Going on cruise with 7 family members from Bacelona to Venice in July09. I need advice on Private tours at each port. Mainly Italy, Greece, and Turkey. Any good websites?

Italy, Greece and Turkey are countries not ports. Which ports?

Rome, Athens, Naples, and Kusadase(sp) Turkey.

My first suggestion would be to check out the cruise forum here at Fodor's AND cruisecritic.com, which has a wealth of information about Med cruises, ports, private tour companies, etc. I don't think you'll get much information here, but possibly I'm wrong.

Sam

Hi

Your cruise ship offers excursions but some passengers find them expensive. If you don't use the cruise ship programme you can stiil use it as a guide for doing it on your own. Alot of times it's not difficult but I know with 7 it gets more complicated. For eg. in Athens take a taxi from the dock to Piraeus metro station. Get off at Monastiraki stop and it's then a short walk to the Agora entrance for the Acropolis (just ask for directions). Once you've seen it make your way to the Plaka area (nearby) for lunch and a bit of shopping. In Kusadasi take a taxi to Ephesus (about 20 kms away) and you've got the choice of doing it on your own, with a guide or audio (I think). Rome is tricky (the dock is a fair way from the historic centre) so you may want to splash out and use the ship's excursion. Or if you can get to the city centre on your own jump on a hop on hop off tourist bus for a hassle free and guided tour of the sights.