Day Tour

Kusadasi for Second Timers # 3: Sardes(sm) (7 Hours)

Turkey At Its Best - Private Tours by Newport International

2 Reviews

Kusadasi, Turkey

Valid for Travel Now Through: 14 Jul 2019

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Kusadasi for Second Timers # 3: Sardes(sm) (7 Hours )

Kusadasi, Turkey

Book with a Travel Advisor

Virtuoso Benefits
Tour Info
Reviews & Recommendations

Exclusively for Virtuoso Guests

An "Exclusively Virtuoso" Preferred Specialty Tour Operator, we specialize solely in Turkey, working with Travel Consultants of the Virtuoso Consortium; and, we have the distinction of having in house a former Professional Turkish Tour Guide and Turkish Archaeologist who has served as Official Guide to the British Royal Family during the tour of H.R.H. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in Ephesus. Whether arranging a customized Shore Excursion or developing a complex Special Interest Tour itinerary in Turkey, Virtuoso Members communicate directly with the U.S. Headquarters of TURKEY AT ITS BEST(sm), enjoying (1) Immediate responses to their inquiries without delay from the time zone difference with Turkey, (2) Quotes in U.S. Dollars, rather than in Euros, (3) The security and cost savings of having the credit cards of their clients charged in the U.S., and in U.S. Dollars, (4) Prompt receipt of their commission checks, drawn on a U.S. bank, issued and mailed in the U.S., and (5) The peace of mind from receiving enhanced 24/7 customer support and service from our own Operations Center in Turkey for their clients.

Tour Features Description About Us Terms & Conditions

Tour Features

Experience(s)

Culture, History & Arts

Meals

Lunch

Recommended Ages

All Ages

Activity Level

Moderate

Description

Your guide will meet you at 9:00 a.m. at the Port of Kusadasi, and take you to a very interesting ancient city:

[Sardes or Sardis (Sart) was the capital of the Lydian Kingdom, going back to the First Millennium B.C. It was the city of King Croesus, a king famous for his wealth. His name has entered the English language to describe someone very rich and ostentatious. Croesus was the last King of the Lydian Kingdom.

The city had owed much of its wealth to gold found in the nearby Pactalos River. Herodotus, known as ‘the Father of History’, wrote that coins were first minted in Sardis from a metal called electrum, a mixture of gold and silver. The value of these coins was guaranteed with the gold in the state treasury. Dyeing of wool also originated here].

Sardes is important for both Christians as it is one of the Seven Churches of Revelation, and also for Jews as it has one of the best preserved synagogues from antiquity.

Some of the sites that you will visit include the Temple of Artemis, which was converted into a church after Christianity was accepted as state religion, parts of the original “Royal Road” (Kral Yolu, or King’s Road) which had once started in Persia, and the restored gymnasium - which is very impressive. One of the highlights of Sardes is the very well preserved synagogue and the attached shops that belonged to the people who had worshipped in the synagogue.

About Us

*We innovate unique, premium, custom travel experiences, with our dedicated Operations Center in Turkey *34th Anniversary, over 10 years as 'Exclusively Virtuoso' Tour Operator *Team of M. Esat Kadaster, CEO, and Engin Kadaster, VP & GM, offers decades of experience and expertise; premier tour operator for customized upscale private tours in Turkey. *Engin's 40 years, start as Tour Guide, Archaeologist, and GM of a major Turkish ‘on-site’; *Served as Official Guide to HRH Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's 1971 visit in Ephesus *2018 A-List honoree, Travel + Leisure listed multiple times as top advisor for Turkey.

Insider Tip

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Terms & Conditions

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TURKEY AT ITS BEST develops customized private arrangements

Reviews and Recommendations for Turkey At Its Best - Private Tours by Newport International

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By: Charlie1

Reviewed on: 29 Oct 2013

Abdullah, our private guide was phenomenal. He tailored the daily excursions to our needs and made every detail fascinating. We loved having lunch with him every day eating at local places; one place was better than the next. He was perfect!

Travel Advisor: Leah Bergner