Once a very important port city with a population reaching 250,000, Ephesus now is the most famous Roman site in Turkey. Walking along the Marble Road, and Curetes Street, you will feel like Romans. The Odeon (not the moviehouse chain, but the original council-house), remains of a basilica dating back to 17 AD (how old was Jesus Christ then?), the Library of Celsus (the most impressive building in the ancient site), the Great Theatre (you can recite a poem or sing a song if you like), Terrace Houses (Roman way of accommodation), reliefs of Nike and Hermes and other buildings... We will also say hi to the stork nesting on the remaining column of Artemision, the Temple of Artemis, which was one of seven wonders of the ancient world.

Declared a Christian pilgrimage site by Pope Paul VI in 1967, the House of Virgin Mary is located on Mt. Koressos. You will understand why Virgin Mary might have chosen that hill when you get there. Don’t forget to bring an empty water bottle!

St. John the Evangelist came to Ephesus and died there. He was buried in a small basilica which was replaced by an impressive building dedicated to him in the 6th century. The Basilica of St. John was another place visited by Pope Paul VI in 1967.

Sirince is a lovely village up on a hill. You can see olive trees on hillslopes all the way. And vinyards! The village used to accommodate Greek people who had to leave Turkey during the exchange of populations in 1922. Famous for its picturesque Greek houses, fruit wine, olive oil and old ladies selling wild thyme, linden and sage in the streets, Sirince is the best place to end the tour.