Tour code: BOE-SSE-01
Tour: Highlights of Ephesus Tours
Itinerary: Ephesus Ancient City, House of Mother Mary, Temple of Artemis(Diana)
Duration: 7 to 8 hours

When your cruise ship docks your professional tour guide will be awaiting you with a board where your name is written at the arrival gate of the Port. Then you will join your guide to get to the van. After an hour driving you will be arrived to Selcuk town where Ephesus ruins stand. Firstly, you will stop at the Temple of Artemis which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, although there is one single column left today, magnificient temple had been built for the goddess of fertility and hunters, Artemis, known as Diana after city passed under the rule of Romans. Then drive to Ephesus. The extensive ruins which include Varius Bath Complex, The Odeon, State Agora, The Temples of Dea Roma, Prytaneion, Domitian Square, Hercules Gate, Curetes Street, The Fountain of Trajan, The Baths of Scholastica, Temple of Hadrian, Celsius Library, The Gymnasium, Great Theatre.. And much more monuments stand in the special atmosphere of Ephesus, charming each one. Once it was a commerce and trade center of the ancient world, later on became a sacred religious place of the early Christianity and today, a famous and unique tourism center proving all its perfects to the visitors as one of the biggest open air museum in the world. Next stop is to visit The House of Virgin Mary, the place where it is believed that she had spent last years of her life. It is considered that St. John brought Virgin Mary to Ephesus after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and that a small house was built for her on Bulbul Mountain. On July 26, 1967, Pope Paul VI visited The House of Virgin Mary and declared one of the pilgrimage center. Then drive to the Isa Bey Mosque which was constructed in 14th AD as a first mosque of turkish people in Asia Minor. Then we are going to visit one of the oldest mosques of Turkey, Isa Bey Mosque was built by order of the leader of Turks(Mr. Isa) in 1375. It is the first example among all mosques which was constructed with a courtyard in Turkey. You can see transitional differences from Seljuks to Ottoman architecture. Today, it is not only used as a museum but also is actively used as a mosque. To the end of your tour you are going to have chance to see a cooperative where turkish hand-made rugs carpets and klimms are weaven by ladies who comes from different villages around ephesus ancient city. Drive back to the port.

NOTE!

The Terrace Houses section is located inside of Ancient ruins of Ephesus and has an extra entrance fee - 15 USD per person. So called as "the houses of the rich romans", the oldest building dates back into the 1C BC until 7C AD. You will be able to see amazing mosaics and frescoes and the famous water-running and heating system with clay pipes. In this section there are over 100s stairs. We dont recommend for people who has physical disabilities. It takes minimum 30 min. to visit.

You need to inform us prior the tour date if you want to add its visit!

Ancient city of Ephesus it's an open air museum and includes 2 km. walking. Sun-cream-umbrella or hat is really recommended.

Program order: The order in which visits are mentioned might be changed and/or adjusted, according to circumstances.

- Private Professional Licenced Guide;
- Transportation in comfortable air-conditioned and non-smoking vehicles;
- Private Professional Driver;
- Entrance fees to the sights mentioned above the itinerary;
- Lunch

- Any tips for Guide & Driver;
- Any drinks (unless specifically mentioned);
- Any kind of other personal expenses;

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