We were so glad we went with a private tour. Our wonderful and very knowledgeable tour guide was Irene of Samyeli Tours. She was wise to first take us to the home of our Virgin Mother Mary. We were basically alone in the House. There was no line, however, as we departed the grounds buses and cars were lined up to enter the grounds and I knew we had skipped several hours of waiting time. Off to Ephesus, Irene had an assistant waiting at the entrance who had our passes, so no wait for us. In Ephesus the original road that Cleopatra and Anthony strode, amphitheater where they had games, the Library, the Temples to the Roman Emperors. Irene guided us through the Terrace Homes of the wealthy, the Agora and the sly comment of ‘don’t look back’ as we were leaving and then Irene said turn around - took our breath away as she explained- that I will not name so as not to spoil it for the next person to take this remarkable tour. And last The Basilica of Saint John. It was a tour that we truly enjoyed and were so glad we went with Irene who truly loved and was so passionate and informative of these sites. She truly brought these sites to life for us as it was two millennia ago. It was worth the expense, to have an experienced guide and not stand in lines, we definitely would recommend this company from the port pickup to the port drop off we were treated like family, and family is the most precious part of life. Sincerely Walter & Mary.
Dear Walter & Mary, Thank you so much for your beautiful and heartfelt review. ❤️ It truly means the world to us to know that your day in Ephesus was such a memorable and meaningful experience. Irene will be especially touched by your kind words. Her passion for history, her love for these remarkable places, and her desire to share their stories with every guest are what make a tour truly special. We are delighted that she was able to bring the wonders of Ephesus to life for you, from the peaceful House of the Virgin Mary to the magnificent ancient city and the Basilica of St. John. We are also so happy that the private tour allowed you to enjoy these sacred and historic sites at the right time and at your own pace, making the most of every moment without unnecessary waiting. Your words about being treated like family touched us deeply. We believe that travel is not just about visiting places, but about the people we meet, the stories we share, and the memories we carry home. Knowing that you felt like family is the greatest compliment we could receive. Walter and Mary, it was our pleasure to be part of your journey. Thank you for trusting Samyeli Tours and for recommending us so warmly. We hope the beautiful memories of your day in Ephesus will stay with you for many years to come. As you so beautifully said, family is the most precious part of life. We are grateful that, even for one special day, we had the opportunity to welcome you into ours. With our warmest regards and heartfelt thanks, The Samyeli Tours Family ❤️
