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Turkey

Signature City Istanbul

Program No. 18720RJ
From Byzantine art to ancient Greek architecture, from medieval knights to Ottoman sultans, discover the many wonders of Istanbul as you explore 17 centuries of history with scholars.
Participant Reviews
4.89
Based on 35 Reviews
SHOWING
This participant did not give a star rating.
Cheryl – Class of 2018 | Rosemount, MN
The trip to Istanbul was amazing. We stayed in a 5 star hotel. The chef spoiled us with custom made breakfasts. The food was amazing. The places we traveled were the Blue Mosques and several other Mosques. We saw the palaces of the Sultans. IN our free time we explored the area of the city where we stayed and once a small group took a ferry to the Asian side of Istanbul. The lectures were exceptional. We learned the history of Istanbul and learned a great deal about the politics. The downside of the trip was my need to leave in the evening of the final night to board a plane to Athens. The Transportation department REFUSED to help me with the flight from Istanbul to Athens for back to back Road Scholar programs. As a result I paid 60 EU to taxi to an airport as I was outside the transfer time. THERE IS NO REASON THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN. HAD I GIVEN THE HELP I DESERVED I WOULD HAVE HAD A FLIGHT AT A TIME WHEN I WENT WITH THE GROUP. I lost the last night that I paid for in he hotel. I spent the night awake waiting for a 1:20 am 1 1/2 hour flight. Upon arrive at 3 am in Athens. I WAS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY A TAXI DRIVER WHO CHARGE A VERY VULNERABLE SINGLE WOMEN TRAVELER 95 EU FOR A TRIP THAT COSTS 60EU and was left sitting up in a sofa from arrival to 10 am when a room opened. I SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN PUT THROUGH THAT. I was left to make my own arrangements. I though a 1:40 flight was 1:40 pm It was not clear to me on the Turkish website. I made the mistake. THE TRANSPORTATION DEPT SHOULD HAVE HELPED ME WITH THE FLIGHT. Other travelers were helped with their departure flights and they were not going home or to another Road Scholar trip. WHY WAS I REFUSED HELP?? If Road Scholar cares about their travelers MAKE SURE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. You should be reimbursing me all the extra costs that I had to pay to get to and from the airports Cheryl H Lauby
— Review left June 13, 2025
Reply from Road Scholar
Dear Cheryl, Your feedback is important to us, and we truly appreciate your insights. We're delighted that Istanbul's rich history made an impact on you and hope you were able to create some lasting memories. However, we're sorry to hear about the challenges you faced during your travel experience. To better comprehend the situation, we'll be reaching out to you directly. We're thrilled that you've already planned your next adventure, and we wish you a wonderful journey ahead! Sincerely, Road Scholar
This participant did not give a star rating.
Barbara – Class of 2018 | Portland, OR
In many ways this was a great trip. Ali has deep knowledge of the history of the area and shows great passion and enthusiasm . He was responsive and kind to all of us. The lectures excellent. The city is fascinated and we learned a lot. Just a couple of suggestions for future trips. 1. An hour and half in the Grand Bazaar is way too long, especially followed by another 45 minutes to an hour in the Spice Market. I would have preferred less shopping time. 2. The particular shop in the Spice Market cheated us out of a lot of money. We selected some things and I then I paid without looking at the amount. The items were placed in a zipped tote bag that was then handed to us. When I got back to the hotel I realized many of items I selected were not in the bag and we had been charged close to $1500 on our visa. I was shocked. We are attempting to dispute the charge through our bank 3. I am not sure what you can do about this but a number of the people on the trip were not physically in good enough shape to handle the steps and uneven surfaces, despite your numerous pleas to make sure we were prepared. we had three people trip and fall and one get hit by a taxi that was driving around a corner too fast. Not sure Istanbul is a good match for a trip for elderly people. 4. The hotel is a great piece of history, wonderful and breakfasts were superb, but I was dismayed they provided water in plastic instead of glass bottles in a classy hotel. I was also disappointed they still use little disposable plastic toiletry containers instead of refillable dispensers . There was no recycling apparent at the hotel. Please at least give them the feedback that is time to move away from plastic. Thank you.
— Review left May 15, 2025
Reply from Road Scholar
Dear Barbara, We're delighted to hear you enjoyed your overall experience in Turkey and appreciate your suggestions. The Grand Bazaar, a 500-year-old bazaar and possibly the first indoor shopping mall in the world, is a treasure trove of history and tradition. It can be challenging to find a perfect time for everyone, and we remind everyone to be vigilant against schemes due to its large size. We apologize for the disappointment of not receiving what you paid for and hope you can successfully dispute the charge with your credit card company. We have also passed on your comments to the Pera Palace. They hold an international sustainability certificate. This means they must adhere to certain standards, but your observations are valuable and we're sure the hotel will take the necessary steps. We look forward to seeing where your next adventure takes you. Sincerely, Road Scholar
Patricia – Class of 2015 | West Bend, WI
Spending a whole week in Istanbul was an adventure and a pleasure. The tour leader Ali tried very hard to juggle our time at sites to avoid the cruise ship crowds. I thought my main emphasis would be history, but I loved the visit to the Art Museum. Really good food and good company enhanced my visit.
— Review left May 13, 2025
Elizabeth – Class of 2017 | Mount Eliza, Australia
Fantastic trip ! This trip is so well organised - every step of the way runs so smoothly. I did the online version of this trip during COVID, and now I got to see it all in person. I have learned so much between the two trips - about the Ottoman Empire and the deep rich history of Istanbul. Thank you Road Scholar and thank you to our guides. There were also terrific lectures and the final boat cruise was AMAZING !
— Review left April 17, 2025
Lisa – Class of 2022 | Louisville, KY
What a fantastic experience! We saw everything we expected to and then some. The accommodations were excellent. Food at the hotel was very good and the restaurants we frequented were exceptional. Kudos to the lecturers as well. Ali Pasha was the best guide; knowledgeable, friendly, accessible, funny and caring - to include escorting me to a local pharmacy to get medicine when my husband got sick. This is a five-star excursion.
— Review left February 26, 2025
This participant did not give a star rating.
Carol – Class of 2022 | Edina, MN
This was an outstanding adventure! We visited so many historic monuments, mosques, churches, neighborhoods. We shopped at the famous bazaars and ate delicious food in many of the local restaurants. It was a trip of a lifetime.
— Review left December 7, 2024
This participant did not give a star rating.
Catherine – Class of 2024 | Columbia, SC
Excellent week in Istanbul! Our guide Ali Pasha was enthusiastic, kind, and had an extensive knowledge of Turkish history. Probably the best tour guide I've ever had! The week covered all the "hot spots" in Istanbul including Hagia Sophia, Emperor Justinian's underground cisterns, Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, a Whirling Dervish performance, Topkapi and Dolmabahce Palaces, the old Roman walls of Constantinople, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, and Bosphorus Cruise. Also saw a 4th century synagogue built by Jews from Bulgaria. The program included two excellent lectures by local university professors - one on history and architecture and another on history and politics. Our hotel stay was at Pera Palace Hotel - a lovely and historical hotel.
— Review left November 16, 2024
Ellen – Class of 2024 | Indianapolis, IN
Road Scholar orchestrated a beautifully paced and fascinating experience in Istanbul. This was my first tour group experience and it showed me how much better I could get to know a place with knowledgeable guidance than if I designed a tour on my own.
— Review left November 10, 2024
Jane – Class of 2014 | Fort Myers, FL
An absolute five days of non stop learning in the city of Istanbul!!! Highly recommended!!
— Review left October 27, 2024
Linda – Class of 2022 | Albuquerque, NM
Signature City Istanbul is a terrific program, full of interesting sights and activities, and is complemented by excellent restaurant and food choices, as well as a lovely hotel. Ali Pasha, our guide, was outstanding. Our mini group was just 11 participants and was a perfect size for seeing the city comfortably. I hope Road Scholar schedules more mini groups on other programs.
— Review left October 24, 2024
This participant did not give a star rating.
Gary – Class of 2019 | Holland Patent, NY
This trip was fantastic Very well laid out. Pace was perfect. Timing of events was thought through so we were at sites when they were not crowded. Restaurants were great. Every one. Hotel had a lot of charm. The tour guide (Sammy) was great. Very knowledgeable, very fun
— Review left October 23, 2024
Lois – Class of 2023 | Hollister, MO
Fantastic Signature City Trip! I enjoyed exploring Istanbul much more than I had imagined. The hotel, leader, food, sites visited and experiences were all top notch.
— Review left October 21, 2024
Martha – Class of 2024 | Anacortes, WA
Thorough small group tour of the best sites in Istanbul with one of the most knowledgeable guides ever. Elegant old-world hotel accommodations coupled with a variety of great restaurants. Seamless in-city transportation and pre-arranged "skip the line" tickets at every venue!
— Review left October 20, 2024
Connie – Class of 2010 | Caldwell, NJ
An outstanding tour in every way. It taught me much about present day Istanbul, as well as its very long, fascinating history.
— Review left October 18, 2024
Joyce – Class of 2018 | Silver Spring, MD
I fulfilled a life long dream to visit Istanbul - a bustling city filled with history, religion, and architecture. I was not disappointed.
— Review left October 13, 2024
Firoz – Class of 2017 | Hawthorne, CA
I always wanted to see this historical city that occupies two continents. Kazim did a great job of introduction and history of the city. Sami was wonderful as a group leader. It was a fantastic trip and I highly recommend this program to anyone who enjoys historical places and old exotic cities - Firoz
— Review left October 9, 2024
Jon – Class of 2024 | Edmond, OK
My wife and I had a wonderful experience via our first Road Scholar program, Istanbul Signature City. The overall organization of the trip was very well done and the daily guided programming was excellent. Our guide was most knowledgeable about the history of the city and also about its current state. We will definitely recommend the Road Scholar program to others and certainly consider future trips with the organization.
— Review left September 25, 2024
Cynthia – Class of 2017 | Wilmington, DE
This Istanbul program is wonderful and eye-opening. Reading the recommended reading ahead of time, enhanced the trip for me. Ali was a wonderful, kind, patient and knowledgeable guide. This is a keep up the pace activity level, which is accurate. Stairs without handrails, hills and uneven surfaces. Road Scholar takes good care of you. You feel safe, included, educated, and yet still independent with the allotted free time on these tours. My third Road Scholar trip and each has been terrific.
— Review left May 29, 2024
Gloria – Class of 2015 | Des Moines, IA
A good program that takes you into the past and present of one of the most fascinating cities in the world.
— Review left May 22, 2024
Tanya – Class of 2017 | Raleigh, NC
One of the most fascinating cities in the world, the program is varied and comprehensive and the food so good I would move there just for that.
— Review left May 19, 2024
Joseph – Class of 2024 | bloomington, MN
An excellent program featuring great tours and very good food, lodging and transportation. As good an educational experience as could be packaged in a vacation.
— Review left May 19, 2024
David – Class of 2006 | Madison, WI
Long flight (grinnn). Excellent accommodations. Great tour guide, extremely interesting city very well presented. I missed seeing archeological activity. While the Ottoman empire began in the late 1200's and there were plenty of cut block walls to look at, I would have liked Roman ruins, perhaps even Greek. Not to be on this City Tour. The mosques and palaces were spectacular.
— Review left May 7, 2024
Elizabeth – Class of 2023 | Spokane, WA
Our trip to Istanbul was phenomenal, our guide's knowledge of the area and history was commendable. The educational speakers were interesting and the rug making demonstration was great. The accommodations were nice and the restaurant choices were spot on.
— Review left October 25, 2023
Christine – Class of 2019 | Walnut Creek, CA
This trip to Istanbul was fantastic! Our leader/guide Mahir Pasha was a big reason for my enjoyment because he is so knowledgeable, fun and chill. Istanbul itself is a fascinating city with so much to learn and discover that I was constantly amazed by everything I saw!
— Review left October 18, 2023
Lucille – Class of 2019 | Fitchburg, MA
This was a wonderful opportunity to experience & learn about a country & culture that doesn't get a lot of coverage in our part of the world. It's a great place to visit now before it becomes a huge tourist mecca.
— Review left October 15, 2023
Linda – Class of 2023 | Fairfax, VA
An excellent introduction to a beautiful and fascinating city with a complex history. Our small group were all terrific traveling companions. Our tour leader, Ali Pasha, was very knowledgeable and attentive to the individual interests of the group members. This was our first Road Scholar trip, but certain not to be our last.
— Review left October 4, 2023
Jeff | Sacramento, CA
Instanbul is an amazing place. A must visit for the architecture, cultur and food. I highly recommend this Road Scholar adventure to all. Our guide, Mahir Pasha, made our trip extra special.
— Review left September 29, 2023
This participant did not give a star rating.
Lynda – Class of 2019 | Chicago, IL
The hotel was well located and the local guide, Ali Pasha, was incredibly knowledgeable and personable. This was a wonderful trip except for two things. Please do not let the local trip planner schedule another dinner at the restaurant we went to on the final night. What was expected to be another wonderful meal was the most disappointing of them all. The wait staff brought several appetizers and, after a bit, some small, bony fried fish. That was the last we saw of the wait staff or any other food. All of the other restaurants, in contrast, were very good and the food was plentiful. The other disappointing thing was the one stall in the Spice Bazaar that we were brought to. The men working there did not listen to what several of us asked for (a few items, small in quantity). Instead, huge scoops were used and, when multiplied by the high cost per item, some of us ended up with bills in the US $150 range for some nuts and candy. I and another lady returned our items once we realized how expensive the items were. For the most part, I was once again very pleased with a RoadScholar trip and look forward to my next one.
— Review left May 22, 2023
Carole – Class of 2023 | Metamora, MI
I would encourage anyone with a love of history from prehistoric to the current times to take this course to grasp how the nomadic cultures impacted our current world today.
— Review left May 21, 2023
This participant did not give a star rating.
Lois – Class of 2017 | New York, NY
Wonderful time in Istanbul! Our guide, Bourjou, was terrific. She has so much love, knowledge and passion for her city and she definitely imparted that to us. Restaurant choices were excellent! The subject matter experts who spoke with us were interesting and so knowledgeable as well. Wish this trip could have been longer. Istanbul is such a large city and by the time we saw the "must see" places, I wish there had been more time to see more of the "not in every guide book" places - however Bourjou did take us to some very interesting, off the beaten track locales. I look forward to going back to Turkey and seeing/learning about more areas of this historic, fascinating country.
— Review left November 2, 2022
Colleen – Class of 2018 | Lakewood, CO
Our tour guide was the best and this is probably the most lovely group of people I have ever traveled with. The Blue Mosque was closed as was the palace and this made this an expensive trip for what we saw. As one person mentioned why not substitute what was closed with the archeological museum? (I did another signature city trip and this did not measure up to that standard.) As is, the trip was overpriced and I would suggest the tour of Turkey and not this one. And I hope to never see rice pudding again as it was served at almost every meal despite the delicious Turkish desserts we saw all the time. I would still say our tour guide was wonderful and this is a group I feel privileged to travel with.
— Review left October 19, 2022
Jamie – Class of 2018 | Tampa, FL
The week long immersion tour in the city of Istanbul is 5 stars all the way! (I would actually give it 10 stars if it were possible!) The churches, mosques, palaces and Archeological Museum will leave you astounded by and enthralled with the history, art and culture of this mystical ancient city. Wonderful experience!
— Review left October 7, 2022
This participant did not give a star rating.
Maria – Class of 2017 | Roswell, GA
One of the best I have done! the Liders were exceptional! even from the preparation. They did two zoom chats to prepare us to the program and also to answer questions. And they were in touch through emails for every detail. Made me feel very confident and save during a difficult time during my traveling time and during the time in Istanbul. The program covers everything needs to be done, known and visit in the city. With great lectures and knowledge of our guide. Very interesting program with a lot of history to learn and appreciate, plus exquisite cousin. The Liders chooses the best restaurants! a great hotel with perfect location plus great costumer services. I can't say enough how much I enjoy the trip! we were a small group that share very well and remain friends. Totally recommend it
— Review left January 10, 2022
Pamela – Class of 2017 | APO, AE
Fantastic busy trip! You'll see many of the most important sites from ancient times to the present and hear about major figures in Istanbyl *and Tirkish history). Well worth attending ... though you may want to consider arriving a few days early to explore on your own - that is what we did.
— Review left October 26, 2021
Lynne – Class of 2021 | Medford, MA
Turkey, and especially Istanbul, is a strategically important location that has been and is an important crossroads for culture and influence. I've long been curious about this city that spans continents. The Road Scholar tour greatly enhanced my understanding and appreciation for the arts and history of this fascinating land--as well as providing numerous opportunities to enjoy its varied and delicious cuisine.
— Review left October 17, 2021