Turkey 11 days

11 days Jewish tours to Turkey:

Turkey in Depth

Turkey is an exotic, almost indescribable blend of East and West.  A crossroad of the Silk Trade, it has always welcomed and engaged with travelers from every corner of the globe.  Its capital, Istanbul (once Byzantium) stands among other world-class cities, like Rome, Jerusalem, and Athens, evoking the sense of millennia of history and culture. Outside Istanbul, Turkey is packed with many more wonders, such as soaring balloons showing you the otherworldly rock formations of Cappadocia, ancient Roman Mosaics in Antakya, the gorgeous Aegean seaport of Izmir (Smyrna), and ancient temples in the legendary cities of Sardis and Ephesus. Wherever you go, Turkey takes you on a magic carpet ride around the world and across the centuries.

Explore Our 7 days Jewish Tours to Turkey

Day 1 Tuesday Arrival in Istanbul

Upon arrival in Istanbul’s international airport, transfer to a city that exemplifies the true meaning of “East meets West.” As the only city in the world built on two continents, Istanbul is divided into a European and an Asian side. Meet your guide at the hotel, a favorite choice for many (Zsa Zsa Gabor, Ernest Hemingway and Agatha Christie to name a few). At the hotel room 101 is preserved as a museum to keep the memory of Turkey’s modern leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Welcome Dinner. Pera Palace Hotel. D

Day 2 Wednesday Istanbul

Begin the Turkish adventure with a visit to Sultan Ahmet Square and exotic Topkapi Palace. Next, admire the Byzantine structure of the world-famous Hagia Sophia, first built as a church and later converted to a mosque. After Lunch, visit the colorful, historic Grand Bazaar and Spice Market. Here you will sample the many tastes of Turkey, from sweet to spicy to in between – a delightful insight to the culture’s richness. At sunset, enjoy a cruise on the Bosphorus, as the light of the setting sun paints Istanbul in an array of gorgeous hues, followed by Dinner. Pera Palace Hotel. B/L/D

Day 3 Thursday Istanbul

Today is fully reserved for the Jewish sights of Istanbul. Though Sephardic Jews predominate in Turkish Jewish history, Istanbul also boasts an Ashkenazic element. The full day tour will include the Ashkenazic synagogue as well as several Sephardic Synagogues, with focus on the Galata area and the main Neve Shalom synagogue, with its attached Jewish Museum. You will also visit Jewish areas as Balat and Ortakoy, and the cemetery, located on one of the highest hills in the city. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Choose to have the remainder of the day at leisure or join an optional (included) visit to Taksi Square and a walk back to the hotel along the lively Istiklal Street. Pera Palace Hotel. Pera Palace Hotel. B/L

Day 4 Friday Istanbul – Antakya

Time for a peaceful morning stroll in the neighborhood and the Galata Tower, before the streets become packed with visitors. Later, transfer to the airport and depart on the short flight to Antakya. Upon arrival at the Hatay Airport, transfer to the Museum hotel (uniquely built on the grounds of the 2,300 year old floor mosaics) in the heart of the city of the former land of Antioch (in former Syria). Friday night Services and Dinner with members of the small Jewish Community. Museum Hotel. B/D

Day 5 Saturday Antakya

Wake up surround by the history told by the mosaics visible at the hotel. Next, begin this day with a visit to the small falls at Harbiye Selalesi. Later, return to the Synagogue for services and Kiddush. In the afternoon visit the incredible collection of ancient mosaics – a true world-class experience. The Archeological Museum in Antakya is home to one of the largest collections of Roman Mosaics. Later, visit the Long Bazaar, which has been the center for trading since the high days of the Silk Road. Here, do food tasting of local specialties. Return to the hotel. Dinner. Museum Hotel. B/L/D

Day 6 Sunday Antakya – Cappadocia

After breakfast, say farewell to Antakya and begin a journey by coach to Cappadocia. Travel via the Cilician Gates mountain pass with great vistas of the often snow-capped Taurus mountains, heading toward the magical landscapes created by lava and soft rocks, characteristic of the Cappadocia region. Upon arrival in the afternoon, enjoy a tour to the Valley of Love with its natural Fairy Chimneys, best seen in the afternoon. Later, Check-in at the hotel. Dinner. Kayakapi Premium Caves Hotel. B/L/D

Day 7 Monday Cappadocia

Optional early morning hot air ballooning. It is a rare and must-do activity here, allowing you to soar over the natural landscape of Cappodocia. For those not choosing this option, watch the colorful balloons glide over the landscape as the sun rises. Either way, you will enjoy a sight never to be forgotten. Return to the hotel where breakfast is waiting. After breakfast, embark on a tour of the region. Visit the Goreme area, formerly home to a vast complex of monasteries. Continue to the highest point in the region, known as Uchisar Castle and the nearby Pigeon Valley, offering great views of the natural formations in the town. After Lunch, visit the Kaymaki Underground City, and enjoy free time to explore at leisure. Return to the hotel in the later afternoon. Pending availability, enjoy a performance of the Sufi Whirling Dervishes. Dinner. Kayakapi Premium Caves Hotel. B/L/D

Day 8 Tuesday Cappadocia – Izmir

This morning, transfer to the Kayseri airport and check-in for the direct flight to Izmir, the Aegean port formerly known as Smyrna. Upon arrival, tour this important seaport in Turkey, formerly home to a large Jewish community (at its peak, 40,000). Izmir was one of the places preferred by Turkey’s founder, Ataturk. In the lively town, visit the Beit Israel Synagogue (active and vibrant today) and Jewish Community Center. Transfer to the former Jewish area atop the steep cliff of Karatas, which formerly had to be reached by 155 steps. Fortunately, Nesim Levi, an illiterate Jew who made a fortune by importing hats from France, built an elevator to connect Jewish homes to the shore road, very near Beth Israel. The 165-foot-high elevator was restored in 1994, and the street leading up to was renamed for Dario Moreno, the Jewish singer and actor (1921-1967) whose family lived there. The terrace above the elevator affords excellent city views. Dinner. Movenpick Hotel. B/L/D

Day 9 Wednesday Izmir – Sardis – Izmir

Today’s excursion takes us to the city of Sardis, which is one of the most important sites in Western Turkey. It is the ruined capital of ancient Lydia, once ruled by King Croesus, Lydia’s last king (and legendary for his wealth). This was also the home to the 2nd largest synagogue in the world at its time. Sardis was rediscovered in the middle of last century and the excavations of this city reveal its many-layered past. Lunch. Afterward, return to Izmir, and continue the touring the city. Remainder of the day at leisure. Movenpick Hotel. B/L

Day 10 Thursday Izmir – Ephesus – Istanbul

After breakfast, depart Izmir by coach and transfer to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ephesus, once an ancient Greek city, built by the Ionian Prince Androclos (according to one legend), and famous for the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Tour this fascinating, ancient city, and explore its classic ruins, including the remains of the Temple to Artemis, built around 652 BCE to honor the huntress twin of Apollo. Lunch at a nearby restaurant, followed by a transfer to the Izmir airport and check-in for the short flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel, located an easy walking distance to Istanbul’s famous sites, the Sophia Hagia, Topkapi Palace and the Great Blue Mosque. Enjoy farewell dinner in this magic setting. Sura Sophia Hagia Hotel. B/L/D

Day 11 Friday Istanbul – home flights

After Breakfast, transfer to the Istanbul international Airport. Check-in for the return flight to the USA. B