FOR CRUISERS: Private Ephesus Tour with GUARANTEED ON-TIME RETURN

Experience Ephesus and Mary's House on a seamless PRIVATE shore excursion crafted exclusively for CRUISE PASSENGERS. Travel in comfort with your personal local guide and private, air-conditioned minivan as you explore the UNESCO-listed Ancient City of Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, and the Temple of Artemis—all at your own pace. Your guide will take care of every detail, from coordinating with your ship’s schedule to managing entrance tickets, rest breaks, and optional cultural or shopping stops. • Private excursion designed specifically for CRUISE PASSENGERS • Visit three essential landmarks in one day: Ephesus Ruins, House of the Virgin Mary, and Temple of Artemis • Fully flexible itinerary with your own expert guide and private A/C vehicle • Stress-free shore experience with port pickup/drop-off and timing planned around your ship • Personalize your day with optional visits such as the Terrace Houses or a traditional Turkish lunch

1. 1

   Kusadasi

   Pass by

   We will meet you at the Cruise Port! Once your tour is booked, we’ll reach out promptly with your customised meeting time and precise meeting location, arranged according to your cruise ship’s arrival & departure.

2. 2

   Ephesus Ancient City

   2 hours

   Ephesus Ruins is the largest open-air museum in Turkey, dating back to the Greek and Roman periods. Within this remarkable ancient city, we will explore the Senate Building, the Ancient Hospital, the Temple of Domitian, the Nike Statue, Hercules Gate, Trajan Fountain, the Temple of Hadrian, the iconic Celsus Library, the Grand Theatre of Ephesus, and many other fascinating structures.

3. 3

   The House of the Virgin Mary

   1 hour

   The House of the Virgin Mary is one of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites, believed to be the place where Mary came to Ephesus with John the Apostle and spent the last ten years of her life. Pope Paul VI visited the shrine in 1967 and unofficially acknowledged its authenticity. Pope John Paul II followed in 1979, and Pope Benedict XVI visited in 2006. The question of whether Mary actually died in Ephesus remained uncertain until the visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich—a bedridden German nun who had never visited Ephesus. She described the House of the Virgin Mary in remarkable detail to the writer Clemens Brentano, who later published her accounts. Emmerich passed away in 1884. In 1891, Father Paul of the Lazarist Order in Izmir read about her visions and discovered a small structure matching her descriptions. This led to archaeological excavations, which eventually revealed the site we visit today as Mary’s House.

4. 4

   The Temple of Artemis

   10 min

   Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt and twin sister of Apollo, was later worshipped as the Goddess of the Moon. Her temple, built around 650 BC, stood on a site already sacred to the Anatolian Mother Goddess Cybele. Financed by the wealthy Lydian king, it was constructed on marshy ground to help protect it from earthquakes. Despite this, the temple was destroyed and rebuilt several times due to natural disasters.

5. 5

   Ephesus Terrace Houses

   Pass by

   *OPTIONAL VISIT DEPENDING ON REQUEST* Terrace Houses were the houses of rich & upper class people in Ephesus City have been lived, famed for gorgeous mosaics, frescoes, and wall paintings. One of the best-preserved sites in the Ephesus in which archeological works still continue.

6. 6

   Basilica of St. John

   Pass by

   *OPTIONAL VISIT DEPENDING ON REQUEST* You can see the Saint John Basilica from a distance when we are in the Temple of Artemis. It is believed that the Evangelist St. John had spent his last years in the in & around Ephesus and buried in the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill. The tomb of St John was under the central dome of the Basilica.

7. 7

   Kusadasi Shopping Center

   Pass by

   You will also have the chance to explore authentic local handicrafts and, if you choose, enjoy a truly genuine shopping experience. Your professional local tour guide will be by your side to offer valuable insights—highlighting the finest traditional crafts, recommending the most reputable places to visit, and providing expert tips to ensure a smooth, enjoyable, and completely hassle-free experience.

8. 8

   Kusadasi

   Pass by

   We will drive through the Kusadasi Town and will have a panoramic view while listening the key informations from our Local Tour Guide.

9. 9

   Kusadasi Castle

   Pass by

   Also called Pigeon Island! One of the earliest settlements of modern Kusadasi. We will pass by and have an opportunity of seeing it in a distance. It is located very close to the Port, you might be able to have time after your tour if you are interested.

10. 10

    Kusadasi

    Pass by

    At the end of our tour, we will return to the Cruise Port. PLEASE NOTE THAT: There are several Ships with different arrival and departure times. We carefully check all the timings, confirm with the passengers, and coordinate the return time. OUR TOURS ARE WITH GUARANTEED ON-TIME RETURN TO THE BOAT!

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.