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. Join us and see for yourself what makes this country so unique.

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Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

At a Glance

From Roman ruins and Byzantine mosaics, Turkey’s history spans three continents and more than 10,000 years. Expert instructors leading select excursions survey Anatolia and Asia Minor — the ancient lands of Turkey — to trace the numerous civilizations that have thrived here since the Bronze Age. Gain an overview of Turkey’s rich legacy of civilizations and culture, comparing and contrasting the old world with the vibrancy of today.

Extend Your Adventure

This program includes an optional program extension.

Extension: Istanbul: Ancient City - Modern City

Extend your adventure in Istanbul to gain deeper insight into the story of the city as you visit museums, palaces, religious sites and grand monuments.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles a day over varied terrain. Elevations up to 3,100 feet.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Walk the marble streets of Ephesus and learn about the significance of this large metropolis 2000 years ago.
  • Explore the underground city in Cappadocia, complete with ventilation and communication systems.
  • Enjoy and marvel at the imperial city of the world's desire: Istanbul and discover timeless monuments such as Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace.

General Notes

Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Sami Ozcini
Sami Ozcini has shared his love for Turkey — and his home city of Istanbul — with Road Scholar participants for more than 12 years. His on-site lectures bring a different perspective to understanding and appreciating the rich history and legacy of Istanbul. A graduate of Marmara University, Sami has a degree in English literature and enjoys traveling throughout Europe, Australia and the U.S. In his spare time, he enjoys reading and acting as a referee for amateur football games in Istanbul.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Sami Ozcini
Sami Ozcini View biography
Sami Ozcini has shared his love for Turkey — and his home city of Istanbul — with Road Scholar participants for more than 12 years. His on-site lectures bring a different perspective to understanding and appreciating the rich history and legacy of Istanbul. A graduate of Marmara University, Sami has a degree in English literature and enjoys traveling throughout Europe, Australia and the U.S. In his spare time, he enjoys reading and acting as a referee for amateur football games in Istanbul.
Profile Image of Zeynep Kuban
Zeynep Kuban View biography
Dr. Zeynep Kuban is an assistant professor of architecture at Istanbul Technical University, one of the most prominent educational institutions in Turkey. Her special area of interest is architectural history. Dr. Kuban’s lectures to Road Scholar participants share her wonderful insights on the creation of one of the world’s most architecturally fascinating cities from early Roman times to the 21st century.
Profile Image of Gul Isin
Born in 1967 in Ankara, Mrs. Isin studied classical archaeology in Ankara at both the undergraduate and graduate level. She earned her doctorate from Akdeniz University in Antalya, where she is currently a member of the faculty. She specializes in the ancient sites near Antalya and still digs at various Greek and Roman sites in the region.
Profile Image of Yasemin Akhun
Yasemin Akhun View biography
“Seeing people gradually becoming good friends with each other and myself is the best part of being a Road Scholar Group Leader,’’ says Yasemin Akhun. Since 1998, Yasemin has been leading educational adventures in Turkey, introducing lifelong learners to archaeology, music and local culture. In her free time, she enjoys travelling, tasting and cooking food from different cultures, and listening to Turkish classical music.
Profile Image of Senol Ogru
Senol Ogru View biography
Senol Ogru enjoys sharing the cultural treasures of Turkey with lifelong learners from around the world. After studying English language and literature at Istanbul University, he became a licensed excursion leader in 1992 and began to lead archaeological and historical walks. He has been sharing his expertise with Road Scholar participants since 1997, and in his free time enjoys photography, cinema and music.
Profile Image of Aysegul Vaizoglu
Aysegul Vaizoglu View biography
Born in Istanbul, Aysegul Vaizoglu left a successful career in the export business to pursue her interests in travel, archaeology and her “urge” to work outdoors. With a proficiency in English and German, she began leading educational excursions for visitors around the world, and enjoys sharing the treasures of Turkey with others. Aysegul has degrees in business administration from Bosphorus University in Istanbul and Michigan State University. In her free time, she enjoys Cuban-style salsa dancing.
Profile Image of Kazim Uzunoglu
Kazim Uzunoglu View biography
Kazim Uzunoglu started his travel career as a licensed national guide in Turkey in 1987. He studied economics at the University of Virginia but decided to stick to the travel business. After many years of leading educational programs around Turkey, he switched to the organizational side of the operation in 2004 and started running Baltac Tourism and Travel, the program provider for Road Scholar in Turkey. His hobbies include riding motorcycles around the world, vintage cars and motorcycles, photography, and rock and roll music.
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Thomas Zimmerman View biography
Thomas Zimmerman, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in Archaeology at Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey, teaching Anatolian and Eurasian Archaeology since 2003. He holds a doctorate in Prehistoric Archaeology from Regensburg University, Germany. He is currently preparing his master’s degree and doctorate theses for publication, investigating Neolithic elite burials in the west Mediterranean and writing a textbook on time-telling devices in prehistoric and early historic times.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
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