Today you’ll visit Ephesus, once one of the most beautiful ancient cities in the world, and learn its secrets. Today you’ll visit Ephesus, once one of the most beautiful ancient cities in the world, and learn its secrets. It was once the capital of Asia Minor and a prominent trade center of the ancient world as well as a religious center for early Christians. The city was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Her temple was once considered the Seventh Wonder of the Ancient World and attracted pilgrims worshipping the female; first Cybele, then Artemis and finally the Virgin Mary. Today, this is one of the most important tourist destinations in Turkey, and here you can find among the ruins, an impressive amphitheater, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, the Scholastic Baths, the Lower Agora, State Agora, and Odeon. After visiting the site, you’ll stop at a leather outlet for refreshments and a shopping opportunity before returning to your ship in Izmir. Note: Expect crowded venues and extreme heat, especially during summer months. There is approximately 1 1/4 miles of walking over uneven surfaces and some inclines on this tour.
 |