Izmir, Turkey - Mediterranean Cruises

Enjoy a scenic drive to the pretty resort town of Çeşme. The town of Çeşme is considered to be one of Turkey's most prominent centres of international tourism, and was ranked 8th by the New York Times in ‘The 31 Places to Go in 2010’. The name Çeşme means ‘fountain’ which is said to stem from the many Ottoman fountains scattered across the city.

Disembark your coach and begin a guided walking tour, following your guide as they lead you to Çeşme Castle. Built in 1508 by Bayezid II, the castle dominates the town with its six towers and moats on three sides. A statue of Cezayirli Gazi Hasan Pasha, one of the naval commanders of the Battle of Chesma, stands in front of the castle, and is depicted facing the town square and caressing his famous pet lion.

After your visit of the castle, walk back to the town centre of Çeşme, pausing to view the Church of Agios Haralambos en route.

Enjoy free time to stroll through the beautiful marina, stopping to admire the many yachts and sailing boats, or relax with a drink in one of the cafés situated along the seafront promenade.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. The drive to Çeşme is approximately 1¼ hours each way. There is approximately 1½ hours of walking on this tour, however guests can choose to opt out of the guided walking tour if they wish. At Çeşme Castle there are uneven surfaces and numerous steep marble steps, therefore flat comfortable footwear is recommended.

Visit the House of The 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 was visited by Pope Paul VI in 1967, Pope John Paul II in 1979 and Pope Benedict XVI in 2006.

Continue onto Ephesus, one of the most magnificent and best-preserved ancient sites in the world. Marvel at the Odeon, the Market Basilica, Celsus Library, Marble Street and the Great Theatre with a seating capacity of 25,000 people.

Visit the impressive Terrace Houses, also referred to as ‘the houses of the rich’. The wealthy and important people of Ephesus resided in these houses, which is evident from the grand decorations of mosaics and frescoes.

Afterwards stop at St John’s Basilica. Built by the Emperor Justinian over the tomb of St John the Apostle, the Basilica, now in ruins, once rivaled St Sophia in size.

Travel to the resort town of Kusadasi, where you will partake in luncheon in a five star hotel with spectacular views of the sea whilst being entertained by a colourful folkloric show.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. Ephesus requires walking long distances over uneven surfaces. There are stairs to negotiate at the House of the Virgin Mary and the Basilica of St John as well as an uphill gradient. There are approximately 20 steps at the entrance to the Terrace Houses plus many steps inside to reach the different levels. There is a charge of 50 cents to use the toilets at Ephesus. The drive from Ephesus to the Virgin Mary Shrine takes approximately 20 minutes along a winding mountain road.

From Izmir, travel south to Ephesus, passing the Byzantine fortress at Selcuk, the ruins of the Temple of Artemis and St John's Basilica.

At Ephesus, experience the Great Theatre, dating back to the Hellenistic period. In the first century AD it was successfully reconstructed and expanded by the Romans until it reached a seating capacity of 25,000 and today it still used for performances.

Proceed to the Celsus Library and Hadrian's Temple. The Temple was dedicated in 118 AD to Hadrian, Artemis, and the people of Ephesus but, reconstructed in the fourth century. According to the belief of Ephesians, the Medusa head on the porch, would protect the city from its enemies.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot.There is approximately 1½ hours of walking on this tour over some uneven surfaces. There is a charge of 50 cents to use the toilets at Ephesus.

Your scenic drive southwards will travel through countryside dotted with vineyards, olive orchards and cotton plantations, en route to Selcuk. Your route climbs into the hills to the the House of the Virgin Mary, where the Virgin Mary is said to have lived for 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.

Your drive will pass the main gate of Ephesus, where, from a lookout point where you will see a large portion of Ancient Ephesus including the Odeon Theatre.

Enjoy a panoramic drive through the town of Selcuk, before reaching the Isa Bey Mosque, where you’ll visit the beautiful courtyard. Constructed in 1374, the Isa Bey Mosque is one of the oldest and most impressive works of architectural art remaining from the Anatolian Beyliks.

Located nearby are the ruins of the Artemis Temple, which are one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Ancient World’. Pause for photographs, before the journey back to the pier.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. There is over an hour of walking on this tour, over mostly flat ground, with some steps at the House of the Virgin Mary and the Isa Bey Mosque. The stop at Isa Bey Mosque does not include a visit inside.

Drive through this fascinating city with so many traces of its ancient past, to reach the centre, for a visit to the remains of Agora.

The Ancient Agora was built during Roman times in approximately 178 BC. The first floor is where a lot of trading took place and the second floor was used primarily for Government meetings. Constructed during the rule of Alexander the Great, the Agora of today is mostly in ruins.

The Izmir Archaeological Museum has three galleries, where you can discover Roman mosaics, sculptures, bronze age artefacts, pottery and jewellery. Your drive back to the ship will take you through the city of Izmir.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. This tour involves approximately 2½ hours of walking. There are approximately 35 steps at the remains of Agora but these can be avoided by remaining on the first floor. There are a further 10 steps at the Archaeological Museum.

From Izmir, travel south for approximately one hour to Ephesus, passing the Byzantine fortress at Selcuk and the ruins of the Temple of Artemis. The drive to the House of the Virgin Mary is long and winding but offers stunning vistas of the valley to take in along the way. The Vatican has recognised this small house in the Solmissos Mountains as the final resting place of the Virgin Mary. A small shrine dedicated to St Mary was found when the ruins of the house were first discovered.

Enter into Ephesus through the Magnesia Gate and begin a slow, downhill walk with your guide into the ruins of this Roman provincial capital. Your route takes you past the Odeon Theatre, Celsus Library, Temple of Hadrian and the Great Theatre. The theatre had seating for 25,000, and was the site where it is believed St Paul preached to the Ephesians, and is used today for a local spring festival.

Built by the Emperor Justinian over the tomb of St John the Apostle, the Basilica of St John, now in ruins, once rivalled St Sophia in size. Discover the remaining graceful columns and mosaics of the Basilica as you take in the panorama of the rural Selcuk countryside and the ruins of the Temple of Artemis.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. Ephesus requires walking long distances over uneven surfaces; to enter the Basilica of St John and the House of the Virgin Mary involves some walking at an uphill gradient with several steps. There is a charge of 50 cents to use the toilets at Ephesus. The drive from Ephesus to the Virgin Mary Shrine takes approximately 20 minutes along a winding mountain road. The sequence of highlights may vary.

Board your coach and travel south for approximately one hour, to the ancient site of Ephesus, passing the Byzantine fortress at Selcuk, the ruins of the Temple of Artemis and St John’s Basilica.

During your guided walking tour of one of the most magnificent excavations in the world, you will see the Odeon Theatre, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan and the Great Theatre. You will also see the impressive Celsus Library, adorned with columns and statues.

The highlight of your tour will be a visit to the recently excavated Terrace Houses, also referred to as ‘the houses of the rich’. The wealthy and important people of Ephesus resided in these houses, which appeared very plain from the outside. However inside they were decorated with mosaic flooring and frescoes. Remarkably the houses also had modern conveniences such as hot and cold running water and advanced central heating systems. Excavations of the Terrace Houses started in 1960 and are still continuing today.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. There is over 2½ hours of walking over uneven, slippery and cobblestoned ground, therefore flat, comfortable shoes are recommended. There are approximately 20 steps at the entrance to the Terrace Houses. The Terrace Houses are located on different levels and there are many steps to negotiate to reach each level. The removal of any pieces from the site is strictly forbidden.

Your scenic drive whisks you out of the city and northbound to the ancient city of Pergamum. Pergamum was first settled by the Aeolic Greeks in the 8th century BC and it came into prominence after the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC. Upon arrival at Pergamum you will travel by cable car to the Ancient Site to experience the Acropolis and the Library of Pergamum which was built by Eumenes II, and was 2nd only in stature to the library in Alexandria.

Continue onto the Temple of Trajan, built by Hadrian and the Zeus Altar, created around 180 BC. Pass by Kizil Avlu (Red Basilica), the biggest structure in the town, a temple made of red brick dedicated to the gods of Egypt.

Proceed onto the Kardesler Restaurant where you will have a delicious buffet luncheon with local Turkish food, served with wine.

Your last visit on the tour will be to the ancient healing centre of Asclepion. The complex was built to honour the god of medicine, Asclepion.


This excursion will operate by coach, cable car and on foot. The scenic drive to Pergamum takes approximately two hours. There is approximately two hours of walking on this tour over some uneven surfaces and inclined footpaths. The order of highlights may vary.