Ancient Ephesus & Turkish Bath (Hamam)

Your Ephesus guide will meet you at port of Kusadasi. The guide will hold up a sign with your name on it. We Leaving the colorful town of  Kusadasi behind , you will pass throught the verdant countryside before  arriving at Ephesus. 

Our tour continues to ancient Ephesus, where you'll pass through the arched Magnesia Gate and begin a slow, downhill walk to the ruins of the Roman provincial capital. Your knowledgeable guide will highlight such sights as the beautifully preserved Temple of Hadrian, the magnificent Trajan Fountain, the Odeon Theater, once used for both political and entertainment purposes, and the beautiful Celsus Library with its imposing facade and two story Corinthian-style columns.

The dramatic Great Theater is one of the few structures still used today. It seats twenty-five thousand and, although it was once an arena for gladiator games, it is now home to annual spring festivals. Temple Of Artemis (Diana), on the side of one of the seven wonders of ancient World. Visit the carpet weaving corporation to see how carpets are made by hand.

Then we visit The Turkish bath, also known as hamam or hammam, is one of the ancient world's most widely exported customs. The tradition of the Turkish bath was born generations ago, adopted from Romans and Byzantines and then perfected by the Seljuk and Ottoman Turks and has continued even until today.

"What happens in a Hamam?" Well, the ritual is simple. You will find yourself in the Sicaklik. Sicaklik (also known as Hararet), a room filled with the sound of splashing water, the scent of soap, and wafting steam through which daily concerns and worries cannot penetrate. In the gentle moist heat your body relaxes, and your nerves are soothed. You sit down at one of the marble wash basins which line the walls, and adjusting the temperature of the water to a delicious warmth, dip the copper bathing bowl into the basin and tip the water over your head and body. Waves of relaxation seem to pour right through you as the water envelops your body.

Laying on the warm stone in the center of the room, your attendant (tellak for men and natir for women) will pour hot water on you and begin to scrub every square inch of your body. Basically, every millimeter of dead and dirty skin is scrubbed off, even the skin between your fingers and toes.

Afterwards you are lathered with liquid soap and shampoo and given the choice of massage options.

Then you are given fresh towels and again brought to Sogukluk (the cool room) to rest, dry off and marvel at your glowing, soft as a baby’s skin.

SPECIAL NOTES

Guests must be able to walk approximately 1.5 miles over uneven and cobblestone surfaces, inclines and 10 - 30 steps. Comfortable shoes, a hat and plenty of sunscreen are recommended as shade is limited the order of the tour itinerary may vary in order to avoid congestion. Guests should watch their step at all times in order to avoid injuries.