22 activitati in Kusadasi, Aegean Region, TURKEY

Drive up a to a scenically wonderful coastal road before we reach the House of Virgin Mary. It is known with certainty That the Virgin Mary went to Ephesus and lived there for some time. Whether or not she died in Ephesus was not known until Anne Catherine Emmerich’s vision. The stigmatized German nun who had never been to Ephesus had a vision of the House of the Virgin Mary and described it in detail to the German writer Clemens Brentano who later published a book about it. Officially declared a shrine of the Roman Catholic Church in 1896 , became a popular place of pilgrimage. Continue your visit with the ancient city of Ephesus. Famous in antiquity for its temple of Diana, during the years of the Roman Empire, the Greek port of Ephesus became the greatest city in Asia Minor. Upon arrival at Ephesus follow your guide to enter the ancient site through the Magnesia Gate. Discover innumerable monuments including the Forum, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, the Thermal Baths of Scolastika and the Great Theatre built in the Greek era and reconstructed in the Roman period, which is still noted for its remarkable acoustics. View the symbols all around and marvel at the fact that one is still able to read the inscriptions in the ancient Greek language. Before returning to the ship, you will visit a local cooperative to learn how hand-woven Turkish carpets are produced, an exclusive Discovery Series event.

Travel back thousands of years to a time of myths, legends, gods, philosophers, centurions and gladiators – and to the beginning of Christianity. This full day tour will take you to Ephesus, site of one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and where the Virgin Mary spent her last days on Earth. Second in size only to Rome in antiquity, Ephesus is a treasure trove of ruins that include one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and the last home of the Virgin Mary. This full-day tour will allow you to explore this vast outdoor museum that has been at the crossroads of history for thousands of years. Ephesus is in the south west of Turkey and to reach it you can choose either an early morning flight to Izmir or a coach journey to Kusadasi the night before. At Ephesus, which was a major city in ancient Greece and rose to even greater prominence during Roman times, we will stroll along the Marble Street, the Odeon theatre – where crowds of 25,000 would gather in classical times – the Bouleuterion, the Temple of Hadrian and Serapis, the Agoras, the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre – believed to have been the largest in the ancient world - the Double Church, the Arcadian Way, the Gate of Magnesia, the brothel and much more. Round the morning off with a visit to a ceramic art exhibition. We’ll take a break for a buffet lunch at Selcuk, the city closest to these ancient sites. Then we’ll visit Mount Koressos to see the house that is believed to have been the last home of Our Lady. It is now a shrine and there is also a wishing wall where the faithful and the not-so-faithful leave requests. Visit the museum and learn about how the Virgin came to spend her last days here. Other information Customers who are less mobile may not be able to visit Ephesus. Bring a towel, cap and take a cardigan and sweatshirt during April, May and October.

Drive up a to a scenically wonderful coastal road before you reach the ancient Ephesus. Famous in antiquity for its temple of Diana, during the years of the Roman Empire, the Greek port of Ephesus became the greatest city in Asia Minor. Ancient Ephesus is one of the greatest outdoor museums in Turkey and perhaps in the world. Although now in ruins, it was originally founded by the Carian and Leleg native peoples. Your two-hour walking tour begins after a 30-minute drive from the pier. Magnificent vistas await – including the glorious Celsus Library façade, the Grand Amphitheater and the Temple of Hadrian. Taste delicious wines at the Seven Sages Winery, all the while accompanied by a private guide. Before returning to the ship, you will visit a local cooperative to learn how hand-woven Turkish carpets are produced, an exclusive Discovery Series event.

For thousands of years humans have been making their way to Pamukkale and Hierapolis to take it in the rare and fascinating calcium landscape, and to relax in the thermal springs. Join us for this full-day tour and discover just why the ancients flocked here. You will be greeted by a professional tour guide in Izmir and drive for more than three hours to this combined Unesco World Heritage Site – the journey is worth it. Pamukkale, which in English means ‘cotton castle’, is a series of cascading calcium terraces formed as a result of thermal springs. You will see water laden with calcareous salt, which as it plunges down the mountain side, has created this natural formation of stalactites, falls and basins. There are just a handful of these in the planet and they have to be seen to be believed. The contrast with the surrounding landscape is particularly stark. Up the hill, at Hierapolis, there is a well-preserved Roman theatre and ancient thermal baths, which have been restored and converted into an archaeological museum. Other significant sites include the Temple of Apollo, the Necropolis and the Nymphaeum and the fourth century basilica. Others: Museums are closed on Mondays. In the event of any museum closures, an alternative similar museum will be visited. The itinerary involves a good deal of walking. Good comfortable footwear is therefore essential while bringing a cardigan or sweatshirt is advisable in April, May and October.

Pick up from your hotel and drive to Pergamon. Visit the Acropolis, the Temple Of Athena, the famous Library, the Royal Palaces, the Temple Of Trojan, the steepest Theatre of the world, the Temple Of Dionysos, the Altar Of Zeus (Seat of Satan), and the view of the Red Basilica (St. John’s church). Lunch in town. Visit the ruins of Asclepion (Medical Center of the ancient world). Return back to your hotel after the tour. Drop off at your hotel. Pergamon was an ancient Greek city in Aeolis. Pergamon name, a legendary hero who comes Pergamostan. Bergama natural beauty and historical monuments is a place where the world-famous. Archeology and Ethnography Museum in the town other than the great ruins in the open air are worth to be seen. The smaller of the open-air theater has been restored and capacity is 4500 people. Many temples of the Acropolis, stadium, gymnasium, amphitheater (15 000 people outdoors theater) is located. Asklepieion seen in the hallowed halls pompous theater and worship the ruins of the Acropolis, beautiful as columns, who leaves in admiration.

Drive up a to a scenically wonderful coastal road before you reach the ancient city of Ephesus. The first place you will visit on this exciting tour will be the Virgin Mary’s House. Archaeological evidence shows that the little house dates from the 6th century but that the foundations were from the first century. Next you will visit the Ephesus ruins, predominantly from the later Roman period. Visit the “Terrace Houses” located opposite Hadrian’s Temple. The wealthy and important people of Ephesus used these houses, which are finely decorated with mosaics and frescoes giving a true impression of the ancient lifestyle. Then, your tour will continue to the ruins of the Basilica of St John. The Basilica had a cruciform plan with four domes along its longitudinal axis and a pair flanking the central dome to form the arm of the cross. Under the central dome was the grave of St John. Lunch will be served at a lovely local restaurant in the town of Selcuk. Before returning to the ship, you will visit a local cooperative to learn how hand-woven Turkish carpets are produced, an exclusive Discovery Series event. Others There is a lot of walking on this tour with many steps and rough and uneven terrain. The last 3 miles to the Virgin Mary’s House is a winding road up to an altitude of 1,250 feet.