Daily Private Aegean Area

EPHESUS, HOUSE OF VIRGIN MARY AND ARTEMIS TEMPLE
(FROM KUSADASI OR SELCUK)
8:30 - 9.00 Departure. We start our tour with a visit to the house where the Virgin Mary allegedly spent her last days, which is a pilgrimage site. We continue to Ephesus, which was one of the largest and most interesting ancient cities of Asia Minor. The tour of Ephesus includes the Library of Celsius, Temple of Hadrian, Agora and fantastic Greco-Roman theater. After lunch in a local restaurant a visit is made to a cooperative weaving center to see how the Turkish carpets are made by hand. We will also see the Isabey Mosque which is a beautiful example of Selcuk architecture and the remains of the Temple of Artemis, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Return around 16:30.

*Note that you may also include a visit to the Terrace Houses inside of Ephesus, Church of St. John, the museum in Selcuk or Sirince village (extra).

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PAMUKKALE AND HIERAPOLIS
(FROM KUSADASI OR SELCUK)
8.00 – 8.30 Departure. We will drive through the Meander Valley. On the way your guide will give information about the towns we pass through such as Aydin, Nazili and Sultanhisar. Arrival in Pamukkale, which has been a thermal spa center since before the Roman era. After lunch we visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, which is said to have been founded by King Eumenes II of Pergamon. We visit the great Roman baths, the Temple of Apollo and the well-preserved theater. You will see the tomb of St. Phillip from a distance. We will also visit the calcium terraces and pools for which Pamukkale is named “Cotton Castle”. Return around 16:30.

*Note: The total round trip driving time for this tour is over 6 hrs

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PERGAMON
(FROM KUSADASI OR SELCUK)
8.00 Departure. We will visit the Pergamon Acropolis, where the ruins of Zeus Altar can still be seen today. The acropolis is situated high above the plain and has a unique panoramic view. The very narrow and steep theater on the hillside could seat up to 10,000 people. Parchment paper was first produced in Pergamon. We will visit the remains of the Great Athenaeum Library, which rivaled the one of Alexandria in Egypt, the palaces of the kings, and Temple of Trajan. Visit the Asclepion, which was known as the first place of medical science. Galen, who originated from Pergamon and became the most famous doctor of his time, treated his patients here. Return around 19:00.

*Note that you may also visit the Museum of Pergamon in the same day and the Red Church for an extra fee.

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MILETUS, PRIENE AND DIDYMA
(FROM KUSADASI OR SELCUK)
8.45 Departure: Visit three of the most important cities of the antique period: Priene, Miletus and Didyma. Priene is one of the most typical antique cities of the Hellenistic Period but its origins go back to 2000 BCE and was first settled possibly by the Banians, who mixed with the Ionians. Miletus was one of the oldest cities of Ionia and was the home of scientists and philosophers such as Thales, Anaximander, Hekataios and Isidorus (architect of the Hagia Sophia church in Istanbul). The most important monuments of Miletus are the Baths of Faustina, the Delphinion and the amphitheater. In Didyma we see the Apollo Temple, which took nearly 2 centuries to build and was the third largest building in the world at one time and was a most important place for prophecies. Return around 18:00.