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Jewish
Heritage Tour in Turkey
11 Nights/ 12 Days
Private tour & Daily departure
DAY 1
Arrival in Istanbul. Airport transfer to the hotel. Check into
the hotel and have some time to relax. An orientation of the city
will be given shortly afterwards, with the remainder of the day
free to spend at your own leisure about the city. Overnight in
Istanbul.
DAY 2
After breakfast, visit Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia. Lunch
break at an authentic Turkish restaurant before visiting the Blue
Mosque, Hippodrome, Basilica Cistern and Grand Bazaar. Overnight
in Istanbul.
DAY 3
After breakfast, visit the Spice Market and Rustempasa Mosque,
followed by a cruise by ferry through the Bosphorus, by which
you will also be served lunch, at a fisherman's village named
Ortakoy. In the afternoon, explore the opulent 19th century Dolmabahce
Palace. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 4
After breakfast, visit Pera, the Galata quarter and Galata Tower,
Neve Shalom Synagogue, Ashkenazi Synagogue and the Zülferis Synagogue
and Museum. Following a lunch break in Galata, reach the Golden
Horn to visit Ahrida Synagogue in Balat, Chora Church and Pierre
Loti Hill in Eyup. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 5
Morning departure to the airport. Fly to Izmir and transfer to
the hotel. The sightseeing begins on Havra Sokak (better known
as the street of synagogues); visit the 200 years old active Seniyora
Synagogue. Continue on to the Karatas quarter to see the Beth
Israel Synagogue, in Ottoman-Victorian style. Next, take a ride
on the Asansör, a 19th century hilltop funicular, before stepping
into the Archaeological & Ethnographic Museum. Drive up to
Kadifekale hill overlooking the city and the bay, to enjoy a coffee.
Overnight in Izmir.
DAY 6
Excursion to Sardis, once the capital of the Lydian kingdom, where
a large and prosperous Jewish community resided in its heyday
as a Roman city. Visit the ruins, including the enormously rich
Roman Synagogue. After lunch return to Izmir. Overnight in Izmir.
DAY 7
Excursion to Selcuk, where you will visit the ancient Greco-Roman
city of Ephesus, including the Artemis Temple, Archeological Museum,
the House of Virgin Mary and the formerly Greek picturesque village
of Sirince. Return to Izmir. Overnight in Izmir.
DAY 8
Transfer to Izmir airport. Fly to Ankara and transfer to the hotel.
The day's sightseeing covers the Anatolian Civilizations Museum,
the Mausoleum of Ataturk, Angora Castle and the Jewish quarter
of Samanpazari. Overnight in Ankara.
DAY 9
Depart for Cappadocia. The day's sightseeing includes Göreme Open
Air Museum, Avanos, Uchisar, Monks' Valley and Urgup. Overnight
in Urgup.
DAY 10
Explore Cappadocia further, by hiking in the Red and Rose Valleys,
followed by a visit to Kaymakli Underground City, Mustafapasa
Village, Ortahisar Village and Castle. Complete the sightseeing
with a stop-off at the old local Turkish Bath for a relaxing traditional
massage. Overnight in Urgup.
DAY 11
Transfer to Kayseri airport. Fly to Istanbul and transfer to the
hotel. Spend a free afternoon at your own leisure. Overnight in
Istanbul.
DAY 12
Transfer from the hotel to the airport. Departure from Turkey
back home.
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