Panoramic Tour

Enjoy spectacular views of the countryside, stopping on occasion at key attractions such as the House of the Virgin Mary and the white-washed village of Sirince.

After departing from the pier, you will drive through the countryside to the House of the Virgin, which lies in a nature park. Believed to be the last residence of the Virgin Mary, the small stone building contains a bedroom, kitchen and an altar adorned with images of Mary.

Although archaeologists date the existing building to the 6th century, the foundations are much older, perhaps from the 1st century, the time of Mary.

Continuing on, you will pass the ancient city of Ephesus and drive through the village of Selcuk while the guide elaborates on their historical significance. Nearby, you will find Sirince, a hillside village surrounded by peach orchards, vineyards and olive groves.

Most of its stone-and-stucco residences are painted white with red-tiled roofs, giving the village a wonderfully uniform and traditional appearance. While meandering through the atmospheric streets, you will pause to sample some of the local fruit wine. The varieties include melon, pomegranate and kiwi, all of which are prized for their sweetness.

Back in Kusadasi, you will enjoy free time to shop for popular items such as gold jewelry and decorative ceramics. If you wish to buy a Turkish carpet, you might first attend a lecture on the subject to glean valuable information before making the purchase.