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DAY 01 : Arrival to Istanbul
Upon arrival to Istanbul Ataturk Airport and clearing customs, you will be met by one of our staff at the exit gate of arrivals hall & transfer your hotel. On the way, a brief stop by the 1700-year-old ancient city walls will be a great photo opportunity. There will be time to relax and rest before meeting the guide in the evening for an orientation walk with your guide around Sultanahmet by night. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 02 : Splendors of Empire Sightseeing Tour
After breakfast at hotel, your guide will take you to visit some of Istanbul’s most fascinating sights such as the Blue Mosque; unique with its 6 Minarets, St Sophia Museum; the jewel of Byzantine architecture in Istanbul, a 6th Century Church dedicated to Divine Wisdom. We walk around the Hippodrome where once chariot races & other activities took place during the Roman period. We’ll have lunch at a local restaurant serving Turkish Cuisine before heading to the Grand Bazaar; worlds oldest & biggest covered bazaar with more than 4000 shops which are still in business today. Finally we visit Topkapi Palace; the home of the Ottoman Sultans & their families for over 400 years, a city within a city with 3000 residents. We will also see the Harem section & rooms which have become a myth in the West due to the discrete life of the Sultans living here. The day will finish with the visit to the Mosque of Suleymaniye the Magnificent. At the end of the tour the guide will take you back to your hotel, evening at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul
DAY 03 : Bosphorous Cruise and Asia Sightseeing Tour
Breakfast at hotel, then meeting your guide at hotel lobby short drive down to Eminonu to visit Spice Bazaar with mystical smells of different aromas of variousspices. Shops selling fruits, vegetables, fish, flowers,etc. Then walk to the harbour to embark on the Bosphorus Ferry for a cruise on the Bosphorus. We believe a visit to Istanbul is never complete if you haven't joined the Bosphorus Cruise. During the cruise you will see the city from a different perspective, the old wooden villas, Rumeli Fortress, Ortakoy Mosque, both bridges linking Asia & Europe, (our banner is a glimps of what you will see) & much more. After lunch, continue on land to visit Camlica Hill for 360° panoramic views over the city & driving back to Europe over the Bosphorus Bridge we visit Dolmabahce Palace, with more than 340 rooms & 8 Turkish Baths the Imperial Residence of the last 6 Sultans, is sure to fascinate its visitors. At the end of the tour the guide will take you back to your hotel, evening at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul
DAY 04 : Jewish Sights in Istanbul
Breakfast then on to explore the Jewish Heritage of Istanbul visiting the Galata neighborhood, Neve Shalom Synagogue, Ashkenazy Synagogue, the Balat area, the Ahrida Synagogue and the Jewish Hospital in Haskoy. At the end of the tour the guide will take you back to your hotel, evening at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul
DAY 05 : Flight to Izmir for Synagogues and Sardes
Breakfast at hotel, check out and transfer to Istanbul Airport for departure on the domestic flight to Izmir. On your arrival to Izmir Airport you will be met with your new guide depart to visit Bikur Halim and Beth Israel Synagogues then drive to Sardis, capital of Ancient Lydia. Visit the famous Synagogue and Temple of Diana before heading on to Kusadasi with the evening at leisure. Overnight in Kusadasi.
DAY 06 : Ancient Ephesus Tour and flight to Istanbul
Breakfast at hotel and then depart to visit the remains of Artemis Temple. Then on to Ephesus Ancient City, the best preserved Greco-Roman city in the world. Here you will explore the Agora, Odeon, Curetes Street, Celsius Library, Roman baths, Grand Theatre, Marble Street. After a lunch break depart for the House of Virgin Mary and visit the chapel where she is said to have spent her last days. At the end of the tour you will be transferred to Izmir Airport for the domestic flight to Istanbul. On your arrival to Istanbul Airport, you will be met at the Airport for the transfer to your hotel in Istanbul. Evening at lesiure. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 07 : Transfer to Istanbul Airport
Breakfast, check-out and meeting your transfer staff for drive to Istanbul International Airport.
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What’s NOT included:
* International flights and personal travel insurance, any other expenses not noted in the below included section or airport tax, visa for Turkey, any tips to guide, driver or staff at hotels, items of a personal nature, hotel extras (minibar, telephone/internet usage, laundry, etc), drinks with meals (except the drinks served with breakfast) and medical services.
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