PRIVATE Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary Tour (Skip-The-Line)

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Overview

What's Included

✓ Included

  • Pick Up and Drop Off from Cruise Port and Hotels
  • Transport by Luxury Private Vehicle
  • All Parking Fees and Taxes
  • English Speaking Tour Guide with Archaeological Backgroud

✗ Not Included

  • Local Lunch
  • Ephesus Ancient City
  • Virgin Mary House
  • St John Basilica

Itinerary

1
Stop 1
This enclosure for archaeological remains at Ephesus elegantly reconciles historic conservation with accessibility for visitors. The site of a succession of great ancient civilizations, Ephesus, on the south-west coast of modern Turkey, embodied a peculiarly fertile synthesis of architecture and culture. In 356BC the Greeks built the Artemesium (a colossal Ionic temple dedicated to Artemis the fertility goddess) which was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. During the 2nd century BC, Ephesus was the fourth largest city in the eastern Roman Empire, famous for its Artemision, the Library of Celsus and its medical school..
2
Stop 2
It is believed that the evangelist St. John had spent his last years in the region around Ephesus and buried in the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill. Three hundred years after the death of St. John, a small chapel was constructed over the grave in the 4th century. The church of St John was changed into a marvelous basilica during the region of Emperor Justinian (527 -565 AD). The second half of the first century was full of persecution for the early Christians.Apostle James and Stephen were killed in Jerusalem.Paul was sent to Rome and executed. According to tradition John took The Mother Mary and came to Ephesus.He wrote his Gospel in Ephesus and the Revelation in Greece Island, Patmos in 96AD.
3
Stop 3
House of Virgin Mary is located on the top of the "Bulbul" mountain 9 km ahead of Ephesus, the shrine of Virgin Mary enjoys a marvelous atmosphere hidden in the green. It is the place where Mary may have spent her last days. Indeed, she may have come in the area together with Saint John, who spent several years in the area to spread Christianity. Mary preferred this remote place rather than living in crowded place. The house of Virgin Mary is a typical Roman architectural example, entirely made of stones. In the 4th century AD, a church, combining her house and grave, has been built. The original two-stored house, which consisted of an anteroom (where today candles are proposed), bedroom and praying room (Christian church area) and a room with fireplace (chapel for Muslims).
4
Stop 4
The Temple of Artemis is known as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. It has been built in the areas of Ephesus on a flat area which has over the centuries turned into a swamp. If you visit Ephesus today, you can only see the ruins of the foundations of this marvelous construction of the Hellenistic Age, entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns' capitals and shafts.

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Good to Know

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • At time of booking, cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time

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Special Instructions

Private tour guide will meet you at the exit of the immigration gate of Kusadasi Cruise Port. Please look out for a sign with your name written on it. Our guides will be ready and waiting for you half an hour before your selected meeting time. If you happen to exit earlier, kindly wait at the designated guide meeting area.

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Where to Stay in Kusadasi

Handpicked hotels near your tour — book with confidence.

Villa Ephesus Hotel

Villa Ephesus Hotel

📶 Free WiFi 🍳 Breakfast Included
9.1 Exceptional
$156 /night
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Ada Newday Resort Hotel

Ada Newday Resort Hotel

📶 Free WiFi 🍳 Breakfast Included
8.6 Excellent
$110 /night
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Ozgun Apart Otel Kusadasi

Ozgun Apart Otel Kusadasi

📶 Free WiFi 🍳 Breakfast Included
9.2 Exceptional
$42 /night
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