DAY 1: ISTANBUL
Upon arrival to Istanbul, transfer to hotel.
DAY 2: ISTANBUL
After breakfast in the hotel, we depart for a full day general cultural tour of Istanbul. We visit famous Blue Mosque and Saint Sophia. We visit Topkapi Palace which was the political center of the Ottoman Empire. We also visit Archaeological Museum and as well as seeing incredible Greco Roman artifacts we will see some important artifacts related to Jewish history and culture. Finally we have a free time in Grand Bazaar.
DAY 3: ISTANBUL
Then we go across the Golden Horn to Haskoy Quarter. We visit Maalem and Bene Mikra Synagogues. After that we visit Old Age Home.
Then we drive to Galata, the old financial center of Istanbul. We visit Neve Shalom Synagogue. Then we visit Schneider Synagogue that is a cultural center today and Zulfaris Synagogue that is the Jewish Museum today. We certainly walk in the Camondo Stairs.
Finally we go to Kuzguncuk Quarter and visit Beit Yaakov Synagogue and have a walk in the district to see some old Jewish houses.
DAY 4: ISTANBUL – BURSA
After breakfast in the hotel, we drive to Bursa, the old Ottoman capital. We visit Jewish quarter and visit Geroush and Mayor Synagogues.
Then we visit general attractions of the town: We visit Green Mosque and Green Tomb to see superb tiles. We visit Grand Mosque to admire calligraphy art and finally visit Cocoon Market.
DAY 5: BURSA – SARDES – IZMIR
After breakfast in the hotel, we drive to Sardes to see Roman period synagogue. Then we drive to Izmir and visit Roman Agora to see some old Jewish and Sabatayist tomb stones. We walk in the heart of Izmir, Kemeraltı district and see people doing their everyday shopping in rush. We see Beit Israel, Bilkour Holim, Giveret (Signora) and Shaar Ha Shamaim Synagogues.
DAY 6: IZMIR – EPHESUS – IZMIR
After breakfast in the hotel, we drive to Ephesus and visit the Roman metropolis. We walk in the marble streets from State Agora down to the Harbor Street to see Odeon, Theatre, Celsus Library and imperial temples. Then we return back to Izmir.
DAY 7: IZMIR – PERGAMON –TROY – CANAKKALE
After breakfast in the hotel, we drive to Pergamon and visit the Acropolis of Pergamon and then we visit so called Red Courtyard, a temple dedicated to Egyptian Gods to see some old Jewish grave stones.
After that we drive to Troy and on the way you see nothing else but olive trees! You see different layers of settlements in Troy and talk about archaeology as well as mythology.
DAY 8: CANAKKALE – GELIBOLU – ISTANBUL
After breakfast in the hotel, we visit the synagogue of Canakkale town by the Dardanelles. Then we take a ferry across Dardanelles from Asian continent to European continent and then drive to Gelibolu to see the tower that Sabatay Sevi was imprisoned. Then we drive to Istanbul.
DAY 9: DEPARTURE
After breakfast in the hotel, we have transfer to the airport.