JEWISH HERITAGE TURKEY 

DESCRIPTION:

The tours takes you step-by-step through the Jewish (or formerly Jewish) neighborhoods of Istanbul, Bursa Izmir and Edirne , Some of non-Jewish sites of importance in the same neighborhoods are also mentioned.

 

Day 01            Istanbul (D)

Arrival in istanbul. Transfer to hotel, dinner and overnight.

 

Day 02            Istanbul (B-L-D)

Full day sightseeing tour visits to one of the oldest Jewish neighborhoods, Galata to see the Neve Shalom Synagogue and the Galata Tower. Then visit the Askinazy Synagogue and Zulfaris Jewish Museum. Continue for a visit to the Topkapi Palace.

 

Day 03            Istanbul (B-L-D)

Bosphorus Cruise by boat disembark on the Asian side for a visit to Kuzguncuk Synagogue and its cemetery, then visit 19 th century Beylerbeyi Palace a former summer residence of the Ottomans. Return to hotel.

 

Day 04            Istanbul – Izmir (B-L-D)
Drive to Balat neighbourhood where the expelled Jewish community from Spain settled in 1492. Stroll around the discrict and see the century Ahrida Synagogue, then the Balat Hospital.  After lunch, visit the roman Hippodrom, Blue Mosque and the St. Sophia. Transfer to airport for flight to Izmir.

 

Day 05            Izmir (B-L-D) 
Explore the Jewish quarter in Izmir. See the Senora Synagogue, Bikur Holim,  Bet Israel Synagogue in the city. Afternoon, drive to Sardes the capital of ancient Lydia, there visit one of the world’s oldest synagogues.

 

Day 06           Ephesus - Kusadasi (B-L-D) 
A full day excursion to Ephesus. See the Library of Celcus, the Temple of Hadrian, Terrace of Hadrian, Terrace Houses, The Odeon, The Baths of Scholastica and the Theater.

 

Day 07            Miletus - Didyma - Priene - Kusadasi (B-L-D) 
Visit the remains of these Ionian sites .

 

Day 08           Kusadasi /  Pergamon  (B-L-D)
Morning drive to see the ruins of Pergamon with its Acropolis and Asclepion. Then see the Red Basilica and the grave stones whose inscriptions are in Hebrew. Overnight in Ayvalik.

 

Day 09          Pergamon / Canakkale (B-L-D)

Drive to Canakkale to visit Troy, the legendary city of Homeros. 

 

Day 10          Canakkale - Bursa (B-L-D)
After visit of the Shalom Synagogue, drive to Bursa where Jewish people first settled 2100 years ago.  

 

Day 11            Bursa - Istanbul (B-L-D)
Visit the 15th century Gerusch Synagogue in Bursa then drive to Istanbul. 

 

Day 12           Istanbul (B) 
Transfer to airport .