We just came off Ruby Venice to Rome. Check you bags FIRST at the big white tent located to your right as you enter the port. There is no luggage drop off at the terminal building. There is a liquor store right in the terminal to buy as much liquor and wine as you like We purchased a bottle of Scothch and 3 bottles of wine. BTW, Princess charges $15 corkage fee in the dinning room, so much for bringing your own wine to dinner.
Venice- Take a self guided tour of the Douges Palace, very neat.
Kusadasi - you can arrange your own tour just ourside the terminal entrance, accorss the street. Not muuch to see unless you take a tour of Ephasis. Skip the locomotive tour, waste of $$$.
Athens- If you are adventuresome, take a cab to downtown (20 Euros) and take a self guided tour. Paraues is 7 miles from Athens. We enjoyed our tour very much but reallly really got tired of feeling like herded cows. Every port was hot and crowded.
Rome- having lived there for 3 years. there is a lot to see. Also, there is a lot more that has been excavated. My strong recommendation is a comprehensive tour of the Forum, Collesium, and the emporores palaces overlooking the forum, these are not to be missed.
best of luck
Foster Smith
