Jewish Heritage in Turkey ( 10 nights / 11 days )

Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul
We meet at Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul and transfer to our hotel located in the modern city center, just a few steps away from Taksim Square. After check-in we meet for a welcome briefing and orientation tour of the hotel area. The rest of the day is to be enjoyed at our leisure. In the evening there is an optional program available for dinner accompanied by traditional Turkish entertainment.

Included meals: -

Golden Horn & Galata Tower

Kamondo Stairs - Galata

Hagia Sophia - Sultan Ahmet - Istanbul

Ahrida Synagogue

Trojan Horse - Troy Antique Site - Canakkale

Sardis Antique Site

Optional Program: Our evening begins with a scenic drive through this majestic city of illuminated palaces, mosques, and bridges. Enjoy a delicious four course meal and discover the joy of Turkish music and dance. Focusing on the traditions of Turkish and Anatolian folklore, we delight in dynamic performances from a variety of regional folk dancers, belly dancers, and Turkish musicians.

Day 2: Istanbul
We meet this morning and transfer to Sultanahmet for a full-day tour. Our day begins with a visit to the ancient Hippodrome, an area that was once the center of Byzantine civic life. We continue to Sultan Ahmet Mosque, more familiarly known as the Blue Mosque because its interior gleams with a magnificent paneling of blue and white 17th century Iznik tiles. Next we visit Hagia Sophia, often described as the greatest work of Byzantine architecture. The forth largest building in the world that was made as a church, is now a museum that glitters with mosaics and art treasures that fill every corner. From here we move on to Topkapi Palace. Topkapi was the second palace built in Istanbul after the conquest. Once a palace where the sultans, their courts, and harem lived and governed, it is now one of the world’s richest museums. We finish the day at the famous Grand Bazaar. This bazaar will tempt even non-shoppers with nearly 4,000 shops exhibiting a rich collection of precious handmade carpets, jewelry, leather, antiques, and souvenirs.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Istanbul
Our morning begins in the Galata quarter of Istanbul. The history of Jewish life in Galata began in Byzantine times when this was a walled city separated from Constantinople. From the 1500s onward, Galata was mostly Jewish. Our first visit is to Galata Tower. The tower was originally the high-point in the Genoese fortifications which protected the town of Galata during Byzantine and early Ottoman times. From Galata Tower, we walk to the Neve Shalom Synagogue. This is one of the largest synagogues in the city, designed and decorated in a modern style. Our next stop is the Italian Synagogue. Founded in the 1880s by Istanbul Jews who, because of factional disputes within the community, placed themselves under the protection of the Italian ambassador. Before leaving Galata, we also see a graceful curved double staircase, known as Kamondo Staircase. The staircase was built in the 19th century on the order of the Kamondos, the Jewish community’s most prosperous family. We proceed to the Zülfaris Synagogue which was restored to become a museum of Turkish Jewish life. After a short drive, we reach the Balat quarter. This is another of the quarters in which Jews were settled after their expulsion from Spain. Though it once had as many as 19 synagogues, only two of importance remain, the Ahrida, and the neighboring Yanbol. From Balat we drive to Ortakoy. Ortakoy was the first disembarkation point of Sepharads, where they were welcomed by the Ottoman Sultan. Here we see the remains of the Etz Ahayim Synagogue. After wandering the lively streets of Ortakoy we embark on a public boat and start our cruise of the Bosporus Strait. After our cruise we drive to our final visit for the day, the Italian Jewish cemetery in Sisli. Behind the Baroque entrance to the Italian Jewish Cemetery are tombstones engraved with names and epitaphs in Italian, English, French, German, Russian, and Latin.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Istanbul
Today is a day to explore Istanbul at leisure on our own. Or, an optional full-day tour of the Princes Islands is available.

Optional Program: For an excursion that will forever remains in one's mind, this morning we depart by ferry for the Princes Islands. On the way to this archipelago that consists of nine islands in the Marmara Sea, we enjoy the magnificent view of the Maiden’s Tower, the Asian side of Istanbul, the historical peninsula, and the view of the Topkapi Palace complex by sea. Once we have reach Buyukada we take a tour of the island’s many splendid villas, in well-kept gardens by a horse-drawn carriage before breaking for lunch at a seafront fish restaurant. During summer months we can visit Heshet Le Avram Synagogue on Buyukada.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Istanbul / Canakkale
After departing from Istanbul in the morning, we drive through ancient Thrace then further along the Dardanelles Strait. After crossing the strait we break for lunch before continuing on to ancient Troy. Discovered by Heinric Schliemann in the 1870s, the site has since been excavated and now reveals remnants of nine civilizations dating back 5,000 years. After exploring the ruins and relics, we continue to our final destination, the city of Canakkale.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Canakkale / Pergamum / Izmir
This morning we drive to Izmir, stopping for a visit at Pergamum. Much of Pergamum has been lovingly restored and is now considered one of the primary ancient sites in Turkey. Here we visit the magnificent Acropolis, which contains the ruins of Pergamum’s acclaimed library—so large it rivals the world's greatest library in Alexandria. The Acropolis also boasts a great theater seating 10,000, and the marble-columned Temple of Trojan. Below the theater lie the ruins of the Temple of Dionysus along with the Altar of Zeus. Next we visit the Asclepieum, a sanctuary and healing center built in the name of Asclepius, the god of healing. After our visit to the Pergamum sites we break for lunch before continuing to Izmir. Upon arrival we take a panoramic drive of Izmir (Smyrna). Through much of Ottoman Izmir’s history, it had a thriving Jewish community much larger than that of today. Though the community is smaller now, it is no less active.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Izmir / Sardis
This morning we tour Izmir's Jewish heritage sites. Our first stop is to Izmir's bazaar. The historical heart of Izmir’s Jewish life was in the synagogues of La Judiera, the area of the bazaar where the synagogues are located and where some Jewish merchants still work. We walk along Havra Sokak, the Street of Synagogues, named for its nine small, active synagogues which served the Jewish merchants and artisans who worked close by. We continue our tour with the panoramic drive through the Alsancak quarter. Our next destination is the Karatas quarter. Here we see Beth Israel Synagogue, a handsome Ottoman Victorian-style building dating from the turn of the century. After visiting the synagogue, we walk to the Asansör, a 19th century funicular which once took passengers from the shore road up the sheer rock cliffs to the desirable residential district above. Next we drive from Izmir to the ancient site of Sardis. During its heyday as a Roman city, Sardis had a very large and prosperous Jewish community which may have been established here in much earlier times. Known for an extremely large and rich Roman synagogue, we visit the remains of the beautiful and richly appointed synagogue.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 8: Izmir / Ephesus
This morning we depart for a full day of sightseeing. First we visit the Ephesus archaeological site which is perhaps the world’s best preserved ancient city and its ruins attract visitors from across the globe. The most significant relic of the site is the immense amphitheater. We walk along the Sacred Way, see the Temple of Hadrian, a Corinthian-style building with the head of Medusa on the porch, and the Library of Celsius. After this visit we drive to the local village of Sultanköy. Here we break for a grilled lunch and have the opportunity to learn about some local crafts, such as rug weaving. We may also be able to see demonstrations performed by local craftsmen. Next, we continue to the town of Selcuk and visit the Ephesus Archeology Museum. Almost all of the exhibits are findings from Ephesus, the most spectacular being two life-size statutes of Artemis Ephesia, both dating from the middle Roman imperial era.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9: Izmir / Bursa
This morning we depart Izmir and drive to Bursa, enjoying the view of Anatolia's natural beauty along the way.

Included meals: Breakfast

Day 10: Bursa / Istanbul
This morning we take a half-day tour of Bursa, the old capital of the Ottoman Empire. First we visit the Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami). Built at the end of the 14th century, the Ulu Cami is an interesting example of the period before the classical Ottoman architecture. Next we visit the city’s covered bazaar. The market buildings and hans of Bursa were significant not only for the trade of silk and fabric, but were also the endowments for mosques and other social services. The Jewish community in Bursa dates from Byzantine times. Of Bursa’s many synagogues, only two remain active today. We visit the more impressive of these two, Gerush Synagogue which is located on Sakarya Street. This street was once the main thoroughfare of this small Jewish quarter. The synagogue’s Torahs were brought from Spain by Sephardic immigrants five centuries ago. After we finish our tour of Bursa, we head head back to Istanbul.

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11: Return Home
After breakfast we transfer to Ataturk International Airport for the return flight home.

Included meals: Breakfast

Price of the package includes:

1. Accommodation in hotels :
   4 nights Istanbul: Central Palace
   1 night Assos: Nazlihan
   2 nights Izmir: Swiss Otel Grand Efes
   1 night Kusadasi: Kismet
   1 night Bursa: Celik Palace
   1 night Istanbul: Atakoy Marina

2. 12 Meals: 10 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 dinner

3. Services of a professional tour guide (private)

4. Modern, A/C, comfortable minibus for land transportation and driver (private)

5. Admission fees to sights and museums

6. Parking, portage, ferry, toll road

7. Gratuity (except guide & driver)

Price of the package excludes:

1. Airfare of international flights and related taxes

2. Bottled beverages or alcohol

3. Optional gratuities to the guide and driver

4. Travel insurance

5. Visas, laundry, and personal items