Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

The perfect choice for those who wish to have a leisurely morning to sleep in, adjust to the time change or linger over breakfast but don't want to miss out on the chance to see the sights.

At a later start time, board the comfortable motorcoach and journey for 30 minutes through the lush countryside to the ancient ruins of Ephesus, considered the most important archaeological site in Turkey.

The three-arched Magnesian Gates are the starting point to your slow, downhill walk into the ancient city of Ephesus, once the trade center of the ancient world and the site of a succession of great civilizations. Your knowledgeable guide will take you back in time and highlight such structures as the beautifully preserved Temple of Hadrian, the magnificent Trajan Fountain, the Odeon Theater, once used for both political and entertainment purposes, and the beautiful Celsus Library with its imposing façade and two-story Corinthian-style columns. The dramatic Great Theater, once the home of gladiator games, is one of the few structures still used today. It seats 25,000 and is now the site of annual spring festivals. Strolling through the streets, it is easy to see that Ephesus is one of the best-preserved classical cities in the world and why it is considered one of the great outdoor museums of Turkey.

Continue on to the mythical Cave of the Seven Sleepers, where legend tells the tale of seven Christian youths banished by the emperor, who hid out in this remote cave. Here they slept, and upon waking 200 years later, to their surprise, they found that Christianity had spread throughout the Roman World. Here, you'll snack on traditional Turkish pancakes while exploring the grounds.

Then visit The House of the Virgin Mary, considered by the Vatican to be the final resting place of the Virgin Mary. Here, a small shrine dedicated to St. Mary was found in the ruins when the house was first discovered. The shrine, surrounded by lush foliage, is still cared for by the Lazarist Fathers, and Mass is celebrated at this spot every day. The site has been officially declared a Catholic shrine and was visited by Pope Paul VI in 1967, Pope John Paul II in 1979, and Pope Benedict XVI in 2006. Many do not know that the Virgin Mary lived the last years of her life in Turkey in a small cottage near Ephesus.

A scenic drive back to port affords an opportunity to discuss all the wonders you have seen with your fellow travelers. Once in Kusadasi, you can also learn the intricate art of carpet weaving at a demonstration and explore on your own before walking back to the ship at your leisure.