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Many cruise passengers calling at Kusadasi head to the important ancient city of Ephesus. Guided shore excursions are often available from the port to the ruins, but you could also take a taxi, many of which are vintage American cars left behind by visiting servicemen.

You enter Ephesus through the stunning Magnesia Gate. Though many of the city’s ancient marvels are still visible -- a plethora of agoras, temples, fountains and porticoes -- many more were torn down over the years. Ephesus was home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis, which was destroyed in 401 A.D. But many other impressive edifices remain, including the Celsus Library, the Temple of Hadrian, the Odeum, the Great Theater and the Fountain of Trajan. St. John’s Basilica was built over what is thought to be the tomb of St. John the Evangelist, it was once a massive structure capped by no less than 11 domes. Although the church is now in ruins, you can still see columns, frescoes and mosaics that hint at its former grandeur.

Language: Turkish     Currency: Turkish lira (TRY)