Should i go on this?

[Celtic_Guardian]

My college is offering a "course at sea" basically a summer trip for 2 weeks. The trip starts with a flight from Boston to Venice,

Venice-visits to St.Marks Square, Grand Canal, The Doge's palace, and the arsenal., evening off
Florence- Casa Di Dante, Piazza dell Signoria, Free time at night, next half day free
Rome- The colosseum, Forum, Temple of Vesta, Senate House, Circus Maximus, Arch of Constantine, Palatine hill

Flight- Rome-Athens

Night off in Athens
Athens-Acropolis, Erechtheion, Partheon, Temple of Athena, Odeon of Heroded Atticus

Board ship

Excursions (Instanbul-Rhodes required for course)
Instanbul-Night in Kervansaray Night Club
Instanbul- Golden Horn, Hippodrome, Konyali Restaurant, Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet mosque

Rhodes- The Knights quarter, Avenue of the Knights, Palace of the grand masters, Temple of Apollo

Optional excursions (or free explore)
Ephesus
Crete
Mykonos
Patmos
Santorni

Arrive back in Athens 9 A.M free day and night, flight back to Boston.

Cost-$3575
Includes
Airfare
Hotel accomidations 3-4 star
Ground transport- Private coaches
All dinners/breakfasts-local authentic resturants
Seven Day Aegean cruise- AC cabins, Pool, Gym, Casino, Bar, All food included
Full time Regional guide- In additon to the professor a full time expert guide/translator and local guides.

What do you think? The price is the problem, its in August 2007, with school i doubt i can make that much (actually gurantee) i can't. But my parents think it would be a great idea..... I dont know if i'll get another chance like this, i mean i've never been out of the U.S (well Tijuana for an hour)

[Alexanderofmacedon]

I'd say:

"Get out there and do it!"

[Csargo]

I'd say:

"Get out there and do it!"

What he said.:2thumbsup:

[Red Peasant]

That looks like a hell of a lot to see and do in a mere two weeks, a bit of rush job with quantity rather than quality. I spent two months just in Rome last year and even that wasn't enough time. I'd want a more detailed breakdown of what you will actually be doing in order to assess value for money, because that's a lot of cash they want.

[Red Peasant]

... but then again, if your parents are footing the bill, then why not! :laugh4:

[doc_bean]

The trip looks damn good, but the price is daunting...

I agree it seems a bit short for what it wants you to see.

Do it if you've got the money, or if someone else is paying the bill !

[Banquo's Ghost]

I'd wait and do the trips at a more leisurely pace. With the whistle stop tour you posted, having aguide will be useless anyway - you might as well buy a couple of books and read them at home for all the atmosphere you will feel.

Venice is worth several weeks, but certainly a full one. It should be easy to find a cheap flight and they have a Youth Hostel on Guidecca island, which is really inexpensive - IIRC about 20 euros a night.

Link (http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/venice_hostel.htm)

Or, if you're there in summer, you can try what a lot of students do and sleep on the benches under the stars!

[macsen rufus]

If the choice is between doing it and never doing it, then GO, and damn the expense (or look for a rich, lonely widow during your vacation ~;)

But I'd also heed the advice above: it really is a whistle-stop tour with a lot to take in. Florence, too needs a good week - hell, the Uffizzi alone needs a week!

And all you'll see of Venice is the rear end of fifty-thousand tourists, but it IS an experience, nonetheless. Use your night off to take your favourite young lady on a gondola trip, serenaded by candle-light along the Grand Canal.... For an extra $50 you can try to bribe the gondolier to not muscle in on your date or take you round the back of the gas works :laugh4:

Rome is a must, of course, but a pity there's no side trip to Pompeii or Herculaneum, as these are much better preserved and you can still get some feel for "real" Roman life, and of course Vesuvius is still there!

As for the Greek bits, can't comment (except enviously :2thumbsup: ).

Istanbul will blow your mind! Especially if you can get away from "the group". Wild, bubbling maelstrom of a city, but very friendly. It's worth going just to sail up the Dardanelles - very clear why it's been of such strategic importance historically. You'll pass the Gallipoli beaches, lots of memorials and time for reflection, and the final approaches to the city are stunning, Hagia Sophia looming over the bay, amazing skyline of domes and minarets, incredibly busy, bustling waterway.

And a cruise is always fun (unless you have a REALLY weak stomach) - and well informed local guides and translators are not to be sneered at either - although learning a few words in any language but your own goes a long way with the locals (even if it's only "Two beers, please/Thank you" and assuming you've bought the two beers there'll be a local at the bar willing to teach you how to express various sentiments concerning mothers, goats, and the strange practices of infidels :laugh4: ).

Perhaps you should treat it as a taster, and suss out places to go back to later for a more in-depth visit...

:2cents: