Ephesus Archaeological Museum

Churches & Cathedrals

Starting and ending in Kusadasi Port, step back in time to ancient Ephesus on this private guided tour and explore historic sights including Hercules Gate, Marble Road, and Ephesus Museum. Visit the House of the Virgin Mary, the Temple of Artemis, and more. Meet your guide at the port, then drive toward your first stop, the House of Virgin Mary. Explore and learn about the house (church) for approximately 45 minutes before taking a 5-minute drive to Ephesus. Take about 2 hours to discover Ephesus by walking on the marble streets, accompanied by your tour guide. Ephesus is an exceptional testimony to the cultural traditions of the Hellenistic, Roman Imperial, and early Christian periods, and it is also an important site for Christianity as one of the seven churches of revelation. See the Odeon, State Agora, prytaneion, Memmius Monument, Domitian Temple, Hercules Gate, Curetes Street, Temple of Hadrian, latrines, terrace houses, Library of Celsus, Marble Road, Commercial Agora, Great Theater, and Arcadine (Harbor Road). Carry on to Ephesus Museum, which consists of six chambers exhibiting collections from the ruins. Marvel at the marble statues of Goddess of Artemis, one from 1st century A.D. and the other from the 2nd century A.D. Before returning to Kusadasi Port, visit the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Shoot photos of the Church of St. John and Mosque of Isa Bey from the best angles.

Day 1 Meet your driver at the hotel reception for an Istanbul airport transfer to catch your flight to Cappadocia. Upon your arrival to Cappadocia, be welcomed by a representative with a sign bearing your name. Next, be transferred to the tour office. Join a private North Cappadocia day tour. Visit iconic landmarks like Uchisar Castle Viewpoint and Goreme Open Air Museum. See a pottery demonstration and have a traditional lunch in Avanos. Conitnue to Red River, Devrent Valley, Pasabag (Monks Valley), and a traditional carpet weaving school. As the tour wraps up at around 5 PM, be escorted to your hotel. Spend the night in Cappadocia. Day 2 Start your day with breakfast at your hotel. Meet your guide and leave from the hotel for a private South Cappadocia day tour. Enjoy Goreme Panorama, hiking in the Red Valley, Old Greek Cavusin Village, Love Valley, a traditional lunch, Kaymaklı Underground City, Onyx demonstration, and Pigeon Valley. Spend the night in Cappadocia. Day 3 After a hotel pick-up at around 08:00 AM, head to Pamukkale by visiting Sultan Han Caravansarai and Konya Mevlana Museum. Spend the night in Pamukkale. Day 4 Have a hearty breakfast and check out from the hotel. Head out with your guide for a private Pamukkale day tour. Explore Pamukkale White Travertines, the ruins of Hierapolis Old Roman Antique City (Necropol, Antique Theatre, Apollo Temple). At the end of to tour, transfer to Kusadasi. Spend the night in Kusadasi. Day 5 Checkout from the hotel after breakfast. Leave for another private day tour of Ephesus. Visit Ephesus Ancient Greek, Roman City (Celsus Library, Temple of Hadrian, Open - Air Theatre and the other ruins), Virgin Mary House, St. John Basilica, Isa Bey Mosque, and Artemis Temple. Conclude the tour at 05:00 PM and transfer to the airport for your flight back to Istanbul. Upon your arrival to Istanbul, be dropped off at your hotel.

Turkey, in antiquity known as Asia, was home to seven wondrous churches. It didn’t refer to an actual building, but rather seven Christian cities in Western Anatolia, which now lie in ruins. Visit these ancient places and walk the same steps that the world’s earliest Christians did. Before that, you’ll see all of Istanbul’s major sites, including the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, and Hagia Sophia. Then you’ll travel to Izmir and start your tour of ancient Christianity, seeing many Roman ruins along the way. Soak in the thermal baths at Pamukkale, just as tourists have done for centuries – it was founded, after all, as a resort town by the Ancient Romans. Each step along the way, your expert guide will be there to provide you with context and information regarding each of these wonderful cities. Detailed Itinerary: Day 1: Arrival Arrive in Istanbul and enjoy a comfortable transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul. Day 2: Istanbul Tour Explore Istanbul and visit the historic old town. Then visit the Hippodrome, Istanbul’s first sports stadium, and the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque). Then visit the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace and a traditional bazaar. Day 3: Istanbul - Izmir Visit the Grand Bazaar before touring the port of Istanbul and seeing the Cistern of Istanbul. Flight to Izmir. Day 4: Pergamon – Thyatira – Izmir Explore the Pergamum Acropolis, and visit the Ancient Roman health center of Asklepieion. See the Red Basilica and continue on to Thyatira and back to Izmir. Day 5: Izmir – Sardis – Philadelphia – Laodicea – Hierapolis Visit the Sardis Church and ruins of the Temple of Artemis, then travel to Philadelphia Church. Then to the Roman resort of Pamukkale with its therapeutic thermal baths and the Cotton Castle. Finally, head to the Gate of Domitian, and the Nymphaion. Day 6: Ephesus – Kusadasi See the Basilica of St. John the Apostle. Then head to the ancient city of Ephesus and its Archeological Museum. Day 7: Izmir to Istanbul Relax in Kusadasi and flight back to Istanbul. Day 8: Departure Airport transfer in time for your flight.