Destinations & Itinerary

After pick up from hotel at Kusadasi/Selcuk or Kusadasi cruise port, we will start the full day guided tour of Ephesus Region, for the visits to:

Ephesus Ancient City: Very probably the largest archeological site in Turkey, it rises on the north slope of Mount Pion extending southward to the slope of Mount Koressos. First founded some 2000 years before Christ, it was rebuilt in the year 1000 B.C.. Lysimachus, left here by Alexander the Great in 334 B.C. fortified the city by walls for the fist time. Third after Alexandria and Antiochia, during the Roman period it was designated as the capital of Asia Minor. Paul came to Ephesos for a first short visit in 51 A.D., but was back for three years from 54 to 57 A.D..

The House of Mother Mary: Is on the top of Bulbul Dag (the Mount of the Nightingale), seven kilometres south of the ancient city of Ephesos. Here the Blessed Virgin is said to have lived her last years on earth. It was reconstructed on the foundations unearthed in 1891 by the Lazarist Fathers following the detailed description given by a German bedridden pious lady who claimed to have been shown this neighbourhood during visions of the Virgin Mother with which she has been pridileged. Soon after, this place started to attract pilgrims and today this is visited by pilgrims who come from all over the world. Pope John XXIII visited this shrine many times during his stay as Apostolic Delegate in Turkey while Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II came here as pilgrims in 1967 and 1979 respectively.

The Temple of Artemis: This famous temple is one of the seven wonders of the world, and is also known as Artemission. It was first built in lonian style during 560-550  B.C. by the Lydian King Kroisos. After being burnt down in 356 B.C. by a lunatic, it was rebuilt on the same foundations, but its height was extended by 3 m. This temple, which is also famous for its marble statues, is 55.10 x 115 in dimensions and was the largest of all temple, which  were discovered during digs by J.T. Wood in 1869-1874, and David G. Hogart in 1904-1905 in the name of the British Museum, were taken to England.

Isa Bey Mosque:Isa Bey Mosque is one of the most important works of the Turkish Aydin Emirate (Aydinogullari) who ruled in western Anatolia from 1308 to 1426. It was built in 1374 (776 A.H.) by Aydinoglu Isa Bey (1360-1390) in his administrative capital of Selçuk, near Ephesus. It is the second example of the twin-minaret mosques in Anatolia from the pre-Ottoman principalities period and is larger than many of the mosques of the time. Its architect was Ali bin Mushimish, from Damascus. The mosque was repaired in 1934 and restored later in the second half of twentieth century.

After the tour, you will be transferred back to the hotel or Kusadasi cruise port.

Please take note of the following:
* 30% discount for children below the age 7, free for the ages 0-2
* The order of visiting sights, may vary slightly from time to time
* You are kindly requested to present your self at the pick up point 15 minutes prior the pre advised pick up time
* Smoking is not permitted but all tours make frequent stops

What's Included: 
* Pick up and drop off at your Hotel or Cruise Port
* Transportation by air-conditioned non-smoking tour coaches
* Professional Guide licensed by the Ministry of Tourism
* All entrance fees to the archaeological sites and museums, parking and road tolls
* Lunch at local restaurant (drinks extra)
* Local taxes