Jewish Heritage – 4 Days

Upon arrival in Istanbul, the guide will greet you and drive to your hotel. After check-in leisure day to explore the city. Overnight in Istanbul.

Upon breakfast at the hotel depart for first visiting - "Ashkenazi Synagogue" is favored for its imposing facade with three oriental arches and octagonal rosette windows. Inside, the floors are of marble, the lofty blue dome is painted with stars, and the elaborately-worked ark of dark wood blends eastern European and Arabesque style

Ahrida Synagogue is in the Balat district and is the oldest synagogue of Istanbul from the 1400s. The pulpit in the shape of Noah's Ark is exceptional here. "Komando Staircase" is a graceful curved double staircase built in the nineteenth century on the order of the Kamondos, the Jewish community's most prosperous family.

"Zulfaris Synagogue" is dating from 1671 and is presently being restored as a museum of Turkish Jewish life. After lunch proceeds to "Neve Shalom Synagogue" is where the Turkish Jews attend Shabbat prayers, weddings, and funerals. Our guide explains to us about a few historical facts about the synagogue and the Turkish Jew’s history here.

We view "Galata Tower" from outside which dominates Istanbul’s skyline since 1348. We wander through the daily life of picturesque Galata District viewing workshops, groceries, housewives hanging out laundry, children playing in the narrow streets or making their way to and from school. After the tour, transfer back to the hotel.

Meaning Divine Wisdom, Hagia Sophia was the largest building on earth barring the Egyptian Pyramids or the Great Wall of China. Today's Hagia Sophia was built by the Emperor Justinian in 537AD. It was the religious center of the city during the Byzantine period. It was used as a church for 916 years and as a mosque for 481 years, In 1934, by the order of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk it was converted into a museum and since it is open to the visitors.

As well as being the imperial residence of the Sultan, the palace was also the seat of government for the ottoman empire. It housed the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years until the Dolmabahçe palace was built. In 1924 it was converted into a museum. Today it is famous with harem, royal treasury, and holy relics sections

Built by the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus in 203AD, during the Roman period hippodrome was the civil center for the people of the city where once 100,000 spectators could be held. Located in the heart of Sultanahmet surrounded by Blue mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi palace, today it is home to The Egyptian Obelisk (Dikilitaş), The Serpentine Column (Burma sütun), The Constantine Column and German Fountain.

Built by the Ottoman Sultan Ahmet I in the year 1616, it is located opposite the Hagia Sophia. Blue mosque today is one of the most famous landmarks of the old city with its famous six minarets and magnificent dome. Although it is officially called Sultanahmet Mosque, the name Blue Mosque was given to it by the visitors because of the amazing blue tiles decorating the interior walls.

With 18 entrances and more than 4000 shops, it is one of the greatest bazaars in the world. It was built between [ ] by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror. Today, shops selling the same kind of merchandise tend to be congregated in their own streets or inns as it was the original Ottoman system.