Turkey and Israel Travel Tour 436

1. Arrival in Istanbul. || 41.24914042072445, 28.74152190601109

2. Transfer from airport to hotel

3. Hotel check in. || 41.041215559396, 28.9836552101049

4. Free time

5. Night in Istanbul

1. Breakfast at hotel. || 41.041215559396, 28.9836552101049

2. 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Istanbul Full Day Tour

This is a fully flexible tour, so please remember to voice your wishes to your guide so they can make your dream come true! There are so many more attractions to see than are listed in the itinerary!

3. Topkapi Palace. || 41.01170972096252, 28.983335981267814

Your private tour will start with a visit to Topkapi Palace-which was the centre of the Ottoman government and the court, the Turks ruled most of Europe and the Middle East from here. Covering the prime property on the peninsula, the court-defined grounds of the Palace express in the architectural sense the Ottoman ideal of the perfect life balanced between its formative components.

4. Hagia Sophia. || 41.00875520682606, 28.98032891719428

You will continue to visit the world-famous Hagia Sophia which is one of the most extraordinary constructions in the history of architecture. The awesome building inspired countless generations with its colossal definition of what the ideal interior space in a domed basilica should be and with its innovations in weight support and construction techniques. We're so excited to be guiding you through the incredible Haghia Sophia! We'll look from the outside only, where you'll get a fascinating explanation of this magnificent monument. Then, at the end of the tour, we'll give you tickets to enter the monument on your own. So, you can explore it at your own pace after the tour!

5. Roman Hippodrome and Blue Mosque. || 41.00567204895619, 28.976607381267552

The next visits will be to the Roman Hippodrome & Blue Mosque- the masterpiece of 17th century Ottoman Architecture, famous for its unique handmade original Iznik Tiles impressing the guests with their rich dominant blue colours and oriental patterns. They have become collectors’ items today, auctioned at celebrated houses like the Sotheby’s.

6. Grand Covered Bazaar. || 41.01082644844058, 28.96807882544628

No bazaar, however, is more dazzling than the Grand Covered Bazaar, built in 1461 and in service ever since. Along with magnificent mosque complexes, the mother of all bazaars was a monument to the ‘Rise of Istanbul’- the great master plan of the Turks for the rejuvenation and reanimation of the old imperial capital. It contains 3,500 shops employing more than 20,000 people all under one roof. Everything imaginable is for sale, gold and silver jewellery, rugs, carpets, antiques, tiles, leather, and souvenirs, but just seeing and experiencing this mother of all bazaars is worth the trip.

7. Free time

8. Night in Istanbul

1. Breakfast at hotel. || 41.041215559396, 28.9836552101049

2. Transfer from hotel to airport

3. Flight from Istanbul to İzmir

4. Arrival in İzmir. || 38.29268625865845, 27.14802454332114

5. Transfer from airport to tour

6. İzmir Full Day Tour

7. House of the Virgin Mary. || 37.913043466526155, 27.33399163744774

The House of the Virgin Mary, a pilgrimage site near Ephesus in the Selçuk district of Izmir, Turkey, is believed to be where the Virgin Mary spent her final years with Saint John.It's considered sacred by Christians and Muslims alike.The house is located on top of Bulbul Mountain.

8. Ephesus. || 37.93564058331164, 27.346012536939547

Ephesus is an ancient city in Turkey’s Central Aegean region, near modern-day Selçuk. Its excavated remains reflect centuries of history, from classical Greece to the Roman Empire – when it was the Mediterranean’s main commercial center – to the spread of Christianity. Paved streets wind past squares, baths and monumental ruins. The Temple of Hadrian was built before 138 A.D. for Emperor Hadrian’s visit.

9. Transfer to airport

10. Flight from İzmir to Istanbul

11. Arrival in Istanbul

12. Transfer to hotel from airport. || 41.04107799372559, 28.983708854283442

13. Free time

14. Night in Istanbul

1. Breakfast at hotel. || 41.041215559396, 28.9836552101049

2. Free day

Spend the day relaxing at the hotel or exploring on your own.

3. Optional Cappadocia Day Tour. || 38.580239428125786, 35.093607680109265

You will be picked up from your hotel in Istanbul and transferred towards the airport to take the flight for Kayseri or Nevsehir. Upon arrival, you will be met and greeted by your local guide. Your opportunity to enjoy a guided full day sightseeing with highlights of Cappadocia. Esentepe Panoramic viewpoint, enjoy the picturesque landscape stretching in front of you while your Guide will give you first briefing about Cappadocia region. Continue to Uchisar Castle, natural rock hill which has been used as a Fortress during Roman periods, cave and pigeon houses carved in and around the hill look most interesting. Uchisar Castle is also an important sight in terms of being the highest point in Cappadocia. Take some pictures at the Pigeon Valley and continue to Goreme Open Air Museum. Once the Monastery settlement of the first Christians in Cappadocia, this spot is where Christianity blossomed and spread out to the World. Some cave Churches which are displaying awesome frescoes can be seen in this Open Air Museum as well as Kitchen and Dining rooms. Lunch will be served at a cozy Cave Restaurant in Avanos (not included). In Avanos -which is a pottery Village since the Hittite periods (2000BC) -, locals are still hanging on to the tradition of their ancestors. You will have the opportunity to learn more about this traditional art which is applied on a kick wheel as the Hittites used to do. After the pottery demonstration at one of the Family run workshops continue to Pashabagi –also called the “Monks Valley”- another monastic settlement where you can find some Churches and Monks Cells. Also Pashabagi is the place where one can see in stages how the Fairy Chimneys have been formed during time. Drive on to Devrent Valley, the imaginary valley, the most surreal looking landscape in the region. Driving back to Urgup stop at the famous “Fairy Chimneys”, the Family of fairies is awaiting you to greet you. Your last stop will be a famous Wine factory to taste this delicious liquid which has been a sacred drink since the Hittite periods. This tour will be an additional $471 per person and include transportation, lunch, a local guide and a guided tour.

4. Night in Istanbul

1. Breakfast at hotel. || 41.041215559396, 28.9836552101049

2. Transfer from hotel to airport. || 41.24788203903454, 28.739376138903214

3. Flight from Istanbul to Tel-Aviv. || 32.00051471290618, 34.87059876736514

4. Transfer from Tel-Aviv to Nazareth

2 Hour Transfer.

5. Hotel check in. || 32.6825064325654, 35.29122716921794

6. 1 Hour Church of the Annunciation Visit. || 32.7023847517777, 35.29739256736949

The Church of the Annunciation refers to the Basilica in Nazareth, Israel, a major Catholic pilgrimage site built over the traditional spot where the Angel Gabriel told Mary she would bear Jesus. It's the largest church in the Middle East, featuring ancient remains, mosaics, and distinct upper and lower levels, with the lower level housing Mary's grotto.

7. Free time

8. Night in Nazareth

1. Breakfast at hotel. || 32.6825064325654, 35.29122716921794

2. Sea of Galilee Church Visits

3. Capernaum. || 32.881228871512754, 35.57365008638284

Capernaum was a fishing village established during the time of the Hasmoneans, located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. It had a population of about 1,500 in the 1st century AD. Archaeological excavations have revealed two ancient synagogues built one over the other.

4. Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter. || 32.87237966542355, 35.54997853854089

The Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter is a Franciscan church located in Tabgha, Israel, on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. It commemorates, and allegedly marks the spot, of Jesus' reinstatement of Peter as chief among the Apostles.

5. Church of the Multiplication. || 32.87367798478764, 35.54918376737661

The Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish, shortened to the Church of the Multiplication, is a Roman Catholic church located at Tabgha, on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee in Israel. The modern church rests on the site of two earlier churches

6. Transfer to Bethlehem

7. 6:30 PM - Hotel check in. || 31.709019257139552, 35.19866155198646

8. Free time

9. Night in Bethlehem

1. Breakfast at hotel. || 31.709019257139552, 35.19866155198646

2. 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM - Bethlehem Full Day Tour

3. Mass at the Church of the Nativity. || 31.704426599203632, 35.20749660965753

The Church of the Nativity, or Basilica of the Nativity, is a basilica located in Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine. The grotto holds a prominent religious significance to Christians of various denominations as the birthplace of Jesus.

4. Shepherd's Field Full Day

5. Night in Bethlehem

1. Breakfast at hotel. || 31.709019257139552, 35.19866155198646

2. Full Day Jerusalem Tour (20 Minute drive from hotel in Bethlehem)

Spend the day discovering Bethlehem

3. Mount of Olives. || 31.778841641313846, 35.246127214159934

The Mount of Olives is a significant ridge east of Jerusalem's Old City, named for its ancient olive groves, holding deep importance for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, serving as a burial ground, site for prophetic events, Jesus's final prayers before crucifixion, and the location for his ascension, with key spots like the Garden of Gethsemane, ancient Jewish cemetery, and numerous churches (Pater Noster, All Nations) dotting its slopes, offering stunning views and historical layers

4. Mount Zion. || 31.772562948738024, 35.228719852772045

Mount Zion in Jerusalem isa historically and religiously significant hill just south of the Old City walls, known for key biblical sites like the Room of the Last Supper, King David's Tomb, Dormition Abbey (Mary's tomb), and Oskar Schindler's grave, serving as a powerful symbol for Judaism and Christianity representing God's presence and eternal city.

5. Church of Saint Peter. || 31.771524236267048, 35.23640277421447

Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu is a Roman Catholic church located on the eastern slope of Mount Zion, just outside the walled Old City of Jerusalem. It is dedicated to the episode from the New Testament known as the Denial of Peter.

6. The Cenacle

The Cenacle, or Upper Room, is venerated on Mount Zion in Jerusalem as the site of the Last Supper,Pentecost , and where Jesus appeared to His disciples, not Bethlehem; it's a significant Christian site with roots tracing back to the 4th century, featuring Crusader architecture, Gothic arches, and Islamic additions like amihrab, containing a tomb believed to be King David's below, and is known for its sacred history and architectural details like unique column.

7. Abbey of the Dormition. || 31.771881320966408, 35.22896889431779

Abbey of the Dormition is a Catholic abbey belonging to the Benedictine Order in Jerusalem, on Mount Zion, just outside the walls of the Old City near the Zion Gate. The Abbey is said to mark the spot where Mary, mother of Jesus, ended her worldly existence.

8. Free time

9. Night in Bethlehem

1. Breakfast at hotel. || 31.788811701206217, 35.22716813852075

2. Full day Jerusalem Tour: Stations of the cross, Via Dolorosa and Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre (20 Minute drive from hotel in Bethlehem). || 31.78016159681616, 35.23214072500307

Early-morning Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa and the tomb of Christ in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre and prayer in the empty tomb.

3. Via Dolorosa. || 31.780198078073738, 35.23209780986868

The Via Dolorosa ("Way of Sorrow" or "Way of Suffering") isa, roughly 600-meter, sacred route in the Old City of Jerusalem believed to be the path Jesus walked to his crucifixion. It features 14 Stations of the Cross, commemorating events from his condemnation to his burial, drawing pilgrims daily, especially on Friday.

4. Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. || 31.778567918634284, 35.2295894675415

The Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City isChristianity's holiest site, believed to contain Golgotha (Jesus' crucifixion site) and his empty tomb, marking his burial and resurrection. Built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century, it's a major pilgrimage destination, shared by several Christian denominations, including Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, and Catholic churches, with ongoing restorations and archaeological interest revealing its deep history

5. Free time

6. Night in Bethlehem

1. Early hotel departure. || 31.788811701206217, 35.22716813852075

2. Transfer from hotel to airport

3. Flight check in. || 32.00182946529591, 34.87060949695318

4. Departure from Tel-Aviv