ISTANBUL WITH LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
European Side of Istanbul
Walk to Taksim Square; take the tram till Galatasary Square. Stroll along the restored 19th-century thoroughfare of Istiklal Street. Visit the Flower Passage built in the mid 19th century, which comes vibrantly alive, every evening. As its Turkish name implies it used to be passage that flowers were sold; today has many cheerful bars and meyhane's. It is an ideal atmosphere to eat, to drink Turkish Raki and feel Beyoglu. Continue to Pera. Stop for tea at the famous Pera Palas Hotel. This oldest hotel of Istanbul famous as the hotel of Orient Express and it was also famous with the rooms of guests like Ataturk & Agatha Christie. Visit the museum of Whirling Dervishes and then take the worlds 3rd oldest tunnel (metro) down to Karakoy. Tunnel (metro) is an underground railway system that is 570m, from 1875 extending to Galata Bridge. Take the local ferry to Asian Side Usküdar. See the local market with fish, fruit, spices, etc. Lunch at one of the oldest famous restaurant in town. After lunch take the local boats to Besiktas. Take dolmus to Taxim and arrive to hotel.
Asian Side of Istanbul
Take the local ferry to Usküdar; see the Mihriman Sultan and Valide Sultan Mosques, which are the early works of the famous architect Sinan. Drive to Salacak and view the silhouette of the old city. After a short boat trip to Maiden Tower enjoy the 360-degree panoramic view of Istanbul from the terrace while tasting the Turkish tea. Maiden Tower also known as Leander's Tower, the famous symbol of the Bosphorus. Drive to Kuzguncuk where people of different faiths living perfect harmony. A mosque and a church are neighbors on the same street. Visit the Beylerbeyi town and Beylerbeyi Palace, which was the summer residence of the Sultans. Drive to Baghdad Street that is Turkey's famous shopping avenue lined by stylish shops, cafes and restaurants. Return to European side by crossing over Bosphorus Bridge.
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JEWISH ISTANBUL
Turkey has always had a considerable Jewish population which increased with the arrival of more of them in the late 15th Century from Spain and Portugal. Istanbul was the most popular location for them to settle. The city still boasts so many Jewish buildings although the population has declined in the recent years.
Our tour of Jewish sites is subject to the permits taken in advance and some of the locations mentioned below may be closed on the day of visit. We visit NEVE SHALOM Synagogue which is the newest but the largest. We also see AHRIDA and YANBOL Synagogue located near the Golden Horn shores, ASHKENAZ Synagogue, ORTAKOY Synagogue.
A stop at the JEWISH MEMORIAL attached to the main cemetery is worth visit.
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FOOTSTEPS OF ARCHITECT SINAN
Turkey has always had a considerable Jewish population which increased with the arrival of more of them in the late 15th Century from Spain and Portugal. Istanbul was the most popular location for them to settle. The city still boasts so many Jewish buildings although the population has declined in the recent years.
Our tour of Jewish sites is subject to the permits taken in advance and some of the locations mentioned below may be closed on the day of visit. We visit NEVE SHALOM Synagogue which is the newest but the largest. We also see AHRIDA and YANBOL Synagogue located near the Golden Horn shores, ASHKENAZ Synagogue, ORTAKOY Synagogue.
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ART TOURS
Turkey has always had a considerable Jewish population which increased with the arrival of more of them in the late 15th Century from Spain and Portugal. Istanbul was the most popular location for them to settle. The city still boasts so many Jewish buildings although the population has declined in the recent years.
