Silversea Luxury Cruises To DIKILI (Izmir)

This tour has been organized for guests who find exploring the acropolis of ancient Pergamum too difficult. Touring the Asclepion is on even ground.

Depart the pier via coach for the approximate thirty minute drive to the modern town of Bergama located at the foot of the Pergamum acropolis. Proceed with a guided walk of the Asclepion.

The Asclepion

Below the acropolis, spread out on level ground, are the ruins of antiquity's first complete health spa and healing center. A 30-minute walking tour of the site includes the Sacred Way, Sacred Well and the Serpent Altar, the design of which was the symbol of Asclepius (god of medicine). The Asclepion's fame was mainly due to Galen, one of the greatest physicians of ancient times. Under his influence, the medical school at Pergamum became renowned, and his work presented the basis for all Western medicine well into the 1500s.

Leaving the site, you will head to the center of Bergama.

Archaeological Museum

Located on the town's main street, the museum houses a large collection of material from the Stone Age to Byzantine times as well as an ethnographic department. Following a brief visit, take a short drive through Bergama's busy streets to the Red Courtyard.

Red Courtyard

The massive brick-built ruins once belonged to the Temple of Serapis, originally built by Emperor Hadrian and converted in Byzantine times into a church dedicated to the apostle John. The building, also known as Red Basilica, takes its name from the red brick walls. After the destruction by the Arabs in the early 8th century, a smaller church was built within the ruins.

After your visit there is some free time to explore the Bergama town center before starting the return drive to Dikili.

Discover the archaeological ruins from the ancient Roman city of Pergamon and the ancient health center, The Asclepion on this half-day tour.

Pergamum

Depart from Dikili port to Pergamum, passing through the fertile plains watered by the Selinus River, a site settled by one civilization after another since ancient Timamum was ruled by Lydians and by Persians before falling to Alexander the Great in 334 BC. When Alexander died, control of the city passed to one of his generals, Lysimahchus, who controlled a great part of the Aegean region. After Lysimachus' death a cascade of kings and emperors ruled the city and the kingdom of which it was the center, from Philatairos to Attalus to Eumenes, to Atallus II, who finally declared that Pergamum would become a part of the Roman Empire after his death.

You will tour the remains of the city's most famous landmark, a library that contained 200,000 volumes and put Pergamum on a par with Alexandria as a cultural center of the Roman Empire.

Next, a panoramic cable car ride will bring you to the acropolis located high upon the hilltop. As you walk around the acropolis and take in the spectacular view, you will get the impression that the city was built to be an inaccessible fortress. And it was. Continue on, admiring the celebrated library, a steep and impressively dignified theater, temples of Trajan and Dionysus, the monumental altar of Zeus, the sanctuary of Demeter, a gymnasium on three terraces, and the Agora.

Asclepion

Your next stop will be the Asclepion, named after the god of health, which is reached via a sacred road lined with still more monuments and architectural fragments from antiquity. The Asclepion added to the city's reputation as a center of learning and science, and contained a rehabilitation center, an Ionic portico, sacred spring, latrines, and a "psychotherapy tunnel".

At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach for the 45-minute drive back to the pier.

Explore Dikili at your leisure during your full-day (8 Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Please note: This tour is non-refundable if cancelled within 48 hours prior to arrival in the port. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability. Guide is English-speaking. Participation is limited to 4 guests per car. The price, exclusive of meals, entrance fees and gratuities, is per vehicle. Therefore, when making your reservation, please indicate the number of vehicles, not the number of guests. Only one person in the party needs to reserve this program. Please see the Shore Concierge Office on board the ship to arrange your individual itinerary.

Explore Dikili at your leisure during your half-day (4 Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Please note: This tour is non-refundable if cancelled within 48 hours prior to arrival in the port. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability. Guide is English-speaking. Participation is limited to 4 guests per car. The price, exclusive of meals, entrance fees and gratuities, is per vehicle. Therefore, when making your reservation, please indicate the number of vehicles, not the number of guests. Only one person in the party needs to reserve this program. Please see the Shore Concierge Office on board the ship to arrange your individual itinerary.