DAY 1
Arrival in Istanbul. Airport transfer to the hotel. Check into the hotel and have some time to relax. An orientation of the city will be given shortly afterwards, with the remainder of the day free to spend at your own leisure about the city. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 2
After breakfast, visit Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia. Lunch break at an authentic Turkish restaurant before visiting the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Basilica Cistern and Grand Bazaar. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 3
After breakfast, visit the Spice Market and Rustempasa Mosque, followed by a cruise by ferry through the Bosphorus, by which you will also be served lunch, at a fisherman's village named Ortakoy. In the afternoon, explore the opulent 19th century Dolmabahce Palace. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 4
After breakfast, visit Pera, the Galata quarter and Galata Tower, Neve Shalom Synagogue, Ashkenazi Synagogue and the Zülferis Synagogue and Museum. Following a lunch break in Galata, reach the Golden Horn to visit Ahrida Synagogue in Balat, Chora Church and Pierre Loti Hill in Eyup. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 5
Morning departure to the airport. Fly to Izmir and transfer to the hotel. The sightseeing begins on Havra Sokak (better known as the street of synagogues); visit the 200 years old active Seniyora Synagogue. Continue on to the Karatas quarter to see the Beth Israel Synagogue, in Ottoman-Victorian style. Next, take a ride on the Asansör, a 19th century hilltop funicular, before stepping into the Archaeological & Ethnographic Museum. Drive up to Kadifekale hill overlooking the city and the bay, to enjoy a coffee. Overnight in Izmir.
DAY 6
Excursion to Sardis, once the capital of the Lydian kingdom, where a large and prosperous Jewish community resided in its heyday as a Roman city. Visit the ruins, including the enormously rich Roman Synagogue. After lunch return to Izmir. Overnight in Izmir.
DAY 7
Excursion to Selcuk, where you will visit the ancient Greco-Roman city of Ephesus, including the Artemis Temple, Archeological Museum, the House of Virgin Mary and the formerly Greek picturesque village of Sirince. Return to Izmir. Overnight in Izmir.
DAY 8
Transfer to Izmir airport. Fly to Ankara and transfer to the hotel. The day's sightseeing covers the Anatolian Civilizations Museum, the Mausoleum of Ataturk, Angora Castle and the Jewish quarter of Samanpazari. Overnight in Ankara.
DAY 9
Depart for Cappadocia. The day's sightseeing includes Göreme Open Air Museum, Avanos, Uchisar, Monks' Valley and Urgup. Overnight in Urgup.
DAY 10
Explore Cappadocia further, by hiking in the Red and Rose Valleys, followed by a visit to Kaymakli Underground City, Mustafapasa Village, Ortahisar Village and Castle. Complete the sightseeing with a stop-off at the old local Turkish Bath for a relaxing traditional massage. Overnight in Urgup.
DAY 11
Transfer to Kayseri airport. Fly to Istanbul and transfer to the hotel. Spend a free afternoon at your own leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 12
Transfer from the hotel to the airport. Departure from Turkey back home.