Just 30 years ago Kusadasi was a sleepy, traditional Turkish seaside village, dependent for its living on fish, farming and honey production. Since then, though, the double-edged sword of mass tourism has brought wealth (its main street sidewalks are now finished in marble!, which can slippery when wet) and, with that, mass commercialization.
Thronged with traffic and lined with ever more expensive carpet and jewelry shops, you can still find pockets of old-style Turkey amidst the narrow, winding streets of its old town, which house vibrant markets and traditional Turkish baths, and offer a chance to bargain for Oriental carpets.
Just head north along the shop-lined and pedestrian main street (Barbaros Hayrettin Caddesi), and when you reach the top it's easy to get directions to the main market and the ancient Kaleici neighborhood, a network of narrow streets crammed with bars, restaurants and atmosphere. Wifi as well
"Kaleici" means inside the castle grounds in Turkish. Kaleici is the oldest part of the town. It is a historical area, with old houses in which many restaurants, shops and some night clubs are situated. You can find also some turkish baths in this area.
Cruise ships use Kusadasi, about 8 miles away, as a gateway to Ephesus. Ephesus gets very hot in the summer afternoons, so most shore excursions visit the ancient city in the morning, which also makes it very crowded in the summer.
What you do is have the taxi drop you off on one side of the city, and they walk down a gradual hill to the pick up point on the other side. Guides describe the amazing mosaics and architectural and engineering marvels of the extensive site.
We plan to spend at least a half day at Ephesus, and we are to be sure to wear good walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and take water.
If you elect to take a taxi make the same arrangements as the busses do, by picking you up at the other side. A short taxi tour will cost about 50 Euro. Entrance fee is 7 Euro per person.
A cheaper option is dolmuses, or public minibuses, which are comfortable enough and depart very frequently from Kusadasi to the ruins at Ephesus for about 1 Euro per person one-way. That's what we are going to do......
Tonight is going to be very special event. To be in Ephesus with the Aegean Chamber Orchestra playing from 6-10:30pm. Heavy Hors D'Oeuvres, Dessert and a hosted Bar.
Thronged with traffic and lined with ever more expensive carpet and jewelry shops, you can still find pockets of old-style Turkey amidst the narrow, winding streets of its old town, which house vibrant markets and traditional Turkish baths, and offer a chance to bargain for Oriental carpets.
Just head north along the shop-lined and pedestrian main street (Barbaros Hayrettin Caddesi), and when you reach the top it's easy to get directions to the main market and the ancient Kaleici neighborhood, a network of narrow streets crammed with bars, restaurants and atmosphere. Wifi as well
"Kaleici" means inside the castle grounds in Turkish. Kaleici is the oldest part of the town. It is a historical area, with old houses in which many restaurants, shops and some night clubs are situated. You can find also some turkish baths in this area.
Cruise ships use Kusadasi, about 8 miles away, as a gateway to Ephesus. Ephesus gets very hot in the summer afternoons, so most shore excursions visit the ancient city in the morning, which also makes it very crowded in the summer.
What you do is have the taxi drop you off on one side of the city, and they walk down a gradual hill to the pick up point on the other side. Guides describe the amazing mosaics and architectural and engineering marvels of the extensive site.
We plan to spend at least a half day at Ephesus, and we are to be sure to wear good walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and take water.
If you elect to take a taxi make the same arrangements as the busses do, by picking you up at the other side. A short taxi tour will cost about 50 Euro. Entrance fee is 7 Euro per person.
A cheaper option is dolmuses, or public minibuses, which are comfortable enough and depart very frequently from Kusadasi to the ruins at Ephesus for about 1 Euro per person one-way. That's what we are going to do......
Tonight is going to be very special event. To be in Ephesus with the Aegean Chamber Orchestra playing from 6-10:30pm. Heavy Hors D'Oeuvres, Dessert and a hosted Bar.
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