Fabulous Turkey … the destination at the center between East and West influences. Ephesus is one of Turkey’s major sightseeing attractions. This vast and beautiful Greco-Roman city was once home to 250,000 people, and the glorious monuments that remain point to it being a vibrant and rich metropolis. Supposedly founded by the Ionian prince Androclus in the 10th century BC, Ephesus was not only a center of trade but a great pilgrimage center, with the Temple of Artemis built in worship of the mother goddess. During the Roman era, the city continued to dazzle, and it was only after the Goths destroyed the city in AD 263 that its importance began to wane. Don’t miss the mammoth library (3rd largest in the ancient world), the well-preserved theater, and the Temple of Hadrian.
Located in Istanbul, the Hagia Sophia was originally a basilica constructed for the Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I in the sixth century. A masterwork of Roman engineering, the massive dome (31 meters or 102 feet in diameter) covers what was for over 1000 years the largest enclosed space in the world. The church was looted by the fourth Crusaders in 1204, and became a mosque in the 15th century when The Ottomans conquered the city. The Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum in 1935 and is now one of the top attractions in Turkey.
Impossibly turquoise-blue water. Check. Lush green forest tumbling down a cliff to a white sand beach. Check. The sheltered inlet of Olu Deniz, just a short journey from Fethiye, is Turkey’s most famous beach, and with scenery that might as well have fallen off a perfect postcard, it’s easy to see why its popularity hasn’t waned. If the beach gets too crowded, it’s time to take to the skies and experience the stunning aerial views on a tandem paragliding dive off the summit of mighty Babadag Mountain, which rises up behind the shore. Oh, did we mention that Olu Deniz is one of the world’s top paragliding destinations? Check.
Among the best preserved Roman theatres anywhere in the world, this charming ancient construction remains a hugely popular tourist attraction. With a host of tour options available from the myriad of Antalya hotels, visitors to Aspendos can see this famous theatre along with a number of other Roman remains. Still able to seat up to 15,000 people it also plays host to an annual summer festival.
The region where Ephesus is has dry and warm summers, mild and sometimes rainy springs and autumns and short, cool winters. This means you can visit Ancient Ephesus all year round. Ephesus visiting time is between 8.00am to 17.00pm in the summertime and between 8.00am to 19.00pm in the winter time. We suggest you start your Tour of Ephesus early in the morning when it is cooler, an not so much sun, wear protective cream and cover up from the sun. Entrance fees to Ephesus are approximately $11.00 per person, and an entry fees of $7.50 is charged for The Church of the Virgin Mary these prices can fluctuate seasonally and depending on exchange rates. Many Ephesus Tours will include both entrance fees and usually include lunch. Souvenirs are typically priced in USD, and they are not cheap at the sites, water and food are also a little more expensive around $5.00 – $10.00 for a sandwich. Extra details on https://www.goodmantours.com/ephesus.
The Hagia Sophia was once a house of worship that served several religions well over the centuries. It started out as a Greek Eastern Orthodox basilica that was home to the Patriarch of Constantinople when it was built in 537. For almost six decades in the 12th century it was a Roman Catholic church. It became a mosque in 1453, remaining that way until 1931, when it was closed. It reopened as a museum in 1935. At one time, it was the largest cathedral in the world at one time, and served as the inspiration for other mosques, including the Blue Mosque, as it was such a great example of Byzantine architecture. It is most famous for its mosaics depicting various religious scenes.