From Athens to Istanbul featuring overnight stays in Tel Aviv; Jerusalem and Istanbul calling on Rhodes; Alanya, Turkey; Limassol; Aghios Nikolaos, Crete; Santorini; Ephesus and Patmos, Greece with 1 day at sea from $10,099

Virtuoso Voyager Club Exclusive Experience
Complimentary, exclusive and unique Voyager Club event in Kusadasi. See Voyager Club Shore Excursion for complete details.

When you reserve this cruise through us, your Virtuoso Travel Specialist, you automatically become a member of the prestigious Virtuoso Voyager Club, entitling you to a wealth of privileges and complimentary amenities - including a unique and exclusive shore event not available to the general cruising public.

NOTE: You may choose this exclusive shore event, credit toward a customized Virtuoso on-shore event, credit toward a Virtuoso Discovery pre/post hotel stay or shipboard credit. Ask us for complete option details.

Kusadasi is a charming fishing village and resort on the Turkish Aegean. It is also the port for the ancient ruins at Ephesus. This great commercial city, once home to 300,000 people, flourished between 600 BC and AD 500. A Roman writer dubbed Ephesus Lumen Asiae Light of Asia for its beauty and location. In the books of the New Testament, Ephesus is the fourth greatest city in the world. Only Rome, Alexandria, and Antioch in Syria were more renowned. The city was simply stunning.

Voyager Club members travel to these remarkable ruins to enjoy a private walking tour. Julius Aguila built the Library of Celsus in AD 135 in honor of his father, Celsus. Not only did this Royal Road library store between 9,500 and 12,000 parchment and papyri documents collected by this learned man (the walls were amazingly thick, so as to avoid any chance of mildew), but it is also the final resting-place of Celsus. The Arcadian Way (also known as the Royal Road) stretched from the harbor to the city's theater for drama. You can just imagine the spectacle of parades chariots abreast on this one-hundred-foot wide roadway.

One of the highlights of our visit to Ephesus will be exclusive access to the recently discovered Yamac houses, a fascinating archeological site that is currently being excavated.

Construction of the great theater of Ephesus was started during the reign of Claudius (AD 41-54) and was completed under his successor, Trajan. The diameter of this immense hall was 495 feet. The Odeion had 22 tiers, could accommodate 1,500 spectators, and was acoustically perfect for performances by musicians and poets. The Temple of Diana this Roman goddess of fertility and resurrection was most revered here was four times the size of the Parthenon. Even in ruins, it is impressive. Curiously, the temple was built in marshy soil to protect it from earthquake damage.

A wonderful luncheon with wine has been reserved at one of Kusadasi's finest venues. A leisurely repast will allow you time to reflect on all of the ancient treasures of Ephesus. Just as fine cuisine awaited first-century travelers, a feast of local specialties and fine European wines awaits you. After lunch, we'll have the option of returning to the ship, or spending time in Kusadasi for some shopping.

Approximate Length: Six hours.

Suggested Attire: Light casual clothing with comfortable walking shoes with non-slip soles. Sunscreen is highly recommended.

Note: This tour includes at least two hours of walking outdoors with steps, cobblestones and uneven surfaces - it is not recommended for people with walking difficulties or requiring the use of a wheelchair.