OVERVIEW: This half day tour combines two of the most popular sites in Kusadasi, the House of Virgin Mary and the Ancient City of Ephesus.
HIGHLIGHTS: Visit the House of the Virgin Mary and collect holy water from the Fountain of Our Lady.
In Ephesus, see the Magnesia Gate, Odeon, Fountain of Trajan, Temple of Hadrian, Library of Celsius, Grand Theater, and the Arcadian Way. Delight in a typical Turkish lunch. You'll also enjoy a brief carpet presentation and time for shopping.
NOTES: Guests must be able to walk approximately 2 miles and this tour is not recommended for guests using a walker or wheelchair, or who have difficulties in walking, climbing, or managing steps.
Overview:
This half day tour combines two of the most popular sites in Kusadasi, the House of Virgin Mary and the Ancient City of Ephesus. You’ll also enjoy a traditional Turkish lunch, brief carpet presentation and shopping opportunity.
Highlights:
-House of the Virgin Mary: Collect holy water from the Fountain of Our Lady.
-Ruins of Ephesus: See the Magnesia Gate, Odeon, the Fountain of Trajan, Temple of Hadrian, Library of Celsius, Grand Theater, and the Arcadian Way.
-Lunch: Enjoy a typical Turkish lunch with a variety of dishes.
-Enjoy a brief carpet presentation and time to shop.
Full Description:
You’ll begin your tour with a drive through the Turkish countryside to the House of Virgin Mary, where the Blessed Virgin is reputed to have spent the last years of her life. The site was made famous by the travels of Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II. In November of 2006, Pope Benedictus the 16th paid an official visit to the House of the Virgin Mary. Outside is the Fountain of Our Lady where you can taste or collect water from the holy foundation.
Now considered to be an Open Air Archaeological Museum, Ephesus was built on a small hill with the entrance located at the top and the exit at the bottom. You will begin your exploration of this ancient site as you pass by the Magnesia Gate and enter the administrative section of ancient Ephesus. Your guided walking tour will take you through one of the most magnificent excavations in the world. You’ll see the Odeon, the Fountain of Trajan, the steam baths of Scholastika, Temple of Hadrian and the most famous structure, the Library of Celsius. The facade of the library has two-stories, with Corinthian style columns on the ground floor and three entrances to the building.
Next, you’ll see the Grand Theater where St. Paul preached. It is one of the largest theaters in antiquity with a capacity of 24,000 seats. Your final destination is through the Arcadian Way, where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession.
You will then proceed to a local restaurant for a traditional Turkish lunch with a large variety of Turkish dishes. Water, tea and coffee are included during the lunch. Soft drinks and/or alcoholic beverages are available at an additional cost.
At the conclusion of your visit in Ephesus, your coach will take you back to Kusadasi where there will be a refreshment stop with a brief carpet presentation as well as time for shopping.
During the tour, you’ll receive a gift set which includes a handmade pot for you to fill with the holy water from the fountain in the House of Virgin Mary, a map of the city, and bottled water.
What to Bring:
-You should always take your SeaPass card (provided onboard the ship) and photo identification when in port
-Camera and cash or credit card for shopping
-Sunscreen and a hat
-Insect repellent is recommended in July and August
What to Wear:
-Comfortable walking shoes are strongly recommended.
Important Notes:
-Guests must be able to walk approximately 2 miles over uneven and cobblestone surfaces, with inclines and 10 - 30 steps. Walking at the House of Virgin Mary includes approximately 0.5 miles over mostly paved walkways with some inclines to/from the coach parking area to the shrine. The coach parking area is constructed of uneven gravel/dirt surfaces.
-Visiting Ephesus includes walking approximately 1 mile over uneven and cobblestone surfaces with inclines and steps.
-Guests need to watch their step at all times in order to avoid injuries.
-Due to the nature of this tour, this tour is not recommended for guests using a walker or wheelchair, or who have difficulties in walking, climbing, or managing steps.
-Please note, on August 15th, the House of Virgin Mary will be heavily congested due to "The Assumption of Mother Mary" day and there will be several masses in the site. Guests may experience long walking distances as well as long waits in the queue.
-Drinks are not included and can be purcahsed at an additional charge
-The order of the tour itinerary may vary in order to avoid congestion at the sites.
