5 h

Private

Instant confirmation

About this activity

Meet up with a professional guide in Kusadasi Port and drive to Priene, approximately 45 minutes outside the city. Once a bustling harbor city, today Priene is located inland from the sea on the hills of the Mykale Mountain. Its theater is one of the most beautiful standing relics from The Hellenic World, and The Athena Polias Temple was reconstructed by Alexander The Great as a gift to the city. After touring the town and its sights, hop back on the road and head to Doganbey Village.

Located on the edge of the Milipark, the Old Village of Doganbey traces its history back to ancient times and serves as an open air museum, showcasing the most beautiful examples of Turkish and Greek architecture from past civilizations. Head first to the visitor and information center, housed in a historical building alongside a chapel and a church. Previously know as Domatia, the village was home to Greeks until the population exchange of 1923, when it became Turkish. Some buildings have been restored, and the area is fast becoming a popular filming location for movies. Tour the village, then drive west to Karine for lunch. After lunching independently at one of the small fish restaurants on the sea, hop back in the car and continue to the ancient city of Ephesus.

Famous for its Temple of Artemis, which dates back to the Roman Empire, the Greek port of Ephesus was once the greatest city in Asia Minor. Start the tour at the upper Magnesia Gate and head down through the city, eventually ending near the ancient Harbor. Along the way, stop at ancient sites such as the Odeon, the Fountain of Trajan, the steam baths of Scholastika, the temple of Hadrian, and the impressive library of Celsius. The Grand Theater, where St. Paul preached, is the largest theater in antiquity with a capacity of 24,000 seats. After spending the afternoon exploring the area, return to the car via the Arcadian Way, where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession. The guide will drop you off back in Kusadasi.

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Included

Port pickup and drop-off
Private tour
Transport by private air-conditioned minivan
Professional guide

Not included

Drinks
Gratuities
Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Lunch

Additional

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Infant seats available
Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
At time of booking, cruise ship passengers must provide the following information: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time
Refunds will not be issued if tour/activity is missed due to late or non-arrival of cruise ship
A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
A maximum of 14 people per booking
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund

Features

Tourism

95%

Cultural

65%

Aquatic

20%

Reviews

4.5

2

c

crewholmes

4 | 2016-10-28

Our day in Turkey was fantastic thanks to this tour. Our guide was so friendly and willing to share his knowledge of his country and the people. He was very accommodating of our wishes. We loved lunch at the quaint seaside restaurant! The Stone Houses of Doganbey Village were interesting and beautiful, but in retrospect I do not think we needed to walk the entire village. The trip to the carpet factory was a bonus and we got to weave a few stitches ourselves! Bring your credit card if you choose to go to the carpet factory, though - the carpets are beautiful, high quality, and you can negotiate a really good bargain - but they are still expensive. I would not have minded saving a bit of time from the Stone Houses and adding another local craft/shopping stop not the mass-produced tourist stuff available everywhere. Highly recommend this tour!

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