Private Tours of Ephesus and Western Turkey with the best local licensed tour guides. Private Shore Excursions from Kusadasi Port. Private Tour Guide Services for Ephesus. Ephesus Walking Tours. Private Ephesus Tours from Kusadasi, Selcuk, Izmir, Alacati, Cesme, Sirince, Pamukkale Hotels and Izmir Airport

Private Tours of Ephesus and Western Turkey with the best local licensed tour guides. Private Shore Excursions from Kusadasi Port. Private Tour Guide Services for Ephesus. Ephesus Walking Tours. Private Ephesus Tours from Kusadasi, Selcuk, Izmir, Alacati, Cesme, Sirince, Pamukkale Hotels and Izmir Airport

Discover Ephesus and Top Destinations in Western Turkey with an expert tour guide and a TripAdvisor Winner for 15 consecutive years.

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Was Timothy the bishop of the church in Ephesus?

Timothy served as the first bishop of the church in Ephesus.
The New Testament clearly states that Timothy travelled to Ephesus with St. Paul and accompanied him on his missionary journeys. Later, St. Paul had to leave the city of Ephesus due to a rebellion by the merchants in the Ephesus Grand Theatre. Timothy became the head of the Christian community in Ephesus.
St. Timothy in Ephesus

St. Timothy in Ephesus

​Who was Timothy?

''Timothy, known as Timotheos in Ancient Greek, meaning honored by God. He was born in Lystra, a city in southwestern Central Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). The modern name for Lystra is Klistra, and it is located in south-central Turkey, approximately 24 miles southwest of Konya (Iconia in Biblical Times), near the modern village of Hatunsaray.

Timothy was born from a Jewish mother who became Christian later and a Greek father. During his second missionary journey, St. Paul visited Lystra and met with Timothy. Along with Silas, Timothy became Paul's trusted deciple and missionary partner. The New Testament states that Timothy traveled with Apostle Paul, who was also his mentor. They travelled to the Ancient City of Ephesus.

St. Paul with Timothy stayed in Ephesus for more than 2.5 years between 53-56 AD. Paul chose Ephesus as the center to spread the words of Jesus. Paul's missionary work in Ephesus had a significant impact on society, especially regarding the trade in idols associated with pagan gods, especially the Temple of Artemis. Paul's efforts to persuade the people to stop worshiping idols met with opposition, especially from the silversmith Demetrius, who led to rebellion in Ephesus in 56 AD. The riot forced Paul to leave the city, and he continued his travels until he was arrested by Roman soldiers in Jerusalem. Paul's claim to Roman citizenship led to his transfer to Rome, where he was eventually executed. Before he died while under house arrest, he wrote three letters to Ephesus; Two of these were written specifically to Timothy and show his devotion to his mission despite persecution.

Timothy had a leadership role in the Ephesus church, as seen in the two letters of St. Paul addressed to him, called Timothy 1 and Timothy 2. As indicated in the letter Timothy 1: 
''I asked you to stay longer in Ephesus when I went into Macedonia so you could command some people there to stop teaching false things. Tell them not to spend their time on stories that are not true and on long lists of names in family histories.''

Although the title "bishop" was not clearly indicated in reference to Timothy, the responsibilities and roles described in the New Testament are consistent with those of a bishop. Timothy was in charge with appointing leaders, teaching and promoting sound doctrine, and maintaining order within the church. These are all duties typically associated with the role of a bishop.

Additionally, historical sources outside the New Testament also support the idea that Timothy served as bishop of the church in Ephesus. Early Christian writers such as Eusebius and Ignatius of Antioch refer to Timothy as bishop of Ephesus. This lends credibility to Timothy's claim that he held a leadership position in the church.

What happened to Timothy at Ephesus?

​Presumably in 97 AD, Timothy was martyred under the command of Roman Emperor Trajan. According to a legend, he was beated to death by a crowd for protesting the exaggerated worship of the goddess Artemis.
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Thecla was a saint of the early Christian Church, and a disciple of Paul the Apostle

Saint Thecla was a noblewoman from Iconium (modern-day Konya in Turkey) in the 1st century AD. She was converted to Christianity after hearing St. Paul's teachings. She defied societal expectations by choosing a life of religious devotion over marriage. She faced persecution for her faith, surviving various trials and she became a missionary, traveling and spreading Christianity.
Saint Thecla, St. Paul and  Thecla's mother Theocleia depictions from the Cave of St. Paul in Ephesus

Saint Thecla, St. Paul and Thecla's mother Theocleia depictions from the Cave of St. Paul in Ephesus

The excavations in Ephesus have unveiled a significant discovery of a cave showcasing vital Early Christian frescoes and inscriptions. Situated on the southern side of ancient Ephesus, this find on the slopes is of great importance. Among the treasures found within are clear depictions of notable figures like Apostle Paul, Saint Thecla, and Thecla's mother Theocleia. These depictions from 5th century AD, sheds light on the rich religious history and cultural significance of Ephesus, offering valuable insights into Early Christian presence and practices. In the portrayal of Saint Thecla observing Saint Paul outside the window, a profound sense of reverence and storytelling is captured. The image delicately showcases Saint Paul seated with a book, embodying wisdom and devotion, as he gestures towards his audience with an eloquent preaching stance. Positioned behind Paul, Saint Thecla's mother adds a layer of caution and guidance with her raised hand, enhancing the narrative with an element of concern and protection. 
  • ​We regret to inform you that the cave where the early Christian frescoes are located is not currently open to public visits. Due to conservation concerns and the sensitive nature of the artwork, access to the site has been restricted to ensure the longevity and preservation of the artwork.

Documentary of Cave of St. Paul in Ephesus

Story of Saint Thecla

​Thecla is NOT mentioned in the book of Acts in the New Testament. The book of Acts chronicles the early history of the Christian church, focusing on the apostles and the spread of Christianity. Thecla was mentioned in apocryphal texts which are considered non-canonical, meaning their accuracy is uncertain. St. Paul during his second missionary, stopped in Iconium (Modern name Konya in Central Anatolia) where Thecla supposedly lived. In a peculiar turn of events, St. Paul found himself at the residence of Onesiphorus, where he delivered a compelling speech on detaching oneself from worldly pleasures and seeking a higher connection with God. A 17-year-old Thecla, residing nearby, attentively absorbed his words and was deeply moved by the impassioned message. The impact was so profound that Thecla made the bold decision to end her engagement, much to the dismay of her mother and intended spouse. The mother of Thecla: Theocleia complained about Paul to Iconium Governor Castillius, leading to the imprisonment of Paul. 

In an unexpected turn of events, Thela managed to outwit the prison guard by offering him a silver mirror. She successfully reached St. Paul. Displaying a remarkable act of reverence, Thecla knelt before Paul, honoring him with a kiss on his chains and attentively absorbing his counsel. As news of this encounter spread, causing a stir among Thecla's family and the Governor, the repercussions were severe as Paul faced physical abuse and public humiliation before being driven out of the city. 

Thecla was senteced to be burned. In a dramatic turn of events and miracles, the rain unexpectedly extinguishes the flames that want to consume her, allowing her to escape bravely. She cunningly disguises herself as a man and joins with Paul, seeking sanctuary in the serenity of a cemetery outside the city walls. Their journey takes an unexpected turn when they reach Psidian Antioch, they get into trouble again because of a nobleman named Alexandros who was in love with Thecla. This time she is put on a show in the arena to be torn apart by predators. Miracles happen and the animals do not attack Thecla and they protect her. Impressed by this and convinced by miraculous powers, the authorized governor of the region releases Thecla.

Upon sharing her harrowing experience with Paul, Thecla bid Paul farewell before journeying to Iconium and subsequently to Seleucia. Taking refuge in a cave, Thecla dedicated herself to enlightening the people around her with unwavering determination. Through her words and actions, she sought to bring wisdom and hope to those in need. Thecla's mysterious disappearance in this cave has sparked widespread fascination among the surrounding Christians, leading them to perceive the location as sacred. 

The feast of St. Thecla, honoring her as the first female teacher and healer, is an annual celebration held in the cave church in Seleucia that served as a clandestine place of worship until 312 AD. Recognized on September 23 by the Catholic Church and September 24 by the Orthodox Church, this historical site attracted visitors from far and wide, including individuals from Cyprus and Jerusalem, captivated by St. Thecla's renowned legacy. This revered location, both revered as a pilgrimage site and commemorated as a place of martyrdom, has welcomed the presence of numerous notable figures over the years, adding to its significance and historical importance.
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Private Tours of Ephesus and Pamukkale for Azamara Journey, Azamara Quest and Azamara Pursuit Passengers

Azamara Journey at Kusadasi Port

Azamara Journey at Kusadasi Cruise Port

Azamara Cruises is scheduled to do 20 port of calls to Kusadasi Port in 2024.
On May 11th Azamara Pursuit will be calling back to Kusadasi Cruise Port during 7 Night Greece Intensive Voyage. Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest will follow Azamara Pursuit to Kusadasi Cruise Port.

We offer Private Ephesus Tours and Private Pamukkale Tours with various tour itineraries for Azamara Journey and Azamara Pursuit passengers calling to the Kusadasi Cruise Port with excellent licensed local tour guides and luxury vehicles in various sizes.

Please visit the following links to choose the right private tour itinerary for you with reasonable prices than the cruise ships offer.

For more information please visit the following linkcs:
Ephesus Tours from Kusadasi Port
Pamukkale Tours from Kusadasi Port

For the the booking please contact us. 
​We are looking forward to the calls of Azamara Journey, Azamara Quest and Azamara Pursuit.
WhatsApp us to book a Private Ephesus Tour
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Private Ephesus Excursions for Seabourn Passengers: Seabourn Encore from Kusadasi Port.

Seabourn Encore and Europa 2 of Hapag-Lloyd cruises at Kusadasi Cruise Port

Seabourn Encore and Europa 2 of Hapag-Lloyd cruises at Kusadasi Cruise Port

Seabourn Encore will call at Kusadasi Port  this year. First call of Seabourn Encore will be on April 20th 2024. There will be 14 port of calls of Seabourn Encore to Kusadasi Cruise Port in 2024.

Kusadasi is Turkey's most popular cruise port, a beach town and the gateway to the ancient Greco-Roman city of Ephesus. Ephesus, now a ruin and an important archaeological site. Ephesus was once one of the most important Roman cities in Asia Minor. It was built in the Hellenistic period and fell under Roman control. Here you will find the remarkable facade of the Library of Celsus, the Grand Theater that once housed 25,000 people and the remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

We offer the highest quality private shore excursions conducted by local expert tour guides in the most cost-effective way for our guests from Seabourn Ships. Our private Ephesus tours are led by finest English, Spanish, German and Russian speaking licensed tour guides of the area. The cost of the private Ephesus tours are much less than the ones offered by Seabourn. As a former Seabourn employee, (worked on Seabourn Sun as an Asst. Shore Excursions Manager) I am well aware of guests needs and expectations. Let us take you to an unforgettable Ephesus private tour of one of the major Roman cities: Ephesus.

For more information please do not hesitate to contact us.
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2 Tage Ephesus Pamukkale private Tour auf Deutsch von Kusadasi

Wir bieten 2 Tage private Touren durch Ephesus und Pamukkale von Kusadasi, Selcuk und Sirince mit ausgezeichneten deutschsprachigen, lizenzierten Reiseleitern an.
Nachfolgend finden Sie die Details zum Tourprogramm. Die Tour kann an die Bedürfnisse der Gäste angepasst werden, wo sie übernachten und fliegen möchten. Für weitere Informationen kontaktieren Sie uns bitte.
Ephesus und Pamukkale Tour auf Deutsch

Ephesus und Pamukkale Tour auf Deutsch

Tag 1: Pamukkale-Tour
Fahren Sie ca. 3 Stunden nach der Abfahrt von Kusadasi oder Selcuk. Betreten Sie die Stätte durch das Nordtor und gehen Sie durch die antike Nekropole (Friedhof). Bisher haben italienische Archäologen über 1200 Gräber in der Gegend ausgegraben. Die Gesamtzahl wird voraussichtlich 3000 übersteigen. Nirgendwo auf der Welt kann man einen so riesigen alten Friedhof sehen. Danach sehen Sie das Römische Bad, gehen Sie durch das Domitian Gate auf der Frantinus Avenue, um die anderen Überreste zu sehen. Sehen Sie sich das riesige römische Theater mit einer Kapazität von 10.000 an. Schlendern Sie über die Kalksteinterrassen von Pamukkale. Genießen Sie die atemberaubende Aussicht. Die Wassertemperatur beträgt 32 Grad. Für Interessierte besteht die Möglichkeit in den alten Teichen von Kleopatra zu schwimmen. Rückkehr nach Kusadasi oder Selcuk.
 
Tag 2: Ephesus-Tour
Tempel der Artemis + Ephesus + Haus der Maria
Nachdem Sie Ihren Reiseleiter getroffen haben, reisen Sie durch das fruchtbare Land. Ihr erster Halt ist der Tempel der Artemis, eines der 7 Weltwunder der Antike. Dann geht es weiter zu dem Berg, auf dem die Jungfrau Maria ihre 9 Jahre verbracht haben soll. Das Haus liegt ca. 300 Meter über dem Meeresspiegel und wird als aktive Kapelle betrieben. Katholiken glauben, dass die Jungfrau Maria mit dem Heiligen nach Ephesus kam. Johannes 5 Jahre nach der Kreuzigung. Im Alter von 63 Jahren wurde sie in den Himmel aufgenommen. Obwohl die Jungfrau Maria hier nicht gelebt hat, besuchen jedes Jahr rund 1,5 Millionen Menschen die Stätte. Nach einem 30-minütigen Besuch des Hauses Mariens begeben Sie sich in die antike Stadt Ephesus. Sie werden mit Ihrem Guide am oberen Tor von Ephesus abgesetzt. Beginnen Sie mit der Erkundung der Stadt. Sie wandern etwa 1,5 Stunden den Hügel hinunter. Sie werden das Odeon, die Basilika, den Domitian-Platz, den Trajan-Brunnen, die Celcus-Bibliothek, Reihenhäuser (optional), die Marble Street, das Große Theater von Ephesus und die Harbour Street sehen. Sie beenden Ihre Tour am unteren Tor. Ihr Fahrer und Reiseleiter bringt Sie zurück zu Ihrem Hotel.
Kosten der oben genannten 2-tägigen privaten Ephesus-Pamukkale-Tour:
Für private Tourkosten kontaktieren Sie uns bitte.

Tarife Abdeckung:
  • Deutschsprachiger Reiseleiterservice
  • Klimaanlage Mercedes MPV
  • Alle Transportkosten.
  • Steuern, Servicegebühren.
  • Abholung und Rücktransfer vom/zum Hotel/Flughafen.
  • Mittagessen
  • Parkgebühren zu den Standorten.

Preise decken nicht ab:
  • Eintrittsgebühren zu den Websites.
  • Getränke während des Mittagessens
  • Schwimmen in den antiken Pools von Cleopatra (8 Euro pro Person)
​* Wenn Sie einen privaten Transfer vom Flughafen Izmir nach Kusadasi benötigen. Die Kosten für den privaten Transfer betragen 50 Euro.
 
Für die Reservierung ist keine Vorauszahlung erforderlich. Um Enttäuschungen zu vermeiden, empfehlen wir Ihnen, Ihre private Tour-Reservierung so früh wie möglich vorzunehmen.

Zahlungsbedingungen:
Die Zahlung kann in Euro, Türkischen Lira oder US-Dollar in bar am Ende der Tour erfolgen. Für die Buchung ist keine Vorauszahlung erforderlich.
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Private Tour of Ephesus and Virgin Mary House

According to common Christian belief, Mary was brought to Ephesus by the Apostle John after the resurrection of Jesus and spent here her last years. This is based on the belief that John came to Ephesus and the Biblical statement that Jesus entrusted him to John's care.

We offer private tours of Ephesus and Virgin Mary House with local licensed tour guides from Kusadasi, Izmir and Selcuk in English, Spanish, Russian, German and Portuguese.
Ephesus Virgin Mary Tour

Ephesus Virgin Mary Tour

Did Mary go to Ephesus?

Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, is believed to spent the last years of her life in Ephesus. According to the Christian tradition, Virgin Mary came to Ephesus with St. John and lived nearby Ephesus until her Assumption (according to Catholics) or Dormition (according to Greek Orthodox).

​Is the house of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus?

The House of the Virgin Mary is a Catholic shrine located on Mount Koressos, 6km away from Ephesus Ancient City. 

Ephesus Virgin Mary Tour Program:

Temple of Artemis,  Ephesus , House of Mary
After meeting your guide drive through the fertile lands. Your first stop will be the Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. Afterwards proceed to the mountain where Virgin Mary is believed to spent her 9 years. The house is approximately 1000 feet above sea level and running as an active chapel. Roman Catholics believe that Virgin Mary came to Ephesus with Saint. John 5 years after the crucification. At the age of 63 she is assumed to heaven. Although there is no fact that Virgin Mary lived here approximately 1.5 million people visit the site each year. After 30 minutes visit to the House of Mary, drive to ancient city of Ephesus. You will be dropped at the upper gate of Ephesus with your Ephesus tour guide. Start exploring the city. You will be walking down the hill approximately 1.5hrs. You will see the Odeon, the basilica, Domitian square, fountain of Trajan, Celcus library, Terrace Houses (optional), Marble street, the Grand Theater of Ephesus and the Harbor Street. You will be ending your tour at the bottom gate. Your tour guide will take you to another site or drop you at the desired location.
Tour Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary
​This tour was the highlight of our cruise on the Greek Islands and Turkey.
Denizhan was our tour guide. I had requested that the company provide a tour guide who would emphasize the Biblical History of this area. They did exactly as I had requested!!
Denizhan was very knowledgeable and highlighted the biblical history, and was also was very accommodating in stopping for short rests, which helped my wife who has some back problems.
For more information about Ephesus Virgin Mary Tour , please contact us
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Kusadasi Cruise Port is the gateway to Ephesus Ancient City

​A visit to Kusadasi Cruise Port should definitely be on your bucket list. Kusadasi Cruise Port to Ephesus takes less than 25 minutes drive. Kusadasi Cruise Port is situated on the western coast of Turkey and serves as a gateway to one of the most well-preserved ancient cities in the world. There are many cruises to Kusadasi. Explore the wonders of Ephesus from Kusadasi Cruise Port. We offer Ephesus Tours from Cruise Ships.
Kusadasi Cruise Port

Kusadasi Cruise Port

Hundreds of cruise ships dock at the Kusadasi Port, the most popular cruise port in Turkey serving tourists travelling on Mediterranean cruises. Kusadasi Port has cafeterias, restaurants, shops, and taxis, Kusadasi Port is 2 minutes walking distance to downtown Kusadasi and Kusadasi Port to Ephesus is a 25 minutes drive. Izmir Airport to Kusadasi Cruise Port takes 1 hour drive.

Kusadasi Cruise Port is the cruise port for Ephesus and serves thousands of cruise passengers every year. World’s leading cruise ship companies choose Kusadasi Cruise Port as a port of call during their Eastern Mediterranean cruises. Kusadasi Cruise Port is able to handle ships of up to 5000 passengers on an ongoing basis, The largest cruise ship that docks at Kusadasi Cruise Port is Odyssey of the Seas. Kusadasi Cruise Port is the most popular cruise port in Turkey in terms of servicing cruise ships.
​We offer private Ephesus Tours from Kusadasi Cruise Port. Ephesus was once a Greek city and later a capital of the Asia Province of Roman Empire. From the Library of Celsus to the well-preserved Grand Theater, every corner of Ephesus is very interesting. ​Our Ephesus Ctuise Excursions includes visits to the must-see attractions near Kusadasi Cruise Port.  One of them is the Temple of Artemis. Considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, this temple was dedicated to the Greek goddess Artemis who was named by the Romans as Diana.

​Things to Do in Kusadasi Cruise Port

  • Explore the Ancient City of Ephesus: Begin your Ephesus journey by exploring the ancient city. Wandering its marbel streets, you will come across well-preserved monuments, boulevards and even ancient public toilets. During your visit to the Terrace Houses, you can witness the impressive mosaics and frescoes that decorated the homes of the wealthy during Roman times. Highlights to visit in the area: ancient city of Ephesus, the House of Virgin Mary, the Temple of Artemis, the Basilica of St. John and the Sirince Village.
  • Visit the House of Virgin Mary: Another remarkable site near Ephesus is the House of Virgin Mary. According to some, this small stone house is where the Virgin Mary spent her last years. You'll feel a sense of peace and spirituality as you wander through its modest rooms, making this a must-visit for those seeking a spiritual connection.
  • Enjoy Local Cuisine and Shopping: After enjoying yourself in history, take some time to relax and enjoy the local cuisine. Kusadasi offers many charming restaurants and cafes where you can sample delicious Turkish cuisine. Don't forget to visit the tourist shops where you can bargain for traditional handicrafts, textiles and spices. It's the perfect opportunity to bring a piece of Turkey into your home. A few steps away from Kusadası port, you can wander around tourist shops selling mostly fake bags, t-shirts, sweaters, shoes... Enjoy Turkish kebabs and Turkish ice cream just a few minutes' walk from Kusadasi Cruise Port.
  • A scenic walk to Pigeon Island and enjoy a Turkish coffee or beer by the Aegean Sea.
  • Swim in the Aegean Sea between May and October. The closest public beach to Kusadasi Port is Ladies Beach.

Explore Ephesus from Kusadasi Cruise Port and immerse yourself in history and enjoy local cuisine for an unforgettable experience. Book your Ephesus Private Tour with us now!

Is Ephesus the same as Kusadasi?
Ephesus and Kusadasi are two different places. Kusadasi is located 18 kilometers from Ephesus. Ephesus is today one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the world, while Kusadasi is a popular tourist resort and has Turkey's most popular cruise port. The port of Kusadasi is the closest port to the ancient city of Ephesus.
​
Where do cruise ships dock in Ephesus?
Cruise ships dock at Kusadasi port. Ephesus is only 18 km from Kusadasi Port. It takes about 20 minutes by car to go to Ephesus from Kusadasi Port. Ephesus, although in ancient times it was a port city, due to the silting of the river, can only be reached by land. Kusadasi Port is the closest port to Ephesus.
​
How far is the cruise port from Kusadasi?
The cruise port in Kusadasi is in the very heart of Kusadasi Town. You can just walk directly off the ship and in 5 minutes be in the centre of Kusadasi Town.

Where do the cruise ships dock in Kusadasi Turkey?
Cruise ships dock at Kusadasi Port. 
Once you leave the cruise terminal, there's a shopping mall that leads you to Kusadasi town center. Getting to the center of Kusadasi on foot from the cruise terminal takes about 5 minutes.

How do I get from Kusadasi cruise port to Ephesus?
There is no direct public transport between Kusadasi and Ephesus. The easiest way is to take a taxi or book a Ephesus Tour from Kusadasi port.

The Cruise Ships that will be calling to Kusadasi Cruise Port in 2024:Kusadasi Cruise Port Schedule: https://www.cruisetimetables.com/cruises-to-kusadasi-ephesus-turkey.html
​
We offer Ephesus Tours from Kusadasi Cruise Port, for more information, please contact us.
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Excursión privada de Éfeso desde los hoteles de Izmir (Esmirna)

''Excelente Tour Privado en Español a Efeso''

Hoy, tenemos invitados de Lima, Perú que reservaron una excursión privada de Éfeso.
Nuestro guía de habla hispana Oguz Meydan los encontrará en el Renaissance Hotel de Izmir. Visitarán la basílica de San Juan, la antigua ciudad de Éfeso, la casa de la Virgen María y tendrán un tradicional almuerzo turco. Hemos asignado un Mercedes de lujo para la comodidad de nuestros huéspedes que es impulsado por nuestro conductor profesional.

​​Renaissance Hotel está situado en el corazón de Izmir, a poca distancia de la zona frente al agua y muchos restaurantes y cafés. Se tarda 1 hora en coche desde Renaisance Hotel hasta la ciudad de Selcuk donde se encuentra la antigua ciudad de Éfeso. Efeso es el punto culminante principal de Turquía del oeste.
​Ofrecemos excursiones privadas de Éfeso con excelentes guías de habla hispana y vehículos de lujo. Abajo por favor comentarios más recientes de Tripadvisor acerca de nuestras excursiones privadas de Éfeso:

“Tour por Ephesus”
Vamos en un crucero con niños, las excursiones son carísimas y con niños no podemos comprometernos con un grupo, por ello decidimos contratar con Ephesus tour la visita de hoy.Hemos ido los 4, con un guía que habla español, en un coche Mercedes con chofer y aire acondicionado. Hemos adaptado la visita según nuestro horario y según los niños, y hemos podido hacer un estupendo tour hoy.
El guía muy educado y se le entendía muy bien en español. Además, explicaba muy bien las cosas y se metía en detalles si le hacías preguntas concretas. Nos encontramos muy seguros y muy cómodos.
Es verdad que es una visita privada para un número pequeño de personas, pero aun así nos costó mucho más barato que si la hubiéramos contratado en el crucero.
Totalmente recomendable.

“excelente excursión en Turquía”
11 junio 2016
En un magnífico vehículo hicimos enres seis amigos la excursión en tierra a partir de Kusadasi. El guía con habla en español trabajó muy bien. Nos llevaron a todos los lugares convenidos y nos servimos una sabrosa comida típica de Turquía. El precio cómodo, ni comparar con las ofertas en el crucero.

“Excursión a Efesos”
20 abril 2016
Muy profesionales, muy buen precio y la visita guiada muy buena. Nos contactamos por mail y nos esperaron en el puerto de Kusadasi tal como acordamos con un cartel con nuestro nombre y el precio realmente fue muy conveniente la tercera parte o menos de lo que nos cobraban en el crucero, nos llevaron a la casa de la virgen María y a las ruinas de Efesos. El guía hablaba castellano muy fluído

“Gran excursión por la historia”
15 abril 2016
​Puntualidad, excelente vehículo, cómodo, excelente guía.. recomendable viajar por el tiempo visitando Efesios y la casa de María.. para terminar visitando la ciudad de Izmir.. con ephesus travel guide.. y destacar la atención de Denizhan.

“Excelente Tour Privado en Español a Efeso”
3 agosto 2015
​El 26 de Julio de 2015 arribamos al puerto de Kusadasi a bordo del barco Celebrity Reflection, durante un crucero que hicimos mi esposo, mis dos hijas (15 y 17 años)y yo. Con anticipación estuve buscando, en Internet, opciones de tours privados con guía que hablara español, fue así como entré en contacto con Denizhan Pekoz de 
TransBalkan Tours.
Mediante un corto intercambio acordamos las condiciones del tour, las cuales se cumplieron a cabalidad.
El guía nos recogió en el puerto a la hora acordada, en un excelente vehículo. Visitamos la última morada de la Virgen en Efeso, las ruinas de la ciudad de Efeso, así como también la Basílica de San Juan y una visita didáctica a una escuela de elaboración de tapetes.
Salomón, nuestro guía, hablaba perfecto español y demostró un amplio dominio de la historia de los sitios visitados.
Sin duda alguna volveremos a utilizar los servicios de TransBalkan Tours y recomendamos ampliamente esta agencia.
Coche para la excursion de Efeso

Mercedes de lujo para la excursión privada de Éfeso

Almuerzo Turco

Tradicional almuerzo turco cerca de Éfeso

La casa de la virgen maria

Casa de virgen maria

Efeso

Antigua ciudad de Efeso

Izmir

Centro de ciudad de izmir

Excursion de Efeso

Excursiones privadas de Efeso

​Para más información sobre excursiones privadas de Éfeso por favor contáctenos.
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Izmir is a very rich city with Jewish heritage and have wonderful old and new synagogues. Izmir has a deep history of Jewish presence.

Jewish existance in Izmir dates back to Roman times. Izmir was known as Smyrna those days. According to some historians, once Alexander the Great invaded Jerussalem, he sent some Jews to Smyrna. There was an active synagogue in Izmir in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Today in Sardis which is an hour drive from Izmir, it is possible to see the remains of a Jewish synagogue dating back to 3rd century AD.

After the Roman period, Smyrna had a decline until 16th century. During the Ottoman era, in 1492 Jews who are expelled from Spain were welcomed by the Ottoman Empire and some settled in Smyrna. Smyrna started becoming an exporting port city in 16th century. Attracted many traders including jews to the city. 

Majority of the Jews who migrated Smyrna lived in Agora and Havra Sokak districts. They built their living quarters, shops and synagogues there. There were 34 active small synagogues in Izmir. The main reason that there were several synagoues because of the different Jewish communities. Among these communities, there were Sephardic jews coming from Spain, coming from Europe, from Thessoloniki and during 2nd world war Ashkenazi jews coming from Germany. Each group attented to their own synagogue. Many of the synagogues of Izmir were founded next to each other. In 19th century jews started to move to new neigbourhood: Karatas. Founded Beth Israel Synagogue and a hospital in Karatas.

Synagogues in Izmir generaly have distinctive artchitectural style compared with the european versions. Many of them are surrounded with high walls and located by a courtyard. Some of them were influenced by Islamic designs and Greek motifs. Generally have two stories and second storey reserved for women. Facing to east. Earlier ones are centralised which are known as Sephardic. Later ones were inspired by european versions which would resemble a church.
Today there are 9 active synagogues in Izmir. The biggest one among them is Beit Israel Synagogue in Karatas/Asansor district. Number of Jews in the city of Izmir declined after foundation of Israel. Many jews moved to Israel. Today 1300 jews living in city of Izmir. 

Some of the synagogues of Izmir require restorations. Some of them are closed for visits. For security reasons synagogues in Izmir are open to public visit only by prior reservation. For the reservation passport copies are required.  Visitors should bring along their passports while visiting synagogues for security checks. All synagogues are closed for visits on Saturdays and during religious holidays. There is an admission fee of US$9 per person to visit the synagogues of Izmir.

Pictures of Izmir Synagogues:

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Private Ephesus Tours for Holland America Line Passengers: Oosterdam, Nieuw Statendam

Private Ephesus Tours for Holland America Line Passengers

Private Ephesus Tours for Holland America Line Passengers from Kusadasi Port

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Private Ephesus Tours for Holland America Line Passengers:

Private Ephesus Tour Group from Zuiderdam with their Private Tour Guide Mrs. Yesim Kulak in front of Celsus Library in Ephesus.

Ephesus Tour Review

Ephesus Tour Review

Kusadasi Port

Veendam at Kusadasi Cruise Port - May 11 2019