Type: Antiquities, Culture, Religion
Length: 8 Hours
Walking: Difficult - uneven surfaces
Mobility: NO wheelchairs
Guide: Licensed Guide
Language: English

Izmir Shore Excursion - This private shore trip visits the House of the Virgin Mary, The Basilica of St. John and of course the ancient site of Ephesus, one of the best preserved ancient cities in the world. You also visit the Terrace Houses, something many tours do not include.

Your licensed guide will meet you at the pier in Izmir and you immediately depart for the countryside. The first stop on this fascinating tour is the House of the Virgin Mary. This holy site sitting atop a tranquil mountain is believed to be the last home of the Virgin Mary after she fled Jerusalem.

Next you travel on to the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the most magnificent and best-preserved ancient sites in the world. Your guide will bring the past to life as you stroll streets lined with columns and paved with marble. You will see the Odeon, where the advisory council held its meetings, the Temple of Hadrian, Roman Baths, and many other monuments and ruins. The most impressive sight is the much photographed Celsus Library towering at the end of the main street. Equally impressive is the ancient theater which can seat 24,000 people. It is here where St. Paul preached.

Your visit also includes the Terrace Houses, also known as the "houses of the rich". Most tours do not include this section of Ephesus but for those people who have seen them, it is one of the highlights. There are six residential units on three terraces on the lower slope of the Bulbul Mountain. Of the six, two are open for tours. The oldest of the buildings date back to the 1st century BC. The houses are well known for their floor mosaics and the frescoes on the walls. Seeing the houses gives you a better glimpse of life in ancient Roman times.

Next is a break for lunch (not included).

After lunch you'll visit the Basilica of St John. We know that St. John the Evangelist spent the last years of his life in Ephesus and wrote his Gospel here. Within the Basilica is his final resting place. Nearby you enjoy a photo stop at the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world.

Tips on visiting Turkey:

Shopping - If additional time is available during your tour, many guides will ask if you are interested in seeing how Turkish carpets are made or if you wish to shop. These free demonstrations are very interesting and quite informative, but they are also a selling opportunity. Decide on your interest and tell your tour guide clearly whether shopping interests you or not. You should never feel obligated to make a purchase on any tour.