Biblical Ephesus & Miletus – in the footsteps of Paul and John

Few cities appear in the New Testament as often as Ephesus. Paul lived here for almost three years, John according to tradition spent his old age here, and the Letter to the Ephesians and the first of the letters in Revelation are addressed to its church. We fly early in the morning from Istanbul to Izmir and follow the path of the apostles – from the Great Theatre of Ephesus to the harbour of Miletus, where Paul took leave of the elders.

Highlights

• Domestic flight Istanbul – Izmir and back, departing from IST or SAW
• Great Theatre of Ephesus: scene of the silversmiths' riot (Acts 19)
• Artemision: the temple of "great Diana of the Ephesians"
• Basilica of St John over the traditional tomb of the apostle John
• House of the Virgin Mary on Nightingale Hill (John 19:26–27)
• Miletus: Paul's farewell speech to the elders of Ephesus (Acts 20:17–38)

Full description

Paul came to Ephesus on his third journey, taught for two years in the lecture hall of Tyrannus and wrote First Corinthians from here. His success cost the silversmiths the sale of their little Artemis shrines; the silversmith Demetrius stirred up the crowd, which shouted in the theatre for two hours (Acts 19). We stand in that theatre, walk along Curetes Street and see at the Artemision how mighty the cult was that the young church faced.

In Selçuk we climb up to the Basilica of St John, built by Emperor Justinian over the traditional tomb of the apostle. On Nightingale Hill we visit the House of the Virgin Mary – by tradition the mother of Jesus lived here in John's care. In the afternoon we drive to Miletus: here Paul, on his way to Jerusalem, called the elders of Ephesus, urged them to watch over the flock, and they went with him to the ship in tears (Acts 20:17–38). Revelation praises the church of Ephesus for its endurance and calls it back to its first love (Rev 2:1–7).

For you this means: you book everything in one step – flights, transfers and guiding – at one fixed total price. On request we read the matching Bible passages at each site.

What we see

We adapt order and selection to weekday, opening hours, weather and your wishes.

• 1 · Flight Istanbul – Izmir
  Early pick-up at your hotel in Istanbul, transfer to IST or SAW airport, flight to Izmir (ADB), drive to Selçuk.
• 2 · Ephesus: Curetes Street and Great Theatre
  City of Paul (Acts 18–20), theatre of the silversmiths' riot (Acts 19:23–41), Library of Celsus, Harbour Street.
• 3 · Artemision
  The last column of the Temple of Artemis – "Great is Diana of the Ephesians" (Acts 19:28).
• 4 · Basilica of St John
  Justinian's basilica over the traditional tomb of the apostle John; reflections on the letter to Ephesus (Rev 2:1–7).
• 5 · House of the Virgin Mary
  Chapel on Nightingale Hill, revered by Christians and Muslims (John 19:26–27).
• 6 · Miletus
  Theatre and harbour remains – where Paul gave his farewell speech to the elders of Ephesus (Acts 20:17–38).
• 7 · Flight back to Istanbul
  Transfer to Izmir airport (ADB), evening flight (approx. 8 pm), in Istanbul transfer back to your hotel.

Included

• Private, state-licensed tour guide in your language (Mehmet Humayunoğlu or an experienced colleague from his team), Bible readings on site on request
• Domestic flight Istanbul (IST or SAW) – Izmir (ADB) and back
• Transfer hotel Istanbul – airport and back
• Vehicle with driver from and to Izmir airport (ADB) for the day programme
• Planning, coordination and time management of the day

Not included

• Entrance fees (Ephesus, House of the Virgin Mary, Basilica of St John, Miletus)
• Lunch, drinks
• Personal expenses, tips

Meeting point

We pick you up early in the morning at your hotel in Istanbul and bring you back there in the evening. Departure airport is either Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW).

You will recognise me by the sign “MeinReiseleiter.de” and the visibly worn guide licence. We confirm meeting point and time with your booking.

Important information

German, English, Turkish, French, Italian, Spanish – 25 more languages on request.

• Names as in your passport – We issue the flight tickets in the names you enter in the booking form. Please write them exactly as in your ID or passport.
• Bring your ID – All travellers need their passport or national ID card for the domestic flight.
• For churches and Bible groups – We are happy to plan a devotion or reading at one of the sites – please note it under "Your wishes".
• Long day – Early pick-up, back at the hotel late in the evening. If you prefer a slower pace, choose our 2-day Ephesus tour with a hotel night.
• Flight times – We confirm the exact flight times and your hotel pick-up time with the booking.
• MuseumPass Aegean – Valid among others for Ephesus and Miletus. Can be added in the booking form; paid in full with the deposit and non-refundable. Children under 8 do not need a pass.