Exclusive Ephesus, St John and Carpets

Exclusive Ephesus, St. John and Carpets Tour (Thermal Baths of Scolastika, the Great Theater)
Excursion Highlights:
  • Experience the remarkable history of Ephesus, from its ancient Greek roots to its Roman Empire grandeur, on our Exclusive Ephesus, St John and Carpets Tour
  • Discover hidden gems within the ruins of Ephesus, from the impressive Library of Celsus to the Great Theater, known for its extraordinary acoustics
  • Step back in time as you traverse the marble streets once walked by historical figures like Alexander the Great, Mark Antony, and Cleopatra
  • Immerse in local culture with a visit to a traditional rug-weaving village, where you can learn about this dying art and even haggle for a piece of your own
  • Explore the Basilica of St. John, believed to be the final resting place of the evangelist, boasting rare architecture from the reign of Emperor Justinian
Price: $99.00
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Summary
Shore Excursion Size ? Standard
Shore Excursion Type Cultural
Shore Excursion Duration 5 Hours 30 minutes
Activity Level ? Moderate
Shore Excursion Leaves From ? Cruise Ship Pier
Food/Beverage Provided Lunch
Recommended Dress We recommend wearing comfortable clothing and closed toe, sensible walking shoes. Sunglasses and sunscreen are suggested.
Restrictions Walking at Ephesus is over actual streets / sidewalks from ancient times which are uneven and worn. There are steps without hand rails and packed dirt that must be navigated in some areas. To access St John's guests must climb a cobblestone and packed dirt path to reach the site. There are several uneven steps to navigate. The tour is not wheelchair accessible.

Exclusive Ephesus, St John and Carpets

Take in a great overview of Ephesus, St. John's, a carpet demonstration/carpet shopping and a lunch of local flavors, all in less than six hours.

Meet your professionally trained exclusive tour guide and set out for Ephesus, 30 minutes from Kusadasi. Famous in antiquity for its Temple of Artemus during the years of the Roman Empire, the Greek port of Ephesus became the greatest city in Asia Minor. You will start your Ephesus excursion at the upper Magnesia Gate and work your way down through the ruins of the city, ending near the ancient Harbor.

Along the way you will see the Forum, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, the Thermal Baths of Scolastika, and the Great Theater, built in the Greek era and reconstructed in the Roman period. It has played host to programs as varied as Paul and his sermons to the Ephesians, to concerts by Sting, in part due to its remarkable acoustics.

You will walk along the Arcadian Way, where once Mark Antony and Cleopatra rode in procession. You will hear stories of Alexander the Great, the Virgin Mary, and many other famous visitors who walked the same marble streets that you are walking. Approximate time at Ephesus is 1 hour 40 minutes.

Following this visit, reboard your transportation for a very short drive to reach a small rug weaving village close to Ephesus, where you will be given information about this dying work of art as well as time for shopping. This is followed with a lunch of local dishes in the courtyard garden of the carpet center. Turkish salespeople expect you to haggle and quite often you can get 10-15% off the listed price. Treat it as an adventure.

Your last stop will be the Basilica of St. John. It is believed that the evangelist St. John had spent his last years in the region around Ephesus and was buried in the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill. Three hundred years after the death of Saint Paul, a small chapel was constructed over the grave in the 4th century. The church was changed into a marvelous basilica during the region of Emperor Justinian (527-565 A.D.). The monumental basilica, which sat on the highest hill in the area, was in the shape of a cross and was covered with six domes. Its construction, being of stone and brick, is an extremely rare find amongst the architecture of its time. Raised by two steps and covered with marble, the tomb of St. John was under the central dome, once carried by the four columns at the corners.

You will then return to the town of Kusadasi, approximately 30 minutes away.