Mediterranean planning - transfers and tours

Plans are moving right along. I remember thinking that our round trip transfers from the Rome airport to Civitavecchia port and back was pretty expensive through our TA: $340 USD for the both of us. I'm not sure if this is Celebrity transport or not. I've got an inquiry in to my TA about cancelling this transfer in favor of a shared transfer with 2 other couples on the morning that we arrive Rome. So here's the current update on our transfers and scheduled tours:

Rome - Thinking about booking with Rome in Limo which came highly recommended on the Cruise Critic message boards. For 6 passengers, we were quoted 170 Euros total (28.33 Euros per person). The driver will pick Seth and I up from the airport (we arrive at 8:50 am) then swing by and pick up Steve/Marci and Stan/Clare from the Rome Hilton right by the airport. I hope they'll share a ride back to the airport with us but our flight was changed to 10:40 am rather than 3:15 pm and their flight doesn't leave until 2 pm. I was hoping for a nice leisurely breakfast the morning we dock and then taking our time getting off the ship, but that's not to be.

Sicily - Seth and I booked Celebrity's Messina wine tour for $94 USD per person and paid with our Disney Visa. Wade and Charlie also booked this one.

Athens - Spiros taxi service. There are 8 of us booked so far (myself, Seth, Wade and Charlie, Steve and Marci, Stan and Clare). The cost is 450 Euros total (56.25 Euros per person). The booking did not require a deposit.

Mykonos - I've been reading a lot about this port and have seen suggestions ranging from renting a scooter or ATV, seeing the windmills, Petros the Pelican, Little Venice, and having an Uzo or Ouzo drink. From what I've read, there are plenty of rental places near the pier and advance reservations are probably unnecessary. Rentals run about 20-30 Euros and are described as very straight-forward/easy. A google search turned up OK Rent a Car & Moto. We'll be touring this island on our own.

Ephesus - We're in the process of booking with Ekol Travel but I'm sorting out the deposit, Turkish Lira stuff right now. The private, Ephesus/House of Virgin Mary/Temple of Artemis tour is described as: Met by your private guide at Kusadasi port with your name sign and start for Ephesus trip. Drive to the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Ephesus was undoubtedly one of the most important cultural centers of the ancient world. Impressive structures we will see include the Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, Theatre and Odeon. We also visit the House of the Virgin Mary where she is believed to have spent her last years. On August 18th, 1961, Pope John XXll proclaimed the House of Virgin Mary at Ephesus to be sacred. Drive back to Kusadasi. Some free time for shopping. The cost is $55 USD per person. We'll also be adding on the Terrace houses for an extra $10 USD per person. This tour requires either a full payment or 25% deposit with the deposit being exchanged into Turkish Liras. It's unclear to me right now if the balance due at the time of the tour will also be in Turkish Liras. I will probably book this one with my business Capital One mastercard as I've read that it doesn't charge a conversion or service fee.

Rhodes - I've read a little about this island but need to read more including the Rhodes (island) travel guide. We're planning to tour this island on our own.

Santorini - From what I've read, the choices are to take the tram, ride a donkey, or to hike up the mountain. We'll be touring on our own and probably taking the tram. I've read that there are concerns with the way that the donkeys are treated and hiking up the mountain is difficult between donkey-doo and dodging the donkeys on the path. A taxi to Fira or Oia should be less than $10 USD one way. It's recommended to check out the wineries (including the Boutari winery) and to not bother with Akrotini.

Naples- this one is booked with Italy Limousine Luxury Car Service - a food and wine tour including a visit to Pompeii and lunch in Positano. I've requested pasta making, mozzarella farm, and olive oil mill. They are currently putting together a proposed itinerary for us. There are 4 of us booked for this tour (myself, Seth, Wade, and Charlie, Linda and her husband). The cost is 380 Euros total (63.33 Euros per person).

I think we'll try and buy Euros from our bank prior to our trip. It looks like for our transfers and tours that I'll need at least 450 Euros. After checking with the Bank of Oklahoma's website, it looks like they will do foreign currency exchanges for free at current exchange rates! They will also buy paper foreign currency at current exchange rates with no fees. This is great news and takes a great weight off my mind! Now, to figure out when to buy Euros. Google to the rescue again....this Euro Currency Exchange Forecast suggests that August will be a good time to buy Euros at about $1.47. Today's currency exchange is at about $1.55.