8-night The Mediterranean: In the Footsteps of Great Civilizations Cruise

Optional Private Excursions

Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!

Corfu Town & Achilleion Palace - 4.5 hours

Guests will be met by our English speaking guide to commence the tour. Upon completion of the tour, transfer will be provided back to the ship.

We drive to the old historical village of Gastouri and we arrive at the Achilleion Palace, the former residence of Empress Elizabeth of Austria and later that of Kaiser Wilhelm the 2nd.  Here we visit the museum with mementos of the two Royalties and enjoy the splendour of its landscaped gardens and the statues including the famous statue of the dying Achilles.

Continue through the coastal road of Perama to the beauty spot of Kanoni, where there will be time for drinks (upon consumption) and to photograph the famous views of Mouse Island.

From Kanoni, we continue to Corfu Town for a walking tour in the Historical centre of the fascinating old city where the following historical sights are to be seen:

• The residence of the High Commissioner, a splendid Edwardian building completed in 1824, once the sea  of the Knights of Saint Michael and Saint George up to 1864 and later the Palace of the King of Greece.
• The bronze statue of the British High Commissioner, Sir Frederick Adam.
• The Venetian quarters of Cambiello and Corfu's Historical Centre.
• The Town Hall, once a Venetian theatre, built in 1690.
• The Church of Saint Spyridon, Patron Saint of Corfu with the rare icons and where the Holy body of the Saint lays in a crypt.
• There will be free time for shopping before transfer back to the Port

Duration: approx. 4 1/2 hours

Notes:
It is recommended that guests wear flat, comfortable walking shoes.

Corfu Culinary Experience (Full Day)

Highlights/Description:
Corfu is the ideal place to enjoy a diverse mix of different tastes. The cuisine is inextricably tied in with its history and this is what makes the food here so different from the rest of Greece. The cuisine is neither spicy nor bland, but rich in the flavours of the Mediterranean. Specialties consist of local ingredients found on the island; especially olives, lemons, vegetables, tomatoes and fish. Many dishes hark back to the days when cooks put all the ingredients in a single pot and left it to simmer all day.
 
Today’s excursion starts with the Old Town of Corfu, where you may enjoy a walking tour of this UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. You will discover the town’s beautiful sites such as Saint Spyridon Church, dedicated to the protector of the island, the charming narrow Venetian alleyways, the famous Esplanade, one of the largest squares in Europe, the elegant Liston where access in the past was only allowed to the aristocracy of Corfu who were written down in the “Libro d’Oro’’, the Dimarcheio, or Town Hall, and the imposing Palace of St Michael and St George. After exploring Corfu historical center take a stroll through the local market.
 
Your tour continues with a scenic drive through the countryside to Triklino Vineyard, also known as Ambelonas Corfu, which is situated in Pelekas upon a hill with a panoramic view of central Corfu. Here local varieties of grapes are grown around a building of local architecture, in which traditional oil and wine production tools are displayed.
 
Upon arrival you will be welcomed with herbal soft drink. Get to know the history of the estate, the vineyard, the wild herbs and vegetables, the equipment and the processes for traditional olive and wine making and then spend some time learning about the principles ingredients and techniques of Mediterranean cuisine and the Corfiot culinary culture. You will then follow a step-by-step live presentation of the preparation of a full Corfiot meal – starter, salad, first course, main course, and desert. Participate in the cooking and sample the dishes at different stages of cooking. After the demonstration you will be able to enjoy lunch while relaxing in the ambient surroundings in the nature before returning to the port.
 
Tour Duration: 7 Hours
Tour can operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Light

Inclusions:

• Licensed, English-speaking guide
• Applicable taxes
• Transfers to/from Corfu port (applies to tour + cooking class only)

Not Included:

• Meals, unless otherwise noted
• Gratuities
• Personal expenses

Cultural Tour of Corfu (Half Day) - 4 hours

Highlights/Description:

• Kanoni (Mouse Island and the Monastery of Vlacherna)
• Museum of Asiatic Art in the Palace of St. George
• Old Town of Corfu

Your tour begins with a scenic drive to Kanoni, where you will have the opportunity to admire Mouse Island and the Monastery of Vlacherna before continuing on to the historical center of Corfu. Here you will explore the Museum of Asiatic Art which is unique in Greece and one of the most important of its kind in Europe. The museum contains approximately eleven thousand exhibits spanning the 11^th century BC to the 20^th century AD from a variety of Asian countries The greater part of the collection, more than ten thousand objects, come from China and Japan, while the rest come from Tibet, Korea, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Thailand and Cambodia. The museum is housed in the imposing Palace of St George and St Michael.
 
After visiting the museum, you may enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town of Corfu, a UNESCO’s World Heritage site. Discover the town’s beautiful sites such as Saint Spyridon Church, dedicated to the protector of the island, the charming narrow Venetian alleyways, the famous Esplanade, one of the largest squares in Europe, the elegant Liston where access in the past was only allowed to the aristocracy of Corfu who were written down in the “Libro d’Oro’’, and the Dimarcheio, or Town Hall. Upon completion of the tour, we return to the Port.
 
Tour Duration: 4 Hours
Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Light to Moderate

Inclusions:

• Licensed, English-speaking guide
• Luxury vehicle
• Applicable taxes
• Pick-up/Drop off at Corfu port  
• Entrance and tasting fees will be additional and can be pre-booked

Not Included:

• Meals, unless otherwise noted
• Gratuities
• Personal expenses

Exciting Jeep Safari in Corfu (Half Day) - 4 hours

Highlights/Description:
Discover Angelokastro, Lakones and Paleokastritsa driving through lush vegetation routes and traditional Corfiot villages. Admire panoramic breathtaking views of West Corfu and explore the magnificent bays with the crystal clear blue waters in a premium 4x4 vehicle.
First we will follow a route through Corfiot villages heading towards the western part of the island to Angelokastro – (“Castle of Angels”) which is located at the top of the highest peak of the island’s shoreline in the northwest coast near Paleokastritsa and is one of the most important Byzantine castles of Greece. A stunning view of Corfu’s west coast and the amazing terrain provide an ideal spot to admire the view, shoot some panoramic photos and refresh ourselves. Continuing our route through Lakones village with its surroundings is also known as Bella Vista, one of the top 10 views in Europe, and along the road in and out of the village, we will stop to enjoy the view while enjoying our coffee or tea. After our coffee stop, we follow a route from the top of the hill down to Paleokastritsa. Paleokastritsa is one of the most celebrated and attractive spots on Corfu island, with many coves with incredibly clear water surrounded by olive, cypress, and lemon trees. The lush vegetation and landscape combines blue and green waters with picturesque rocky bays and the monastery of Virgin Mary with the small museum. Visit the Monastery of The Virgin Mary in Paleokastritsa and take in superb views over the sea, and the rock that is said to be Odysseus' ship turned to stone.

• Tea/coffee or juice included
• liability insurance included
• Angelokastro is closed on Tuesdays
• Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes
• Sun protection and a hat are recommended

Tour Duration: 4 Hours
Tour can operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Light to Moderate

Inclusions:

• English-speaking driver - escort
• Applicable taxes
• Entrance fee to Angelokastro
• Pick-up/Drop off at Corfu port

Not Included:

• Meals, unless otherwise noted
• Gratuities
• Personal expenses

Highlights of Corfu - 4 hours

Highlights/Description:

• Mon Repos Palace
• Kanoni (Mouse Island and the Monastery of Vlacherna)
• Old Town of Corfu

Our exciting tour begins with a drive to Kanoni, where guests will have the opportunity to admire magical Mouse Island and the Monastery of Vlacherna. There will be time to take photographs to capture this picturesque panorama, before continuing our tour.

Our tour continues to The Palace of Mon Repos. The palace was once the summer residence of the ex-Greek Royal Family. Its wild-natural park is an oasis of tall trees and shrubs. According to historians, the ancient city of Corfu had originally been located. It was built by Commissioner Adams for his wife, although she soon vacated the palace when her husband was sent to serve in India and it became a rarely used summer house for all the governors. 

During the British occupation a school for clergymen was located there. After the union of the Ionian Islands with Greece, King Georgios I took possession of the area and named it Mon-Repos. At Mon Repos one can see a beautiful view from the hill of Analipsi, the ruins of the ancient city and the basilica of Palaiopoli.

Our final destination is the Heritage Old Town of Corfu, where guests may enjoy a walking tour. Inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List as a fortified Mediterranean port town of high integrity and authenticity, guests will discover all the interesting sites like the Saint Spyridon Church, protector of the island, the charming narrow alleyways of the old Venetian town, the famous Esplanade - one of the largest squares in Europe, the elegant Liston which access in the past was only allowed to the aristocracy of Corfu, written down in the “Libro d’Oro’’, the Dimarcheio or Town Hall and the imposing Palace of St Michael and St George (viewed from the outside).
 
There will be time at leisure for shopping before we return to the port.

Tour Duration: 4 Hours
Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Light to Moderate

Inclusions:

• Licensed, English-speaking guide
• Luxury vehicle
• Applicable taxes
• Pick-up/Drop off at Corfu port
• Entrance fees

Not Included:

• Meals, unless otherwise noted
• Gratuities
• Personal expenses

Paleokastritsa and Theotoky Estate - 4 hours

Highlights/Description:

• Monastery of Paleokastritsa
• Wine and meze in Theotoky Estate

 
Our wonderful tour begins with a scenic drive to Paleokastritsa, one of the most beautiful resorts on the island with fine beaches, wooded hills and crystal-clear sheltered bays pierced by black rocks. Here you’ll visit Paleokastritsa's venerable monastery, founded in 1226 and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere created with shady archways and lovely gardens. 

Our next visit is to the Theotoky Estate, located in the Ropa Valley, in the center of the Island, 20 km  from Corfu Town. The estate has been in the family for many generations, as Theotoky is one of the oldest families in Greece. The Estate is over 300 acres. Covered almost entirely by pine trees, olive trees and vineyards, it is one of the few ecological and peaceful spots that still exist. The locally famous and of excellent quality Theotoky wine is produced in the estate's 30 acres vineyards.

The estate also has an abundance of olive trees, which are grown in the fields without the use of chemical fertilizers. The harvesting is done directly from the trees and olives are milled in the cold-press.

Guests will have the opportunity to tour the winery and olive oil refinery. After the tour, a typical Greek meze (feta cheese, tomatoes, olives and bread) of local produce grown on the estate will be offered to the
guests with a glass of wine.

Inclusions:

• Licensed, English-speaking guide
• Luxury vehicle
• Applicable taxes
• Pick-up/Drop off at Corfu port
• Entrance fees

Not Included:

• Meals, unless otherwise noted
• Gratuities
• Personal expenses

 
 

Optional Private Excursions

Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!

Kusadasi Port - The Glories of Ephesus (Full Day Tour)

PORT: KUSADASI
GLORIES OF EPHESUS 
Full-Day Tour

Arrive in Kusadasi, you will meet your professional guide, holding a name sign outside of the terminal building at the port for your full- day tour in Ephesus.

First, 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, Pope John Paul II in 1979 and Pope Benedict XVI in 2007.

Then, you will drive to Ephesus, enter and view the Odeon Theatre, where state affairs and concerts were held. Walk down the marble walkway and visit the Hadrian Temple. It 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.

A special visit will be made to the spectacular Terrace Houses (Villas) located on top of the hill within the Ephesus. They have a fantastic view of the entire city of Ephesus. They were inhabited by wealthy Ephesians, and are finely decorated with incredible examples of mosaics and frescos. The Terrace Houses were brought to light in excavations carried out since the 1980s by a team of Austrian archeologists. Along with those in Pompeii, they constitute some of the most vivid examples of Roman domestic architecture to survive to the present.

Next, you will proceed to the 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 build 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. His tomb is in the library as well.

Next, visit the Great Theatre, dating back to the Hellenistic period. In the 1st century AD it was successfully reconstructed and expanded by the Romans until it reached the seating capacity of 25,000. This is also the place where it is believed that St.Paul preached. It is still used for performances today.

Lunch recommended at a local restaurant.

Last, you will visit the Ephesus Museum is an archaeological museum in Selcuk. It houses finds from the nearby Ephesus excavation site and other ancient sites in the region. Its best-known exhibit is the statue of Artemis retrieved from the Temple of the goddess in Ephesus. Highlights include the fresco of Socrates, statues and heads of Eros, crosses, coins and the works of the 1^st century AD.

At the end of your day, you will return to Kusadasi and have some time for shopping in town before you embark your ship.

Includes:
• 1 full- day of private sightseeing in Ephesus
• Licensed professional guide in English Language
• Air- conditioned luxury vehicle with a professional driver
• Entrance fees to museums and sites according to the above itinerary
• Bottled water provided throughout the tour
• Welcome package
• VAT tax

Not Included:
• Gratuities to guide and driver
• Personal expenses of the guests
• Meals that are not indicated on the itinerary
• Recommended lunch

Kusadasi Port - A Taste of Ephesus- (Half day tour)

PORT: KUSADASI
A TASTE OF EPHESUS
Half- Day Tour

Arrive in Kusadasi, you will meet your professional guide, holding a name sign outside of the terminal building at the port for your half- day of private sightseeing in Ephesus.

First, you will drive to Ephesus, enter and view the Odeon Theatre, where state affairs and concerts were held. Walk down the marble walkway and visit the Hadrian Temple. It 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.

A special visit will be made to the spectacular Terrace Houses (Villas) located on top of the hill within the Ephesus. They have a fantastic view of the entire city of Ephesus. They were inhabited by wealthy Ephesians, and are finely decorated with incredible examples of mosaics and frescos. The Terrace Houses were brought to light in excavations carried out since the 1980s by a team of Austrian archeologists. Along with those in Pompeii, they constitute some of the most vivid examples of Roman domestic architecture to survive to the present.

Next, you will proceed to the 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 build 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. His tomb is in the library as well.
Last, visit the Great Theatre, dating back to the Hellenistic period. In the 1st century AD it was successfully reconstructed and expanded by the Romans until it reached the seating capacity of 25,000. This is also the place where it is believed that St.Paul preached. It is still used for performances today.

At the end of your day, you will return to Kusadasi and have some time for shopping in town before your embark your ship.

Includes:
- 1 half-day of private sightseeing in Ephesus
- Licensed professional guide in English language
- Entrance fees to museums and sites according to the above itinerary
- Private Air-conditioned VIP vehicle with professional driver
- Welcome Package
- Bottled water provided throughout the tours
-  VAT taxes

Not included:
- Gratuities to guide and driver
- Personal expenses of the guests
- Meals that are not indicated on the itinerary

Kusadasi Port - Ephesus & Virgin Mary House - (Half Day Tour)

PORT: KUSADASI

EPHESUS & VIRGIN MARY HOUSE

Half-Day Tour

Arrive in Kusadasi, you will meet your professional guide, holding a name sign outside of the terminal building at the port for your half- day tour in Ephesus.

First, 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, Pope John Paul II in 1979 and Pope Benedict XVI in 2007.

Then, you will drive to Ephesus, enter and view the Odeon Theatre, where state affairs and concerts were held. Walk down the marble walkway and visit the Hadrian Temple. It 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.

Next, you will proceed to the 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 build by Julius, in his father’s honour, after his death. His father, Celsus was the Roman governor of Asia Minor early in the 2nd century AD. His tomb is in the library as well.

Next, visit the Great Theatre, dating back to the Hellenistic period. In the 1st century AD it was successfully reconstructed and expanded by the Romans until it reached the seating capacity of 25,000. This is also the place where it is believed that St.Paul preached. It is still used for performances today.

At the end of your day, you will return to Kusadasi and have some time for shopping in town before you embark your ship.

Includes:

• 1 half-day of private sightseeing in Ephesus
• Licensed professional guide in English Language
• Air- conditioned luxury vehicle with a professional driver
• Entrance fees to museums and sites according to the above itinerary
• Bottled water provided throughout the tour
• Welcome package
• VAT tax

Not Included:

• Gratuities to guide and driver
• Personal expenses of the guests
• Meals that are not indicated on the itinerary

Kusadasi Port - Three Ancient Cities; Didyma, Miletus & Priene (Full Day Tour)

SHORE EXCURSIONS
KUSADASI
THREE ANCIENT CITIES
 

Arrive in Kusadasi,you will meet your professional guide at the port and drive to three ancient cities.
 
Your first stop will be Priene. The ancient harbor city of Priene probably changed its location when the silt of the Meander River threatened to bury it. Now it is nearly 16 km away from the sea. The original place of the city has never been found but it was probably a peninsula with two harbors. Priene was laid out on a Hippodamian system of grid plan at the foot of a spectacular cliff on mount Mycale and contained many famous examples of Hellenistic art and architecture.All the streets intersect at the right angles.
 
Next, visit Miletus an ancient city located near the present Akkoy at the mouth of the Buyuk Menderes (Meander) River, owed its importance to its position on trade routes. It was one of the largest cities in Anatolia with a population of between 80,000 and 100,000. Highly prosperous, it founded many colonies and was the home of the 6C BC philosophers Anaximander, Anaximenes, and Thales, the town planner Hippodamus and architect Isidorus. Miletus seems to have produced geniuses the way Aphrodisias produced sculptors.
 
Lunch suggested at local restaurant.

Last, you will visit Didyma. The word Didyma meant "twins" and was associated by some as being the meeting place of Zeus and Leto to have their twins Apollo and Artemis. Didyma was famed as a prophecy center dedicated to Apollo which served a similar purpose as the Delphi of Anatolia. It was not a city but a sanctuary linked to Miletus by Milesians with a 19 km/12 m sacred road. However, this road may not have been constructed until the end of the 1C AD. In addition to pilgrimages made by sea, some festivals of drama, music and sports were held there every four years.
 
At the end of your tour, you can return to Kusadasi.
 
OUR PACKAGE RATE INCLUDES 

• 1 full day of sightseeing in a deluxe air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver in Three Ancient Cities.
• Private chauffeur driven a/c deluxe vehicle throughout the program.
• Officially licensed, English speaking guide throughout the tour program.
• Entrance fees to all museums, parks, and historic sites as marked on the itinerary.
• Bottled water provided throughout the tour.
• Welcome Package
• VAT taxes.

OUR  PACKAGE RATE EXCLUDES 

• Gratuities to the Guide & Driver
  • At the discretion of the guests
• Personal expenses of the guests
• Suggested lunch

Kusadasi Port - Biblical Tour of Ephesus ( Full Day tour)

Arrive in Kusadasi ,you will meet your professional guide, holding a name sign outside of the terminal building at the port for private sightseeing.
 
First, 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 19^th 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, Pope John Paul II in 1979 and Pope Benedict XVI in 2007.
 
Then, visit Ephesus, famous throughout the ancient world for its Temple of Artemis.  You will first visit Odeon Theatre where the state affairs used to be held. Then, view The Temple of Hadrian is one of the main attractions at Ephesus, with a beautiful arch on the front facade and interesting reliefs of Medusa. According to the belief of Ephesians, the Medusa head on the porch, would protect the city from its enemies.
  
Next, you will visit the newly excavated spectacular The Terrace Houses on the Curetes street belonged to the rich people of Ephesus. Many of them were three-storied and had peristyles surrounded by rooms without windows but included frescoes and mosaics of mythological scenes. Some of the frescoes were scenes from the comedies of Menander and the tragedies of Euripides. They were luxuriously furnished private houses with fountains and central heating. Between the street and houses was a portico with a mosaic floor, behind which were shops.
 
Proceed to the Celsus Library is a Roman mausoleum and library built in the early 2nd century AD. The Library of Celsus was commissioned by the Julius as a mausoleum for his father, Roman governor of the Asian Provinces. It is one of the most beautifully reconstructed buildings in Ephesus, it has become an icon of the ancient city.

The Great Theatre, dates back to the Hellenistic period. It is one of the most impressive buildings in Ephesus which has the capacity of 25,000 seats. The theatre was used for concerts, plays and religious, political and philosophical discussions and for gladiator and animal fights. Marble Road, runs between the Library of Celsus and the theater and is a part of the sacred  walk way.  
 
Last, visit the Church of Mary that is a church of great historical significance located in Ephesus. It is also known as the Double Church, because it is thought one aisle was dedicated to the Virgin and the other to St. John, and the Council Church because the Council of Ephesus is believed to have been held here.

Lunch recommended at a local restaurant. 

Next, you will see the Basilica of St. John,where John and the Virgin Mary went between 42 and 48 AD and lived. Three hundred years after the death of Saint John, a small chapel on the Ayasuluk Hill was constructed over his grave in the 4^th century AD. This church was replaced in the 6^th century AD by a huge basilica built by the Emperor Justinian, the impressive ruins of which are still visible.
 
Last, visit The Temple of Artemis also known less precisely as Temple of Diana, was a Greek temple dedicated to Artemis completed around 550 BC at Ephesus. The monument was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
 
At the end of your tour, you can return to Kusadasi for some shopping in town or visit one of the carpet villages along the way before embarking the ship.  If you are not interested in shopping, please advise your guide that you would like to return directly to the ship. 
  
Inclusions:

• 1 full day of sightseeing in a deluxe air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver in Ephesus
• Private chauffeur driven a/c deluxe vehicle throughout the program.
• Officially license, English speaking guide throughout the tour program.
• Entrance fees to all museums, parks, and historic sites as marked on the itinerary.
• Bottled water provided throughout the tour. 
• Welcome Package
• VAT taxes.

Exclusions: 

• Gratuities to the Guide & Driver
  • At the discretion of the guests
• Personal expenses of the guests
• Recommended lunch

 

Kusadasi Port - Ephesus & Didyma & Miletus (Full Day Tour)

Arrive in Kusadasi, you will meet your professional guide, holding a name sign outside of the terminal building at the port for private full day sightseeing. 

First, visit Ephesus, famous throughout the ancient world for its Temple of Artemis.  You will first visit Odeon Theatre where the state affairs used to be held. Then, view The Temple of Hadrian is one of the main attractions at Ephesus, with a beautiful arch on the front facade and interesting reliefs of Medusa. According to the belief of Ephesians, the Medusa head on the porch, would protect the city from its enemies.
 
Next, you will visit the newly excavated spectacular The Terrace Houses on the Curetes street belonged to the rich people of Ephesus. Many of them were three-storied and had peristyles surrounded by rooms without windows but included frescoes and mosaics of mythological scenes. Some of the frescoes were scenes from the comedies of Menander and the tragedies of Euripides. They were luxuriously furnished private houses with fountains and central heating. Between the street and houses was a portico with a mosaic floor, behind which were shops.

Proceed to The Celsus Library is a Roman mausoleum and library built in the early 2nd century AD. The Library of Celsus was comissioned by the Julius as a mausoleum for his father, Roman governor of the Asian Provinces. It is one of the most beautifully reconstructed buildings in Ephesus, it has become an icon of the ancient city.

The Great Theatre, dates back to the Hellenistic period. It is one of the most impressive buildings in Ephesus which has the capacity of 25,000 seats. The theatre was used for concerts, plays and religious, political and philosophical discussions and for gladiator and animal fights. Marble Road, runs between the Library of Celsus and the theater and is a part of the sacred  walk way.  
 
Then, you will drive approximately 1½ hours to visit the ancient cities of Miletus and Didyma.
 
Lunch suggested at a local restaurant.
 
Next, visit Miletus an ancient city located near the present Akkoy at the mouth of the Buyuk Menderes (Meander) River, owed its importance to its position on trade routes. It was one of the largest cities in Anatolia with a population of between 80,000 and 100,000. Highly prosperous, it founded many colonies and was the home of the 6C BC philosophers Anaximander, Anaximenes, and Thales, the town planner Hippodamus and architect Isidorus. Miletus seems to have produced geniuses the way Aphrodisias produced sculptors.
 
Last, you will visit Didyma. The word Didyma meant "twins" and was associated by some as being the meeting place of Zeus and Leto to have their twins Apollo and Artemis. Didyma was famed as a prophecy center dedicated to Apollo which served a similar purpose as the Delphi of Anatolia. It was not a city but a sanctuary linked to Miletus by Milesians with a 19 km/12 m sacred road. However, this road may not have been constructed until the end of the 1C AD. In addition to pilgrimages made by sea, some festivals of drama, music and sports were held there every four years.

OUR NET PACKAGE RATE INCLUDES 

• 1 full day of sightseeing in a deluxe air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver in Ephesus, Didyma and Miletus.
• Private chauffeur driven a/c deluxe vehicle throughout the program
• Licensed professional  guide in English language.
• Officially licensed, English speaking guide throughout the tour program.
• Entrance fees to all museums, parks, and historic sites as marked on the itinerary.
• Bottled water provided throughout the tour. 
• Welcome Package
• VAT taxes.

OUR NET PACKAGE RATE EXCLUDES 

• Gratuities to the Guide & Driver
  •  At the discretion of the guests
• Personal expenses of the guests
• Suggested lunch

 

Kusadasi: Ancient Ephesus Tour - 7 hours

An English speaking lecturer/guide will meet the guests at the exit of the cruise pier in KUSADASI.

After a short drive to Ephesus, the guests experience their private tour of this fascinating historical site. First, a visit will be made to the remarkable Greco-Roman archeological city of Ancient Ephesus, that flourished as a prominent cultural city and seaport between 600 BC and 500 AD.

The walking tour will begin along the Royal Road also known as the Arcadian Way, the 4th century white marble chariot thoroughfare whose most striking sight today is the two-story Library of Celsus. Uniquely beautiful, the Library once housed 12,000 scrolls of papyrus manuscripts making it the second largest library in the ancient world after the one in Alexandria, Egypt. The walk along the Royal Road also takes the visitors past the remains of some of the ancient city’s major civic buildings and temples as you move toward the Ephesus Theater from which St. Paul once preached to the Pagan Ephesians. The theater, seating 25,000 has exceptional acoustics and is still in use today for concerts and theatrical performances in summertime.

Then move to see the ongoing excavations of the Greco-Roman places-the “Elite Yamac Homes of Antiquity” (Terrace Houses) with their magnificent mosaics and frescoes.

From here, the guests will proceed to the small, but distinguished and rightly famous Ephesus Museum with unique examples of the very best Greco-Roman sculpture in the world, and with an exciting new display of Medical instruments from that era.

Finally, drive up the mountainside to visit to the so-called House of the Virgin Mary, a lovely chapel set in the hills behind Ephesus, said by some to be the last home of the Virgin Mary, where St. Paul took her for her safety away from the Pagan Ephesians.

At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel or to your cruise ship.

Added Value:

*Great introduction to Greco-Roman city of Ephesus' history and culture

*The tour covers the main highlights of the ancient city

Tour Duration : 6-7 hours

Tour can operate: Starting mornings

Wheelchair Accessible: Partial

Physical Activity Level: High

Included: Transportation by a cheaffeur driven a/c private vehicle, an officially licensed bilingual private lecturer/guide, entrance fees to the sites/museums

Not Included: Gratuities to the guide and driver, meals and personal expenses

Kusadasi: Priene Day Tour - 7 hours

The guests will be met by a lecturer/guide at the exit of the pier in KUSADASI and drive south to visit Priene.

This ancient city is not especially large, but has an unusual intimacy and charm, in part because so many historical private houses have survived to this day. All the monuments you will see, date from the Hellenistic period, and all of them are aligned according to a strict grid-plan of the kind developed by Hippodamos, a native of neighboring Miletus. The monuments include the Temple of Zeus, a council chamber, and a small amphi-theatre. Yet Priene’s greatest treasure is its Temple of Athena, which was considered the masterpiece of the architect Pytheos who also designed the Mausoleum at Halicarnassos (Bodrum) known to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

After exploring Priene, the guests will cross the broad flood-plain of the river Maeander to continue to Miletus. This was once a major port but silt carried down by the River Meander blocked its harbor centuries ago. The ancient harbor is now several miles from the sea. The town is laid out according to a grid-plan designed by Hippodamos, which centers on three spacious agoras (marketplaces) today. The most striking features of the site today are the Baths of Faustina and the massive Roman Theatre.

A paved Sacred Way leads from Miletus to Dydima, not a classic town but rather a sacred precinct centering on a colossal Temple of Apollo surrounded by a double colonnade of no less than 108 huge columns. Work on the temple continued for 500 years, but its design was so ambitious that, when work was abandoned in the 4th C. AD, it was still unfinished. Even unfinished and in ruins, the temple at Dydima remains to be one of the most awe-inspiring antique monuments to be found anywhere around the Eastern Mediterranean.

At the end of the tour, the guests will be escorted back to their hotel or to the pier in KUSADASI.

Added Value:

*The tour covers the main highlights of Priene, Miletus and Didyma

Tour Duration : 7 hours

Tour can operate: Starting mornings

Wheelchair Accessible: No

Physical Activity Level: Moderate

Included: Transportation by a chaeffeur driven a/c private vehicle, an officially licensed bilingual private lecturer/guide, entrance fees to the sites/museums

Not Included: Gratuities to the guide and driver, meals and personal expenses

Kusadasi: The Greco-Roman City of Ephesus & the Wine-making Village of Sirince - 7 hours

At 8:30 am, an English speaking private lecturer/guide will meet and greet you outside the Bonded Area of the Kusadasi cruise pier. You will then be escorted to your chauffeur driven private deluxe air-conditioned vehicle, for a comfortable ride of about half an hour to the remarkable Greco-Roman archaeological site of Ancient Ephesus. Dating back to the 11th century B.C., it has been painstakingly excavated and restored and is one of the world’s most fascinating sites of antiquity. Ephesus flourished as a prominent city and seaport between 600 B.C. and 500 A.D. We will begin our private walking tour along Royal Road also known as the Arcadian Way, a 4th century white marble chariot thoroughfare whose most striking sight is the two-story Library of Celsus.

Uniquely beautiful, with its restored facade now the famed symbol of Ephesus, the Library once housed 12,000 scrolls of papyrus manuscripts making it the 2nd largest in the ancient world after the library in Alexandria, Egypt. Your walk along the Royal Road will also take you past the remains of some of the ancient city’s major civic buildings and temples as you move toward the Ephesus Theater from which St. Paul once preached to the Ephesians. The theater, seating 25,000 has exceptional acoustics and is still in use today for concerts and theatrical performances.

You will also visit the ongoing excavations of the Greco Roman PALACES the ''ELITE YAMAC HOMES OF ANTIQUITY'' (Terrace Houses) with their magnificent mosaics and frescoes being restored by archeologists as you visit the site.

Next visit will be to the old Greco-Turkish Village of SIRINCE, located approximately 18 miles away from the Kusadasi pier. The town itself houses about hundreds of old local Greek homes which have been superbly renovated and opened to the public.. The town also houses an authentic local market where different agricultural products are sold.

Following lunch (at your own cost) at the celebrated local Bizim Ev (meaning “Our House”) Restaurant in Sirince, you will stop by the famous wine cellar of this village, to be welcomed by the owner, and will taste his white or red wines, produced in the same style as in the old days from grapes at the vast vineyards of the Aegean Region.

You will then be returned to Kusadasi where you may explore or shop at the charming local marketplace, while your guide will escort and assist you until you wish to return to the pier to board your ship by 4 pm.

Added Value:

*Great introduction to Ephesus and Sirince

*The tour covers Ephesus and the wine-making village of Sirince

Tour Duration : 7 hours

Tour can operate: Starting mornings

Wheelchair Accessible: No

Physical Activity Level: Moderate

Included: Transportation by a chauffeur driven a/c private vehicle, an officially licensed bilingual private lecturer/guide, entrance fees to the sites/museums

Not Included: Gratuities to the guide and driver, meals and personal expenses

Ephesus Full Day Tour - 8 hours

Highlights/Description:

• Ancient Ephesus
• Library of Celsus
• Excavations of Terrace Houses
• House of the Virgin Mary

Your English speaking guide will meet you at the Kusadasi cruise pier for your tour in Ephesus.

You will proceed to the remarkable Greco-Roman site of Ancient Ephesus. Dating back to the 11th century B.C., it has been excavated and restored since 1870s. It is one of the world’s most fascinating sites of antiquity. Ephesus flourished as a prominent city and seaport between 600 B.C. and 500 A.D.

We will start our private walking tour through Royal Road also known as the Arcadian Way, 4th century white marble chariot road that leads to the most striking building, which is the two-storey Library of Celsus. Beautifully restored with its restored facade now the famed symbol of Ephesus, The Library once housed 12,000 scrolls of papyrus and parchment manuscripts, making it the 2nd largest in the ancient world after the library in Alexandria in Egypt.

Ephesus Theater, seating 25,000 has exceptional acoustics and is still in use today for concerts and theatrical performances.

You will also visit the ongoing excavations of the Greco Roman Houses of Ephesian Aristocrats (known as Terrace Houses) with their magnificent mosaics and frescoes being restored by archeologists as you visit the site. In addition to the historic monuments, your excursion will also include a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, a lovely little chapel set in the hills behind Ephesus believed to be Virgin Mary’s last home.

At the end of your tour, you will be transferred back to the cruise pier.
 
Tour Duration: 8 Hours
Tour can operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Moderate to Heavy
Net Price: Per Person € 201.50 based on 2 guests

Inclusions:

• Officially licensed, private guide
• Transfers to/from port in an air-conditioned luxury vehicle
• Parking fees and entrance fees of the sites/museums stated in the tour program
• Bottled water
• Welcome package
• Applicable taxes

Not Included:

• Meals, unless otherwise noted
• Gratuities
• Personal expenses

Ephesus & Sirince Full Day Tour - 8 hours

Highlights/Description:

• Ancient Ephesus
• Sirince
• Home-style lunch in a local village
• Visit to a wine house

Your English speaking guide will meet you at the Kusadasi cruise pier for your tour in Ephesus.
 
You will proceed to the remarkable Greco-Roman site of Ancient Ephesus. Dating back to the 11th century B.C., it has been excavated and restored since 1870s. It is one of the world’s most fascinating sites of antiquity. Ephesus flourished as a prominent city and seaport between 600 B.C. and 500 A.D. We will start our private walking tour through Royal Road also known as the Arcadian Way, 4th century white marble chariot road that leads to the most striking building, which is the two-storey Library of Celsus.
 
Beautifully restored with its restored facade now the famed symbol of Ephesus, The Library once housed 12,000 scrolls of papyrus and parchment manuscripts, making it the 2nd largest in the ancient world after the library in Alexandria in Egypt. Ephesus Theater, seating 25,000 has exceptional acoustics and is still in use today for concerts and theatrical performances.
 
You will also visit the ongoing excavations of the Greco Roman Houses of Ephesian Aristocrats (known as Terrace Houses) with their magnificent mosaics and frescoes being restored by archeologists as you visit the site.
 
In addition to the historic monuments, your excursion will also include a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, a lovely little chapel set in the hills behind Ephesus believed to be Virgin Mary’s last home.
 
At the end of your tour, you will be transferred back to the cruise pier.
 
Tour Duration: 8 Hours
Tour can operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Moderate to Heavy
Net Price: Per Person € 188.50 based on 2 guests

Inclusions:

• Officially licensed, private guide
• Transfers to/from port in an air-conditioned luxury vehicle
• Parking fees and entrance fees of the sites/museums stated in the tour program
• Bottled water
• Welcome package
• Applicable taxes

Not Included:

• Meals, unless otherwise noted
• Gratuities
• Personal expenses

Ephesus Half Day Tour - 4 hours

Highlights/Description:

• Ancient Ephesus
• Library of Celsus
• The Library
• Ephesus Theatre

 
Your English speaking guide will meet you at the Kusadasi cruise pier for your tour in Ephesus.
 
You will proceed to the remarkable Greco-Roman site of Ancient Ephesus. Dating back to the 11th century B.C., it has been excavated and restored since 1870s. It is one of the world’s most fascinating sites of antiquity. Ephesus flourished as a prominent city and seaport between 600 B.C. and 500 A.D. We will start our private walking tour through Royal Road also known as the Arcadian Way, 4th century white marble chariot road that leads to the most striking building, which is the two-storey Library of Celsus.
 
Beautifully restored with its restored facade now the famed symbol of Ephesus, The Library once housed 12,000 scrolls of papyrus and parchment manuscripts, making it the 2nd largest in the ancient world after the library in Alexandria in Egypt. Ephesus Theater, seating 25,000 has exceptional acoustics and is still in use today for concerts and theatrical performances.
 
At the end of your tour, you will be transferred back to the cruise pier.
 
Tour Duration: 4 Hours
Tour can operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Moderate to Heavy
Net Price: Per Person € 130.00 based on 2 guests

Inclusions:

• Officially licensed, private guide
• Transfers to/from port in an air-conditioned luxury vehicle
• Parking fees and entrance fees of the sites/museums stated in the tour program
• Bottled water
• Welcome package
• Applicable taxes

Not Included:

• Meals, unless otherwise noted
• Gratuities
• Personal expenses

Ephesus 3D Experience Full Day Tour – 6 hours

Ephesus 3D tour is an extraordinary experience offering an innovative way to visit Ancient Ephesus. Our 3D virtual tour brings you inside the site with accurate replicas of Ephesus, the Celcus Library, Great Theatre and more! By using this technology, you will see reconstructed major sites of the Ancient city. During this experience, your guide will further explain 7 sites; Odeon Theatre, Curetes, Trajan Fountain, Hadrian Gate, Library of Celcus, Commercial Agora  and Arcadia way with a visual show of the Ancient Romans featuring live actors! Based on cutting edge technology and the master work of artists - our virtual tour is incredibly accurate.
 
Our team of artists, technicians and writers create each 3D tour with a great emphasis on colors, shapes, symmetry, sizes, compositions and proportions. Every element of the Ephesus 3D virtual tour is designed to convey the true atmosphere of the site.
 
Tour Duration: 6 Hours
Tour can operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
Net Price: Per Person € 130.00 based on 2 guests

Inclusions:

• English-speaking guide
• Entrance fees and applicable taxes
• Transfers to/from Kusadasi Port
• Lunch at a typical Village Restaurant, included unlimited soft drinks and wine
   
  Not Included:
• Gratuities to driver and guide
• Personal expenses

Ephesus: Jewel of Roman Archeology - 6 Hours

Highlights:

• Temple of Artemis
• Ephesus including Marble Road, Temple of Hadrian, Terrace Houses, Library of Celsus and Great Theater of Ephesus
• House of Virgin Mary

Tour Duration: 6 hours (approx.)
Tour can operate: (morning or afternoon, etc) Full day

Wheelchair Accessible: (Yes or No) YES

Physical Activity Level: (Light, Moderate, Heavy) Moderate

Inclusions: (include any info regarding transportation to/from the Cruise ship in this section)

• Transportation by A/C non-smoking deluxe vehicle
• Service of an English-speaking professional private tour guide throughout the program
• All entrance and parking fees for the sightseeing
• Complimentary beverages on vehicle throughout the journey
• All taxes and service charges

 Not Included:

• Meals and beverages
• Honorary gratuities for guide and driver
• Personal expenses

Optional Private Excursions

Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!

Antalya: The Greco-Roman Heritage of Antalya, Perge & Side - 7 hours

An English speaking private lecturer/guide will meet you at Antalya pier at 9 am for departure by chauffeur driven a/c deluxe minivan, to start your private sightseeing tour of Antalya.

First, you will drive to Perge, the largest ancient settling of both Hellenistic and Roman Age, which possesses a Roman Bath, Colonnaded Street, Agora, Stadium, and Water Aqueduct. These structures are in good order and well protected after the excavation.

Continue to Aspendos, the best preserved Roman Theatre in the World which is still in use. This 15.000 seated theatre hosts many concerts and competitions, during the Song Festival.

The third impressive site is Side whose name meant "Pomegranate" in antiquity. Today, it is a pretty Resort Town with two sandy beaches, many shops along the ancient street as well as Theatre, Agora, ancient harbor, archeological museum. This triangle historical tour ends at Manavgat Waterfalls with refreshment break at the edge of showering water drops.

Lunch will be served at a selected local seafood restaurant by the pier.

At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your cruise ship by 5pm.

Added Value:

*Great introduction to the ancient cities of Perge, Aspendos and Side's history and culture

*The tour covers the main highlights in Antalya

Tour Duration : 8 hours

Tour can operate: Starting mornings

Wheelchair Accessible: No

Physical Activity Level: Moderate

Included: Transportation by a chauffeur driven a/c private vehicle, an officially licensed bilingual private lecturer/guide, entrance fees to the sites/museums

Not Included: Gratuities to the guide and driver, meals and personal expenses