Sardis & Philadelphia – the Gold of Croesus

"Rich as Croesus" – the phrase comes from Sardis. Here ruled the Lydian king who grew rich from the gold sand of the Pactolus river and was among the first to strike coins. We fly early in the morning from Istanbul to Izmir, drive into the Hermus valley and spend a day among royal gold, one of the most impressive synagogues of antiquity and two churches from the Book of Revelation.

Highlights

• Domestic flight Istanbul – Izmir and back, departing from IST or SAW
• Sardis: capital of Croesus and birthplace of coinage
• The largest known synagogue of antiquity with its mosaic floor
• Gymnasium with its splendidly rebuilt marble façade
• Temple of Artemis at Sardis with its mighty Ionic columns
• Philadelphia (Alaşehir): piers of the Church of St John, the church of Rev 3:7–13

Full description

Sardis was the capital of the Lydian kingdom, later a Persian satrapy at the end of the Royal Road to Susa and a wealthy Roman city. Gold was washed and refined on the Pactolus; around 600 BC the first coins of electrum were made here. Within the great gymnasium with its rebuilt marble hall lies the synagogue of the Jewish community – the largest ancient synagogue known, with mosaics and marble revetment. A little apart stand the huge columns of the Temple of Artemis, against whose corner a small church was later built.

Revelation warns the church of Sardis: "You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead" (Rev 3:1). Philadelphia, today's Alaşehir, is different: the small church with "little strength" that stayed faithful is given an open door (Rev 3:7–13). The city held out as the last Byzantine stronghold inland until 1390. The massive brick piers of the Church of St John still rise there.

For you this means: you book everything in one step – flights, transfers and guiding – at one fixed total price.

What we see

We adapt order and selection to weekday, opening hours, weather and your wishes.

• 1 · Flight Istanbul – Izmir
  Early pick-up at your hotel, transfer to IST or SAW airport, flight to Izmir (ADB), drive into the Hermus valley (approx. 1 hr 30 min).
• 2 · Sardis: gymnasium and synagogue
  Marble hall, synagogue with mosaic floor, Byzantine shops.
• 3 · Pactolus and Temple of Artemis
  Gold refinery by the river, giant Ionic temple and the small church at its corner.
• 4 · Philadelphia (Alaşehir)
  Piers of the Church of St John, remains of the Byzantine walls, reflections on Rev 3:7–13.
• 5 · Flight back to Istanbul
  Drive to Izmir airport (ADB), evening flight (approx. 8 pm), in Istanbul transfer back to your hotel.

Included

• Private, state-licensed tour guide in your language (Mehmet Humayunoğlu or an experienced colleague from his team)
• Domestic flight Istanbul (IST or SAW) – Izmir (ADB) and back
• Transfer hotel Istanbul – airport and back
• Vehicle with driver from and to Izmir airport (ADB) for the day programme
• Planning, coordination and time management of the day

Not included

• Entrance fees (Sardis)
• Lunch, drinks
• Personal expenses, tips

Meeting point

We pick you up early in the morning at your hotel in Istanbul and bring you back there at the end of the tour. Departure airport is either Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW).

You will recognise me by the sign “MeinReiseleiter.de” and the visibly worn guide licence. We confirm meeting point and time with your booking.

Important information

German, English, Turkish, French, Italian, Spanish – 25 more languages on request.

• Names as in your passport – We issue the flight tickets in the names you enter in the booking form. Please write them exactly as in your ID or passport.
• Bring your ID – All travellers need their passport or national ID card for the domestic flight.
• Flight times – We confirm the exact flight times and your hotel pick-up time with the booking.
• Long day – Early pick-up, back at the hotel late in the evening; Sardis is about 1 hr 30 min, Philadelphia another hour from the airport.
• For churches and Bible groups – We are happy to plan a devotion or reading at one of the sites – please note it under "Your wishes".