Ancient Ephesus - KD01

Kusadasi has grown from a small sleepy fishing village into a sprawling tourist center, serving the thousands of tourists who flock to the area to visit the nearby ruins of Ephesus. These ancient ruins are considered the most important in Turkey.

Leaving the colorful town of Kusadasi behind, you will pass through the verdant countryside before arriving at Ephesus. Once you enter the Open Air Archeological Museum of Ephesus and pass by the Magnesia gate, you will enter the administrative section of ancient Ephesus. The guided walking tour will take you through one of the most magnificent excavations in the world. See the Odeon, the Fountain of Trajan, the steam baths of Scholastika, temple of Hadrian and the impressive library of Celsius. The library is adorned with columns and statues. The Grand Theater, where St. Paul preached, is one of the largest theaters in antiquity with a capacity of 24,000 seats. You will return to the buses through the Arcadian way, where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession. After the termination of the visit to Ephesus, your bus will take you to Kusadasi. There will be time for browsing and shopping once back in town.

Participants should be aware that the site is built on a small hill, with the entrance located at the top of the hill and the exit at the bottom. Visitors will walk down the slope of the hill slowly while visiting the archeological site. Walking surfaces within the site vary, ranging from flat, gravel, even surfaces to uneven stone and cobblestone surfaces. Some steps are required at the individual sites within Ephesus, such as the Library of Celsius, but this is at the visitor's discretion. Participants visiting the site will be on their feet for 2 - 2.5 hours. It is recommended for guests to watch their step at all times in order to avoid injuries.

Note: Guests must be able to walk approximately 1 mile over uneven and cobblestone surfaces, inclines and steps. Comfortable shoes, sunscreen and a hat are recommended as the tour includes a long walk through the Ruins. Touring Ephesus requires continual standing up and/or walking under the sun for approximately 2 hours.

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	Ancient Glories - KD26

Your tour begins from the pier as you board your coach for a drive through the town of Kusadasi, along the Aegean coast, before arriving at Ephesus, the best-preserved classical city in Turkey. As you walk down the Curetes, the marble streets, you will get a feel what life was like during the Roman Empire. You will have the opportunity to marvel at the magnificent excavations of the city: the Odeon, the Fountain of Trajan, the Palaces, the Temple of Hadrian and the symbol of Ephesus the gorgeous Library of Celsus. The Grand Theater, where Saint Paul the Apostle preached, is one of the largest in antiquity with a capacity of 24 000 people. The theater is still noted for its remarkable acoustics. Your return to the bus is along the Arcadian Avenue, where Marc Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession.

Your next stop on the tour will be the city of Magnesia an ancient Greek city in Anatolia. The city is located on the Maeander River, upstream from Ephesus, near the town of Germencik. The ancient city was founded by colonists from Thessalia, Greece. In Greece the people were known as the Magnetes from which the city gets its name. Magnesia was an important location commercially and strategically in the triangle of Priene, Ephesus and Tralles. The city lay within Ionia, but because it had been settled by Greeks, the city was not accepted into the famous Ionian League. During its existence, Magnesia was subject first to the Lydians, then to the Persians. In later years, Magnesia on the Maeander, with its similarly named neighbor Magnesia on the Sipylum, supported the Romans in the Second Mithridatic War. King Gyges of Lydia captured the city and afterward it suffered from the Cimmerian raids and often fell under the control of the Persians. As an interesting note, Magnesia was also the source for the mysterious stones that could attract or repel each other, and thus its name came to be used for the phenomenon known as magnetism.

Continuing on your tour you will reach the ancient site of Miletus. Its Great Theater rises to greet you as you approach the flood plain. Miletus was a great Ionian port, as important in antiquity as Ephesus and famous for being the native city of several philosophers and sages. The Theatre, reconstructed during the Roman period, is an impressive structure built against the slope of a hill. Together with the well preserved Faustina Baths they make up the only monument left from the ancient Miletus.

Lunch will be served in Didyma at a local restaurant overlooking the ruins of the Temple of Didyma. You will have the chance to taste Turkish cuisine from an open buffet with a choice of mezes and fish platters.

After lunch you will gave the opportunity to visit the Temple of Didyma. In antiquity it was believed to be the home of the god Apollo. You will easily be able to visualize how impressive the Temple was. You will also discover the reason why this splendid temple never became one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. On completion of your visit, you will return to Kusadasi where you will have free time for browsing and shopping.

Note: Guests must be able to walk approximately 2.5 miles over uneven and cobblestone surfaces, inclines and 50+ steps. Touring the above venues will require continual standing and/or walking under the sun for approximately 2.5 hours. Comfortable shoes, a hat and plenty of sunscreen are recommended. The drive between Kusadasi and Didyma is approximately 1.25 hours, dependent upon traffic conditions. Due to the nature of this tour, it is not recommended for guests with wheelchairs or walkers. Tour order may vary in order to avoid congestion at venues. Guests need to watch their step at all times in order to avoid injuries. This tour will not operate on itineraries of the Splendour of the Seas except for the July 11, 2008 voyage.

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	Colors, Tastes & Scents of Turkey - KD29

This tour offers you the opportunity to meet many of the wonderful people, the local families and children of western Turkey. Your tour will start with a drive from Kusadasi towards Sirince. The people of this hilly village are proud of their rich history and heritage. The name of the village, Sirince, comes from the word Cirkince which means 'ugly' in Turkish. The village used to sit, deserted on the top of a mountain with very limited access and very dry weather. Today, Sirince is a famous location due to its wonderful vineyards and rich wine. Some of the best quality peaches and apricots from throughout the Mediterranean are grown there. The smell of the fruits and the taste of the wine are all there for you to enjoy. You will visit the famous Orthodox Church of Sirince which is one of a kind.

Your tour will continue with a ride to the mountains of Cmlik where you will reach the village of Kirazli Koy. The name means "cherry village" and it is famous for growing fruit and its friendly residents. You will have the opportunity to visit the primary school and meet the kids of the village. The villagers of Kirazli will be happy to welcome you into their homes with real Turkish coffee and friendly conversation, regardless of language barriers. While sitting on the floor, as is the custom, you will be offered warm plates of favorite household dishes as well as fresh homemade bread. After lunch, if you wish, you can go out into the orchards and help with the picking of the fruit trees.

Your last stop of the day will be at the Turkish Handicraft Village where you will have refreshments and learn about Turkish culture and the time-honored art of their handicraft. You will have the opportunity to meet some of the villagers and learn of their pride in their craftsmanship. After your visit to the Handicraft Village your coach will return you to the ship.

Note: Guests must be able to walk approximately 1 mile over uneven and cobblestone surfaces with inclines and steps. Comfortable walking shoes and clothing, a hat and sunscreen are recommended. Guests should watch their step at all times in order to avoid injuries. The order of the tour itinerary may vary in order to avoid congestion at the sites. This tour will not operate on itineraries of the Brilliance of the Seas or Navigator of the Seas.

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	Ephesus, Didyma & Miletus with Lunch - KD06

The port of Kusadasi is your gateway to the fabulous ruins of Ephesus. During the ride from the port to Ephesus, you will pass through rural Turkish villages and countryside dotted with orchards of fig trees. The guided walking tour will take you through one of the most magnificent excavations in the world. See the Odeon, the Fountain of Trajan, the five terraces of the Apartment House, the Steam Baths of Scolastika, the Temple of Hadrian, and the impressive Library of Celsus. The library is adorned with columns and statues and is considered as one of the most magnificent ruins not only in the city, but also in the ancient world. The Grand Theater, where St. Paul preached, is the largest theater in antiquity with a capacity of 24,000 seats. You return to the buses through the Arcadian Way, where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession.

Continuing the tour, the next stop is at the ancient site of Miletus, which was a great Ionian Port, with two lions guarding its entrance. Miletus was the native city of several philosophers and sages. Only the Great Theater of the town is visible nowadays and some steps are required to enter inside of the structure which was reconstructed in the Roman period. A typical lunch will be served in the town of “Didim” at a local restaurant, overhanging the ruins of the Temple of Didyma where you can taste the Turkish cuisine.

After lunch, you will continue to Didyma, to admire the magnificent Temple of Apollo, a great monument of antiquity. Many times looted and burnt, the sanctuary's elegant beauty is still impressive. Some of the 120 columns that remain standing allow one to visualize the full magnificence of the structure. You will have time for shopping and browsing back in Kusadasi or you can return directly to the ship.

Note: Guests must be able to walk approximately 3 miles over uneven and cobblestone surfaces, inclines and 50+ steps. Touring the above venues will require continual standing and/or walking under the sun for approximately 2.5 hours. Comfortable shoes, a hat and plenty of sunscreen are recommended. The drive between Kusadasi and Miletus is approximately 1 hour and the drive between Didyma and Kusadasi is approximately 1.5 hours, dependent upon traffic conditions. Due to the nature of this tour, it is not recommended for guests with wheelchairs or walkers. Tour order may vary in order to avoid congestion at venues. Guests need to watch their step at all times in order to avoid injuries.

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