Itinerary
First visit of the day will be to the House of the Virgin Mary, who was brought to Ephesus by John, the beloved disciple of Jesus. The home of Virgin Mary on a hill top, where she lived out her last days is now visited by over a hundred thousand pilgrims each year. The pilgrims drink the water of the sacred spring, meditate and pray for health at this ancient spot of worship. Pope Paul VI in 1967 and Pope John Paul II in 1979 and Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Mass at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus, Wednesday Nov. 29, 2006.
Next visit will be to the fascinating Greco-Roman archaelogical site of Ancient Ephesus.
We will begin our walking tour in Ephesus along the Royal Road also known as the Arcadian Way, a 4th century white marble chariot thotoughfare whose most striking sight is the two-story Library of Celsus. The Royal Road will also take you to the Ephesus Theatre from which St. Paul once preached to the Ephesians. The theatre has 25,000 seats and has exceptional acoustics and is still in use today for concerts and theatrical performances.
Following lunch (included) in the town of Selcuk you will continue the day's program with a visit to the Basilica of St. John and his tomb.
Last vsit of the day will be to the Archaeological Museum of Ephesus.
Before returning to the pier/your hotel, you will have the shopping opportunity (optional) at the area.
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