Port Rating:

In the streets around the spice markets you can pick up very cheap clothing and accessories as well.

Everywhere warned about having head coverings for the Mosques and though I had also read scarves would be provided for ladies I took my own. In the end I just wore a hat and was dismayed and the large number of women not bothering to wear any head covering at all. I believe we should show respect in another country's culture. However no-one seemed to be bothered about it.

They did however insist on removing shoes though plastic bags were provided to carry these around.

Be warned you may need to pay for toilets as in many Eurpoean cities.

Island Tour Rating:

We were to meet Dimitri at 3pm, however we got a very early tender and were able to get to the top at 2.30 - our group leader rang ahead and Dimitri was there not too long after us. We had a good overview tour of the whole island which included Santos winery, Ana's homemade stall, the Black sand beach and of course Oia. We didn't see too much of Fira at the start as we took off more or less straight away.

One of our group was an older lady not as sure on her feet and there was a bit of a steep walk down stairs to where the van was parked, but she managed with help. Be aware that all the streets are uneven and there are many stairs everywhere.

Dimitri was very affable and gave good local inside information on the workings of the island. The van was very new, air-conditioned and extremely comfortable.

We felt though that we probably spent a bit too much time in getting to Oia which is after all the highlight of the trip. It was already getting dark when we got there and whilst we were wanting to see the sunset, it would have been good to have arrived a little earlier to get some brighter pictures as well.

The only thing we would change would be to request more time in Oia. We then returned to Fira but not really with any time to see it or do any shopping before going back to the ship. Would like to have spent more time in both places.

If you are coming via cruise ship, try your best to get one of the early tenders. Dimitri's wife had another group and they didn't start their tour until a couple of hours after us as they got a much later tender off the ship. They basically went straight to Oia as there was no time for anything else, at least I assume so as they were already there when we arrived.

City Tour Rating:

The van was clean and comfortable and air-conditioned. We visited Ephesus, the Terrace houses (a must, don't miss these, they are the highlight of the Ephesus site and if you don't see these, you haven't seen Ephesus IMHO), the house of the Virgin Mary, and the Basilica of John the Baptist, plus of course some excursions through the towns that lie in between these. There was also the one remaining pillar of the Temple of Artemis but as it stands sadly alone in a paddock of weeds it is a rather feeble hurrah to say you have seen it.

An absolute highlight though was our Ottoman lunch. Sadly I don't recall the name of the restaurant but it was out in the country and we had a smorgasbord of goodies and it was all delicious.

I think the guide did a great job and covered everything really well and allocated time well to each place. A most enjoyable day.