I will be leaving in two weeks for a Costa Cruise trip from Venice to Greece to Turkey. In reviewing the itineraries for the shore excursions, I have some decisions to make. In Greece, I have a choice of Cultural Olympia , Museum & Stadium...versus...Olympia and, the stadium and shopping. In Kusadasi, I have a choice of Ephesus & shopping including Arcadian Street, The Grand Theatre and Library....versus...Cultural Ephesus and the house of Mary. Has anyone seen the house of Mary? Is it worth it if it means I see less of Ephesus? <BR>Last, I have a choice between The Acropolis/Shopping or Corinth. <BR> <BR>I really like to shop but don*t want to pass something up if if I shouldn*t.On the other hand, I may get burnt out if I see too much decrepit archeology day after day!!!! <BR> <BR>

Some of these descriptions seem to be building up the trip by highlighting parts of the sites you'd be hard put to avoid. I'd go for the decrepit archaeology over shopping most times, but each to his own. Here's a few brief notes to help you. <BR> <BR>Olympia: I don't recall a great deal of shopping around Olympia but I'm sure these excursions could find somewhere to shop in the middle of the Gobi Desert. The only reason you won't see the stadium is if no-one points it out, its part of the main site but through a dark hole at one end. The museum on the other hand is off site and its useful to be allocated time to visit it. There's little or no statuary on site, although the site is extensive, and most of the finds are in the museum. <BR> <BR>Ephesus: Extensive reconstruction means that Ephesus is far from decrepit, and constant new reconstruction means there are new things to see each time you visit. As you walk from the entrance to the exit at Ephesus you pass down the Arcadian Street and pass the library and the theatre (which is notably large). Mary's House is a small dwelling up in the hills, like a church inside, where the Virgin Mary is said to have lived her last days, as you can probably gather I'm a sceptic. I wouldn't miss any of Ephesus to visit it but then I've already been there. Sometimes tours which visit this, visit other sights in the area (like Olympia the Ephesus Museum is off site) and can be worth doing, maybe thats what constitutes the cultural part. Kusadasi is well geared for shopping, notably leather, but they know the worth of tourists! <BR> <BR>Athens: I've never been to Corinth so I'd rate this a tough decision. I'd probably go to Corinth because I've been up the Acropolis several times. If you've not been to either... <BR> <BR>When you book the trips the rep should have a fair idea of whats involved in each option. Find out as much as you can about each, particularly the difference between 'X' and 'Cultural X' before committing yourself.

First of all you need to remember that you only have so much time in each port. So, you must reconcile yourself to seeing as much as you can, but not in depth. That will require more trips back to the Aegean. Are you going to Greece to shop or see where civilization began? The Plaka in Athens is pretty terrific though I have to admit. In Athens see the Acropolis, Parthenon, do a city tour, and then time in the Plaka. <BR> <BR>In Kusadasi you must go to Ephesus. The Virgin Mary's house is along the way, maybe a 45 min detour. It overlooks the valley where Ephesus is located. It is considered to be a holy place by Muslims, Jews and Christians. One of the Popes declared it to be a holy place. Take a lot of film with you to Ephesus, bottled water, wear a hat. It is very arid, and was hot during my visit the beginning of June. <BR> <BR>You should find time to enjoy the things you will be seeing. Find a little taverna, enjoy a glass of wine, eat a wonderful Greek salad, and count your blessings. <BR> <BR>I'll send you some more information via regular e-mail. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

i just returned 9/29 from 4 days in athens and 7 night cruise of the greek isles and turkey. the Acropolis and parthenon are a must as well as the Plaka. got to parliament to see the evzones and Mt. lykabettus offers a great view. kolonaki is good for more expensive shopping. the food is great!!! Try the smaller tavernas off the beaten path in the Plaka, they"re less rushed, quieter and still cheap. $20 for mezes, main course, salad, and wine for 2. Ask to see the kitchen and pick out what you want. by all means, do not miss Ephessis in Kusadasi, it is absolutely breathtaking. I took 2 rolls of film while there. Istanbul can be crazy. the Mosques are beautiful. see Aygiasophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palce and treat yourself to a Turkish bath. It was great for 13.33 UD $ and lasted 1 1/2 hrs, with massage and loofa scrub. do it at the end of the day though. I was not crazy about the covered bazaar.. did not see any bargains and the hawkers linger outside each door eeady to pull you into their store. beware of the shoeshiners.. my husband got stuck for $5 without even wanting a shine, because they come up to you and put polish on your shoe before you can say no and then refuse to give you your change, and their friends then encircle you so you just walk away and forget the whole thing.. not pleasant. <BR>Do not bother to even go to Troy Or Cannakkle,, an absolute waste of time. Santorini and Mykonos are beautiful. <BR>Enjoy... yassis!

I've been to all three places. My advice is to forget the shopping and take in the cultural aspects of the trip. Olympia is magical. It is quite possible to put yourself back in time several thousand years and imagine what it must have been like when the first Olympics were held there. For those infused with the Olympic spirit, the walk through the rounded archway onto the field where the events were held is simply not to be missed. Stand there and look at the grassy knolls where 40,000 sat and watched the events, the only seats being occupied, at centre field, by the judges. Likewise Ephesus and the House of Mary. Drink it all in. As it happens, if your ship has docked at Kusadasi, the shopping is right at the end of the pier and consists of a variety of Turkish merchants selling knocks offs of name brand clothes and watches. There are also gold merchants with some nice stuff, but know the value of grams of gold before you go and remember to haggle hard for what you want on that basis. As Turkey's economy is weak bring a good quantity of small denomination US US dollars with you ($1 and $5). You will be shocked what you can get, if you are patient, with very little. Remember never to buy anything from the first merchant who approaches you. He usually has the highest price and it drops as you go down the line, or as you engage several vendors in bidding for your money against each other. You will probably have 20 minutes or half an hour before the ship sails, even if you go to Ephesus, to do a bit of shopping here and that is ALL the time you need. Corinth is where St. Paul preached his gospel to the Corinthians. I am not a religious person, but it is hard not to feel your pulse quicken when you stand in the spot where he stood. Corinth is a splendid ruin -- not nearly as extensive as Ephesus, which is the best of the ancient world in my view, but the Corinthian columns which still stand are awesome. I second, or third those who recommended bringing tons of film to each location. You'll need it! <BR>Have fun! <BR>