27th Jan - 29th Jan ---- Istanbul
30th Jan - 1st Feb ---- Cappadocia
2nd Feb - 3rd Feb ---- Pamukkale
4th Feb ---- Istanbul
5th Feb ---- Back to Moscow...
Its name comes from the Seljuk Turks who settled in the region by the 12th century.
Selçuk is one of the most visited touristic destinations within Turkey, known for its closeness to the ancient city of Ephesus, House of the Virgin Mary and Seljukian works of art.
Ancient Ephesus was a great trading city and a centre for the cult of Cybele, the Anatolian fertility goddess. Under the influence of the Ionians, Cybele became Artemis, the virgin goddess of the hunt and the moon, and a fabulous temple was built in her honour. When the Romans took over, Artemis became Diana and Ephesus became the Roman provincial capital.
Of Turkey's hundreds of ancient cities and classical ruins, Ephesus is the grandest and best preserved. Indeed, it's the spunkiest classical city on the Mediterranean and the ideal place to get a feel for what life was like in Roman times.
