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6 nights / 7 days
A journey to our roots
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Day 01 Istanbul (D)
Arrival to the Istanbul airport, assistance and transfer to the hotel on Taksim area/modern part of the city. Welcome coctail and walking tour on İstiklal Avenue and arrival to Galata area for a dinner in the Jewish Old Age Home rooftop with a 360 degrees of view of the city.
Day 02 Istanbul (B-L)
In the morning, visit the neighborhood of Balat 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.Visit of the Ahrida Synagogue, with it’s « boat-shaped » tevah which symbolizes the Jews fleeing from Spanish Inquisition in 1492. Visit the Jewish Hospital « Or Ahayim » and lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace.
Day 03 Istanbul- Bursa –İzmir (B-L-D)
Departure on the early morning to Bursa by ferry boat, Bursa was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire and a few Jewish families still continue to live there . Visit of the Gerus and Etz Ahayim Synagogues in the old Jewish Quarter. Free time for Silk Market and Grand Mosque. Drive to İzmir,lunch on the way (lunch pack if the group request Glad Kosher meal) . Arrival to İzmir, dinner and overnight in the city.
Day 04 Izmir (B-L-D)
After the breakfast, 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, Old Jewish Quarter.
Possiblity of visit the Liga (Young Generation Social Club) on demand and overnight in İzmir.
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Day 05 Izmir- Ephesus- İstanbul (B-L)
Departure for the market area of İzmir (Kemeraltı) where from 34 magnificient synagogues built on the Ottoman Period, only 8 remain today. Discovering the house of Sabbatai Zevi,who claimed to be Jewish Messiah in the 17th century. Continuation 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.Transfer to the airport to fly İzmir-istanbul.
Day 06 İstanbul (B-L)
In the morning, visit of the Galata district, which was an old Genoese colony and a Jewish quarter till 1960’s. Continuation to the Neve Shalom Museum the biggest active synagogue in Turkey and The Quincentennial Jewish Museum. Visit of the Ashkenazi Synagogue and Tailor’s synagogue.(Schneidertemple).In the afternoon, visit of the Hagia Sophia Museum and free time on the Grand Bazar.
Optional farewell Dinner Cruise on the Bosphorus with traditional show.
Day 07 İstanbul (B)
Transfer to the airport.
