Our last port of call was Kusadasi, Turkey better known as the the gateway to Ephesus..Kuşadası caters to tourists arriving by land, or from the port for cruise ship passengers heading to Ephesus. The area features several well-known local beaches, including Ladies Beach, and beaches along the bay waterfront. Relatively old houses near the seafront, some of them converted to bars and cafes, are the remnants of old Kuşadası, which has with time become a modern, European-like town in appearance.
Debbie and walked several miles along the waterfront making our way eventually to the Setur Marina. Along the way we stopped at several shopping areas and visited the fish market. Debbie dipped her toes in the water at Marina Beach near the marina. We did not have enough time to go the so-called Ladies Beach which a local recommended.
Since Ephesus was about 20 miles away and we did not sign up for a tour, we had to bypass that ancient city which was once a great trading center and a religious center of early Christianity. In 3,56BC the Greeks built the Artemesium (a colossal Ionic temple dedicated to Artemis the fertility goddess) which was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. During the 2nd century BC, Ephesus was the fourth largest city in the eastern Roman Empire, famous for its Artemesium, the Library of Celsus and its medical school. The House of the Virgin Mary is a Catholic and Muslim shrine located on Mt. Koressos 4.3 miles from Ephesus. Catholic pilgrims visit the house based on the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken to this stone house by Saint John and lived there until her Assumption (according to Catholic doctrine).
A short video on Rick Steves Ephesus is below.
Debbie and walked several miles along the waterfront making our way eventually to the Setur Marina. Along the way we stopped at several shopping areas and visited the fish market. Debbie dipped her toes in the water at Marina Beach near the marina. We did not have enough time to go the so-called Ladies Beach which a local recommended.
Since Ephesus was about 20 miles away and we did not sign up for a tour, we had to bypass that ancient city which was once a great trading center and a religious center of early Christianity. In 3,56BC the Greeks built the Artemesium (a colossal Ionic temple dedicated to Artemis the fertility goddess) which was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. During the 2nd century BC, Ephesus was the fourth largest city in the eastern Roman Empire, famous for its Artemesium, the Library of Celsus and its medical school. The House of the Virgin Mary is a Catholic and Muslim shrine located on Mt. Koressos 4.3 miles from Ephesus. Catholic pilgrims visit the house based on the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken to this stone house by Saint John and lived there until her Assumption (according to Catholic doctrine).
A short video on Rick Steves Ephesus is below.