Duration: 6 1/2 hours
 
Discover the glory of Ephesus during a scenic and informative full-day orientation tour of this remarkable ancient city.
Depart the pier for the drive to the House of the Virgin Mary, located 5 miles from Ephesus on Aladag Mountain. After discovering the house, the Archbishop of Izmir declared it a place of pilgrimage in 1892. On July 26, 1967, Pope Paul VI visited and prayed at this site. From here, you will proceed for a visit to Ephesus. One of the 12 cities of Ionia, it was a major departure point for trade routes into Asia Minor. Ephesus is renowned for its sacred ancient shrines, including a famous temple that is among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Upon arrival at Ephesus, you will visit the beautiful Celsus Library, built in the beginning of the 2nd century AD. You will also see the Grand Theater; one of Ephesus' most impressive buildings, and the site where St. Paul once preached. A visit will then be made to the Temple of Hadrian, located just across the way.
Lunch will be served in the garden of a local handicrafts center that is reminiscent of a typical Turkish village and employs traditional carpet-weaving techniques.
After lunch, a stop will be made at the nearby Basilica of St. John before visiting the Ephesus Archeological Museum, which contains two wonderful marble statues of Artemis and 25,000 artifacts found in the ancient city.
Next, you will return to Kusadasi to watch a carpet-weaving demonstration; a now traditional Turkish experience. You will sip apple tea while watching a myriad of colors unfold before your eyes, and have an opportunity to purchase a carpet, if so desired.
Afterward, you may opt to re-board the coach for the return drive to the pier, or be dropped off in Kusadasi for shopping and return to the ship on foot.
Please note: Guests are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes for this tour, which involves approximately 2 hours of extensive walking. This tour is not recommended for guests with limited mobility or guests who utilize a wheelchair. At the end of the tour, guests will be dropped off in town, as the buses are not allowed to return them to the Cruise Ship Terminal parking lot. There will be a short walk from the drop-off point in town back to the Kusadasi Terminal Building.
Oct 04, 2010 - 09:00 (AM)
