Tours to Ephesus

[RTLS]

We are on the Regatta Athens to Venice April 27th and looking to book a private tour of Ephesus.

I've contacted 4 companies and, to date, have received replies from 2 of them. They both mention visits to either a carpet factory or Turkish Handycraft Production centre something which doesn't appeal to us at all. However, perhaps I can find out from someone who's done one of these tours, what exactly happens at these places and is there pressure to buy anything?

By the way, there is a small roll call happening for this cruise in the "Roll Call" section but I now see that not everyone goes to that section, so is there anyone else out there on this cruise?

Also we would be interested in joining up with others on this tour if anyone is interested. We feel just a half day would be enough.

[willmschen]

We did an Ephesus Tour, which included a carpet factory tour, during our Oceania cruise last year. It is interesting to see how the silk cocoons are unwound and twisted into threads for the carpets, and to see the carpet weavers in action. We had also been on a similar tour in Istanbul, a few days prior to our Ephesus tour. Both tours were very similar. After seeing the weavers, you are taken to a room where you are seated and offered tea or another drink. Then, several men start bringing out carpets and unfurling them with great flourish, while each carpet is explained. Of couse, they would like to sell you a carpet. We found no particular pressure to buy, unless you feel obligated because of the hospitality and the show that they put on. It is better if you are with several other people so that it is not a private show for you, unless, of couse, you intend to buy a carpet.

[NAS-KARR]

Alot of people forget who they are.....you contract someone for hire....YOU...ARE...THE...BOSS.The tours we took in Istanbul and Kusadasi we CUSTOMIZED. We TOLD the tour company what WE wanted to see and how long WE wanted to say wherever.
This was initiated on the initial contact and there was NO deviation from what WE wanted thru-out the tours.You're the one shelling out the E's....YOU do what YOU want.

That's the way I look at it...to each his own though.

Have a Great Trip e CIAO,

[conan]

Interesting! Which of the tour companies did you contact? None of the 7 companies I contacted for our October tour offered a carpet shop tour. The only carpet shop tour offered was the shore excursion from Oceania.

[RTLS]

Hi Conan,

I may be misunderstanding the tours offered but Sammystravel states visiting the Turkish Handycraft Production Center and shopping (which I thought was a carpet factory)Ekol mentioned free time for shopping whereas Levant simply says that he allows some free time for shopping as the area is full of outlets like rug outlets and leather centres etc.

I'd be intersted to know who you booked and which tour you're taking.

After reading Levants proposal for a full day, and which arrived after my initial posting,we realise that we will probably need more than a half day to visit Ephesus.

If anyone out there is on this cruise and interested in sharing with us, please contact me at Lusk@shaw.ca and I'll discuss the information and ideas that we have. Thanks

[brian_uk]

A half day tour to Ephesus is plenty of time.

Just make sure that your tour starts at the TOP and is in a downward direction......this is both easier and leaves the best to last.

Brian

[RTLS]

Hi Brian,

Not quite sure what you mean by starting at the TOP! Did you do a private tour and if so, would you mind telling me which sights you covered and also which guide or campay you went with.

Thanks a lot

Judy

[nparmelee]

Ephesus is sloped and you can enter from the bottom or from the top, it's an easier walk going downhill than uphill. Highly recommend it!

[tgg]

I agree completely with what you said.

We always lay out an itinerary with a tour guide. If something is suggested that we don't want to do, we eliminate it. If there is something that we DO want that is not on the initial itinerary, we add it.

It's your money.

I concur with those suggesting starting at the top of Ephesus. Much easier walk. Every tour company understands this.

[Mike073]

We did want to stop at a Leather factory enroute back to the port after touring the ruins. Good place to buy leather. It was out on the highway about halfway back on the left. I can look up the name when I get home if you would like it. Also, the bazzar near the port has several shops where you can bargain - if you are good at it you can do well.

[Shirleya53]

Be careful!!! I thought the tour was very interesting and the carpets beautiful. We bought one---------very expensive, $3100. 100% silk, hand tied, double knotted. It was about 3 x 4 ft. and charged it to our MC. We told them to hold it until we got back to the states and not process it until I notified them. Two days later we called and emailed them to CANCEL the order and also notified Citibank MC.
When we got our bill the carpet was on there. The cc payment is automatically drafted from our checking account, which of course, bounced a couple of checks.
After calling the CC company, the charge was "challenged". But everything is okay now.
Pretty much the same carpet was about $350. in Rhodes.

[Hairy Harry]

We had a wonderful guide in Ephesus. Her name is Hediye Lale Birsaygili, an English Speaking guide. Her telephone number is 0.533 245 89 05 in Kusadasi. She picked us up at the ship in a nice van with a driver. We told her we didn't want to go to a carpet shop or craft shop, but wanted a half day tour of Ephesus and the museum. We finished around lunch time and asked her to take us to lunch instead of the carpet shop. She took us to a wondreful market for fresh, delicious kabobs and vegetables. She was very knowlegable and on time. Originally we booked her through SunFun Tours in Ephesus, but I would phone her if you can. She had great rates, too. The craft shops are interesting if you have never seen one before, but we had gone to one in the past and unless you are determined to purchase a carpet, it is a waste of time, however interesting. Don't think of missisng Ephesus if you haven't seen it before.
:o