Shore excursions in Turkey during the cruises of Mediterranean Classic Cruises

Ports of call in Turkey:
Antalya	Kusadasi

Perge And Aspendos Tour (ANT–01)

Approx. duration: 4hrs - minimum 20 participants

Perge / Pergamos The ancient city of Perge contains ruins which date back to 1000 BC and according to the legend; it was founded by the seers Mopsus and Calchas after their retreat from Troy. Although not a large city, the theatre of Perge could seat 14,000 and its ruins are in relatively good condition, which makes its original design and decoration extremely clear.
In Perge, as in Ephesus, the worship of Artemis was far more important than that of the male gods. The dominant motif is used in art and on coins was Artemis of Perge. Archaeologists have as yet been unable to locate this famous Temple of Artemis, mentioned by many of the ancient writers. By looking at the existence of Basilica in Perge it could easily be concluded that Perge might have played an important in the spreading of Christianity.
The stadium was built in the 2C AD, which seated approximately 12,000 spectators, and is one of the best preserved in Anatolia. Access to the city was through the Roman Gate, which was located on the 4C, AD outer wall. The Baths complex, located to the west courtyard before the Hellenistic gateway, The Hellenistic Gateway and walls are the only pre-Roman structures, 3C BC. The colonnaded Street stretches from the Hellenistic gate to the Nymphaeum and intersects with the other main street. The Agora of Perge is a small symmetrical rectangle surrounded by colonnades of shops. It was built when the city was enlarged in the 4C AD.
Following our visit to Perge, it is on to the site of the ancient city of Aspendos. The major port city in the Roman period Aspendos was founded on hilltop near the Eurymedon River (köprülü çay) and it later spread down to the plain. Only parts of the city have been excavated but the Roman Theatre is the best preserved of any in the Mediterranean. It was built in the 2C AD by local architects Xenon Curtius brothers in the reign of Marcus Aurelius, dedicated to ' the gods of country and the imperial house' according to the inscription. The theater's capacity is estimated to have been 20.000 people. Water was brought to the city through a marvelous aqueduct which is also extremely well preserved with four long sections still standing. In the 13C during the Seljuks period the theater was restored to be a royal caravansary for the sultans. Now, this magnificent amphitheatre is still at service for some important concerts and international festivals.
At the end of the program return to the pier in order to re-embark the ship.
REMARKS:
• Passengers are advised to bring a bottle of water with them - wear comfortable shoes and bring a hat with them as there is considerable walking during this tour.

Above shore excursion is available during the:

7-Day
3 Continents 5 Countries cruise

Museum, Town And Duden Waterfall (ANT–02)

Approx. duration: 4hrs - minimum 20 participants

Antalya Traces stretching from the Paleolithic Age to the Lycians, from Seljuks to Ottomans. You will depart from the pier for a visit to Antalya’s renowned museum. The several different rooms of the Antalya Museum display an amazing variety of impressive collections, including pottery, coins, mosaics, sculptures, costumes, sarcophagi and numerous artifacts found in nearby caves.
A furnished nomad’s tent, a carpet loom and several rooms from a typical Ottoman household provide fascinating glimpses into the local lifestyles.
The hall of Emperors and classical art displays statues of the Greek gods, the Emperors Hadrian and Septius Serverus and their empresses. There is also a stunning mosaic collection from Xanthos depicting the infant Achilles being dangled by his mother into River Stix. Other exhibits include the extraordinary finds from Karain Caves which date back to the Old Stone Age, as well as a comprehensive ethnographical collection.
King Attalos II of Pergamum ordered his soldiers to go and find a paradise on earth for him two millennia ago. The king desired a place that was not simply a paradise but one that even the gods would never weary of gazing at… After traveling for many months’ even years, at last the king’s soldiers came across Antalya at the foot of the Taurus Mountains. Crossing the mountains, Attalos II could not fail to hide his amazement for this view in front of him. An earthly paradise was indeed at their feet! Thus it was given name "Attaleia" and the foundations of Antalya were laid.
Now, you will have a brief overview of the picturesque town center of Antalya. During the orientation tour, you will see the Hadrian’s Gate, Fluted Minaret and some other Seljuk remains; you will walk in the narrow streets of the old city harbor of Antalya, which is full of traditional Ottoman Houses.
You will leave the old harbor to see one of the most interesting natural beauties at Antalya Region; Düden Waterfall, which is also called the Alexandrian falls.
At the end of the program, return to the pier in order to re – embark the ship.
REMARKS:
• Passengers are advised to bring a bottle of water with them - wear comfortable shoes and bring a hat with them as there is considerable walking during this tour.

Above shore excursion is available during the:

7-Day
3 Continents 5 Countries cruise

Ports of call in Greece, Egypt, Israel, Cyprus

Ports of call in Turkey:
Antalya	Kusadasi

Ephesus & the House of the Virgin Mary (KUS–01)

Approx. duration: 3,5hrs - By air-conditioned motor coach / foot - minimum 20 participants

The House of Virgin Mary Begin your tour with a drive through the colourful and bustling town of Kusadasi and along the coastal highway until you reach Mt. Koressos. Situated in a small valley, it is here where you will visit the humble chapel, which lies on the site of the little house where the Virgin Mary resided to after the crucifixion and is believed to have spent her last days. Despite the many controversies, the Christian World still favours this belief and the site, has been officially sanctioned by the Vatican for pilgrimage. Continue on to the site of Ancient Ephesus and accompanied by your Turkish guide, walk through the Magnesian Gate, which is the entrance to the ancient city of Ephesus. Your guided walking tour will take you through one of the most magnificent excavated cities in the world. See the Odeon (concert hall), the Fountain of Trajan, the steam-heated Baths of Scolastika, the Temple of Hadrian and the Latrians, the Library of Celsus and The Great Theatre of Ephesus, where St. Paul preached, which is the largest theatre in antiquity having a capacity of 24.000. Walk back to your motor coach along the Arcadian Way, which is where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession as newlyweds. While driving back to Kusadasi and just outside Ephesus, view the Basilica of St. John, which was erected over his grave in the 6th Century AD by the Emperor Justinian. And just downhill, lies the site of the famous Temple of Artemis (Diana), one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, today in ruins. For the people who actually visited it, the answer was simple. It was not just a temple... It was the most beautiful structure on earth... The temple was described by Philon of Byzantium: "I have seen the walls and Hanging Gardens of ancient Babylon, the statue of Olympian Zeus, the Colossus of Rhodes, the mighty work of the high Pyramids and the tomb of Mausolus. But when I saw the temple at Ephesus rising to the clouds, all these other wonders were put in the shade".
Before returning to the ship, enjoy free time in Kusadasi to shop for every conceivable item, such as carpets, jewellery, local souvenirs, leather goods and Turkish delights.
REMARKS:
• Due to some walking at certain sites, comfortable and non-slip shoes are recommended.

Above shore excursion is available during the:
3-Day Aegean Discovery cruise	4-Day Aegean Classic cruise

Ancient Ephesus (KUS–02)

Approx. duration: 3hrs - By air-conditioned motor coach / foot - minimum 20 participants

Through the colourful town of Kusadasi, drive along the coast and into the verdant countryside to reach Ephesus, famous in antiquity for its Temple of Artemis - one of the seven wonders of the ancient world - and later the home of St. John. During the years of the Roman Empire, the Greek port of Ephesus became the greatest city in Asia Minor. Upon arrival at Ephesus, leave your motor coach and follow your guide, to enter this amazing ancient city through the Magnesian Gate. Here, discover innumerable monuments including the Forum, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, the Thermal Baths of Scolastika and the Great Theatre of Antiquity built in the Greek era and reconstructed in the Roman period, which is still noted for its remarkable acoustics. View the symbols all around and marvel at the fact that one is still able to read the inscriptions in the ancient Greek language. Walk back to your motor coach along the Arcadian Way, where once Mark Antony and Cleopatra rode in procession. As you drive back to Kusadasi, on a hill above Selcuk, just outside Ephesus, view the Basilica of St. John, which was erected over his grave in the 6th Century AD by the Emperor Justinian. And just downhill, lies the site of the famous Temple of Artemis (Diana), one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, today in ruins. For the people who actually visited it, the answer was simple. It was not just a temple... It was the most beautiful structure on earth... The temple was described by Philon of Byzantium: "I have seen the walls and Hanging Gardens of ancient Babylon, the statue of Olympian Zeus, the Colossus of Rhodes, the mighty work of the high Pyramids and the tomb of Mausolus. But when I saw the temple at Ephesus rising to the clouds, all these other wonders were put in the shade".
Before returning to the ship, enjoy free time in Kusadasi to shop for every conceivable item, such as carpets, jewellery, local souvenirs, leather goods and Turkish delights.
REMARKS:
• Due to some walking at certain sites, comfortable and non-slip shoes are recommended.

Above shore excursion is available during the:
3-Day Aegean Discovery cruise	4-Day Aegean Classic cruise

Land Tours in Turkey during the cruises of Mediterranean Classic Cruises

Ports of call in Turkey:

Perge And Aspendos Tour (ANT–01)

Approx. duration: 4hrs - minimum 20 participants

Above shore excursion is available during the:

Museum, Town And Duden Waterfall (ANT–02)

Approx. duration: 4hrs - minimum 20 participants

Above shore excursion is available during the:

Ports of call in Greece, Egypt, Israel, Cyprus

Ports of call in Turkey:

Ephesus & the House of the Virgin Mary (KUS–01)

Approx. duration: 3,5hrs - By air-conditioned motor coach / foot - minimum 20 participants

Above shore excursion is available during the:

Ancient Ephesus (KUS–02)

Approx. duration: 3hrs - By air-conditioned motor coach / foot - minimum 20 participants

Above shore excursion is available during the:

Ports of call in Turkey:

Ports of call in Greece, Egypt, Israel, Cyprus