Half day tour of Ephesus from Izmir (5 hours)

Your journey through time begins with a pleasant drive along the Aegean Coast. After an hour drive your first stop will be the Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 wonders of the ancients world. From here you will have the opportunity to view the Basilica of St. John and the 14th-century Isa Bey Mosque. After a short drive you will arrive to the ancient city of Ephesus. At one time, the city was the gateway to Asia Minor and boasted a population of 250,000. Formerly a seaport, it now lies several miles inland due to deposits of  river silt that have collected over the centuries. The region is steeped in history, The Virgin Mary reputedly spent her last days at nearby Mt. Pagus. As you walk along the old marble streets, you will pass the Odeon and Upper Agora. You will also see the ornate Hadrian Temple, the remains of some Byzantine houses, the beautifully restored facade of the Celsus Library, the Thermal Baths  of Scholastica, the Commercial Agora and the theatre, which accommodates 25,000  spectators and is still used for occasional performances. Continue along the  colonnaded harbor boulevard, past the gymnasium and the remains of the stadium,  as you head toward the exit gate and the lower parking area. Return to Izmir.