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Turkey

From Legends to History: Turkey's Legacy of Civilizations and Culture

Program No. 12828RJ
The story of Turkey is a blend of cultures and people as beautifully complex as the mosaics left by the Byzantine Empire. Join us and see for yourself what makes this country so unique.
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Start
Small Group
Length
17 days
Rating (4.76)
Activity Level
Starts at
6,699
Flights start at
1,050
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
17 days
16 nights
What's Included
43 meals ( 15B, 14L, 14D )
7 expert-led lectures
36 expert-led field trips
1 hands-on experience
An experienced Group Leader
15 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Upon arrival in Ankara Airport, clear passport control, claim your bags, go through customs to exit the terminal. If you are entitled to a transfer, look for the Road Scholar sign and introduce yourself to the driver.
Afternoon:
After checking in to the hotel and getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation meeting. Orientation at 6 PM. In our meeting room at the hotel, the Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will review COVID-19 protocols and will adhere to applicable requirements and guidelines throughout the program. The Group Leaders for our Road Scholar programs in Turkey serve as Study Leaders as well as managers of logistics. They are licensed and certified by the Ministry of Tourism for proficiency in Turkish history, culture, archeology, mythology, current affairs, and more. In addition to lectures and field trips, they will often give presentations on topics such as these during long transfers. Program-related travel and transfers will be via comfortable, air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz buses. Meals will generally offer foods representative of their regions. Depending on the accommodations, some will be multi-course plated meals while others will be buffets with numerous choices. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. The Group Leader will also give information about an optional hot air balloon flight in Cappadocia and will ask for interested participants to sign up for this activity. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus several times; driving in city traffic, approximately 1 hour riding time on the bus. Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day; urban terrain. Walking up to 1 mile and climbing a few flight of stairs at the Mausoleum of Ataturk.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will set out on a walking field trip to the award-winning Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, near the hotel. There, we will have a lecture by an expert from Bilkent University in Ankara who will lead our exploration. We will learn about ancient civilizations that flourished in Anatolia and talk about the unique artifacts on display, providing a general overview about the civilizations of Turkey. The Museum exhibits boast artifacts from the Paleolithic era and continue chronologically through the Neolithic, Early Bronze, Assyrian trading colonies, Hittite, Phrygian, Urartian, Greek, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman periods. It is especially renowned for its artifacts from the Neolithic site of Catalhoyuk. The collection includes Mother Goddess sculptures, wall paintings, clay figurines, stamps, earthenware containers, and agricultural tools made from bones. The most impressive parts of this exhibit are a hunting scene on plaster from the 7th millennium BCE, a reproduction of a Çatalhoyuk room with wall-mounted bull heads, a Mother Goddess Kybele (later Cybele) sculpture, obsidian tools, wall paintings of the (now extinct) volcano Mount Hasan erupting, and wall paintings of a leopard.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant in Ankara.
Afternoon:
Next, we will board a bus and ride to Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938), who led the war for Turkish independence, the Turkish revolution, and founded the Turkish republic. Your group leader will lead our exploration as we get background on modern Turkey and a deeper understanding of this revolutionary character who shaped the nation. We will see in this complex that his legacy lives on and how he is deeply revered all over Turkey. After our field trip, we will ride back to the hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
On your own at leisure and to prepare for next day's departure to Hattusas and Cappadocia
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 280 miles throughout the day, approximately 7 hours total riding time. Walking up to 2 miles; occasionally uneven terrain at Hattusas.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of the hotel, board our bus, and ride out of Ankara, heading east to Hattusas, a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. Once capital of the Hittite Kingdom, it flourished between 1800-1200 BCE and controlled most of the territories in Asia Minor and the Middle East. We will make several stops to see the amazing architecture of this capital city and learn about the Hittite religious pantheon, also called the Religion with 1,000 Gods.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant in Hattusas.
Afternoon:
Reboarding the motorcoach, we will ride south, passing through the central plains of Turkey and agricultural lands to Cappadocia. Upon arrival we will check in to our newly built and award winning hotel with some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 4 miles; uneven terrain. Sturdy walking shoes highly recommended. Some caves/churches require crouching to enter.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning there wil be an elective hot air balloon flight over the lunar-like landscape of Cappadocia. Participants choosing to enjoy this optional activity will be picked up from the hotel before sunrise and return to the hotel for breakfast and in time for departure for the daily field trips. After breakfast, for our next field trip, we will ride to the Goreme Open Air Museum, a monastic center comprised of caves carved out of the soft volcanic rock of Cappadocia and decorated with frescoes and paintings. The Goreme Open Air Museum is Cappadocia’s most iconic monastic complex, offering a vivid window into early Christian life, Byzantine art, and cave architecture from the 4th to 13th centuries. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a cornerstone of Turkey’s spiritual and cultural heritage. We will learn about the history of Christianity and monasticism in the area as well as the artistic and religious significance of frescos in these churches.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant
Afternoon:
In the afternoon, we will visit the workshop of a local artisan who specializes in pottery making, using clay from the nearby Halys River. We’ll learn about this 5,000 year old craft and have an opportunity to try our hand on the potter’s wheel. Pottery making in Cappadocia is a living tradition, blending Hittite heritage, Anatolian artistry, and local storytelling into one of the region’s most enduring cultural crafts. We’ll then ride to attend a Whirling Dervish ceremony performed by local Sufis at a restored caravansaray — an ancient camel “motel” from the 13th century on the Silk Road. The Whirling Dervish ceremony, or Sema, is a sacred Sufi ritual symbolizing the soul’s journey toward divine unity, transcending ego and earthly attachments through meditative dance, music, and spiritual symbolism.
Dinner:
At the hotel
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus driving about 40 miles throughout the day, approximately 4 hours total riding time. Walking about 3 miles; uneven terrain. Visiting the underground city not suitable for people with claustrophobia. Elective hike through the formations of Cappadocia. Good walking/hiking shoes are highly recommended.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning we will ride a short distance to Gulsehir (ancient name Zoropassos) and visit the St.John Church. St. John’s Church is a rare two-story rock-cut sanctuary from 1212, renowned for its vivid frescoes and unique architecture—making it one of Cappadocia’s most spiritually and artistically significant Christian monuments. We will be joined by a professor from the local university who will explain the significance of its art and architecture. We will then ride our coach to explore the village of Sinasos. Sinasos is one of Cappadocia’s most culturally layered villages, celebrated for its Greek-Ottoman heritage, exquisite stone architecture, and legacy of religious coexistence. This village had a largely Greek population in Ottoman times. Today, it is a thriving town with a small university training hot air balloon pilots, yet still seldom visited by travelers.
Lunch:
At a family home in the village of Ayvali. Lunch will be cooked by the mother and the grandmother of the family and served by the whole family.
Afternoon:
This afternoon will be dedicated to more exploration in the gorges and valleys of Cappadocia. We will visit the impressive underground city of Ozkonak, carved out of the ground to provide shelter from attacking armies. The underground cities of Cappadocia are extraordinary feats of ancient engineering, built as secure sanctuaries for survival, worship, and community life—spanning thousands of years and multiple civilizations.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 300 miles throughout the day, approximately 10 hours total riding time. Walking about 2 miles; generally even terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board the bus and ride west to Konya on the central plateau of Turkey, following the ancient Silk Road. We will stop to explore Sultanhani, a 13th-century Seljuk caravanserai, another ancient camel “motel” built on the Silk Road to accommodate the caravans of trade. Sultanhani Caravanserai is the largest and most architecturally refined Seljuk caravanserai in Turkey, built in 1229 to support trade, shelter travelers, and symbolize imperial power along the Silk Road.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Konya featuring local cuisine.
Afternoon:
Once in Konya, we will visit the Mevlâna Museum and Mausoleum of Mevlana Rumi, founder of the Whirling Dervish sect of Islam. We will learn about the mystic aspect of Sufism and hear some of Rumi’s beautiful poetry. Our group leader will discuss the principles of Sufism and enlighten us about their beliefs and rituals. We will also visit the workshop of a local felt master who specializes in making the special hats worn by the dervishes. This same master also will talk about Sufism and what it means to be a Sufi. We will then get back on our motorcoach and drive across the Taurus Mountains to arrive in Antalya on the Mediterranean Coast of Turkey, late in the evening, in time for dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 60 miles throughout the day, approximately 3 hours total riding time. Walking up to 3 miles; occasional uneven terrain while visiting the ancient cities.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will depart in the morning to visit the Roman cities of Perge and Aspendos. Perge is one of Turkey’s most significant ancient cities—renowned for its blend of Hellenistic elegance, Roman urban planning, and early Christian heritage. Built by architect Zenon during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the theater at Aspendos is considered the best-preserved Roman theatre in the world. With a capacity of 15,000–20,000, its acoustics are so perfect that even whispers from the stage can be heard at the top rows. The theatre continues to host concerts and festivals, bridging ancient performance with modern artistry.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant near Aspendos.
Afternoon:
We will return to Antalya in the afternoon to enjoy some free time.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking about 3 miles and extended periods of standing during visits; old town streets are steeper towards harbor.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Start the day with a visit to the newly opened Necropolis Museum in the center of the city. The Necropolis Museum is Turkey's first museum dedicated to ancient burial traditions, offering a rare and immersive glimpse into 2,300 years of funerary culture, urban history, and archaeological discovery. Then enjoy a walking tour of the old town, led by your group leader. Marvel at the Hadrian’s Gate, a triumphal Roman arch built in 130 CE to honor Emperor Hadrian’s visit—symbolizing the city’s loyalty to Rome and serving as a ceremonial entrance to ancient Attaleia. The gate was a public declaration of allegiance to Rome, showcasing imperial presence and urban prosperity.
Lunch:
Lunch at a local restaurant in Antalya
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration. You might like to take a walk around the hotel, take advantage of the hotel facilities, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, or just relax.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
There will be a lecture at the hotel given by a professor from the local Akdeniz University about repatriation of ancient artifacts that have been illegally taken out of Turkey.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 160 miles throughout the day, approximately 6 hours total riding time. Walking about 3 miles throughout the day; uneven terrain at the ruins of Aphrodisias.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we will ride north through lush countryside towards Aphrodisias, the splendid Greek Roman city dedicated to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. Aphrodisias was a major Greco-Roman city in western Anatolia, celebrated for its sanctuary of Aphrodite, its world-renowned school of sculpture, and its exceptional marble architecture. It offers one of the best-preserved glimpses into ancient urban, religious, and artistic life. As we explore, we will be amazed by the marble sculptures and statues once made in this city. The other highlight of this antique city is its ancient stadium.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant near the ruins of Aphrodisias
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will drive on to Pamukkale on the fertile plain irrigated by the Meander River and arrive at our hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
Before dinner, there will be lecture at the hotel given by an archeologist professor from the local university about the ancient town of Hierapolis and its extensive necropolis.
Activity Note
Extreme caution needed walking on slippery cascades and travertines of Pamukkale. Shoes will need to be taken off before stepping on the cascades. Getting on/off a bus; driving about 170 miles throughout the day, approximately 5 hours total riding time. Walking up to 5 miles; occasionally uneven terrain in 2,000-year-old ancient city of Ephesus; climbing several sets of steep stairs at Terrace Houses of Ephesus.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After an early breakfast, we will set out on a walking field trip to explore the ancient city of Hierapolis, a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. Pamukkale’s terraces are formed by calcium-rich thermal waters cascading down the hillside, creating surreal white pools and formations. It is one of the world’s best examples of carbonate mineral deposition, with rare thermal ecosystems supporting endemic species. The thermal springs have been used for therapeutic bathing for millennia, attracting visitors since antiquity. Founded in 2nd Century BCE by the kings of Pergamon, Hierapolis was built around the sacred hot springs and quickly became a major Greco-Roman spa resort. Under Roman rule, it featured grand architecture—temples, baths, and a massive theater seating up to 20,000 people. The Apostle Philip was martyred here, making it a pilgrimage site in the Byzantine era. We will see and learn about Pamukkale's natural wonder and the historical significance of Hierapolis. We will then ride along the Meander Valley and arrive in the town of Selcuk near Ephesus.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant in Selcuk
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will stop at the colorful Selcuk Farmers Market held every week on Saturdays and check out the local produce and the farmers. Next we willl visit the ancient city of Ephesus. Ephesus was one of the most important cities of the ancient Mediterranean world—renowned for its monumental architecture, religious significance, and role as a cultural and commercial hub in both the Greek and Roman eras. We will see the stunning Library of Celsus, a Roman-era library and symbol of Ephesus’s intellectual life, that once held over 12,000 scrolls, the Great Theatre, seating up to 24,000 people, that hosted plays, concerts, and political gatherings and the Curetes Street & Terrace Houses, lavishly decorated homes and marble-paved streets that reflect the city’s wealth and urban sophistication. We will then proceed to Kusadasi and check in to our hotel, located right on the Aegean Sea.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles; uneven and steep terrain at the Temple of Artemis. Standing for extended periods while visiting the museum.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will start our day with a lecture and a demonstration at a local handcrafts center specializing in carpets and kilims to learn more about this millenia old craft. Turkish carpets and kilims are treasured not just for their beauty, but for their deep cultural, historical, and symbolic significance. They represent centuries of craftsmanship, storytelling, and regional identity across Anatolia. Next we visit the local archeological museum in Selcuk. The Ephesus Museum is the primary repository of artifacts from the ancient city of Ephesus, offering an intimate and vivid understanding of its daily life, religious practices, and artistic achievements. It completes the experience of visiting the ruins by showcasing the treasures once housed within them. The stars of the museum are the two monumental representations of the goddess Artemis, central to Ephesus’s identity and cult worship.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Next, we will explore the ruins of the Temple of Artemis and learn about its fascinating story. The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, celebrated for its immense scale, architectural beauty, and religious importance as the center of worship for Artemis Ephesia, a unique Anatolian form of the Greek goddess. - Today, only a single column and foundation stones remain, but its legacy endures through archaeological finds and historical accounts.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 300 miles throughout the day, approximately 8 hours total riding time. Walking up to 2 miles; uneven terrain and stairs on the visitors' walkway at Troy.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel early, we will ride north along the Aegean Sea and pass through Izmir — ancient Smyrna — the third largest city of Turkey, known as the Pearl of the Aegean.
Lunch:
At a seafood restaurant in a small town on the Aegean Sea.
Afternoon:
We will continue riding through the northern regions of the Aegean Sea and see plenty of olive groves during the ride. In late afternoon, we will stop at Hisarlik, the site of legendary Troy immortalized by Homer, and learn about the myth and the facts behind its 4,000 year history. Troy is one of the most iconic archaeological and mythological sites in the world—celebrated as the legendary setting of the Trojan War and a key crossroads of ancient civilizations. Its layers reveal over 4,000 years of continuous settlement, blending myth, history, and strategic geography. We will also explore the recently opened Museum of Troy, located near the site to gain a better understanding of the site of Troy. We will check in to our hotel before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 210 miles throughout the day, approximately 7 hours total riding time. Getting on/off a ferry. Walking about 2 miles; generally even terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out early, ride from Canakkale, and take the ferry across the Dardanelles from Asia to Europe. We will visit Gallipoli National Park and see the Anzac Cove to recall the tragic campaign launched by the Allied Forces in World War I. The Gallipoli campaign played a very important role in the recent histories of Australia, New Zealand, and Turkey.
Lunch:
At a restaurant en route featuring “kofte” (Turkish meatballs).
Afternoon:
We will continue our journey to Istanbul and arrive mid-afternoon for hotel check-in. We will gather for a lecture by a professor from the Istanbul Technical University History of Architecture Department and learn about urban development of Istanbul through an architectural perspective.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 6 miles throughout the day; some cobblestone streets and steep streets. Good walking shoes recommended.
Breakfast:
At the hotel
Morning:
We will spend the day exploring on foot due to traffic restrictions in the old city. For our first walking field trip, we’ll set out for Topkapi Palace, the seat of the Ottoman Sultans for 400 years and a testimony to the power and wealth of the Ottoman Empire. We will also have a privileged visit to the Harem and catch a glimpse of what daily life was like behind these closed doors 400 years ago. For our next field trip, we will walk to the Blue Mosque, The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) is a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture and a powerful symbol of imperial ambition, religious devotion, and cultural identity—built to rival the grandeur of Hagia Sophia and unify the spiritual and civic heart of the city. We will marvel at its world-renowned Iznik tile decorations and floral decorations as we learn why it is called the Blue Mosque.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Sultanahmet featuring Ottoman cuisine.
Afternoon:
We will walk to the extraordinary Hagia Sophia, once the greatest church in Byzantium — built in 537 CE — and a great mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453. We will learn about the unique architecture as we stand in awe at its size and dazzling beauty. We will then explore the Underground Cisterns, built in 532 CE by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian. The Yerebatan Cistern (Basilica Cistern) is Istanbul’s largest and most iconic subterranean water reservoir, built in the 6th century to supply the Byzantine imperial palace—symbolizing the city’s engineering brilliance, imperial ambition, and layered cultural identity.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy the cuisine of your choice. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; city driving, approximately 1 hour riding time. Getting on/off a private boat; riding approximately 1 hour. Walking up to 4 miles throughout the day; generally even terrain. Expect crowded conditions in bazaars and other popular sites.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board a bus and ride along what were the ancient city walls of Constantinople and learn about their strength and history. The City Walls of Constantinople are among the most formidable and influential fortifications in world history—protecting the Byzantine capital for over a millennium and symbolizing the resilience, engineering genius, and imperial might of the Eastern Roman Empire. Moving on, we’ll explore the small but gem-like mosque of Rustem Pasha that will display the stunning masterpieces of Iznik tiles from 16th century. The Rustem Pasha Mosque is a hidden jewel of Ottoman architecture in Istanbul, celebrated for its exquisite Iznik tilework, intimate scale, and historical ties to one of the empire’s most powerful figures. Designed by Mimar Sinan and completed in 1563, it reflects both artistic mastery and political legacy.
Lunch:
At a kebab restaurant near the Spice Bazaar.
Afternoon:
Next we visit the Spice Bazaar, a vibrant symbol of the city’s Ottoman trading legacy, built in 1660 as part of the New Mosque complex and historically funded by taxes from Egypt—hence its local name, the “Egyptian Bazaar.” Locals still shop here for herbs, teas, and Turkish delights, while visitors experience a sensory journey through Ottoman culinary and medicinal traditions. We’ll then board a privately chartered boat and embark on a study cruise on the wonderful Bosphorus and see its lovely waterfront houses and palace. We’ll hear expert commentary as we go. We will end the day at the Grand Bazaar, a maze of 4,000 shops and alleys. The Grand Bazaar is one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, symbolizing the commercial heart of the Ottoman Empire and serving as a living monument to centuries of trade, craftsmanship, and cultural exchange.
Dinner:
At the hotel on a terrace with commanding views of the old city and the Sea of Marmara. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out 12:00 Noon. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
There will be group transfers from the hotel to Istanbul Airport, depending on the departure times of flights. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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