marazul

Hank - Wrong "K" town. 😉 Katakolon is theport for Olympia and, yes, nothing to do there there than Olympia. Kusadasi is the port for Ephesus and if at all possible, the OP should pick a cruise with that port and visit Ephesus.

Yay! Most important is the amount of time in each port. Some lines have very short stays.

Check historical data for any location here: https://www.wunderground.com/history And you are dying to go to Greece. It will be hot, but stop overthinking it and go.

How long ago was that? That's an urban myth based on old circumstances. For several years now the Italian government and the unions have had an agreement where strikes are allowed if previously scheduled and if a period of negotiations takes place before the date. There is a strike website where you can check the strike date and the status of negotiations. https://www.cgsse.it/calendario-scioperi You can look up the dates of your visit if see if any strikes are scheduled on those dates. The vast majority get canceled before they happen. There are no wildcats strikes anymore.

The most efficient and safest would be a private transfer and tour. You can choose to go the Acropolis or a general city tour and your bags will certainly be safe in the car. I really would not trust a taxi to do that. There are a number of reputable companies such as George's Taxi taxigreece.com.

No, it doesn't. It requires more time than the average tour. The Transvesuvian rail line has a stop at Scavi Villa dei Misteri. It is a short walk from there.

I think the message is not much to do in Piraeus. I agree. If the OP has seen enough of Athens he should still stay there and use the day to go to Sounion or Corinth. Then enjoy dinner and the evening in Athens.

Didn't realize that. I thought there would be more Italian ports. I still vote for Florence prior to the cruise.

The vast majority of international flights go to Rome, Milan or Venice. To fly to other cities you would have to fly through those airports or another European hub, say Paris. Pick another city that is within a short train ride to Rome. And plan to have at least one full day there since you will have two travel days - the day you fly in and the day you go to the port. I recommend Florence, especially if you were planning to go there from Livorno or La Spezia. That would give you a meaningful amount of time in Florence and would free you up for other excursions from the port, maybe Cinqueterre.

Are you staying in Porto? The best info will be at your hotel. No need to worry about it ahead of time.

You could really wait until you get there, but for your own peace of mind, book ahead. But wait for the summer schedule to come out.

Good catch. I didn't notice the website.

Last year. We were there for 2 weeks. It got to the high 90sF. About a 100 a couple of times. Muggy. So we went to the beach or adjourned to a taverna for a cold beer. If you go, do your outdoors sightseeing early in the morning. Save the museums, etc for later in the day. Enjoy a long relaxing lunch in the shade or A/C.

Nothing is as hot as Vegas in July. Not even Hades. As for the ports, you would have to post them Chances are that I have been there. We lived in that part of the world for a few years and travel back often.

I have only taken it from Amalfi to Positano. Yes, they run on time. Some departure times have more stops than others. You may have to wait until a couple of months before your trip to get the summer schedule. There is no problem booking tickets for whichever times you want. Can't help you with the Salerno questions.

That cruise is mostly on the Atlantic. That should meet your requirements. Do stay in Lisbon for a couple of days at the end

The Villa of the Mysteries for sure. Peaceful Vesuvius standing like a menace over the town.

Well, I thought you were trying to avoid the heat. Quite frankly, we often go to Greece in August. Yes, it is hot, but it is Greece. And we have spent many summers travelling in France, Spain and Italy. If you want hot weather, the Med in August will do it. Heat, architecture, history, food - it has it all.

Well, your parents do have a point... The Norwegian fjords are very different from Alaskan fjords. More dramatic landscapes, no glaciers. Beautiful towns, such as Bergen. Plus you get to visit Copehangen, Oslo and/or Stockholm. The Spain, etc cruise will be just as hot as the Greek cruise if it is all in the Med. If it goes from Spain to Portugal and the Atlantic coast of France, it could be better weather wise.

Thanks. I would be concerned about a river cruise in August. Because of climate change Europe has had severe droughts the past few summers and the rivers are running low. Some cruises have had to bus passengers between ports. I think Spring is a better time for a river cruise. Your idea of land travel in Switzerland and Austria is great.

Well, consider a cruise in northern Europe. It will be perfect then. The Norwegian fjords are wonderful. And go to the Med in mid-September another time.

Breezes only help on the seashore. When the high winds are blowing, tender ports can get canceled. The temps in August are usually in the high 90s. It has frequently been over 100 in the past few years.

Reservations open about 11 months before the flight. I would say to book as soon as reservations open if you are planning to use points or if you need to have your choice of seats. For example, your 6'6" DH might want to make sure he gets bulkhead seats in premium economy on a 2-seat window section.

We took a look at the Iconic this summer and ot looks great. Their restaurants got top honors from Gambero Rosso. Look at the food thread at the top of this board.

The tender port is at the bottom of a cliff. The town on top is Fira. To get up there you either take the cable car or go up a path on a donkey or by foot. Ship excursions tender to the ferry port where there is road (cars, buses) access to the island. Because of local authority deals with merchants, cable car, etc., most ship excursions have to return to the ship by dropping off the pax and then going down to the tender port by cable car or down the donkey path. Some ship excursions are allowed to drive back to the ferry port and tender back from there. My advice is going to SB Square as soon as you board and ask about the options. Also ask about the tender for independent excursions and to which of the two ports it will take you. Santorini is lovely - nice towns, beaches, views, Akrotiri ruins, etc.