Turkey Tours

Jewish Heritage Private Tour

Day 1 — ARRIVAL at Istanbul

Arrive at Istanbul and private transfer to your hotel. The Jewish Community in Turkey is about 26 thousand and most of them live in Istanbul today. The majority is made up of Sephardic, but there are also some Ashkenazi and Karaite communities as well. Dinner at guests' expense.

Day 2 — Istanbul / Jewish districts

In 1492 Jews fleeing the Spanish Inquisition arrived at Istanbul and welcomed by the Ottomans. Many of them settled in Galata neighborhood where you'll visit Galata Tower built by Genoese in the 14th century, offering a great bird-eye view of the old city. From the Tower walk to Neve Shalom Synagogue and then visit the Jewish Museum of Turkey, known also as Zulfaris Synagogue, run by Quincentennial Foundation where you'll see the story of 700 years of amity between Turks and Jews. Then drive to Balat district along the Golden Horn, another old Jewish district where you'll visit the Ahrida Synagogue built over 500 years ago and still in use today. After wondering in this old neighborhood where the Star of David appears on some of the buildings, return back to your hotel. Lunch and Dinner at guests' expense. (B)

Day 3 — Istanbul / Highlights

Depart from your hotel after breakfast for a private tour of Istanbul. Visit ancient Byzantine Hippodrome where once chariots ran. Some of the important monuments of the Hippodrome are; Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column and the Stone Obelisk. Then you visit the Blue Mosque built in the 17th century, famous for its six minarets and beautiful Iznik tiles in the interior. Then visit Hagia Sophia museum, glory of the Byzantine Empire, built in the 6th century housing magnificent gold-leafed mosaics. You'll also visit Topkapi Palace, once the residence of the Ottoman Sultans located on a hilltop where precious displays such as Porcelains, Sultan's costumes, Portraits, and Treasury can be visited. At the end, you'll visit the Grand Bazaar for your shopping of traditional goods. Return back to your hotel. Lunch and Dinner at guests' expense. (B)

Day 4 — Istanbul / Bosphorus - Izmir

Breakfast and check out from your hotel in the morning. Visit the Egyptian Bazaar known as Spice Market. Then take a local ferry to start your cruise on the Bosphorus Strait, sailing along the European and Asian shores and viewing Palaces, Fortresses, Ottoman wooden houses, Suspension bridges, and fishermen. After this lovely cruise, possibility of lunch in a restaurant along the Bosphorus. After lunch, take the Intercontinental Suspension Bridge to set your foot on Asia and visit Beylerbeyi Palace which was the summer residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Private transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Izmir. On your arrival, you're escorted to your hotel in the city. Lunch and Dinner at guests' expense. (B)

Day 5 — Izmir / Ephesus

After breakfast, drive to Ephesus which was the capital of the Roman Province of Asia Minor. You'll visit the Odeon, the Bouleterion, the fountains, the temples, the brothel, the library, the agoras, the great theater, the roman baths, the marble road, the gymnasiums and so on. Then visit the Archeological Museum filled with a rich collection from the site and environs. Then you'll visit the grounds of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. A short drive back to Izmir at the end of the day. Lunch and Dinner at guests' expense. (B)

Day 6 — Izmir / Sardis

The city of Izmir has a 400 year old Jewish community with many synagogues. Today you'll visit the most important synagogue of the city; the Beth Israel. In the afternoon drive to Sardis, the ancient capital of Lydia, where you'll see the significant ruins of the ancient city such as the Temple of Artemis, the golden river Pactalos, the Persian Royal Road, the Gymnasium and so on. You will visit the remains of one of the world's oldest synagogue's, the Sardis Synagogue, built in the 3rd century BC. Drive back to Izmir. Lunch and Dinner at guests' expense. (B)

Day 7 — DEPARTURE from Izmir

Private transfer to the airport after breakfast in hotel for your return trip home. End of services (B)

(B) Breakfast - (L) Lunch - (D) Dinner

Please note: This tour is on private basis only and can start any day of the week (Day 1) from Istanbul. Order of the visits may be changed for the convenience of the tour. Hagia Sophia is closed on Mondays, Topkapi Palace on Tuesdays, Grand Bazaar on Sundays & Turkish public and religious holidays. On these specific days they'll be substituted with other museums or sites depending on the convenience of the program and schedule. Depending on the seasonal occupancies Izmir stay may be swapped to Kusadasi. We can arrange your domestic flights within Turkey and the hotel depending on your category preference.

Jewish Heritage tours are done with special requirements only. In order to visit a synagogue in Istanbul or Izmir there are certain procedures: you have to fax copies of your passports and a letter of inquiry to the Chief Rabinate, mentioning your names and pass numbers and visit date and hotel and synagogue to visit etc. They usually give you an appointment during the day except Saturdays, but they also have the right to cancel it without prior notice for security reasons, or for any festivity or celebration.

Important Note: All travel services in Turkey such as tours, hotel bookings, rent-a-car, transfers etc. are provided by an official & reliable local travel agency working with licensed tour guides, in order to secure your customer rights and fulfilling local regulations. Most of the tours are conducted in English. Please contact us for prices, quotes and other information.

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