Where to go after a cruise

After much deliberation, we are going on a 12 day cruise with friends. It leaves from Venice and ends in Rome, spending only one day at each place ( Dubrovnik, Corfu, Katakolon, Athens, Mykonos, Kusadasi (Turkey), Rhodes, Santorini, Naples). We have more recently (the last 15 years) travelled with backpacks in SE Asia and have loved the food, the people and culture, travelled usually by bus, boat and train and taken our time, staying several days/weeks in each place.

This is going to be very different and we are very much hoping that we can enjoy it for what it is. We would like to spend a week afterwards somewhere warm, laid back, on the water, low to mid range price and a total contrast to the cruise experience. The first thought is a Greek Island but we need to be able to get there after a few days in Rome and there are so many to choose from.

A big ask I know, with so little information, but any suggestions?

It will be late October, we are in our fifties and we like good food, walking, interesting buildings and learning about other people.

Have posted on Europe branch also

Thanks for any suggestions.

What about considering Sicily? It's easy to get to by train and there os good hiking - Etna & Stromboli (via ferry), great food, spectacular ruins, and backpacker places to stay. A day trip takes you over to Reggio de Calabria in the toe of Italy where there is a marvelous museum, nice beach, and more good food.

I went to Greece a few years back. The island I chose was Crete because I wanted to hike the Samarian Gorge. However, my research indicated that THE island to visit is Santorini, and that's where I would go if I went back.

I was thinking Sicily, too. I loved Syracusa---but there are many places that fit your description.

after 12 days on a cruise boat pick a place that has little or no crowds.

from Rome the closest and most beautiful you can do is going to Maremma area (seadide of south Tuscany). Alberese (Maremma natural park), Orbetello, Monte Argentario,Capalbio, and so on.
Beautifull beaches, althought it is not really swiming weather at this time, but excelent for walks in the nature, beautiful countryside and very nice villages.
Best for moving is to rent a car from Roma Fiumicino Airport (that is already on your way to and back, so you won't have to drive inside Rome that can be a big adventure!). You also can go there by train but then you will get stuck in one place, in very law season.
In front of there (boats leaving from Piombino) you have the Tuscany Islands, Elba, Giglio, Capraia, ecc.

May I suggest you don't make any plans at this point?
When on the cruise, see which of the stops you really, really regret not spending longer at - then go there.
If you have internet access you can find a place to stay almost immediately and a question or two on the relevent TT branch will find you things to do, etc.

Thanks for the suggestions. It seems it could be ok to decide when we are there as it will be October and hopefully not so crowded. We will also have a better idea of the temperature and how it feels. I've never planned a holiday this far out so don't know why I want to get it all organsied now - I guess we are so unfamiliar with traveling in Europe compared to Asia.

I'VE BEEN ON SEVERAL CRUISES
pardon der caps.

In my experience you spend only eight hours in each port.

There are so many cruise ships, they are on strict schedules.
If it looks like they'll reach port too soon,They'll creap along at about two knots... for ever.
Old deckhand speaking here. And spudbarber.

Bus tours are a rip-off. Don't buy a book of tickets.
Most of the lengthy itenn. is pointed to, by guide, as you pass it. "Short of time, folks."

Then an hour in a shop, where guide gets commission.

On cruises you go for the bordem and sea stories of geezers. Not for travel.
Rooms for AA on all liners.

I'm 70. I'm with your travel style, on the rest.

HostEls are age friendly. Therefore, folks old enough to have life mileage. From all over. Like minds.
And washing machines. B'fast served till ten a.m.
You can get rooms for two.
www.hostelz.com

I just drift and maybe follow a chunk of history, in situ.
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THERE AIN'T NO LUGGAGE RACKS, ON A HEARSE.

Hi, we took this cruise 2 years ago and took advice to walk off the wharf if you want a taxi but we would walk where we wanted to and got a taxi back. We stayed a number of days in the port of Cethavica, Rome and had a great time. There are roman bath ruins in a park in the hills and much to see walking around the town and port. We caught the train there from the north and trains are going everywhere. Just make sure the tickets are registered on the train. It was easy to walk around and get reasonable accommodation but the food is expensive.