Louis Cruise Lines
Shore Excursion: Turkey

Drive through the colourful town of Kusadasi to reach Mt. Koressos . Situated in a small valley where the humble chapel lies on the site of the little house where The Virgin Mary is believed to have spent her last days. Despite the many controversies, the Christian World still favours this belief and the site has been officially sanctioned by the Vatican for pilgrimage. Continue on to Ancient Ephesus accompanied by your guide; walk through the Magnesian Gate which is the entrance to the ancient city of Ephesus . Your guided walking tour will take you through one of the most magnificent excavations in the world. See the Odeon (concert hall), the Fountain of Trajan , the steam-heated Baths of Scolastika , the Temple of Hadrian and the Latrians , the Library of Celsus and The Great Theatre, the largest one in antiquity with a capacity of 24,000 where St. Paul preached. Walk back to the motor coach along the Arcadian Way , where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession. While driving back to Kusadasi and just outside Ephesus , view the Basilica of St. John, which was erected over his grave in the 6th Century AD by Emperor Justinian. Before returning to the ship, enjoy free time in Kusadasi .

Drive through the colourful town of Kusadasi , and along the coast to reach Ephesus , famous in antiquity for its Temple of Diana - one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - and later the home of St. John . During the years of the Roman Empire , the Greek port of Ephesus became the greatest city in Asia Minor . Upon arrival at Ephesus follow your guide to enter the ancient site through the Magnesian Gate. Discover innumerable monuments including the Forum, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus , the Thermal Baths of Scolastika and the Great Theatre built in the Greek era and reconstructed in the Roman period, which is still noted for its remarkable acoustics. View the symbols all around and marvel at the fact that one is still able to read the inscriptions in the ancient Greek language. Walk back to your motor coach along the Arcadian Way , where once Mark Anthony and Cleopatra rode in procession. As you drive back to Kusadasi , on a hill above Selcuk , just outside Ephesus , view the Basilica of St. John, which was erected over his grave in the 6th Century AD by Emperor Justinian. Before returning to the ship, enjoy free time for shopping in Kusadasi .