Booked a cruise (Princess) for the family (all adults) for this summer.

After looking at other posts (appreciate it), trying to figure out we should try to do on other days during the "speed trip"

Thoughts?

We just did almost this exact trip. We also stopped on the Amalfi Coast and Ephesus (which I"m sorry to tell you was our favorite port on the trip), and we didn't go to Constantinople. Other than that, it was exactly the same, including a few days in Rome before and Athens after.

What is your Sicily stop? We went to the town of Messina which was really a beautiful little town. I actually liked it better than the Amalfi Coast towns we visited.

Mykonos and Santorini are both beautiful, but honestly after we walked around a little, found a bite to eat and took some photos, that was plenty. They are small islands, and very similar, but the towns on Santorini are at the top of the mountain, and in Mykonos they are by the sea.

Athens was a pleasant surprise. My mother didn't like Athens and I had low expectations, but we really enjoyed it. I think she stayed in the business district which is indeed a little icky.. but the area around the Acropolis is beautiful, walkable, lots to see and do. You'll love it.

Happy to answer any specific questions if you have any.

We only have the stops listed.

First time to those areas, so want to try to "do it all", but also want to avoid too much structure to allow time to explore. We probably need more time, but that is all the time we have this trip.

In Istanbul for a day I would recommend-

• Basilica Cistern which is close to Hagia Sophia Mosque (Blue Mosque is also there)
• Galata Tower
• Suleymaniye Mosque, its grounds and the adjacent crypt (the Grand Bazar is nearby)
• People watching while having a Turkish coffee or an espresso with a pastry or chocolate on a sidewalk cafe

Pro tip- don't get caught up talking to locals around Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque who are trying to sell you something or get you to visit their shop.

I confused myself... I see Naples and my brain said Sicily. But you've got that planned. Looks like you're looking for suggestions in Rome, Santorini, Mykonos and Athens.

You don't really need any help on Rome, if you haven't been, do all the classic stuff. There are many threads in this forum on Rome.

Both Mykonos and Santorini don't really require a tour or anything, they are very accessible by foot. We did take a little bus tour on Santorini and it showed us a couple of other towns than where the ship was docked, and Oia is worth it, so I'd make sure you get there.

I have a stop in Ephesus next December. What is the best to do there?

The three things we did there were see the ruins of the Basilica of St. John the Apostle, the ruins of the city of Ephesus itself, and the location where it is believed that St. John brought Mary to live after Jesus crucifixion, resurrection and assumption.

That made for a full day, but the ruins there were, in my opinion, more interesting than the more famous ruins of Pompeii. There is a section within the main archeological sight that has very well preserved homes from the upper class citizens that are worth the extra they charge to see them. Don't miss that.

As is common when you do a guided tour, they always take you to a vendor to try to sell you something, and in Turkey, they are likely to take you to see Turkish rugs being made. Despite the sales pitch, it was actually fascinating, so I'd not duck that either. And if you're in a spending mood, the rugs truly are works of art.