13 Days Jewish Heritage Tour
Tour Style : Special interest Tour
Duration : 13 Days / 12 Nights
Day 1 – Istanbul – Arrival Day
Arrival in Istanbul and transfer from airport to the hotel. Check in to the hotel. After a break, welcome drink with a briefing about Turkey. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 – Istanbul
Morning visit to a Jewish neighborhood, Galata. You will see the Galata tower built by the Genoese in 1303. Visit the local synagogues, Neve Shalom and the Askenazy Synagogue. After lunch, visit the Hippodrome, a 3rd century site, where chariots raced during the Roman period. Visit the Blue Mosque, famous for its blue tiles and six minarets. Visit Hagia Sophia, a world heritage site built in the 6th century.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3 – Istanbul
Visit the Topkapi Palace , its priceless collection of jewels, and the Grand Covered Bazaar.
Overnight in Istanbul.
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.
Day 5 – Istanbul
(Breakfast and dinner included)
You may walk to the synagogue to attend morning Shabbat services. The day is at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 6 – Istanbul – Cappadocia
Transfer from Hotel to Istanbul airport. Morning flight to Kayseri and drive to Cappadocia to see the rock-cut churches and monasteries. Drive also to Pasabag and Zelve where you will enjoy the most unusual types of “Fairy Chimneys” and rock formations. After lunch visit the spectacular Cappadocian valleys and villages such as Uchisar , Goreme and Ortahisar. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 7 – Cappadocia
Drive to the underground city of Kaymakli. Visit this amazing complex with its fascinating tunnels, dwellings and storage rooms. After Kaymakli, drive to old Sinassos ( Mustafapasa ) which is famous for its unrivaled houses with painted facades. After lunch at Sinassos, drive to Avanos to see the pottery makers. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 8 – Konya – Pamukkale
Drive to Konya , ancient Seljuk capital, with its huge monastery complex and shrine of the mystic Mevlana, inspiration of the rite of whirling dervishes. After lunch, Drive to Pamukkale , with its strangely formed natural thermal baths and hot springs. Relax this afternoon in this “natural” spa.
Day 9 – Ephesus
Spend a full day exploring the jewel of Turkey’s ancient past, the ruins of Ephesus. Archaeological excavations begun in 1869 have uncovered well-preserved main streets, squares, temples, theaters and houses. Visit the Great Amphitheater, and stroll down the Marble Way to the magnificent Library of Celcus. Overnight in Izmir.
Day 10 – Izmir
This morning visit the Senora Synagogue (if possible) and Havra Street in Izmir where Jewish immigrants settled in 1492. You’ll continue on to Sardes , where you’ll visit one of the important historical cities of western Anatolia, the capital of the Lydian State. Sardes has rich architectural works reflecting its magnificent past. You’ll see the the Temple of Artemis, the mint house where coins were made, the gold purifying center, shops, gymnasium and the synagogue which was once 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.
Day 11 – Istanbul
Flight to Istanbul. Arrival in Istanbul and transfer to the hotel and overnight.
Day 12 – Istanbul
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Free Day in Istanbul.
Day 13 – Istanbul – End of Tour
(Breakfast included)
After breakfast check out from the hotel. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we look forward to seeing you in the future on another tour with us.
What is included
- All the transfers from Airport or bus station to hotel and back
- All domestic flights
- Museum entrance fees and all tours
- Accommodation as specified in intineray
- Lunches, Dinners & Breakfasts as specified
- Professional English speaking guide
- Transportation by airconditioned, nonsmoking vehicle.
Not included :
Drinks, tips to guide and driver, personal expenses and optional tours:
Highly Recommended in Cappadocia :
- Hot-Air Balloon Flight in Cappadocia: 295 Euros per adult cash payment (no child reduction)
Hot-Air Balloon Watching Photo Tour by Taxi: 60 Euros per person (no child reduction) - Whirling Dervishes Show: 40 Euros per person
- Turkish Night (traditional folk dances, belly dancers, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, 3-course meal, transfer to and from your hotel): 80 Euros per person
- Turkish Baths (Hamam): 80 Euros per person
- Horseriding: 60 Euros per person (1 hour)
- ATV / Quad: 55 Euros (1 hour)
Traditional Arts and Crafts in Turkey - Gifts and Souvenirs from Turkey:
Turkey has a rich history of authentic traditional handicrafts. Most famous Turkish items come from Cappadocia and goods were handmade here and transported along the Silk Road to Istanbul and the coastal areas.
Carpets and kilims: Carpets and kilims from Central Anatolia are world-famous. In Cappadocia, carpets are still handmade on authentic looms using natural dyes for the wool. You can see a free demonstration to see these age-old techniques still in use today.
Ceramic and pottery: Cappadocia has been famous since Hittite times for the beautiful and unique pottery and ceramics. Today, the best of the traditional ceramics and tiles on sale in Istanbul and other major cities are made in Avanos, Cappadocia.
Onyx and semi-precious stones: In Turkey, Cappadocia has the onyx mines where the highest quality onyx is found. Local artisans are experts at making items of jewellery made with precious and semi-precious stones, silver, and 22 and 24 carat gold.
Leather goods: Turkey is one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of leather goods. You can find a wide range of quality leather goods in Uchisar, Cappadocia.
Spices: Istanbul Spice Market, once the largest spice trading venue of the medieval world, with its abundant stalls still featuring piles of edible exotics is a definite highlight for anyone exploring Istanbul.
Highly Recommended in Turkiye
- Istanbul Sunset Cruise on a Luxury Yacht - 100 EUR pp
An Istanbul sunset cruise on a yacht is indeed a wonderful way to experience the old city from a unique perspective. With breathtaking views of the city's iconic landmarks bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, it is an unforgettable sight to behold. Admire the stunning panoramic vistas of the famous landmarks of Istanbul including the Blue Mosque, Maiden's Tower, and Ortakoy Mosque, among others. See Tour Details - Paragliding in Pamukkale - 100 EUR pp
An amazing experience in Pamukkale for adventurers and adrenalin lovers. An exciting, safe and joyful experience of a lifetime.
You will be able to explore the vast beauty of the white Pamukkale terraces and the remains of the ancient city of Hierapolis from above. See Tour Details - Paragliding in Fethiye - 125 EUR pp
Paragliding in Fethiye is a unique gift for yourself, loved ones or friends. Get off the ground, see the world from a dizzying height, soar freely like a bird on the rising air currents over the mountains. The location and terrain of the mountains and the scenic beauty of the area have made it one of the centres of world paragliding. See Tour
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