Porphyrogenitus

My bad. I guess this forum is for posturing! ...

I've not said anything about "maximizing time" or "what this forum is about"; and I've in fact provided specific suggestions -- more than...

Just make sure the cabbie turns on the meter -- then you won't be ripped off. Taxi rates in Istanbul are very reasonable, in comparison to...

I.e., ignore the haters, and focus on some combination of Turkey and Greek islands.

I agree with emr48109 -- his advice is on the money.

Thanks, ipanag and elinas, for your comments -- they're very helpful! We're leaving next Wednesday and can't wait for our trip. If either...

Also, if you're going to Greece, by no means skip Athens (as your original itinerary suggests): give it two days for sightseeing,...

You could also visit Samothraki, which is apparently fabulous and not far from Istanbul.

Most of the posters on this thread are being unduly harsh -- rude, actually -- but what they say is true: your itinerary is...

My wife and I will be taking a road trip, beginning and ending in Istanbul, through Greece and Macedonia during the latter half of August...