Daily Ephesus Tour Program For Cruise Travellers

Morning pick up from the port. Drive to Selcuk (30 minutes’ drive from Kusadasi  Port, and  one  and half hour drive from Izmir port) to explore the world-renowned Greco-Roman city of Ephesus and its environs. Ephesus is one of the best preserved cities in the world. Ephesus is the highlight of every trip to Turkey.  During the Roman era Ephesus was known worldwide a city of trade, art, entertainment, banking, finance and religious sanctuary. Ephesus was extremely a wealthy city. It was a dream city that everybody at the time wanted to see Ephesus. This was the capital of the Roman province of Asia and ornamented with magnificent public buildings. It was the most bustling metropolis in the world, with a population of 250,000. Ephesus had streetlights, and running water .It was a nerve center for the world’s commerce, joining the western end of the Royal Road to Babylon with Mediterranean sea trade. Ephesus appears to have attracted settlers from the earliest times. Ionian Greeks settled in Ephesus in about 1000 B.C and it soon rose to fame as a center for the worship of Cybele, the Anatolian mother goddess, who was eventually merged with the Greek Artemis. The great Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was erected in her honor. The city we see today was founded in the 4th century B.C by Alexander the Great’s successor, Lysimachus. But it was under the Romans that Ephesus became the chief port on the Aegean. Most of the surviving structures date from this period. As the harbor silted up the city declined, but played an important role in the spread of Christianity. Two great councils of the early church were held here in AD 431 and 449. It is said that the Virgin Mary spent her last years nearby and that St. John the Evangelist came here to look after her. Visit the ruins including Gymnasiums, Agoras, Odeon, Monumental Fountains, City Hall, Basilica, Bath, Public Toilets, Brothel, the Celsius Library, Marble Streets, Roman Terraced Houses, Great Theatre, Double Church and Stadium. After lunch visit the Basilica of St. John and his Tomb, Ephesus Museum, Temple of Artemis and the Shrine of Virgin Mary. Afterwards drive back to port.

Prices (per person): From Kusadasi Port

Prices (per person): From Izmir  Port

Included Features

• Land transportation by an  A/C luxurious Van  or Car  (Car depends on the size of the group)
• Entrance fees to sites and museums and home- made delicious lunch  in a village restaurant
• Service of English or the language speaking professional guide.
• Parking, gas (petrol)

Please contact us for the cost price for larger- size groups and shore excursions tour programs and other travel arrangements