Option 2 seems to be the best. Turkey and Greece are two very special countries, with unique cultures. A Greco-Turkish Voyage sounds perfect, and it also is a classic. Some great places to visit in Greece, which are next to Asia Minor (Turkey) are, Rhodes, its capital is the biggest castle-settlement in the World, the City of Rhodes. The City has landmarks from its dozens of conquerors and inhabitants, Crusader castles and palaces, Byzantine churches, Ottoman Mosques Hammams and Fountains, one of the oldest Synagogues in the World, and here once stoud the Collossus of Rhodes, one of the 7 Wonders of the World. The whole city is a UNESCO monument, it truly is a jewel of the Mediterranean. The city of Lindos is also worth seeing, the town is very charming and it is crowned with an Ancient Acropolis. The beaches are great also, so does the food, and the Greeks are probably the most hospitable race, its a tradition since Antiquity. There is also the butterfly valley, millions of butterflies stop in Rhodes on their voyage to other lands. You can do a day trip to Symi, an absolutely gorgeous town, with Neoclassical little houses, Mansions and Churches. Then Kastellorizo, is a tiny island, the Easternmost part of Greece, it has a peaceful and really charming town, with churches, charming colorful houses, a Venetian castle, an Ottoman mosque, and a Lycian tomb. Few tourists know its existence, its really a must, if you want to experience the original Greece. Have a great time!

Yes, PetrosB, Greeks are wonderfully accommodating. We loved our stay in Greece. Our DD and her family actually lived there for almost 4 months. They adore children.

"Given the availability of air flights almost anywhere, and low cost flights from Istanbul to the rest of Europe, almost anywhere that strikes your fancy would do." -- perhaps! But short-haul flights generally leave a larger carbon footprint than other flights (because a high percentage of fuel use and emissions occur on take-off), so it might not be irrelevant. Just a thought!

Would it be a total mistake to go to Italy at the end of August.
I keep hearing about the terrible crowds and heat. But for some reason I can get the best flights back to the US from Italy. I've always wanted to go to Italy. I just don't know if it is worth it in August. Please let me know what you think.
Thanks

We did that many years ago when our daughters were 8 and 13 and enjoyed it very much.

We drove betwen Portofino and Siena staying at Santa Margarita,
Genoa, Florence and Pisa. Florence. Except for our Florence lodging, all others were impromptu decisions without any reservation.

The only place really crowded was Florence and it only hindered us in visiting some of the museums.

However, i can guess that Rome could be uncomfortable with crowds and heat and Venice with the smell of the canals.

Also, which would you choose Ephesus or Athens?

otherchelebi - thanks for your response. This is way more difficult to figure out than I had expected.

So far this is what we've come up with.
fly to Istanbul.
*4 days in Istanbul not counting the travel day.
*fly to Cappadocia and spend 3 days.
*fly to Izmir to visit Ephesus. We are probably going to skip Pammukkale at this point. I think our kids will need some beach time. We thought to ferry over to Samos from Kusadasi but the ferry seems more expensive some of the flights I've been looking at.
*fly to athens for 1 day
*fly to Rome
*visit Rome for 2 days
*drive to Tuscany stay 3-4 days
*train to Venice for 1 day
*fly home from Venice

What would you do in Athens in 1 day?
Ephesus cannot be compared to Athens... the one is an archaeological site, while Athens is a capital with 4 Million inhabitants..

I would skip Athens totally if you want to go just for one day !

I agree with Clausar.

get your beach time not far from Ephesus.

Cesme-Ilica-Alacati area is great fun. world class wind surfing. good beeches. lively nights with cafes and restaurants. A huge twice weekly market that has incredible collection of clothing in addition to fresh produce. some very nice boutique hotels. (we stayed at Chigdem and loved it)

Or you can stay at a beach resort at Kusadasi and have laid back excursions to proene, didyma, Miletus, Herakleia, Carine, Dilek national park, cave of Zeus, etc. in between your sun bathing and swimming.

We took a trip from Toronto to Israel via Istanbul on Turkish airways. Israel is a fascinating country and underrated in my opinion. Hotels may be expensive during the summer but you may be able to get a small apartment.

Athens for 1 day? Rome for 2 days? This just doesn't make any sense.
These two cities filled with important antiquities deserve more time.

adventures6,
I strongly believe that when traveling with kids it is very important to take their needs in consideration. Even more so when you travel with four.
Yet, I did not see you mentioning them at all in the planning process. What is their age? Have you talk with them about this trip? What their interests are? Are they well-traveled? How do they adapt with different time-zones,different sleeping patterns, unfamiliar environments, foreign food, long bus/ferry rides, heat? Have you prepare them at all for this trip?

The last part of the trip seems way to rushed. Athens for a day? Rome for two days? Venice for a day? That does not sound enjoyable at all. It will be warm and you'll want to take your time and not be too rushed.

How will you go from Kusadasi to Athens if not via Samos?

I would pair Turkey with a Pinot Noir, or Zinfandel.

Originally we wanted to visit Israel and Turkey. But the open-jaw tickets were much more expensive. I also had heard it may not be good to visit Turkey after going to Israel. People even suggested not getting the Israeli stamp on the passports. On the other hand, many people recommend that we go to Italy especially with kids. When I saw the least expensive tickets to fly home from Venice I decided to try to craft an itinerary. I do agree that the Italy portion is too rushed and I'm worried about the crowds, so I will go back to the drawing board. In Athens, we were just going to make a mad dash for the Parthenon. I realize we won't be able to visit the entire city.
I'll keep working on the airline tickets to see what I can find.
Thanks again for your advice!

I would avoid the heat of both Turkish coast and Greek islands,and probably to go somewhere in the mountains, like Georgia for example.

Yes and they can visit Turley and Greece perhaps in the winter, when it is not hot....

Try Bulgaria and Romania. They're not far and there's a lot of interesting places to visit there. And not to mention that everything is very cheap from the accommodation to the entertainment and food.

3-4 weeks is plenty of time to do whatever you want.
Having said that, I believe that the 1-day Athens stop does not seem like a good idea to me. Go directly to Italy.

Even better, stick to Turkey, and when at the coast, look for the nearest greek island to go for a 1 or 2 day visit.

I have been to Turkey many times. I have also took my own car there and drove the south western part of the country. Driving is very easy and pleasant. The only con is the expensive fuel.

If I were you, that would be my plan:
5 days in Istanbul
fly to Cappadocia
3 days in Cappadocia
fly to Antalya - rent a car in Antalya
3 days in Antalya and surroundings
drive to Pammukale
1 day in Pammukale (its great - don't miss it!)
Drive to Selcuk - Ephesus (You will visit Afrodisias on the way - absolutely GREAT archaeological site)
2 days in Selcuk or Kusadasi (you can visit the greek island of Samos if you want).

At this point you can choose how u want to continue.

You can go to nearby Izmir, take a plane, go to Rome and spend the rest of your time in Italy.

Or you can choose to drive the northern coast.
1 Day Izmir
1 Day Ayvalik
Take a ferry to Lesvos, Greece
3 days in Lesvos
fly to Athens
3 days in Athens
fly back home

Or you can choose to drive south of Selcuk - Kusadasi:
2 days Didim - Bafa lake
1 day Marmaris
take a ferry to Rhodes, Greece
3 days in Rhodes
fly to Athens
3 days in Athens
fly back home