Port Rating:

Sakkara (or Saqqara) was interesting as the step pyramid was unique.

We were asked if we wanted to go in the pyramid which was an additional cost. It is very claustrophobic. You bend down and walk inside heading down then small area to stand up quickly and you bend down again to walk up to the inner chamber. In the inner chamber there is nothing but a guard and and external coffin where the sarcophagus would have been. You can not take your camera and really nothing to see - but if you want to see the inside of a pyramid then pay the $2 or so to see it. It may not be open forever.

Our guide also told us that he had someone set up for camel rides and pictures at the pyramids. We paid $1.00 for a picture and $3. for a ride. Use someone that the guide recommends or that is prearranged with them. Some travellers ended up being told it would be $2 - $4 but when they got on the camels were advised they would have to pay more to get off and had too.

The food was very good at the hotel.

Tour was great and our guide was available for questions on the way back however most of us were too exhausted and slept.

Port Rating:

Our guide was very good. He was actually from New York City and had since moved to a moshav in Israel. He was extremely informative on the way from Ashdod to Jerusalem. He explained the difference from a Kibbutz to a Moshav. He was now only knowledgeable in the Jewish faith and beliefs but Christianity and Islam (as it ties to the religious sites).

I learned a lot and it was a great day.

Port Rating:

DAY 1 - Ephesus & Terrace Houses

Ephesus is amazing and I would definitely go back.

I missed the toilets - they are between the spot you enter the Terrace Houses and when you leave. The terrace house were great. It is very interesting seeing the actual putting together of the pieces of marble together and watching the archaeologists working. It is an active spot. The houses are unbelievable and to think that archaeologists think that they go right up the whole hillside. The colours and mosaics are fabulous. I could have spent a whole day in Ephesus and the Terrace Houses. Well worth going there!

We stopped at the carpet weaving demo after the tour which all tours to Kusadasi do. I loved the Turkish Tea. The markets all around are great. Be sure to haggle at the small stores. After dinner,we left the ship again and a couple of us went to some more of the markets. Nice to be able to walk off the ship when we wanted too.

DAY 2 - Three Ancient Cities: Priene, Didyma & Miletus

Fabulous! If you like ruins then this is the place. The ruins are great. You can touch them and walk where people walked years ago, especially in Didyma. There is a lot of walking and it is very steep especially in Priene but well worth the walk.

We had a great guide and he was very knowledgeable. On the way back we stopped again at a carpet place. This day I did not go as I had already been the day before.

Port Rating:

On this tour we were taken back to the old port and then tendered back to the ship. We did not have to wait in the line for the gondola (which was up to 1/2 hr at times) or the donkey ride down.

Overall I would recommend the Panoramic if you just want a nice relaxing day. If you are expecting a tour of a winery then you will be disappointed but the visit to the winery was nice.