Day 01 Arrival in Istanbul
You will be met by one of our representatives who will arrange the transfer to your hotel when you arrive in Istanbul Airport. On the way, your guide will make a brief stop to the 1700-year-old ancient city walls, offering you a great photo opportunity. You will have time to relax before meeting your guide this evening for an orientation walk around Sultanahmet by night.
Day 02 Splendors of Empire Sightseeing Tour
Today you get picked up from your hotel to visit some of Istanbul’s most amazing 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. You take a walk around the Ancient Hippodrome, once home to chariot races and other activities that took place during the Roman era. You will have your lunch at a local restaurant serving local Turkish cuisine, before heading to the Grand Bazaar; the world’s oldest and largest covered bazaar with more than 4000 shops. Your final stop will be at the Topkapi Palace. the home of the Ottoman Sultans and their families for over 400 years, a city within a city with 3000 residents.
Day 03 Bosphorous Cruise and Asia Sightseeing Tour
Your tour begins with a short trip down to Eminonu to visit Spice Bazaar with mystical aromas from various spices. Stalls selling fruits, vegetables, fish, flowers are among the products that you will see in the Bosphorus. Then yuo will take a leisurely walk to the harbor where you will board the Bosphorus Ferry for a cruise along the Bosphorus. During the cruise you will see the city from a different perspective, the old wooden villas, Rumeli Fortress, Ortakoy Mosque, both bridges that link Asia & Europe and much more. After lunch, you will continue on land to visit Camlica Hill for 360° panoramic views over the city, followed by a short journey back to Europe over the Bosphorus Bridge and visit Dolmabahce Palace, with more than 350 rooms.
Day 04 Jewish Sights
Today, in Istanbul you will 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, leaving you with the evening at your leisure.
Day 05 Flight to Izmir for Synagogues and Sardes
Check out and transfer to Istanbul Airport for departure on the domestic flight to Izmir. Upon your arrival in Izmir, you will be met by your local guide. You will travel on to visit the Bikur Halim and Beth Israel Synagogues, followed by Sardis, capital of Ancient Lydia. Finally, you will visit the famous Synagogue and Temple of Diana before heading on to Kusadasi where you will spend the fifth evening of your vacation.
Day 06 Ancient Ephesus Tour and flight to Istanbul
Once you have checked-out, you will visit the remains of Artemis Temple. From here travel on to visit Ephesus Ancient City, the best preserved Greco-Roman city in the world. Here you will be able to explore the Agora, Odeon, Curetes Street, Celsius Library, Roman baths, Grand Theatre and Marble Street. After a quiet lunch break your tour will depart for the House of Virgin Mary to visit the chapel where she is said to have spent her last days. At the end of the journey you will be transferred to Izmir Airport for the domestic flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival, you will be met at the Airport and transferred to your hotel in Istanbul for your last evening in Turkey.
Day 07 Transfer to Istanbul Airport
After checked-out from your hotel, we will arrange for the transfer to Istanbul International Airport for your return or onward flight.