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

Arrival to the Istanbul airport, assistance and transfer to the hotel.

 

Day 02            Istanbul (B-L)

In the morning, visit the neighborhood of Galata where many of the Jews fleeing from Spanish Inquisition in 1492 settled.  Visit the Galata Tower, built by the Genoese in 1303.  Continue to Neve Shalom Synagogue, the biggest one in Istanbul, built in 1951 for the Sepharadic Jews.  In the afternoon, visit the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace.

 

Day 03            Istanbul (B-L)

Visit of Balat district which has been the earliest neighborhood of the Jews from 1492 and on. Star of David can still be noticed on the facades of some of the buildings. Then visit Ahayim Jewish Hospital (also called the Balat Jewish Hospital), built in 1897; continue the tour with Ahrida Synagogue built over 500 years ago. In the afternoon, visit of Covered Bazaar

 

Day 04            Istanbul / Izmir  (B-L)

Early flight to Izmir. On arrival, drive to Sardis, capital of Lydia. Visit the oldest synagogue there dating from the 3rd century BC ; an evidence of the Jewish community existence in West Anatolia in the ancient times with its capacity of 1000 people . Return to Izmir to .visit Beth Israel Synagogue , one of the most important of the city. 

 

Day 05            Izmir (B-L)

Depart for Ephesus, the best preserved ancient city of the antiquity to visit of its great theater, agora, baths, library of celsus, Temple of Artemis, St John and Museum.

 

Day 06            Izmir / Airport (B)

Transfer to airport.