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FEEL THE HISTORY
Ephesus is a place steeped in history and the resort is the ideal starting point for history, culture, relaxation and a wide range of activities. We are at your disposal on site for the organization of excursions and events or you can easily book using the following links. Have fun!
The ancient city of Ephesus is only a 15-minute drive from our retreat of the same name. It was the most important city in Asia Minor and housed the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world. The city was founded around the 10th century BC at the foot of Mount Panayir Dag. A visit to the old town gives an idea of the history it carries.
We’re happy to help you organize!
Şirince is not only known for its beautiful old town, but also for its wine. It is worth embarking on a culinary journey and experiencing Turkish wine. We’re sure this is a real treat!
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Do you want to tee off and play a round of golf for a change? This too can be done from the Ephesus Retreat.
If you are interested in a round of golf then we would be happy to help you organize it.
The beaches in and around Kusadasi are simply gorgeous and can be reached in just over 20 minutes from the retreat. A small selection of our favorites according to the motto “sometimes sand, sometimes rocks”.
The Ladies Beach is close to Kuşadası with a small wonderful sandy beach. The sandy Green Beach begins right next to Ladies Beach. At a distance of about 5 kilometers from the city center, in a northerly direction, lies Kuştur Beach. This is followed by Long Beach, which includes 18 kilometers of sandy beaches. The Pamucak beach also offers peace and relaxation and here you are often alone. Many more invite you to linger, relax, swim or do sports.
Above the ancient city of Ephesus, the path leads to the house of Mother Mary. On the way there, a huge statue of Mother Mary will greet you. Stop, take a look at the wide valley. The view is breathtaking. A large wishing tree, draped with many cloths whose wishes sway in the wind, shows impressively how many people come to Ephesus and the house of Mother Mary. Almost everyone comes here with a wish!
This small town is a jewel to discover and has a lot to offer. Apart from the museum itself which houses many of the best finds from Ephesus, there is a beautiful 14th century mosque and St Johns Basilica.
Ruins of hamams and libraries from different centuries can be found all over the town and storks nest on the top of many ancient columns. This is a good place to shop for carpets and kilims and souvenirs.
The train station is full of old world charm and The House of the Virgin Mary is just out of the town. The huge market in the central square on Saturday is good for people watching and sells excellent local produce, from food to local crafts.
If you like trains go to the world famous Camlik steam train museum.
Temple of Artemis, also called Artemesium, was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Only one column remains today.
Priene is smaller and only had about 5,000 inhabitants. It was once on the sea, and the city was constructed in terraces, rising from sea level to approximately 400 feet. Like the more politically powerful city of Ephesus, the river bed silted up and the city found itself further and further removed from the sea.
30 km from Ephesus Retreat was an ancient Greek sanctuary on the coast of Ionia. It contained a temple and oracle of Apollo, honored here as Apollo Clarius. It was located in the territory of Colophon, which lay twelve kilometers to the north, one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League. The coastal city Notion lay two kilometers to the south. The ruins of the sanctuary are now found north of the modern town Ahmetbeyli in the Menderes district of Izmir Province, Turkey.
The Temple of Apollo at Claros was a very important center of prophecy, as in Delphi and Didyma. The oldest literary information about this sacred site goes back to the sixth and seventh centuries BC, through the Homeric Hymns, though Proto-Geometric pottery at the site betokens 9th century occupation. A sacred cave near the Temple of Apollo, which was an important place both in the Hellenistic and Roman eras, points to the existence of a Cybele cult in early periods here. Games called the Claria were held at Claros every fifth year in honor of Apollo
The foundations of the sanctuary are also shrouded in mythology, connecting Claros with the myth of the Epigoni who conquered Thebes.
Archaeological evidence suggests that the site was active from the 10th century BC, evident by the discovery of Protogeometric pottery that emerged after the collapse of the Mycenaean-Minoan Palace culture between 1030 and 900 BC.
There are beautiful hiking routes in the vicinity of the Ephesus Retreat, which invite you to extensive excursions. Experience the beauty of nature and the silence while hiking.
We’re very happy to help you organize!
A little sailing trip on the Aegean Sea? Enjoy the sound of the water and the tranquility of the sea. Should you also experience Ephesus from the sea, let us know!
We’re happy to help you organize!
Escape the crowds and experience nature at its best on a horseback riding excursion. Discover the tranquil countryside of the area and unwind with a peaceful activity like no other.
If you are interested in participating in a unique, relaxing and alternative excursion, then we are happy to help you organize it.
Şirince is considered an authentic old Greek village. In fact, the village image has hardly changed in the last hundred years. Most of the white brick Greek houses were built in the 18th and 19th centuries. The place is under monument protection, partly one has started with the renovation of the first houses.
No matter how many times you visit this place, it’s always like the first time. It exudes a lot of charm and invites you to dream. Here you can enjoy truly authentic food, sip an aromatic mocha and trade with the benevolent villagers at the market.
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Ephesus Cave of the Seven Sleepers consists of a larger ancient burial and sanctuary site and a church located on the north-east side of Panayır Dağı Mountain near the ancient city of Ephesus. According to legend, this was the cave where the “Seven Sleepers” of Ephesus slept for 200 years, escaping the persecution of Christians under the Roman Emperor Decius
Kuşadası means “bird island” in Turkish and is only a few kilometers away from our retreat. It houses a large marina and a port for cruise ships. In the center of Kuşadası is a car-free pedestrian zone for shopping, strolling and relaxing. In addition to its beaches, the city offers many restaurants and an authentic fish market. The symbol of the city is the small island of Güvercinada (Pigeon Island). It is connected to the mainland by a narrow pier. At the marina, a diving school offers special diving trips and fishing trips in winter.
Tire is a small market town and worth visiting on a Tuesday when they have their weekly market. It’s particularly good for its wide range of merchandise from wooden spoons to handmade saddles and donkey harnesses made of goats hair. Wander around the market streets at your leisure and look out for the old caravansaray (an early form of guesthouse) behind many old doors. You can find as well workshop making felt carpets in many original patterns.
On the roads leading into Tire, gypsies sell beautiful reed baskets in all shapes and sizes. There is an amusing rural life museum although most of the displays have not been changed for years or even dusted for that matter!
Magnesia was at an important location commercially and strategically in the triangle of Priene, Ephesus and Talles. Although it lay within Ionia, it was not accepted into the Ionian League. During its existence, Magnesia was subject first to the Lydians, then to the Persians. The territory around it was extremely fertile, and it was renowned for its figs and wines. Excavation began in the 1890’s and was resumed in 1984. Magnesia is often almost completely empty of tourists, so you can really get the chance to explore this ancient city away from the crowds.
22 km from Priene lie the remains of Miletus. Once again, the city was a port before the Meander river silted up, strangling the economy and forcing its citizens to look elsewhere for opportunities. Here you can explore the large theatre and the remains of temples, markets and houses.
180 km from Ephesus Retreat you can visit Pamukkale and Hierapolis. Enjoy a relaxing soak in the hot springs and take in the unique white limestone terraces, known as travertines. The ancients believed that Hierapolis, or Sacred City, was founded by the god Apollo. It was famed for its hot springs, whose vapors were associated with Pluto, the god of the underworld. The hot springs were popular in Roman times because of their therapeutic powers. Visit the Domitian Gate, the colonnaded street and the cathedral. Explore the Pamukkale Museum and marvel at the limestone terraces of Pamukkale.