Discover the magic of the ancient ruins of Ephesus and the House of the
Virgin Mary on this day trip from Kusadasi. Visit the Temple of Artemis,
one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and one the
best-preserved ancient ruins in the Mediterranean. See the Great Theater
and the Library of Celsus. Sample Turkish delicacies during lunch, then
discover the House of the Virgin Mary, the place where Mary lived her
final days.
Enjoy pickup from your Kusadasi hotel and relax on the drive to Ephesus.
When you arrive, stop at St John's Basilica on the top of Ayasuluk
Hill. Visit the basilica and see the 4th-century tomb where the remains
of the saint are said to be housed.
Next, travel to the
ancient city of Ephesus, an important center of early Christianity. Ephesus was one of the seven churches
addressed by Christ in a vision, according to the book of Revelation. With your guide, visit the
Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the
Ancient World, then see the Great Theater, the
Library of Celsus and many other well-preserved ancient temples.
Take a break to enjoy a delicious lunch of
Turkish cuisine at a local restaurant, while your local guide explains interesting facts about Ephesus and its surroundings.
After
lunch, visit the House of the Virgin Mary,
where she spent the last days of her life. The cottage has been a
pilgrimage place for many centuries, and was authenticated by Pope Paul
VI
in 1967.
Next, relax on your comfortable coach on the drive back to your hotel.
Tour guide was great, very informative. Lots of outdoor walking. Make sure to bring water, comfortable walking shoes, hat or umbrella to shade from the sun. Lunch provided was traditional Turkish food and delicious. Lunch was at a Turkish Rug Center where we were shown a demonstration on how rugs are made and had the chance to purchase a rug. Prices were a bit high but I only have one carpet buying experience from a couple years ago to compare to. Still overall a great experience and was one of the highlights of the trip.
Review by: WES L, February 2018
I called and also emailed twice the day before to confirm hotel arrangements for pickup. Day of the tour, they did not show up or reply. The day after I was supposed to tour, they emailed and said they did not have enough people the prior day to conduct the tour. I waited an hour at the hotel for them for no reason. Turkey is not open for tourists' business.
Review by: Kimmo S, June 2016
Tour guide was nice, but many times just left us to our own and told he'll wait by the car.
Review by: Christine S, June 2016
The tour guide was really fantastic. He took us to all the sightseeing spots as mentioned. He would give you the history of the places and then also allow you free time to explore which I liked, it didn and #39;t feel too rushed. Our transportation driver was very sweet and accommodating as well.
Review by: Ming-Gia H, June 2016
The tour was good, I appreciated the tour guide's knowledge and the excellent lunch. The bad part was the carpet sale pitch after lunch. It should not include that promotional sale in this tour.
Review by: Deana J, November 2015
Highlight of my trip to Turkey! If you make it to this area, you must stop by Ephesus. And this is a fantastic way to do it!
Review by: Jayne S, October 2015
Polite and knowledgable guide. Excellent transport. Visit to carpet cooperative was very interesting but ultimately a sales excercise which is unfair to customers.
Review by: Jan W, May 2015
FANTASTIC
Review by: Laraemwill, July 2014
Wonderful tour with so much to take in . Our guide was informative , interesting and humorous which made and ancient city come alive . Well done and thank you
Review by: Michelle H, January 2014
What a great historical site! Really enjoyed the tour.
Review by: Maria D, July 2013
The tour was okay. Transportation was an old van. Lunch was a buffet and the food was awful. The tour guide was very nice.
Review by: Amy O, June 2013
i was so disappointed we spent more time in a rug factory and leather shop than at this place easier to get your own taxi and spend the time you want. too many turkish tours have add ons as guides get kick backs not what I paid for!!!
Review by: Seamus H, June 2013
It was yet another great tour organised by Viator. Hopefully with tour again with Viator. Great guide,comfortable bus and a great meal after the tour. Pleaase Keep up_br/_
This standard
Review by: Elizabeth H, June 2013
This tour was excellent. We were members of a small group and our guide was charming and well informed. We had a most enjoyable lunch where all the dishes were explained and, despite the sales pitch, the visit to the carpet factory was an interesting experience.
Review by: Christian Z, April 2013
Very nice tour...
Review by: Gunilla S, July 2012
The best of all the tours we did. The AC van, guide, driver, and lunch - excellent.
Review by: Ramesh D, November 2011
We were quite worried as there was no word from your local agent there when he/she will come to pick us up from our hotel. I tried to call but their phone was always busy, could not call. Please make sure that your agent always leaves a message at the hotel desk about pick up time for reassurance. Tour guide was good and it was a nice tour. Ramesh Doshi
Review by: Longshot, October 2011
The tour is an excellent value with many "best" sites concentrated into one area. The guide approached the tour with passion and was a wealth of knowledge on the site.
Review by: Robert G, October 2011
It was a pretty complete tour except for the lack of seeing the Temple Houses. Also the LONG tour of the rug factory was NOT needed or appreciated!
Review by: Gemma, October 2011
We were happy with the tour. We've already recommended you website to our friends.
Review by: Mishanda F, October 2011
Ephesus was amazing. Our guide was great, very knowledgeable.
Review by: danna91552, October 2011
Our tour of Kasadasi turned out to be excellent, after a very shaky start. The directions on our ticket told us to confirm prior to 10 AM tour at the port. We tried to do so, but were told the office didn't open until 9. Also the number was not locat. We had to disembark ship, so we went directly to port location for tour - no one showed up and there were no signs anywhere. Finally the tourist office nearby made several calls for us, and were told the it left at 9 AM! There were others who also experienced the problem. Finally they sent a bus for us. Clearer arrangements are needed. Our tour guide in Ephesus was excellent and the lunch and rest of trip was fine. We would heartily recommend tour with adjustments for meeting point and exact time made clearer.
Review by: LOURDES N, October 2011
The best of all the tours we did. The shuttle bus, guide, driver, and lunch - excellent!
Review by: VALENCIA C, October 2011
GREAT EXCURSION, for the price!_br/_
Our day was beautiful! Our guide was well-informed! Our bus clean and air conditioned! There are two things to be "aware" of:_br/_
1) THE PICKUP IS NOT 10AM but 9AM! - so if you are on a cruiseship and can't call - PLEASE REMEMBER its 9am pickup - outside the security gate/guards that are beyond the shopping area - NOT OUTSIDE THE CUSTOM DOOR! Keep walking down the breezeway, thru the shopping area until you reach the security post and street. REMEMBER 9AM PICKUP NOT 10AM!_br/_
2) The guide is well-informed but you must keep your eye on the time - she was trying to keep to a schedule but she was not "really" holding to it - So, you MUST REMIND HER OF PORT DEPARTURE TIMES!!! Make sure you are heading back by 4:45pm - NO LATER!!! Remember to keep an eye on the time!!!_br/_
I enjoyed the day, again, It's Worth the Money!
Review by: omar b, October 2011
Our tour guide was late otherwise was quite knowledgeable about the subject matter. The lunch was substantial and tasty.
Review by: whatchaw, October 2011
I have mixed views about this tour. It was incredibly good for the value (compared to the cruiseship tours). However, there is a LOT of walking in very HOT sun. I appreciated the airconditioned bus and the good tour guide who gave us tips at shopping/bargaining. Glad we had an umbrella but our calves tanned in the constant sun._br/_
The best part was the Turkish lunch at the carpet making society._br/_
It's too bad that we weren't able to shop more as it took the whole day (the entire time we were in port)._br/_
I also appreciated that they picked us up from the port.
Review by: whatchaw, September 2011
I have mixed views about this tour. It was incredibly good for the value (compared to the cruiseship tours). However, there is a LOT of walking in very HOT sun. I appreciated the airconditioned bus and the good tour guide who gave us tips at shopping/bargaining. Glad we had an umbrella but our calves tanned in the constant sun._br/_
The best part was the Turkish lunch at the carpet making society._br/_
It's too bad that we weren't able to shop more as it took the whole day (the entire time we were in port)._br/_
I also appreciated that they picked us up from the port.
Review by: Emmmanuel M, September 2011
The tour was outstanding. The tour guide was awesome. The best tour guide, I've ever had; he was very knowledgeable and spoke english very well.
Review by: Emmmanuel M, September 2011
The tour was outstanding. The tour guide was awesome. The best tour guide, I've ever had; he was very knowledgeable and spoke english very well.
Review by: randy, September 2011
great tour..great guide..right at ship..saacha[dawn]...very knowledgeable..AC van very comfortable
Review by: Why not?, August 2011
Great tour! We ended up with a private guide and driver. Our guide was brand new to the profession and was a little timid, but she was very friendly and informative. We were driven around in a Mercedes van after getting picked from our cruise ship. My wife and I like to move quickly and our guide was more than happy to oblige. Similar shore excursions through the cruise company would have cost hundreds more. Definitely worth the money.
Review by: max r, August 2011
tour delivered informative relaxing insight to this wonderfull area.Guide was very knowledgeable and created an excellent picture of those past times. Bus and food /value was excellent.
Review by: Gregory B, July 2011
The tour guide was great! Highly recommend.
Review by: Why not?, July 2011
Great tour! We ended up with a private guide and driver. Our guide was brand new to the profession and was a little timid, but she was very friendly and informative. We were driven around in a Mercedes van after getting picked from our cruise ship. My wife and I like to move quickly and our guide was more than happy to oblige. Similar shore excursions through the cruise company would have cost hundreds more. Definitely worth the money.
Review by: max r, July 2011
tour delivered informative relaxing insight to this wonderfull area.Guide was very knowledgeable and created an excellent picture of those past times. Bus and food /value was excellent.
Review by: drira, June 2011
wonderful guide appreciated small group
Review by: Brandon W, May 2011
Excellent trip! So nice to get off the ship and have a private van waiting for you with your own personal guide! All at half the price of the cruise trips plus no waiting for people to load on / off a bus. We got to see everything and the lunch was fantastic. Our guide, "Honor" was fantastic and very knowledgable. I would definitely recommend this tour to everyone!
Review by: ALAN R, May 2011
An excellent trip. Only complain was that we were told we were being collected at 10-00am when in fact we were expected at 9-00am. I understand that an E.mail was sent to my home advising us of this fact, but as we were already on our cruise this was not of much use.
Review by: Merrill S, April 2011
Excellent ! Our tour was private and our guide was just terrific, Ober. We had an enjoyable time learning a lot about Ephesus and the surrounding areas. Our guide was helpful and very informative. Our driver was SAFE and did a great job getting us around._br/_
We were very pleased with this trip and it was a good value for what we got in a tour._br/_
Thank you Marla and Merrill Sinert
Review by: Paul S, December 2010
Our guide was the perfect teacher, guide, historian and host. We could not have asked for more.
Review by: G.F. O, November 2010
It was excellent.
Our guide was very learned and helpful
Review by: Jacob S, October 2010
One of the best tours of our cruise. Our guide was very knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating. He really made this visit worthwhile. The food stop was crowded and the meat dishes were in short supply, but it was buffet style (all you can eat) and drinks with the meal included free soda, beer and red or white wine. This tour was well worth the price we paid.
Review by: Joan C, October 2010
On Sept. 22, four of us took your trip. We found your guide very insightful We enjoyed the stops we made and the lunch that was served was very good - better than expected. The home of the Virgin Mary was so wonderful to see as was St. John's Basilica. Loved the ceramics and rug place. The ruins were amazing and the descriptions very informative - your guide takes pride in his country. He made sure we avoided the peak times at the ruins which we appreciated.
Review by: Elton R T, September 2010
One of the best tours we took in Europe. Highly recommend this tour. Excellent guide
Review by: JULIA A O, September 2010
It was like having a private tour all day from the moment we were picked up at port to the end of the day. Again a very personable, knowledgeable, experienced guide who spoke English clearly and was able to direct us around crowds and lead us to the most important sites.
Review by: Ian M, September 2010
Tour was excellent, tour guide was 1st class. added up to a memorable day.
Review by: ROMEO A, August 2010
EXCELLENT PLACE TO VISIT
Review by: ROMEO A, August 2010
BEAUTIFUL PLACE, A LOT OF HISTORY
Review by: JORGE P, July 2010
This place is a beauty, the tour guide the best and in time
Review by: Anonymous, Canada, December 2009
This was a very detailed tour. The guide was very learned in all the sites and it was at a nice pace. Highly recommended.
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