Aeneas Travel Agency No: 17622
(Private Tour) Cultural and Historical Journey: Ephesus Ancient City and Selcuk
Description
Tour Duration:
- Full Day
- Departure Point: Pick-up and drop-off from hotels in Kuşadası, Selçuk & Port
- Departure Time: 08:00 (Pick-up time may vary depending on location)
- Return Time: 18:00
- Guiding service
- Transportation
- Lunch
- Entrance fees (Ephesus Ancient City, Ephesus Museum)
- Personal expenses
- Drinks during meals
- Per Person: 400 Euro (0-3 years old free of charge)
- For each additional person, an extra 40 Euro will be added per person.
- Another fascinating stop on our tour is the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The ruins of this magnificent structure will reveal the power of the past and the influence of religious beliefs.
- To enrich the cultural dimension of the tour, we introduce our guests to Anatolia's centuries-old carpet weaving tradition. While observing the handmade processes in a carpet workshop, you will learn how wool is dyed with natural colors and the deep meanings behind each motif.
- Finally, the historical heritage of Selçuk awaits you. Sacred sites such as the Isa Bey Mosque and the Basilica of St. John offer visitors a unique cultural experience. The tour concludes with a visit to the Ephesus Museum, where you will have the opportunity to closely observe unique artifacts that have survived from the ancient world to the present day.
Itinerary and Details
- We will depart from your hotel or a designated meeting point in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle with our guide.
Ephesus Ancient City Tour
- We start our tour with the Ephesus Ancient City, one of the most important cities of the Ancient World. Considered one of the most important religious centers of the Ancient Age, especially with the Temple of Artemis, the city has great significance for Christianity as well.
- Ephesus is home to one of the Seven Churches of the Bible, underlining its importance in the early Christian period. Believed to be the place where the Virgin Mary spent her final years, Ephesus became a sacred pilgrimage site for Christians.
- This ancient city was one of the largest trade centers during the Roman period and hosted one of the era’s largest libraries, the Celsus Library.
- Other important sites we will explore include: the Odeon, the Agora, the Great Theater, the Temple of Hadrian, Marble Street, the Curetes Street, the House of Love, the Temple of Domitian, the Trajan Fountain, and the Bath structures.
- The Temple of Artemis was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This monumental structure, which was a major center of worship in its time, gained worldwide fame for its elaborate decorations and enormous size.
- After visiting the Temple of Artemis, we will take a break for a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.
- Here, you will have the opportunity to closely observe the centuries-old traditional carpet weaving art of Anatolia. You will learn about the process of dyeing wool with natural dyes, knotting techniques, and the symbolism behind the motifs used in the carpets. This workshop visit provides an in-depth look at the rich cultural and artistic dimension of handmade carpets.
- Isa Bey Mosque: Built in 1375, this stunning pre-Ottoman mosque will be explained from the outside. Due to restoration, entrance to the mosque is not possible.
- St. John Basilica: This sacred site, believed to be the burial place of St. John, one of the apostles of Jesus, will be presented with an informative explanation from the outside.
- Ephesus Museum: In this museum, which houses important artifacts from the Ephesus Ancient City, you will observe exhibits with the guidance of our expert guide.
- After completing all the visiting sites, we will head back to your accommodation.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes and Clothing: As there is considerable walking at the Ephesus Ancient City and the ground may be slippery, comfortable walking shoes are recommended. It is also advisable to wear clothing suitable for the weather conditions.
- Water and Sun Protection: It is important to drink plenty of water during the tour. On sunny days, we recommend wearing a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, as shaded areas in Ephesus Ancient City are limited.
- Photography: Photography is allowed at the Ephesus Ancient City, Temple of Artemis, and other visited sites. However, the use of flash and tripods is prohibited inside the museums.