Early pick-up from your hotel drive to Istanbul Airport with your private guide for flight to Izmir. As soon as you arrive to Izmir Airport, drive to Kusadasi for Ephesus Tour.
Ephesus, famous throughout the ancient world for its Temple of Artemis. Visit Odeon Theatre where the state affairs used to be held. Then, view the Hadrian Temple which was dedicated in 118 AD to Hadrian, Artemis, and the people of Ephesus but greatly reconstructed in the 4th century. This impressive Corinthian style temple has beautiful reliefs on the porch. According to the belief of Ephesians, the Medusa head on the porch, would protect the city from its enemies. Proceed to Celsus Library, The library is the best-preserved structure of its kind. The inscription on the side of the building’s front staircase says that the library was built by Julius, in his father’s honor, after his death. His father, Celsus was the Roman governor of Asia Minor early in the 2nd century AD. The Great Theatre, dates back to the Hellenistic period. In the 1st century AD it was successfully reconstructed, expanded by the Romans until it reached the seating capacity of 25,000. Marble Road runs between the Library of Celsus and the theater and is a part of the sacred walk.
Visitors to Ephesus can indulge in an exclusive shopping experience for high-quality leather goods. Ephesus has a long history of leather goods production, and the artisans in the area have honed their craft over centuries. From handbags to jackets to shoes, there’s a wide variety of leather products available for purchase.
** Unique Moment;After Ephesus, we will have a picnic lunch along with a semi cooking class experience. Our guests will get chance to prepare some of the food and they will do the cooking and some only be watching how it is prepared. Lunch will be held at the garden of local cooperative, to learn how hand-woven Turkish carpets are produced, an exclusive Discovery Series event. Last, you will visit the House of Virgin Mary, where the Virgin is said to have lived the last years of her life. The building was rediscovered in the late 19th century by Lazartis from Smyrna based on the vision of a German nun. The site is officially declared a shrine of the Roman Catholic Church and visited by Pope Paul VI in 1967.
Following your exciting Full Day Tour, transfer back to Izmir Airport for flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival to Istanbul airport, transfer to the Istanbul hotel.
