What an amazing trip you are going to have!! We did Istanbul to Venice (on RSSC) last October and it was a wonderful trip.

We used Ekol in Ephesus and enjoyed every moment. We were glad we did the private guide. After our basic touring, he took us to the museum there and it really helped me put everything in context.

On dining in Istanbul - get as many of Suzanne's suggestions as possible. :)

We went to one of the restaurants she recommended to us and it was absolutely one of the highlights of our trip.

If you are there for a few days, do try to get to the cisterns as well.

Kathy