Ephesus Day Trip from Istanbul

Overview

We offer day trip to Ephesus from Istanbul by flight everyday. Ephesus retained its position as the seat of the provincial governor (procesul Asia) 200 thus also as a political and economic centre even after the new organization of the Roman Empire by Diocletian (284-305).

• Things to see: Ephesus Ancient City, Celsus Library, the Great Theater, Artemis Temple, Virgin Mary House
• Learn about the history of the ancient site from a professional guide.
• See historical and natural monuments
• Skip the ticket line with pre-ordered entry tickets
• Includes tour from Istanbul, two ways air ticket from/to Istanbul, lunch, transportation, guide, entrance fees, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

What to Expect

Transfer from your hotel in Istanbul to airport. Flight to Ephesus. After arriving transfer to ancient city for full day tour as ;

Ephesus Ancient City , Ephesus was the capital of the Luwian Kingdom or Arzawa (16 th-13th centuries B.C)representing the most important power in western Anatolia, which was first a rival , then a vassal of the Hittite Empire. During the course of the 11 th century ;settlers from the Greek mainland conquered the coast of western Asia Minor, socalled Ionian colonization .The foundation myth refers to Androcios , the son of a legendary Attic king, who wrested Ephesus from the indigenous Carians Leleglans and Lydians .

The Curetes Street, (in antiquity, the Embolos) running through the valley depression between the two city mountains as the former Processional Way, does not follow the orthogonal street grid of the Hellenistic-Roman city.

The Temple of Hadrian, P. Vedius Antoninus Sabinus donated the small, temple-like monument which, according to a building inscription, honoured Emperor Hadrian (A.D. 117-138). The colonnade in front of the cella supports a so-called Syrian gable. The reliefs over the door lintel depicting the Ephesian foundation myth belong to a late antique rebuilding.

Celsus Library, assumed that the constrcution was completed in 117 A.D. It is made of very good marble and decorated with figures of Eros, Nike, rosettes and garlands in relief. The most distinctive building and one of the most photographed structure that is commonly associated with Ephesus. It was erected by Gaius Julius Aquila(son of Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus).

House of Virgin Mary, after the death of Jesus Christ, Virgin Mary had gone to Ephesus with Saint John and lived here since then on until her death at the age of 101. The Popes Paul VI and Jean Paul II visited this house. The House of Virgin Mary is declared to be sacred and an important pilgrimage spot visited by Christians from all over the world. It is close to the peak of Bülbül Mountain, one of the hills overlooking Selçuk.

The Temple of Artemis, was in its day the largest in the world, eclipsing even the Parthenon at Athens, and thus earning a spot on the list of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Only one of its original 127 columns remains, often as not topped by a stork’s nest; a poignant testament to the transitory nature of human achievement. Still it is a lovely tranquil place, the enormous pillar giving you some indication of the vast size of temple.

Isa Bey Mosque, with the order of Aydinogullari Emirate Isa Bey, was built in 1375. It is a nice sample of Seljuk Turkish architecture. It is on the western side of Ayasuluk Hill on which stand the fortress and the church of Saint John.

End of tour transfer to airport. Flight back to Istanbul. After arriving transfer to Hotel in Istanbul. End of Service.o

Services Included for Tour

Inclusions

• Domestic flights from/to Istanbul
• Services of professionally licensed tour guide and service fee
• Lunch at the local restaurant
• All transfers from/to airport and your hotel mentioned in the itinerary
• All Entrance fees & Museum fees mentioned by the itineraries
• All local taxes and services

Exclusions

• Tips and gratuities

• Personal expenses

• Drinks at lunch