Jewish Heritage Tour

DAY 1 - Arrival - Istanbul
Arrival in Istanbul and transfer from airport to your hotel. Check in to the hotel. After a break, welcome cocktail with briefing about Turkey. Overnight in Istanbul. (D)

DAY 2 - Istanbul
In the morning drive to jewish neighborhood, Galata. You will see the Galata Tower built by the Genose in 1303. Visit the local synagogues. Neve Shalom and the Askenazy Synegouge. After lunch, visit the Hippodrome, a 3rd century site, where chariots raced during the Roman period. The Blue Mosque, famous for its blue tiles and six minaretes. St. Sophia (may replace with Topkapi Palace), This ancient basilica, built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, is one of the architectural marvels of all time. Overnight in Istanbul. (B,D)

DAY 3 - Istanbul
Today we will visit Topkapi Palace (may replace with St. Sophia). The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed, and the Grand Covered Bazaar. Overnight in Istanbul. (B,D)

DAY 4 - Istanbul
Visit of the Balat neighborhood where you will see the star of David appearing on building facades. Visit the 15th Ahrida and the Yanbol synagogues. Visit the Jewish home for the elderly along the Golden Horn. Overnight in Istanbul. (B,D)

DAY 5 - Izmir
After breakfast , we will drive to İzmir via Bursa. Overnight in Izmir. (B,D)

DAY 6 - Izmir
In the morning visit the Senora synagogue (if possible), Bethxail synogogue and Havra Street in Izmir where Jewish immigrants settled in 1492. You' ll continue to Sardes, where you will visit one of the important historical cities of western Anatolia, the capital the Lydian State. Sardes has rich architectural works reflecting its magnificent past.

You will see the Temple of Artemis, the mint house where coins were made, the gold purifying center, shops, gymnasium and synagogue which was one of the largest in history, built first in the 4th century BC and rebuilt in the 3rd century AC to its present day size after being destroyed by an earthquake. Overnight in Izmir. (B,D)

DAY 7 - Izmir to Canakkale
Drive to Canakkale via Troy. Ancient Troy, Helena the beautiful, Menelaos, Priamos, the war of Troy... The hereos of ancient world whose stories we have listened from Homeros. You will see the revival of history when walking among the 9 layers of Troy. Overnight in Canakkale. (B,D)

DAY 8 - Canakkale to Istanbul
After breakfast, we will drive to Istanbul. Free afternoon. Optional Bosphorus Cruise between Europe and Asia, at night optional by night tour (Belly & folklore dancing , singers with meal) Overnight in Istanbul. (B,D)

DAY 9 -
Transfer to the Istanbul Airport for outbound flight.(B)