Meet at Kusadasi harbor / hotel at 09:00 am, and drive to Selcuk for ca 20 minutes.

OR

Meet in Izmir hotel /airport at 8:00 am and drive to Selcuk for ca 1 hour.

We will first drive to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The great temple was built with the sponsorship of Croesus, king of Lydia, in ca  550 BCE and was rebuilt after being destroyed by a madman named Herostratus in 356 BCE. It was famous, not only for its great size (over 350 by 180 feet), but also for the magnificent works of art that adorned it. The temple was finally destroyed by invading Goths in 262 CE and was never rebuilt. The ruins of the remaining temple were used as a quarry to build various other structures after Theodosius I closed down all pagan temples in 391 CE. The remains of the foundation and some columns are all that can be seen of this once colossal temple.

Our second visit will be to the Tomb and Basilica of St. John, one of the most important Christian shrines in Turkey. We will also be able to see the magnificent view of the ancient harbor of Ephesos and its territory from here.

We will visit the recently renovated and reopened Ephesos Museum in Selcuk before we have some free time for lunch.

Our next stop, after lunch, will be the House of Meryem Ana. It is recorded that St. John brought Virgin Mary to Ephesos after the crucifixion of Christ and that she spent her last years in the small house that was built for her on Mt. Koressos (Bulbuldagi). Now a popular place of pilgrimage for Catholic Christians and Muslims, the house has received the official sanction of the Vatican, and Catholic Christians observe a commemorative ceremony here every year on August 15^th.

Our last stop will be the site of Ephesos.

Ephesos, representing many cultures of bygone eras, is the most famous of the cities of ancient Asia Minor. It established and developed governmental and economic systems and played a major part in the growth of various branches of fine arts. It was once the commercial center of the ancient world. The city, whose wealth and patronage supported its splendid architectural program, was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Ephesos, with its port, commanded the west end of one great trade routes into Asia and had easy access to the other two. The silt from the Cayster River (Kucuk Menderes) caused the coastline to move west. By the early Middle Ages the city was no longer useful as a port and fell into decline.

Ephesos has been successfully excavated and restored by the Austrian Archaeological Institute. With its colonnaded streets, monumental fountains, administrative, religious and public buildings, including the restored Library of Celsus and an enormous theater, it is an outstanding example of an ancient Roman city. Our visit will also include the famous Terrace Houses.

Your van will drive you back to the harbor / hotel /airport.

* Equinox Travel and your guide has the right to make changes in the itinerary in the order of the visits to avoid the crowds and the heat if necessary.

Price Include:

• Professional English speaking lecturer guide.
• 2014 model and over tour van or sedan car with a/c.
• Parking fees and toll roads.
• Entrance fees per itinerary.

Not Included:

• Drinks and personal expenses. 
• Lunch
• Gratitude for guide and driver.