Istanbul - Cappadocia - Konya - Pamukkale - Ephesus - Izmir - Istanbul
13
Days / 12 nights escorted tour of Anatolia Turkey -
Day 1 - Istanbul - Arrival Day
(Dinner included)
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
(Breakfast and dinner included)
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 St. Sophia, a world
heritage site built in the 6th century. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3 - Istanbul
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Visit the Topkapi Palace, its priceless collection of jewels, and the Grand
Covered Bazaar. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 4 - Istanbul
(Breakfast and dinner included)
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
(Breakfast and dinner included)
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
(Breakfast and dinner included)
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
(Breakfast and dinner included)
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
(Breakfast and dinner included)
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
(Breakfast and dinner included)
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 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
(Breakfast and dinner included)
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
13 DAYS JEWISH HERITAGE TOUR INCLUDES:
Arrival airport transfer from Istanbul Ataturk Airport
12 nights 4 star hotel in Istanbul including breakfast and dinner
All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking coach
Professional English-speaking tour guides
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