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Jewish Treasures
of Turkey
Visit
Turkey's top sights- Istanbul, with an Emphasis on the Jewish Heritage
all in 9 days on a Locally escorted tour- Daily arrival
Add a Gulet Cruise : Start
in Dalaman and on to Antalya
Here's
an alternative 9-day plan for experiencing the heart and soul of Turkey
and her Jewish Heritage . We've tweaked the itinerary to allow more
touring of the Jewish heritage sites , yet covering the rest of the
highlights in Turkey . It's just an example of how we can tailor your
trip exactly to your preferences. Tour starts daily in Istanbul . Let
us tailor your visit to Turkey exactly to your desires, using our extensive
network of contacts throughout the country.
Day
1. - ARRIVE ISTANBUL
Our
staff meets your flight , or
cruise line ( Oceania Cruises , Princess Cruises , Crystal Cruises or
other Mediterranean cruises ), and escorts you to your hotel.
Upon
arrival and proceed with the formalities of immigration and customs.
If you don't have a visa in hand, it's usually a simple matter to acquire
one upon arrival. You'll have an opportunity to rest and relax before
catching your onward Turkish Air flight to Kayseri. There, you'll be
met, and continue your adventure overland into the heart of fabled Cappadocia.
Here, you'll check into your hotel in one of the region's towns, relax,
and begin your discoveries.
Day 2 - ISTANBUL - Complimentary Home Hosted Dinner (B)
Depart hotel and start exploring Istanbul. The impressive Hippodrome
is your first stop. Then visit the Blue Mosque named for the vivid Iznik
tiles which line its interior. Browse the jewel in Turkey's Byzantine
crown-the Museum of St Sophia. This splendid Church of Divine Wisdom
was originally built in the 4th century AD and was lovingly restored
in the 1900s, reflecting the true history of the glorious city of Istanbul.
Finally, you will stop at the amazing Topkapi Palace-official residence
of the Ottoman Sultans-with courts, pavilions, mosques, fountains and
a treasury.
Complimentary entrance tickets to the Harem's
Quarter in Topkape Palace in Istanbul, when you book your tour/cruise
with us
At
the end of the day Enjoy some time at the Grand Bazaar for some shopping.
This
evening we'll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread . . . right
into the homes of some of the people of Istanbul! You'll be invited
to a family dinner, and while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties,
you'll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way
of life of your hosts. Be assured, as curious as you may be about your
new friends, they're sure to have questions about your own background.
Once the ice is broken, you'll enjoy a lively evening, and find that
you have more in common than you ever suspected. Of course, you may
enjoy quiet evening with your travel companions, by letting us know
your preferences.
Day 3 - ISTANBUL / Gallipoli - CANAKKALE (BD)
Morning ride for Canakkale. After lunch in Gallipoli. Cross the Dardenells
by ferry boat to Asia. Visit the site of Troy, the homeric city. Dinner
and overnight at Canakkale.
Day 4 - - CANAKKALE - KUSADASI (BD)
After a lovely drive to Pergamum, lunch in town. Visit the Acropolis
of Helenistic Pergamum. Among its buildings are the Altar of Zeus and
the temples of Trajan & Dionysus. Visit the Asclepion, the earliest
health center of Asia Minor. Continue to Kusadasi. Dinner and overnight.
Day 5 - KUSADASI (BD)
Morning drive to Ephesus. Visit the Basilica of St. John?s, his tomb
and the House of Virgin Mary. Afternoon tour Ephesus with its legendary
marble streets, the magnificent amphitheater, Hadrian Temple and Celcus
Library. Reach Kusadasi for dinner. In evening stroll through the shops
and overnight.
Day 6 - KUSADASI - PAMUKKALE (BD)
After breakfast drive to Pamukkale. En route visit Aphrodisias, the
city of Aphrodite, an ancient city of sculpture and arts. Tour the theater
and the magnificent stadium. Afternoon arrive to Pamukkale, the "cotton
castle" so named because of limestone hot springs and spectacular
white rock formations. Overnight in Pamukkale.
Day
7 - PAMUKKALE - ANTALYA (BD)
After a leisurely breakfast, stroll in the ancient Roman city of Hierapolis
with theatre, baths, necropolis. Continue on the "Turqoise Coast"
of the Mediterranean. Dinner and overnight in Antalya.
Day
8 - ANTALYA (BD)
After a leisurely breakfast, full day exploration of the ancient Pamphylian
cities; Perge with colonnaded streets, and the stadium, Aspendos theatre
whose acoustics unrivalled. After lunch, spend the time at the seaside
town of Side, visited by St. Paul and which was a bishopric of the early
Christian Church. Stay the night at Antalya.
Day
9 - ANTALYA - Fly back to ISTANBUL (B)
After a leisurely breakfast, drive to Antalya airport for your domestic
flight to Istanbul. Transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon drive to
Balat along the Golden Horn where the Star of David appears on the facades
of some buildings. See Ahrida Synagogue, built in the 15th century.
See the Jewish Cemetery, where the martyrs of Neve Shalom are buried.
Continue to the centuries-old Jewish neighborhood, Galata, with its
tower built by the Genoese. From the panorama balcony. See the stunning
views of old constantinople, Bosphorus, Golden Horn and the Jewish quarters.
Enjoy refreshments in this historical atmosphere. Afterwards see Neve
Shalom Synagogue & Ashkenaz Synagogue, Afterwards drive to Ortaköy,
first disembark point of Sepharads, welcomed by the Ottoman Sultan,
and visit to Etz-Ahayim Synagogue. Your last stop will be Zulfaris Synagogue,
a 19th century synagogue which houses a museum. Here learn about the
Turkish Jews who were welcomed by the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century.
There is an opportunity for rich collection of history books and novels
about Turkish Jewry as well as CDs of Turkish Jewish folk music and
lithurgical music, selection of souvenirs including Mezuzahs, Hamsa
keyrings.
Day
10 - DEPARTURE (B)
We'll
see you to the airport, where you'll catch your plane to start your
onward journey.
You'll
go where and when you want to, without the limits of somebody else's
idea of what you should see. Include the marvels of Istanbul, crossroads
of East and West. Take in dramatic mountain scenery, or unspoiled
beaches . . . or both ! Experience the sinuous rhythms of the belly
dance, and explore mysterious troglodyte houses. You can even float
over Cappadocia in a hot air balloon or explore hidden Mediterranean
coves on a private sailboat! No wish is impractical, no desire is
out of the question. Here are our suggested fourteen-day itineraries
for Turkey. Together, we'll add adventures, explore possibilities,
and make your Turkish experience extraordinary!
We'll b eglad to add : CAPPADOCIA AND THE COAST , if you can afford
us the time
Penetrate to the heart of Cappadocia, and discover ancient dwellings
and churches hewn into rock. Travel across centuries, to Roman and
Biblical Turkey, and the mysterious world of the Lycians.
Recommended
Hotels:
Istanbul
- Arena Hotel - Special Category
Canakkale
- Kolin Hotel - 5*
Kusadasi
- Korumar Hotel - 5*
Pamukkale
- Colossae Hotel - 5*
Antalya
- Divan Talya - 5*
RATES
(per person) in USD $
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Private
Touring
minimum 2 guests required
|
| Triple |
US$2248.00
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| Double |
US$2380.00
|
| Single |
US$4010.00
|
Tour
starts in Istanbul daily year round . Compare
with the 12 days , or
14 days edition edition
YOUR
TOUR INCLUDES:
Domestic
airfare in Turkey in economy class
All transfers
and porterage in Turkey
All ground
transportation as per itinerary .
Fully
locally escorte.
Guided
sightseeing.
All admissions
fees, for all tous as described in the itinerary
cB
= continental breakfast daily . D = Pre-set
menu dinner , all as listed in the itinerary
Hotel
accommodation , with tax & service charge.
Turkish Ottoman boutique hotels in major cities and contemporrary
moderate 5 stars Class hotel accommodations. An upgrade
is available to Deluxe hotels ( In major cities only) .
Bonus!
Lonely Planet Turkey guidebook.
Rate
doesn't include :
En
Espanol
Most
popular Yachting package : A Week's Escape on a Mediterranean
Yacht
8- Day : Including a Mediterranean
Gulet Cruise
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to Turkey Tour List
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