Galata Tower and the
Galata Section of Istanbul,
one of the old Jewish
quarters, as seen from the
Golden Horn

JEWISH TOUR OF ISTANBUL AND WESTERN TURKEY
9 DAYS

Turkey is the only country where Jews have lived in peace for over 500 years without any persecution, since the days of the Ottoman Empire. 1992 witnessed the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Sephardic Jews in this land. We designed these tours for our Jewish friends, especially the Sephardic Jews, to share the experiences of their ancestors by visiting ancient synagogues, Jewish neighborhoods, museums, etc. Even if you stay only one day in Turkey, you can still have a memorable time by doing a full-day Sephardic Tour of Istanbul.

DAY 1: ISTANBUL Arrive at Istanbul airport. Transfer to hotel. Welcome Cocktail and dinner at hotel. (D)

DAY 2: ISTANBUL Visit the St. Sophia Museum, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. Lunch on the grounds of Topkapi Palace. Visit Neve Shalom Synagogue*. Dinner in a historical setting. (B,L,D)

DAY 3: ISTANBUL Visit Ahrida Synagogue* and the Jewish Home For The Aged*. Lunch at a well-known restaurant in town. Dinner at a special location. (B,L,D)

DAY 4: BURSA Drive to Bursa. Lunch at a famous Döner Kebap (Gyro) restaurant. Visit the Green Mosque and Mausoleum, the Silk Bazaar, and Yerusch Synagogue*. Dinner at hotel. (B,L,D)

DAY 5: CANAKKALE Drive to Canakkale. Visit Shalom Synagogue* and the Gallipoli War Monuments. Lunch at Gelibolu (Gallipoli). Dinner at hotel in Canakkale. (B,L,D)

DAY 6: IZMIR Sightseeing in Troy. Lunch at Bergama (Pergamum). Sightseeing in Pergamum. Drive to Izmir. Dinner at hotel. (B,L,D)

DAY 7: IZMIR Sightseeing in the City, Castle of Alexander the Great. Lunch at a seaside restaurant. Sightseeing in Sardes. Dinner at a restaurant in Izmir. (B,L,D)

DAY 8: ISTANBUL Drive to Selçuk. Sightseeing in Ephesus, the Basilica of St. John, and the Efes Museum. Lunch at Selçuk. Transfer to Izmir airport for flight to Istanbul**. Transfer to hotel. Dinner at hotel. (B,L,D)

DAY 9: Transfer to the airport for the flight to your next destination. (B)

* May be substituted with similar temple or location, or omitted, if not open to visitors
B = Breakfast included, L = Lunch included, D = Dinner included, D/E = Dinner and entertainment included
NOTE: The city or region designated next to a tour day (e.g., DAY 6: ANTALYA) indicates the location of overnight stay.