Best of Ephesus

Experience the best Ephesus has to offer on this comprehensive full day Ephesus guided tour. This Kusadasi shore excursion takes you to the most noteworthy and popular destinations available. Learn about Ephesus's stunning history, visit incredible landmarks, and enjoy local cuisine before visiting a popular shopping area to witness a carpet demonstration. This Kusadasi guided tour is ideal for history lovers, photographers, and anyone looking for an immersive cultural experience at a low price.

Begin your professionally Ephesus guided tour with a comfortable 30 minute drive to The House of the Virgin Mary. Learn the spectacular story behind this historic structure, discovered in the 19th century following reported visions by a Catholic nun who had never seen the building. A book was published after her death, and years later her descriptions were followed, leading to the prominent site being discovered. The building became an officially declared holy shrine of the Roman Catholic Church in 1896 and has developed into a popular place of pilgrimage, receiving visits from several popes. Check out the ""Wishing Wall,"" a noteworthy spot where pilgrims have tied their personal wishes, dreams, and goals on paper or fabric to a scenic wall.

From The House of the Virgin Mary, travel to Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an incredible history. Built in the 10th century BC, this ancient city contains the largest collection of Roman ruins in the Eastern Mediterranean. Famed for the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, this destination has plenty of sights to offer the eager eye. Pass by the Library of Celsus, built in 125 AD, where an extravagant entrance once lead to nearly 12,000 scrolls.

Another highlight is The Baths of Scholastica, an area used by former citizens to bathe, socialize, and discuss current events and important daily topics. The most grandiose attraction in Ephesus is The Great Theater, a massive 25,000 seat venue. Sixty rows of seats spanning three sections face a striking 60 foot stage. The theater was once used for concerts and plays as well as religious, political, and philosophical discussions. Most interestingly, gladiator and animal fights were also held there. Enjoy a few other notable highlights before moving forward with your tour.

The next stop on your Kusadasi guided tour is The Basilica of St. John, a marvelous church built in the 6th century AD. It is speculated the evangelist St. John spent his last living years around Ephesus and was buried on a nearby hill. Three hundred years after his death, a small chapel was constructed over his grave. Several hundred years after that, Emperor Justinian transformed that small chapel into a marvelous Basilica. Built almost entirely of brick and stones, the structure is an extremely rare find among the architecture of its time. Six beautiful domes cover the cruciform-style building, making this a stunning photogenic landmark.

Up next on your Ephesus guided tour is the Ephesus Archaeological Museum. Two divided sections in this museum (archaeological and ethnographical) contain interesting artifacts from the Prehistoric, Mycenaean, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman time periods. Discover magnificent coins and sculptures, elegant mosaics, and numerous statues of Mother Goddess Artemis.

After the museum, head to the local restaurant for a savory lunch, which is included in your tour price. Enjoy a mixture of hot and cold appetizers, seasonal salads, a main course, and Turkish pastries with dessert and fresh fruit. Water, tea, and coffee are also provided.

Your comprehensive Kusadasi guided tour closes with a return trip to your starting point. You have the option to end your tour in a vibrant shopping area, where an interesting Turkish carpet demonstration takes place. Additionally, you can explore the variety of shops filled with jewelry, carpets, leatherwear, and copper goods. If you prefer to return to your port instead of remaining in the shopping area, advise your professional guide, and you will be returned directly to your port. Book this amazing Kusadasi shore excursion now for an unforgettable Turkish experience at an exclusively low price.

Exclusive Mykonos Old and New

After meeting your guide at the pier, you will join your transportation for a drive to see some of the island. A brief photo stop will be made at northern beach, which is located on one of the largest bays of the island. It can get rather windy, attracting windsurfers and daredevils. Further along is Agia Anna beach which is sheltered from the wind creating a relaxing sandy beach. Enjoy a non-alcoholic beverage and local Greek pastry in a local coffee shop and some free time to explore before making your way towards the yet unspoilt village of Ano Mera.

This is one of the very few places in Mykonos where traditional Greek village life continues regardless of all the night life, jet setting of the island's capital. Ano Mera is the most populated village on the island and its peaceful environment and great location offer easy access to sandy beaches such as Elia, Kalo Livadi, and Kalafatis. The main square of the village is adorned with local coffee shops Kafeneio and traditional tavernas.

The village's claim to fame is the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani which houses a collection of Cretan icons and a magnificent handmade "Templo" which dates back to 1767 and came from Florence. After your visit to the Monastery, you will return to the main town of the island.

After leaving your transportation, you begin a walking tour of the twisting pedestrian streets of Mykonos Town, which is also known as Chora locally. Your guide will point out the Old Harbor area and fish market where you may see its most famous celebrity, Petros, the official mascot of Mykonos for over 50 years.

In the Kastros area, You will see the Church of Panagia Paraportiani, one of the most photographed structures on Mykonos. The church was begun in 1425 and not finished until almost 300 years later. Today it consists of five small churches connected together.

Continuing your walking tour, you will also pass through the area known as Little Venice, whitewashed buildings with multicolored shutters constructed right on the sea's edge with their balconies overhanging the water. On a hill overlooking the town, you will see perhaps the island's most famous landmark, the Mykonos Windmills which date back to the Venetians in the 16th century. From here, you will return to your transportation back to the cruise pier. If your ship is at anchor and is tendering into the old harbor area, your guide will lead you back to the tender pier.

The excitement begins as soon as you hit port and take a cable ride to the town of Fira. Take advantage of the scenic drive to grab photos of the magnificent cliffs painted in various colors and streaked with petrified lava.

Your guide will then take you to your bus and your group will head to Oia. The bus will begin its journey by going to the top of the cliffs, where you will be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the Caldera, a 3,000-year-old volcanic crater. From there you will head to Oia, the most famous and most photographed village in Santorini. This location offers the most beautiful view of the island as well as Insta-worthy shots of the area's typical neoclassical architecture, including the ever-popular white-walled cave houses and shiny blue domes. Enjoy some free time in town to walk the streets, stop in the art galleries, and purchase local crafts or jewelry in one of the many boutique shops.

Continue to Fira, Santorini's capital city, perched high on the edge of a cliff. From this vantage point, you can score excellent photos of the submerged volcano. While here, pass under the arches of the convent of the Dominican Sisters in the Catholic Quarter in Firostefani, the town's oldest neighborhood. Then spend some free time exploring Fira and its commercial area before your return trip back to port. Book this 4-hour tour now to get up close and personal with the world-renowned beauty of Santorini.

Please Note: This tour does not include admissions, food, beverage or Professional/Licensed Guide during your visit in the archeological place or at the museums, or entrance fees. On days where there are more than 30 guests on your tour, you will instead take a tender to be transferred to the New Port (Athinios), where your bus will be waiting to take you to Oia.