Ephesus Tour from İstanbul By Plane

Ephesus Tour from Istanbul By Plane

About Ephesus
Ephesus is the most famous ancient site in Turkey. Built after 1040 BC by refugees coming from Aegean Islands, it became one of the most important part of the history. Later on, it became a Greek city more than a major Roman city in time. It was one of the twelve cities of Ionian League in Classical Greek Era. In 1st century BC population of Ephesus was approximately 250,000. It was an important commercial center as a port city. It was also sacred for Christians because of its connections with Virgin Mary, Saint Paul and Saint John The Evangelist.

Completed in 550 BC at the outskirts of Ephesus, Temple of Artemis is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is a sanctuary built in a sacred place. The temple itself dates back to 8th century BC but the sacred place dates way back. It has been destroyed three times and rebuilt. But it has been abandoned after Christians started to rule the area.

Virgin Mary’s House is a Muslim and Catholic shrine located at the skirt of Bulbul Mountain in Selcuk. It is discovered after a Catholic nun in Germany described the place in her visions about a house Mother Mary lived before she died. It has become an important pilgrimage for Catholics since then.

Ephesus Tour Itinerary
05:00 Pick you up from hotel in Istanbul and transfer to airport.
07:00 Flight to Izmir.
08:00 Arrival to Izmir, meet with driver and drive to Selcuk.
09:00 Arrival to Selcuk. Full day Ephesus Tour starts. First we will visit Artemis Temple, then drive to Ephesus. In Ephesus we will see, Celcus Library, Temple of Hadrian, the fountain of Trajan and the Theater. We will have lunch in a local Turkish restaurant and drive to Virgin Mary’s House. This place is discovered by Lazarist priests after a German nun described the house and the mountain as the last residence of Virgin Mary after she had some visions about the place. Today this place is a Muslim and Catholic, being cared by Lazarist Fathers. Lazarist Fathers still celebrating the mass every day.The last stop of the tour will be the Village of Sirince which is only 15 minutes from Ephesus. You will enjoy the impressive wine yards along with the cultural and historical village houses of the area.
16:45 End of the tour and drive to Izmir Airport.
17:50  Arrival to airport.
19:30 Flight back to Istanbul.
20:35 Arrival to Istanbul. Meet with driver at the airport. Transfer to your hotel.
           What’s Included?

Domestic flight tickets
Transfers
Enterance fees to sites
Lunch
Professional English speaking guide
           What’s Not Included?

Drinks
Personal Expenses