All things GREECE and TURKEY port excursions

[fidldidi]

We did a Greece/Turkey cruise last year, not DCL, and had stops in Mykonos and Ephesus/Kudasai. Ephesus is amazing, a highlight of the whole trip. IMO if you hit that port but don't see the ruins site you are really missing out. It's so grand, even the kids will really get something out of it. Mykonos is fun to just walk around the winding streets, shop, etc... It will give a good taste of a greek village.

 

[Bsb1012]

It is the full day Athens and Cape Sounion tour, but we are modifying the itinerary. On Mondays, the New Acropolis Museum is closed and they do the Panathenaic Stadium, Tomb of the Unknown Solider, the Temple of Zeus, the Old Palace and Changing of the Guard instead of the museum. We are visiting on a Wednesday, but they said it was no problem to do that itinerary on our date.

The full day tour for four people is 240 euros. We are adding a guide for the Acropolis portion for 90 euros (2 hours). If we wanted a guide for the Acropolis and the Museum, it would be 150 euros for the guide (for about four hours).

Larger groups have to use a minibus - the sedans only seat four plus the driver. The minibus seats 12 (I think) and is 550 euros for the full day tour with an all day guide. The full day tour with a half day guide is 420 euros. That would be cheaper per person if you have a large group, but we like the flexibility of a private tour for the four of us. If the kids are getting antsy, we can change it up.

I'm not sure what the full day tour in a minibus without a guide would cost. The half day Athens tour in a sedan was 150 euros and the full was 220 euros (Athens only, not Cape Sounion).

Here is the link - it is tour 2 on this page:

https://www.athensbytaxi.com/privatetaxitoursfullday.html

Thank you so much for the information! I can't wait to start planning this port!

 

[canadakath]

There isn't a whole lot to 'see' at the Olympic Stadium. It is really easy to do on your own, time willing. The Acropolis will not take up much of your time but the museum will

To get to the Olympic Stadium, you take the 'Green Line" trains (Metro Line 1) towards Kiffisia and get off at the Eirini stop. It is right there in front of you. To get back to the port from there, get on the same train line going towards Pireas and take it to the end. This train is a little slow, though, because it is the old line. Figure on it taking an hour. I am not sure about that time, though. I may try to time it one day, but I won't have time to do so until June (I work 7 days a week).

Perhaps more interesting is the old Olympic Stadium? I would look them up on the Internet and see what looks more interesting.

Something else that might be fun and is VERY easy with the metro system is the guards at Parliament. The Metro lets you out right outside. The Syntagma metro station is itself a 'sight' because there is a cross section of the wall that shows one of the skeletons they found as they were digging.

Monastiraki station also has some ancient dig sites, I believe.

Thanks for the info! I did mean the Panathenaic stadium, couldn't think of the name at the time. We might consider doing this port on our own if I feel brave enough. More likely will go for a private driver and guide.

 

[canadakath]

It is the full day Athens and Cape Sounion tour, but we are modifying the itinerary. On Mondays, the New Acropolis Museum is closed and they do the Panathenaic Stadium, Tomb of the Unknown Solider, the Temple of Zeus, the Old Palace and Changing of the Guard instead of the museum. We are visiting on a Wednesday, but they said it was no problem to do that itinerary on our date.

https://www.athensbytaxi.com/privatetaxitoursfullday.html

This sounds fantastic. Mind if we copy?

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

This sounds fantastic. Mind if we copy?

Of course not! But now I am having second thoughts. A few people have posted on Cruise Critic that they really like the tour company, but they didn't like Cape Sounion (not worth the drive out there). I thought it might be a low key afternoon in an air-conditioned car, taking a pretty drive, but now I wonder if we should just stay in Athens all day. I know we can't possibly see everything, but I also don't want ruins overload so early in the trip. Athens By Taxi also has a full day Athens tour and a half day Athens tour, so I am wondering if I should switch.

I think Athens is easy enough to do on your own, but with two kids and a husband who likes to take pictures before crowds and with the early morning light, a private car should get us there ahead of the cruise excursion buses. If DH and I were travelling alone, we would do it on our own.

 

[ejw]

Of course not! But now I am having second thoughts. A few people have posted on Cruise Critic that they really like the tour company, but they didn't like Cape Sounion (not worth the drive out there). I thought it might be a low key afternoon in an air-conditioned car, taking a pretty drive, but now I wonder if we should just stay in Athens all day. I know we can't possibly see everything, but I also don't want ruins overload so early in the trip. Athens By Taxi also has a full day Athens tour and a half day Athens tour, so I am wondering if I should switch.

I think Athens is easy enough to do on your own, but with two kids and a husband who likes to take pictures before crowds and with the early morning light, a private car should get us there ahead of the cruise excursion buses. If DH and I were travelling alone, we would do it on our own.

I've been going thru the same thought process as you.

originally thought about doing full day athens/cape souvion. showed pictures to DD and she liked it but then saw comments on cruise critic and thought there is not much to do at cape sounion. then we were thinking about full day in athens. she liked that. then i saw many people on cruise critic recommend corinth. so now looking at full day tour of athens/corinth. there seems to be more to do in corinth.

but the debate is still this: relaxing drive in car and kids can take nap but are we wasting time in car but would full day in athens be overload.

can't decide....can't decide.

ellen

 

[canadakath]

Interesting thoughts. I think I like the idea of a private car with guide meeting us at the port, getting us to the Panathenaic stadium, the Acropolis, doing the New Acropolis Museum. Then maybe giving us some time alone to wander before getting us back to port. Lots of things to think about...my overplanning tendencies have already got me starting a spreadsheet to compare the options...what a way to spend a Friday night, but DH is already in bed so he can go to work at 4:30 in the morning!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

but the debate is still this: relaxing drive in car and kids can take nap but are we wasting time in car but would full day in athens be overload.

can't decide....can't decide.

ellen

Which of us goes first so the rest of us will know what to do?

Interesting thoughts. I think I like the idea of a private car with guide meeting us at the port, getting us to the Panathenaic stadium, the Acropolis, doing the New Acropolis Museum. Then maybe giving us some time alone to wander before getting us back to port. Lots of things to think about...my overplanning tendencies have already got me starting a spreadsheet to compare the options...what a way to spend a Friday night, but DH is already in bed so he can go to work at 4:30 in the morning!

I'm right there with you, clicking back and forth between Cruise Critic and DIS, while DH is on the couch watching something on TV. Oh, and I am trying to figure out how to send a fax to Turkey.

 

[debsters41]

Oh, and also, in case people did not know already, Athens is very "English" friendly, meaning that the language is spoken by a lot of people here. Especially in the tourist areas, there should be no problem whatsoever.

For 'wandering around' I second the idea that a pp offered of doing so in the "Plaka" area.

Do not forget about the heat in your plans. Last year we had a heat wave in July with temperatures well over 100 degrees. They actually closed the Acropolis around 12 noon.

 

[JimmyJackJunior]

Right now

Athens - we are planning to do it by ourselves. Take the train to the National Archeological Museum, then head for some lunch and then on to the Acropolis. Evidently, giudes are easy to pick up at the sites. If the transit system continues to have intermittent strikes we may get a tour. The Rick Steeves book recommends going to the museum first as most cruise ship passengers go to the Acropolis first and the Acropolis tends to empty out after lunch.

Ephasus - going on an 8 hour tours with melitours who were recommended by Rick Steeves. They were incredibly accomodating in doing exactly what we wished to do and you get to go back to their ranch for lunch rather than eating in touristy areas. We are going to Ephasus ruins, terrace house, Ephasus Museum and the temple of Artemis.

Mykonos - we are going to go to a beach. Likely Agios Ioannis which is supposed to be quiet with good restaraunts.

 

[JimmyJackJunior]

Interesting thoughts. I think I like the idea of a private car with guide meeting us at the port, getting us to the Panathenaic stadium, the Acropolis, doing the New Acropolis Museum. Then maybe giving us some time alone to wander before getting us back to port. Lots of things to think about...my overplanning tendencies have already got me starting a spreadsheet to compare the options...what a way to spend a Friday night, but DH is already in bed so he can go to work at 4:30 in the morning!

I did the same thing with Ephasus and a spreadsheet because I had three good quotes from suppliers. Don't think that is is overplanning at all.

 

[ejw]

Right now

Athens - we are planning to do it by ourselves. Take the train to the National Archeological Museum, then head for some lunch and then on to the Acropolis. Evidently, giudes are easy to pick up at the sites. If the transit system continues to have intermittent strikes we may get a tour. The Rick Steeves book recommends going to the museum first as most cruise ship passengers go to the Acropolis first and the Acropolis tends to empty out after lunch.

Wouldn't the Acropolis be too hot to do in the afternoon?

ellen

 

[ejw]

I did the same thing with Ephasus and a spreadsheet because I had three good quotes from suppliers. Don't think that is is overplanning at all.

Hi JimmyJackJunior, going to a totally unrelated topic, I just read that British Columbia is eliminating the penny. I think that's pretty interesting. Why are they doing that?

ellen

 

[bellelinus]

Wouldn't the Acropolis be too hot to do in the afternoon?

ellen

That's exactly what I was about to post - it seems to me that going to the Acropolis first thing and then into the museum makes more sense in terms of the heat, if not the crowds!

 

[canadakath]

Hi JimmyJackJunior, going to a totally unrelated topic, I just read that British Columbia is eliminating the penny. I think that's pretty interesting. Why are they doing that?

ellen

The penny currently costs more to make than it is worth! Basically they aren't making any more but they will be accepted as currency while still in circulation. Electronic funds will still be to the nearest cent, but cash funds will now be rounded to the nearest nickel (at least I think that is how it will work). This is similar to a lot of places in Europe when I lived there (before the Euro).

Our bigger issue right now is they made the $20 and $50 bills out of a polymer blend, to make them more durable and harder to counterfeit. Problem is no machines can accept them!!!

 

[tajz90]

Just joining so I don't miss anything I need to know for this summer

 

[rossjen2]

..and looking forward to learning more about our Greece/Turkey options.

Thanks for the great info about doing Athens on our own. I think that is what we are going to do because none of the port adventures really seemed to speak to me.

While folks are discussing Athens, I'm curious about getting from the ship to the to the metro station in Piraeus. It sounds like it could potential be a long hot walk. It sounds like some cruise lines provide buses to get you closer to the station. Just wondering if anyone knows if DCL will provide buses? Is it possible to take a taxi? I don't think we'd mind but don't want to exhaust our 4yr old son before we even get to the Acropolis.... Thanks!

Also just curious if anyone is familiar with the Athen's Happy Train (http://www.athenshappytrain.com/). Sounds like a cheap, easy, and toddler friendly way to get around the sights in Athens.

Thanks,
jen

 

[JimmyJackJunior]

Wouldn't the Acropolis be too hot to do in the afternoon?

ellen

Well yes it will. But it will also be hot by 10:30. I would rather beat the crowds than the heat. We will pack our platypuses. Errr what is the plural of platypus anyway? Is it playtipy? We will gave plenty of water, sunscreen, hats etc.

 

[AmyAnne]

For Athens, I am thinking about doing the Acropolis/other Athens highlights first thing, then a drive out to Corinth. I have found a few private tour companies, recommended on cruisecritic, who advertise this.

Anyone here ever been to Corinth? Do you think it would be overload? (Kids are older teens, who do like history/ruins.)

 

[ldo]

there used to be a HO-HO bus that picked up at the port and dropped off right at the Acropolis (plus other points). IMHO, from Aug. 2011, the walking area around the Acropolis seemed very safe and pleasant. The Platka is at one end. I would do Acropolis in the AM and then walk to the museum (5 minutes). There is a nice cafe at the museum where you can get a soda, food, etc. and cool off, then you can walk to the Platka for more food/souvenirs, etc. You can also cross the street at the Platka and go over the the park (myabe called Temple of Zeus??). Your ticket is good for this park, as well.
Athens is definitely a place I would save $$ and DIY, as it's so easy. I would then spend the $$ for a good tour of Ephesus.