens but other islands as well. We will probably ferry back to Athens and fly to Istanbul where we will stay at least 5 days. We would like to experience Kuadisi and Cappadocia, too, but are not sure how to fit it together with Istanbul. Please provide thoughts on this itinerary. Suggestions are welcome especially on travel and hotel arrangements.

WAY too rushed for my tastes. I recommend that you get some good guidebooks (or spend some time with a few in your local library), identify the things you most want to see in each location, note their opening/closing times, and mark them on a calendar. Then pencil in your transportation, add some time on either side (for getting to/from your lodging, checking in/out, packing/unpacking, getting oriented, etc.). Then see how things fit together.

The Islands with most "cultural and historical characteristics" and great beaches are Creta and Rhodos.
But they don't fetch into your plan with Kusadasi (Efes, I suppose?).
Therefore I recommend Samos. That gives:
(expensive) direct flight Dubrovnik - Athens (Aegean or Croatian),
3 days Athens and surroundings,
Ferry from Piraeus to Samos, may be with stop overs at Mykonos, Ikaria or Fourni (3 other Islands),
short ferry ride from Samos to Kusadasi,
Kusadasi/Ephesos, etc,
local bus to Izmir airport (very close),
direct flight from Izmir airport to Kayseri (not daily),
bus to Goreme etc. (Cappadocia),
bus to Nevsehir,
flight to Istanbul.

If i were you i would totally skip Kusadası and instead go to Bodrum, Kaş or Fethiye (kabak bay). You can even go to Çeşme which is only 45 minutes away from İzmir airport and you can find nice crowd and plenty of options as for beach, nightlife, beach parties or even local restaurants. I dont know how you manage to do everything in your to-do list but it is a wise idea to spend more time in İstanbul. So since you'll be done with the beaches in a greek island then i would suggest skip Kusadasi cause it is really not worth seeing, fly directly to istanbul then try to do capadocia if you still have time.

I'd cut out greece altogether and do some island hopping in Croatia for a similar relaxed feel as you would have experienced in Greece - Croatia has wonderful islands very do-able from Dubrovnik - Korcula, Hvar, Vis , Mijet (sp?) and others. Then head on to Turkey.

I am greece's number one fan, but I think on this trip you are packing in too much and missing the best of both croatia and greece.

If you are ending your trip in Istanbul, it would make more sense to me to combine Turkey and Greece, which are neighbouring countries.