Odyssey: Greek Isles /Italy Excursions

[tonyfsu21]

Is there anything of note in Naples or do we get on the hydro foil to Capri via RC excursion? Is Capri enough or do we also visit Sorrento? 
 

How is the highlights of Ephesus w/ lunch?

 

Mykonos RC royal signature excursion small group luxe catamaran is no longer available and full. Can anyone recommend an alternative to this (RC or not)? 
 

Thanks!

[FionaMG]

2 hours ago, tonyfsu21 said:

Is there anything of note in Naples or do we get on the hydro foil to Capri via RC excursion? Is Capri enough or do we also visit Sorrento? 
 

How is the highlights of Ephesus w/ lunch?

 

Mykonos RC royal signature excursion small group luxe catamaran is no longer available and full. Can anyone recommend an alternative to this (RC or not)? 
 

Thanks!

For me, the highlight of Naples is Pompeii. If you want to do that and Capri you're best to do a ship-sponsored excursion as the timing will be tight.

If you want to do just Pompeii, again an excursion is a good idea because you really do need a guide to make the most of your time there but, in this case, since won't be pushed for time, you might want to find a tour with an independent operator that will be kinder on your pocket and potentially save you from the more or less mandatory visit to the cameo factory that is included in Royal's excursions.

If you want to do just Capri, don't book it through Royal. It's a total rip off. You can tickets from the ticket office just steps away from where the ship docks. Round trip tickets cost about $50pp. Royal generally charge more than double that. Note that there are different ferry operators and they don't always return to the same place so check when buying your ticket. 

Once you get to Capri, tickets for the funicular are €2.40 each way. I have not been there myself yet but have read recommendations to get the funicular up and walk back down, assuming you are mobile.

There is website called Capri.com that has lots of useful information.

[KJones]

We booked a small group Ephesus tour with Viator, highly recommend 10/10. It ended up being just our group and one other couple. We added the Terrace Houses to our ticket, which was one of the highlights of the site for us. Lunch wasn't included, but our guide asked if we wanted to stop somewhere and we all agreed (additional cost, maybe like 15euro/p). Food was delicious, but it was a part of a government-sponsored carpet/rug making shop. Which was generally fine, just odd... We watched some of the workers at various stages of production, then sat through the obligatory sales pitch. Just stay looking and acting uninterested and they'll give up.
https://www.viator.com/tours/Kusadasi/5-Hour-Small-Group-Shore-Excursion-to-Ephesus-from-Kusadasi/d582-10390P3?m=63070&nid=VR.4be7f67f-2e49-4d4a-8d5d-51e4605755cd.VT_EMAIL_TRV

[frazer17]

On 3/23/2025 at 9:21 PM, FionaMG said:

For me, the highlight of Naples is Pompeii. If you want to do that and Capri you're best to do a ship-sponsored excursion as the timing will be tight.

If you want to do just Pompeii, again an excursion is a good idea because you really do need a guide to make the most of your time there but, in this case, since won't be pushed for time, you might want to find a tour with an independent operator that will be kinder on your pocket and potentially save you from the more or less mandatory visit to the cameo factory that is included in Royal's excursions.

If you want to do just Capri, don't book it through Royal. It's a total rip off. You can tickets from the ticket office just steps away from where the ship docks. Round trip tickets cost about $50pp. Royal generally charge more than double that. Note that there are different ferry operators and they don't always return to the same place so check when buying your ticket. 

Once you get to Capri, tickets for the funicular are €2.40 each way. I have not been there myself yet but have read recommendations to get the funicular up and walk back down, assuming you are mobile.

There is website called Capri.com that has lots of useful information.

Have to say, I have always found Ischia a more relaxing island / visit than Capri. But it is horses for courses I guess

[FionaMG]

1 hour ago, frazer17 said:

Have to say, I have always found Ischia a more relaxing island / visit than Capri. But it is horses for courses I guess

I haven't done either yet. I will have to look into Ischia. 

[Cage]

I would highly recommend Pompeii in Naples and a trip to Delos in Mykonos

[KWong]

I second Delos. Note that the guided excursion the cruise will offer is the exact same one you can book directly through the operator (Delos Tours) or GetYourGuide (which allows you to cancel up to 24 hours in advance) for about 80 Euros. The only difference is that the cruise line will bus you to the Old Port, while the DIY method requires you to spend a couple of Euros on a water bus. Klook is a little more expensive than GYG but doesn't include the museum.

Does anyone have any thoughts about Hydra or Rhodes? Those seem to have interesting sites right near the port. Anything worth going to outside of the cities?

[Pattycruise]

Pompeii was fantastic. If you book through the cruise line it has the cameo tour too. I excused to  the restroom and exited the building (told the guide I’d meet them outside). You can’t sit in the restaurant without ordering food -the restaurant being part of the building with the cameo and other sale items.  I recommend the lemon ice! If you are going in summer be prepared to be hot! 
we did the taste of Sorrentino and Pompeii small group.  For the taste we went to a farm and they did a mozzarella demonstration and we had -I think-wine or limoncello. At Pompeii we had VR glasses we put on at certain points during our tour and it really enhanced the tour 

At Ephesus I did the small group best of Ephesus. I enjoyed it. Wear good footwear, non slip. I had sneakers and slipped twice on the ruins.  I honestly don’t recall if lunch was included but my notes said the tour was 8:15-1:45 so plenty of time to eat.  I recall leaving the rug demonstration when it came time for the sales.   I did a B2B so we booked  a food tour at Ephesus using Trip advisor for the second week-it was most enjoyable. Met near the port and ended near the port.  If you can find something that works with your time frame I recommend it. 

 

[wordell1]

I did the ship Pompeii tour in the morning and then ventured into Naples on our own for the afternoon.  I liked Naples so much that we went back for a week last summer.  Naples is kind of chaotic but i like that.  Lots of street food and the best pizza your will ever find.