Photo advice: Europe

[sunsworth]

If you go to Ephesus it'll probably be as part of an organised trip by the cruise ship, and probably expensive. Consider getting a taxi/dolmus from Kusadasi to the site and doing it yourself.

That will give you the chance to go to the museum at Selcuk, my favorite small museum. It's just across the road from the bus station and has some wonderful exhibits. Selcuk is a far nicer town than Kusadasi. Much smaller, much quieter, and far less hassle from street sellers. Plus you'll be able to eat a superb Iskendar kebab with a bottle or two of cold Efes beer!

Venice will be everything you imagine it to be, if you explore the back streets you'll find them just as beautiful as the main places but there will be far fewer tourists. Plus prices get cheaper. There's now a McDonalds which is good for two things, cheap soft drinks if it's hot and toilets.

Enjoy the trip.

Steve

 

[dim]

Mike and Terence wrote about Greek destinations.
I'll add some general comments.

Piraeus, Greece (Athens)

Piraeus is the main port of Greece. There you can do mostly street photography (crowdie), take pictures of the harbour & ships, and if you have time and walk around the streets of the bay area (mostly near the train station) you will find
some very interesting old houses.

Here is a web page that has some more about it.



Santorini, Greece

My advice about Santorini. Take a lot of rolls with you (or memory cards).
Here you'll find one of the best views of Aegean sea.
Santorini island was created by volcano eruptions. If has an active volcano that is safe to see from close. Many strange beaches each one with different colour of pebbles. Classical Aegean type of houses with small streets. Many thinks to see. Try their local wine.

A web page about it.


Cruising The Ionian Sea

We are talking for eight islands. Very nice destination. They have a different "colour" than the Aegean islands. Most of them where under Italian occupation until the end of WWII. So they have a mixed type of buildings. Pleasure to walk in the small streets. Excellent sea.

A web page that might help. Its about sailing, but it has a lot of info.


If you need something specific, at your service.

Have a very nice time.
🙂

 

[vincenzo]

Have a great trip! My oly advice would be to be prepared for vast herds of tourists in Italy and Greece. Bulgaria, Croatia and Ukraine may hold more surprises 😛

 

[ray_g]

How long are you going for out of interest?

The cruise will be 12 days. We will be staying an extra few days before the cruise (Athens) and after (Venice). Wish it were longer!

 

[sunsworth]

Ray, Athens isn't my favorite city. There are some fantastic archaelogical sites and museums, but the city itself is mainly 20th century concrete (Plaka excepted).

You could take a hydrofoil to the islands of Aegina or Poros for the day. I'd suggest Hydra, but that's probably too far for a day trip.

Steve

 

[ray_g]

Again, lots of great advice. Thanks all. 🙂

We generally try to travel around October to try to avoid the peak tourist crowds.