Hi All,

Thanks for all you invaluable help for my last trip. I am planning another trip in July 2007 and only have 5 days to do this.

From reading all the comments/bad reviews, I don't think the cruise sounds like a good a idea. We are in our early 30's and I'd much rather pay for inter-island flights and see the islands rather than be stuck on a bad cruise ship.

Day 1: After finishing the Amalfi Coast, Fly from Naples to Athens (via Rome) to Santorini, stay the night. Alitalia goes to Athens and then who should I use to go to Sant (Aegean or Olympic) and would they have late flights into Sant?
Day 2: Santorini all day, late night flight to Mykonos (again is this feasible by air?)
Day 3: Mykonos sight see for 4 hours, and somehow make my way towards Turkey. I think I have to go via Samos, but how?
Day 4: Samos to Epheses (see highlights for 6 hours) and take a flight to Istanbul. Do I need to go out of Izmir?
Day 5: Istanbul all day
Day 6: Fly back home

I know it sounds crazy, but it's very similar to a cruise itinerary minus a few islands. Please let me know if you have any suggestions. I do want to to see all these places in this short time. I realize I am wasting time by island hopping, but I just want to see the highlights.

Thanks so much.

Hi P67742, I'm afraid I have to ask... is this a serious post? If it is, the itinerary is crazy. Your Santorini to Mykonos is impossible. There are no inter island flights. You have to go back to Athens and then catch a flight to Mykonos. That is the case with all the flights. With your schedule, you might as well take a cruise. This way you're not at the mercy of airline and ferry strikes, which is always a huge possibility.

However, if you prefer being on planes and boats the majority of your vacation, go for it!

Hi,

Yes I am serious. If I need to skip Mykonos, then I can. But then how would I get from Sant to Ephesus?

In 2001, we flew from Santorini to Rhodos, then took a high-speed catamaran to Marmaris, then flew out from Dalaman.

I'm afraid I can't help with getting to Ephesus. I've never been to Turkey. I know many people go via Rhodes or Samos. You'll have to check ferry schedules and/or plane schedules. Perhaps there is someone else on the board that can help. I'm sorry that I can't. Good luck!

Thanks. I think I'll need to change this. Is there a flight between Izmir and Santorini?