Greece/Turkey
The Ancient Aegean: Discover the Best of Greece & Turkey
Program No. 22725RJ
From the ruins of the Acropolis to the mosaics of the Hagia Sophia, trace history along the Aegean Sea as you discover the ancient wonders of Greece and Turkey.
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At a Glance
Thousands of years of civilization have formed along the Aegean Sea, making the cultures of Greece and Turkey as beautiful as the blue waters themselves. Trace the rich history of these countries as you study Greek gods and goddesses, walk in the footsteps of ancient Romans in Ephesus, and marvel at the exquisite architecture of palaces and holy places. From the Acropolis of Athens to Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, history is alive!
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to four miles over uneven terrain and archaeological sites. Comfortable walking shoes highly recommended.
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.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Encounter the ancient legacy of Athens at the Acropolis and New Acropolis Museum.
- Explore Chios, a charming and proud island famous for its mastiha resin, believed to cure many ailments.
- Learn about the restoration of the Terrace Houses in Ephesus, a project partly sponsored by Road Scholar.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Yasemin Akhun
“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.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
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.
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.
Eleni Petroutsou
View biography
Eleni Petroutsou was born in Athens and has always been intrigued by the wider world. In school, she learned English, Italian, German and some Spanish. After studying archaeology and history at university, she graduated from the State School of Tour Guides. Her 36 years of experience as a group leader have taken her to Asia, the Middle East and beyond. She says leading Road Scholar programs gives her “the opportunity to share my knowledge with well-traveled, educated, polite and interesting people!”
Chrysa Peritogianni
View biography
Chryssa Peritogianni was born in Thessaloniki, Greece and has been working as a licensed group leader for nearly two decades. She has led and given lectures all over Greece to all major sites, as well as sites off the beaten track. She has worked for many Greek and foreign agencies, and speaks English, German, and Spanish in addition to her native Greek. Her work is a reflection of her love for traveling, exchanging knowledge, and meeting people from all walks of life.
Suggested Reading List
(15 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
The Ancient Aegean: Discover the Best of Greece & Turkey
Program Number: 22725
Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities
From the Koran to Shakespeare, this city with three names--Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul--resonates as an idea and a place, real and imagined. Standing as the gateway between East and West, North and South, it has been the capital city of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires. For much of its history it was the very center of the world, known simply as "The City," but, as Bettany Hughes reveals, Istanbul is not just a city, but a global story.
In this epic new biography, Hughes takes us on a dazzling historical journey from the Neolithic to the present, through the many incarnations of one of the world's greatest cities--exploring the ways that Istanbul's influence has spun out to shape the wider world. Hughes investigates what it takes to make a city and tells the story not just of emperors, viziers, caliphs, and sultans, but of the poor and the voiceless, of the women and men whose aspirations and dreams have continuously reinvented Istanbul.
Written with energy and animation, award-winning historian Bettany Hughes deftly guides readers through Istanbul's rich layers of history. Based on meticulous research and new archaeological evidence, this captivating portrait of the momentous life of Istanbul is visceral, immediate, and authoritative--narrative history at its finest.
Classical Turkey
A well written, well illustrated, architectural guide for travelers new to the Graeco-Roman sites of Western Turkey. Detailed with good drawings of most ruins accompanied by historical information about these great sites. Freely is the master.
Istanbul: The Imperial City
Whether you call it Byzantium, Constantinople, or Istanbul, the “old Turkish hand” John Freely tells the story of each creation and decline up to today’s Istanbul under the Turkish Republic. Spirited and colorful, Freely gives his readers a lively account of the turmoil each incarnation brought. In addition to “page turning history”, Freely gives a complete listing of monuments & museums in the city - he has lived there for decades. This is the one to read on Istanbul if you have a short list of books and limited time to get into its history.
The Greek Way
n The Greek Way, Edith Hamilton captures with "Homeric power and simplicity" (New York Times) the spirit of the golden age of Greece in the fifth century BC, the time of its highest achievements. She explores the Greek aesthetics of sculpture and writing and the lack of ornamentation in both. She examines the works of Homer, Pindar, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Aristophanes, and Euripides, among others; the philosophy of Socrates and Plato’s role in preserving it; the historical accounts by Herodotus and Thucydides on the Greek wars with Persia and Sparta and by Xenophon on civilized living.
Constantinople; City of the World’s Desire, 1453-1924
Mansel is a noted historian and author of several works about the Sultans and the Ottoman World. This book focuses on the political and architectural history of the capital Constantinople (modern day Istanbul) and covers the span of the Ottoman empire. The book ends on November 17, 1922 when the last Sultan and a small party slipped out of Palace at 8 AM and scrambled aboard a British naval ship that hauled anchor for Malta at 8:43 AM. A fine work, lots of detail, very readable and helpful in sorting out the complexities of 600 years of Ottoman power.
Istanbul: Memories and the City
Turkish novelist Pamuk (Snow) presents a breathtaking portrait of a city, an elegy for a dead civilization and a meditation on life's complicated intimacies. The author, born in 1952 into a rapidly fading bourgeois family in Istanbul, spins a masterful tale, moving from his fractured extended family, all living in a communal apartment building, out into the city and encompassing the entire Ottoman Empire. Pamuk sees the slow collapse of the once powerful empire hanging like a pall over the city and its citizens. Central to many Istanbul residents' character is the concept of hüzün (melancholy). Istanbul's hüzün, Pamuk writes, "is a way of looking at life that... is ultimately as life affirming as it is negating." His world apparently in permanent decline, Pamuk revels in the darkness and decay manifest around him. He minutely describes horrific accidents on the Bosphorus Strait and his own recurring fantasies of murder and mayhem. Throughout, Pamuk details the breakdown of his family: elders die, his parents fight and grow apart, and he must find his way in the world. This is a powerful, sometimes disturbing literary journey through the soul of a great city told by one of its great writers.
A Short History Of Byzantium
No time to wade, albeit enjoyably, through his three volume Byzantium series? This recent edition is based on his Byzantium trilogy and is equally as intelligent and inspired. Norwich is, as always, ever entertaining and engaging about this subject. An efficient read without loss of style or spirit. If you can’t manage three volumes right now, this one is for you.
My Name Is Red
A dead man, a dog, a murderer, a coin, two lovers, and a tree take turns narrating this tale, which is Pamuk's follow-up to the well-reviewed but little read The New Life (1997). Set in sixteenth-century Istanbul, the novel is equal parts mystery, love story, and a philosophical discussion on the nature of art and artistic vision. Two men have been killed: Elegant, a miniaturist engaged (with others) on a book project glorifying the life of the sultan, and Enishte, the man who hired the artists to do the book. During a trip to Venice, Enishte became particularly entranced with the new Italian painting, particularly its use of perspective and figurative art. He urged his employees to adapt the new art form in their illustrations of the grand book they are producing. Black, Enishte's nephew, wants to win the hand of Enishte's daughter, Shekure, which he can only do by solving the murders. This intellectual mystery will appeal to fans of Eco, Pears, and Perez-Reverte.
The Greeks (Penguin History)
The Greeks were extraordinary not least because they evolved "a totally new conception of what human life was for." Justifying and elaborating on that claim, H.D.F. Kitto explores the life, culture and history of classical Greece, bringing to his subject the passion, wit and insight that have made this brief introduction a world-famous classic.
The Histories
One of the masterpieces of classical literature, the "Histories" describes how a small and quarrelsome band of Greek city states united to repel the might of the Persian empire. But while this epic struggle forms the core of his work, Herodotus' natural curiosity frequently gives rise to colorful digressions - a description of the natural wonders of Egypt; an account of European lake-dwellers; and far-fetched accounts of dog-headed men and gold-digging ants. With its kaleidoscopic blend of fact and legend, the "Histories" offers a compelling Greek view of the world of the fifth century BC.
Ataturk: A biography of Mustafa Kemal - Father of Modern Turkey
Kinross tells the story of Ataturk in such an engaging way that you stay glued to the page. Beginning with his birth in 1881 in Salonika, Greece, during the usual Balkan struggles, the book traces his youth through his early education and military service. Along the way Kinross reveals the experiences that formed Ataturk’s rebel spirit, leads you through the evolution of his hatred for the rich, the corrupt, and the abusive religious and political classes. He takes you onto the battlefield where Ataturk’s leadership and inspiration routs the Greeks who invaded Turkey in the aftermath of W.W.I. Kinross takes you step by step through the formation of a new, secular Republic, free of domination by Sultans, Moslem Caliphs or foreign countries, and describes how Turkey secured a place among nations. You’ll learn of Ataturk’s commitment to equality for all people, men and women alike, and how he lead the new Turkish nation westward by adopting the western alphabet overnight, creating a new Turkish language, and provided free education for all. A “must read” in order to understand present-day Turkey’s struggle to maintain the secular principles Ataturk established.
Athens, the Parthenon
Oscar Wilde compared it to a white goddess, Evelyn Waugh to Stilton cheese. In observers from Lord Byron to Sigmund Freud to Virginia Woolf it met with astonishment, rapture, poetry, even tears--and, always, recognition. Twenty-five hundred years after it first rose above Athens, the Parthenon remains one of the wonders of the world, its beginnings and strange turns of fortune over millennia a perpetual source of curiosity, controversy, and intrigue.
At once an entrancing cultural history and a congenial guide for tourists, armchair travelers, and amateur archaeologists alike, this book conducts readers through the storied past and towering presence of the most famous building in the world. Who built the Parthenon, and for what purpose? How are we to understand its sculpture? Why is it such a compelling monument? The classicist and historian Mary Beard takes us back to the fifth century B.C. to consider the Parthenon in its original guise--as the flagship temple of imperial Athens, housing an enormous gold and ivory statue of the city's patron goddess attended by an enigmatic assembly of sculptures. Just as fascinating is the monument's far longer life as cathedral church of Our Lady of Athens, as "the finest mosque in the world," and, finally, as an inspirational ruin and icon. Beard also takes a cool look at the bitter arguments that continue to surround the "Elgin Marbles," the sculptures from the Parthenon now in the British Museum. Her book constitutes the ultimate tour of the marvelous history and present state of this glory of the Acropolis, and of the world.
Dinner With Persephone
"I lived in Athens, at the intersection of a prostitute and a saint." So begins Patricia Storace's astonishing memoir of her year in Greece. Mixing affection with detachment, rapture with clarity, this American poet perfectly evokes a country delicately balanced between East and West.
Whether she is interpreting Hellenic dream books, pop songs, and soap operas, describing breathtakingly beautiful beaches and archaic villages, or braving the crush at a saint's tomb, Storace, winner of the Whiting Award, rewards the reader with informed and sensual insights into Greece's soul. She sees how the country's pride in its past coexists with profound doubts about its place in the modern world. She discovers a world in which past and present engage in a passionate dialogue. Stylish, funny, and erudite, Dinner with Persephone is travel writing elevated to a fine art--and the best book of its kind since Henry Miller's The Colossus of Maroussi.
Style City Athens
This exciting series focuses on the vitality and uniqueness of the world's greatest cities. Each volume is superbly designed and produced, yet ingeniously practical, with lavish photography, easy-to-read maps, and informed and enjoyable texts.
From offbeat cafés and cutting-edge restaurants to the most stylish stores, hotels, and neighborhoods, StyleCity uncovers all the special places where both locals and discerning travelers can find a vibrant and idiosyncratic urban experience. The guides are divided into two sections: "Style Traveler" identifies the most memorable places to sleep, eat, drink, shop, and relax; "Street Wise" divides the city into neighborhoods and provides convenient area maps.
Mother of antiquity, modern metropolis, Mediterranean mecca—Athens has many faces and many layers. Since the 2004 Olympics, the city has enjoyed a reinvigorated cultural confidence that has given rise to new talents, chic restaurants, contemporary hot spots, and vibrant self-expression. StyleCity Athens leads visitors to all the highlights of this edgy and energetic place. 400 color illustrations and 6 maps.
Harem - The World Behind the Veil
The author left Turkey at age 18 for the US, returning 15 years later to visit her birthplace and family. Intrigued upon learning that her grandmother had lived in a harem, she interviewed aunts and other family members about their recollections. About that same time (mid 1970’s) the Harem of Topkapi Palace was opened to visitors. With thoughtful research and richly illustrated, Croutier pieces together a realistic description of daily life in the Sultan’s Harem. Her fascinating insights into customs, food and ceremony of the Palace through 450 hundred years, make this an enjoyable read. The addition of family photographs and an amusing chapter about Western misconceptions of the term “harem” sets this work apart from all other books of its kind.
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
15 days
14 nights
What's Included
32 meals (
13B, 10L, 9D
)
3 expert-led lectures
28 expert-led field trips
2 flights during the program
An experienced Group Leader
13 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
In Flight
Day
2
Arrive Athens, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Athens
Meals:
D
Stay:
Acropolian Spirit Hotel
Activity Note
Note: Upon arrival at Athens Airport, clear passport control, claim your bags, go through Customs and the sliding doors, and look for a Road Scholar representative who will be holding a Road Scholar sign in front of the airport’s pharmacy. Walking up to 1/2 mile, mostly flat terrain, sidewalks, some uneven terrain. Hotel check-in from 2:00 pm. Rooms may not be available for occupancy before 2:00 pm.
Afternoon:
The Group Leader will be in the hotel reception hall to assist with safekeeping luggage after check-in. After getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation meeting. Orientation: 6:30 p.m. We will meet in the reception hall. 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. Educational leadership will be provided by our knowledgeable Group Leader and local experts. Program-related land travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach unless noted otherwise. Meals will feature local cuisine. 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. 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:
Remainder of the evening will be at leisure.
Day
3
New Acropolis Museum, The Acropolis, Free Time
Location:
Athens
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Acropolian Spirit Hotel
Activity Note
Walking up to 3.5 miles throughout the day, extended periods of standing during field trips; steep and uneven steps in combination with ramps to upper levels of Acropolis; Acropolis south slope mix of dirt and paved paths. The order of visits is subject to change. Good walking/hiking shoes recommended.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will set out on a walking field trip with our Group Leader to the superb Acropolis Museum that opened in 2009. As we view the museum’s rich collection, we will learn about the evolution of the ancient Greek sculpture, as well as following historical events that inspired the ancient artists to create these magnificent pieces of art. We will then walk along the Acropolis south slope where ancient Athenians established the principal shrine of Dionysus and, most importantly, the theater where Greek drama was born. We will learn about the age-old Athenian agora while viewing it as we walk up to the Acropolis. We’ll then explore the world-renowned Acropolis monuments, universal symbols of the classical spirit that formed the greatest architectural and artistic complex Greek antiquity granted to the world.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
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. The Group Leader will accompany those who wish to return to the hotel after lunch.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure
Day
4
Full Day Attica Field Trip, Cape Sounio, Lavrio, Thorikos
Location:
Athens
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Acropolian Spirit Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 95 miles, approximately 3,5 hours riding time. Walking up to 1.5 miles throughout the day; partly steep paved and dirt ramps, some steps, uneven terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Attica is a peninsula extending into the Aegean Sea. Athens is the main city in this ancient land where one of the world’s most extraordinary civilizations developed. There are also many other iconic sites resonant with myth and legend. We will board a motorcoach with our Group Leader and ride along the beautiful Apollo coast, known as the Greek Riviera, to Cape Sounio on the southernmost tip of Attica. It has been considered a sacred place since the Bronze Age. We will explore the ruins of the Temple of Poseidon — god of the sea — dating back to the 5th century BCE and built on the foundations of an even earlier temple. Sixteen of the original 38 columns have survived and, as we enjoy superb views to the Aegean Sea, we will learn about the fascinating history and mythology of this place. We’ll then ride to Lavreotiki, the area that was the main center of silver mining in Greece from the Bronze Age until the 20th century. The exploitation of the silver mines in the 5th and 4th centuries BCE was an important basis for the rise of Athens to the leading power in Greece. Most of the Lavreotiki region is protected by law as an archaeological & historical site and as an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Lavrio.
Afternoon:
Moving on, we will ride to the site of Thorikos, a metalliferous region where we shall visit the oldest surviving theater in Greece with an unusual elliptical-angular shape. Here, we’ll learn about the birth of the ancient Greek theater, as well as its role in the social and political life of ancient Greece. Returning to Athens, we will ride along the Mesogaia road.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy the foods of your choice. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
5
Fly to Chios, Byzantine Monastery of Nea Moni
Location:
Chios
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Chios Chandris Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 25 miles throughout the day, approximately 2 hours riding time. Getting on/off an aircraft, flight approximately 45 minutes. Walking up to 2,5 miles, uneven terrain including some dirt and cobble stone paths. Good walking shoes are recommended.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of the hotel, ride to the Athens Airport, and board our flight to Chios. Upon arrival, we will board a motorcoach and ride to our hotel at the port entrance to heck in. Take some time to freshen up and relax.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
We will regroup in the hotel lobby and board our motorcoach for our afternoon field trip to the old quarter of Chios town and the Byzantine Monastery of nea Moni. Surrounded by its medieval walls, the old town of Chios with its narrow and picturesque alleys will help you step back in history. We’ll explore it on foot and then we’ll board again our motorcoach for driving to the Byzantine Monastery of Nea Moni, a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site for the unique artistic achievement of its impeccable 11th century mosaics.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
6
Medieval Mastiha Villages, Mastic Museum, Pyrgi Village
Location:
Chios
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Chios Chandris Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 30 miles throughout the day, approximately 2 hours riding time. Walking about 2,5 miles; uneven terrain, some uneven steps, cobblestone streets. Good walking shoes are recommended.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Mastiha (mastic) is an aromatic resin that comes from the trunk of the mastic tree (Pistacia Lentiscus). Herodotus mentioned it as the world’s first chewing gum. It is only in certain villages on Chios — Mastihochoria — that this special kind of mastic tree is cultivated. We will board our motorcoach and set out on a field trip to explore the medieval Mastiha villages of south Chios. Our first stop will be the Mastiha Museum located on a beautiful hilltop near the village of Pyrgi. The museum’s multi-faceted exhibitions present the history and culture of mastiha cultivation that has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. We will also meet a local producer who will show us how this precious aromatic resin is collected from the trees and how the production process develops. Then, we’ll have a short ride to the picturesque village of Pyrgi, known as the “painted village” thanks to the distinctive façades of its houses decorated with geometrical motifs called “ksysta.” There are clues that Pyrgi — ruled by the Republic of Genoa from 1346 to 1566 — relates to Christopher Columbus. Whether he was a nobleman from Chios or not, we don’t know. But it was recorded that at the very least Columbus lived on Chios for a time, obtaining maps and charts and finding crew members for his westerly journey to the Indies.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant, we’ll have a meze style meal featuring local dishes and an opportunity to savor mastiha the traditional Chios liqueur.
Afternoon:
We’ll then visit one of the loveliest and best-preserved medieval villages on the island. Mesta. Due to its elaborate Byzantine architecture, the village has been protected and architectural changes are prohibited. We’ll explore its unspoiled medieval atmosphere by walking through its narrow cobbled alleyways and visit (when open) its beautiful main church. Returning to the hotel, we will gather in the early evening for a briefing about our passage to Turkey.
Dinner:
On your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure
Day
7
Kambos Village, Local Estate, Free Time
Location:
Chios
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Chios Chandris Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 15 miles throughout the day, approximately 1 hour round-trip riding time. Walking approximately 1.5 miles; uneven terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board our motorcoach and ride to Kambos, lush and verdant with flowers and citrus trees, where local aristocrats and Genoese colonists have lived since the 14th century. Beautiful stone mansions of a unique and original architectural style were secluded by high fences to preserve the privacy of the owners as well as to protect the trees and flowers from the winds. Kambos is one the most beautiful and distinctive areas of Chios and in spring (late April-May) the fragrance of the blooming citrus trees turns it to a magical place. We’ll walk through citrus orchards to an estate that will open especially for us. We’ll explore the mansion’s courtyard with its elaborate cistern with its wheel-well, where animals once turned water wheels that irrigated the orchard. Along shady paths, jasmine and bougainvillea create a special atmosphere. We’ll indulge our senses with an al fresco taste of a traditional Greek coffee and a traditional Chios fruit preserve before returning to the hotel.
Lunch:
On your own to have what you like.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity to see and do what interests each of us most.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Enjoy our last evening of the program in Greece.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer to Turkey in the morning.
Day
8
Ferry to Turkey, Cesme, Olive Oil Workshop
Location:
Ephesus
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
La Vista Boutique Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 140 miles throughout the day, approximately 3 hours riding time. Getting on/off a ferry; ferry journey approximately 45 minutes. Standing in line while clearing immigration and customs in Greece and Turkey. Walking up to 3 miles; generally even terrain, sidewalks, walkways. Wear good walking shoes.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After an early morning breakfast, we’ll check out of the hotel, have a short ride of approximately 10 minutes to the port where we’ll go through passport control. We’ll then board the ferry and after a 50 min. ferry ride we’ll reach Cesme, Turkey. Upon arrival we’ll go through passport & Turkish visa control and then we’ll enjoy a short comfort and coffee stop where we’ll be welcomed to Turkey by our Turkish Group Leader. We’ll also learn about the impressive Cesme fortress, built in 1508 to protect the harbor from the Venetians who attacked twice, in 1472 and in 1501. Later in the morning, we will drive to a private olive oil producer's workshop, learn about the history of olive oil production in the region and enjoy a tasting of different kinds of olive oil.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant in the charming town of Urla
Afternoon:
In the afternoon, we will get on our bus to ride to Kusadasi. On route, we will learn about the Ionian civilization that flourished along the Aegean Coast 3,000 years ago. Moving on, we will stop briefly at the weekly farmers' market in Selcuk and witness the fresh and delicious produce on sale at the market. Check in to our hotel with some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel's restaurant
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
9
Ephesus, Terrace Houses, Archaeological Museum
Location:
Ephesus
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
La Vista Boutique Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 30 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking up to 6 miles throughout the day. There will be some walking on uneven dirt grounds and stones at the archaeological site of Ephesus. Extended periods of standing while visiting Ephesus. Climbing steep stairs required to visit the Terrace Houses at Ephesus. Good sturdy walking shoes highly recommended.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will set out via motorcoach with our Group Leader on a field trip to explore the mesmerizing ancient site of Ephesus, a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. We will gain in-depth knowledge of this unforgettable city that one had a population of 250,000. We will also visit the Terrace Houses, a museum within the site where the rich and famous of Ephesus once lived. Road Scholar and Baltac have provided support for excavations and restorations at the Terrace Houses.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant
Afternoon:
Next, we will explore the Ephesus Archaeological Museum that houses important artifacts excavated here during periods comprising pre-history through the Mycenaean, Geometric, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman eras. Among its treasures are statues of the fertility goddess Artemis. We will briefly stop at the Temple of Artemis and explore the remaining ruins that was once one of the Ancient Seven Wonders of the World.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
10
The charming village of Sirince and the Seven Sages Winery
Location:
Ephesus
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
La Vista Boutique Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 30 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking up to 4 miles throughout the day. There will be some walking on uneven cobblestone streets at the village of Sirince. Good sturdy walking shoes highly recommended.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will set out via motorcoach to ride about 10 miles through lush hills and valleys to the small and charming village of Sirince (population 500). We will learn about the Exchange of Citizens between Greece and Turkey that took place in the 1920s and the story of the resettlement at this charming village. The village is famous for its fruit wines and we will get to taste some of the local wines. We will then drive to a local winery that continues the centuries long tradition of the area and taste some of their wines after a tour of the winery.
Lunch:
At the winery
Afternoon:
Those who wish to return to the hotel can reboard the bus. There will be an elective opportunity to visit a local handcrafts center to learn about Turkish carpets. Those who would like to do so can try a hand at rug weaving. Free time in the afternoon to discover the resort town of Kusadasi on your own.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and our flight to Istanbul in the morning.
Day
11
Fly to Istanbul, Sultanahmet, Hagia Sophia
Location:
Istanbul
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Kalyon Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 60 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time. Getting on and off an aircraft and time spent at two airports embarking/disembarking the airplane. Walking up to 4 miles throughout the day; generally even terrain, pedestrianized sidewalks. Crowds and possible lines entering sites such as Hagia Sophia. Shoes will have to be removed before visiting mosques. Order of visits may vary depending on many factors such as crowds, traffic, etc.
Breakfast:
Early at the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out early with our luggage, board a bus, and ride to the Izmir Airport for our flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival in Istanbul, we will transfer to Sultanahmet, the center of the old city.
Lunch:
On board the Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul
Afternoon:
For our next field trip, 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. Hagia Sophia was the world’s largest cathedral for a thousand years, until Seville Cathedral was built in 1520. We will have some time for independent exploration before walking back to the hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
12
Topkapi Palace, Underground Cisterns, Blue Mosque
Location:
Istanbul
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Kalyon Hotel
Activity Note
Walking up to 4 miles on urban terrain and cobblestone streets. Participants need to be able to walk up a mildly steep street to reach the center of the old city from the hotel. Good walking shoes highly recommended. Standing for extended periods while touring ancient sites and palaces. Removal of shoes is required before entering Blue Mosque. Order of visits may change for practical reasons.
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 visit the amazing Treasury and the Harem to catch a glimpse of what daily life was like behind these closed doors. Next, we will walk to explore the monuments at the Hippodrome, the civil center of Byzantine, and the impressive Underground Cisterns, built in the 6th century to store water under the ground. As we explore, we will learn about the city’s Byzantine history. At the Hippodrome, learn about the chariot racing that took place here 2,000 years ago and the architecture of the building.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will set out on a field trip to explore the Blue Mosque, famous for its magnificent 16th century Iznik tiles and learn about mosque architecture and Islam. Still a functioning house of worship, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque was built from 1609 to 1616 and is known for its hand-painted blue tiles, six minarets, and 13 primary and secondary domes: a testament to the golden age of Ottoman architecture.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy the cuisine of your choice. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
13
City Walls, Suleymaniye Mosque and Istiklal Street
Location:
Istanbul
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Kalyon Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 20 miles throughout the day, approximately total of 2 hours riding time. Walking up to 4 miles and standing during field trips; generally flat terrain, sidewalks and walkways. Wear good walking shoes. Order of visits may change.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will take a bus ride along the imposing 5th century city walls that protected Constantinople for many centuries. We’ll learn about the armies that wanted to conquer the city of world’s desire.For our next field trip, we will explore the Suleymaniye Mosque, built by the longest ruling and powerful Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent. The architect of the building was Sinan, a master of geometry and architecture. We will end the morning excursions with a stroll down pedestrian Istiklal Street in Pera and learn about the “other” side of the city.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time on your own to explore the city.
Dinner:
On your own to have what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
14
Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, Rustem Pasha Mosque, Bosphorus
Location:
Istanbul
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Kalyon Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; city driving, about 1 hour riding time. Walking up to 4 miles and standing during field trips. Crowded conditions at Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will ride to the amazing Grand Bazaar and stroll through its maze-like streets dating back to the 15th century. There are now about 4,000 small shops and vendors for all kinds of crafts, textiles, hand-made arts, and jewelry. Next we will explore the Spice Bazaar — in Turkish, the “Egyptian” bazaar — constructed in 1663 and second in fame only to the Grand Bazaar. The scents and aromas will enliven our senses immediately.
Lunch:
At a restaurant near the Spice Bazaar.
Afternoon:
Next, we will visit the lovely Rustem Pasha Mosque. Often described as a miniature Blue Mosque, it was designed by Sinan who passed away before it was completed in 1563. It is covered in splendid Iznik tiles in beautiful patterns. We will end the day with a study cruise on the Bosphorus, the natural waterway that separates Istanbul, linking the Black Sea of Europe with the Sea of Marmara of Asia. We will see opulent palaces, mansions, ancient fortresses, and modern suspension bridges as we hear expert commentary from our group leader.
Dinner:
At the hotel. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
15
Program Concludes, In Transit From Program
Location:
In Flight
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out 2:00 p.m. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
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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MEALS
32 Meals
13 Breakfasts
10 Lunches
9 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Oct 18, 2025 - Nov 01, 2025
- Apr 05, 2025 - Apr 19, 2025 (Athens to Istanbul)
- May 03, 2025 - May 17, 2025 (Athens to Istanbul)
- May 17, 2025 - May 31, 2025 (Athens to Istanbul)
- Sep 20, 2025 - Oct 04, 2025 (Athens to Istanbul)
- Sep 27, 2025 - Oct 11, 2025 (Athens to Istanbul)
- Oct 04, 2025 - Oct 18, 2025 (Athens to Istanbul)
- Oct 18, 2025 - Nov 01, 2025 (Athens to Istanbul)
- Oct 25, 2025 - Nov 08, 2025 (Athens to Istanbul)
Participant Reviews
Based on 14 Reviews
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I simply cannot say enough good things about our Group Leader: knowledgeable, informative, organized, spirited. A great story teller, and she used our bus traveling time to inform us. I've been reading Greek myths since I was 10 years old ("Jason and the Golden Fleece", probably the 1959 version by John Gunther. "D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths".) But through this trip I learned a more nuanced version of Greek mythology.
— Review left November 20, 2024
The guide took up to a rug factory and we got a sale pitch.
Roadscholar should not let this happen again.
I did not pay money and traveled all the way there to hear a sale pitch for expensive rugs.
The whole group was waiting for a long time for a group member to finish her buying several rugs.
— Review left November 20, 2024
Excellent trip -- educational, beautiful scenery, fascinating history, and wonderful food (as always!).
— Review left November 7, 2024
Just completed a 2 week trip to the Mediterranean region. Everything was fantastic. Great guides, well organized program, interesting experiences, etc. I highly recommend this program for anyone interested in learning.
— Review left October 20, 2024
Absolutely spectacular trip that lived up to every expectation! Greek guide Chrysa and Turkish guide Jasmine were fabulous. The overall trip was educationally informative, energetic, exceptionally well planned and executed, and, most of all, fun!! The culinary delights of Greece, and even more so, Turkey made the trip even more superlative! Thank you Road Scholar for another unforgettable adventure.
— Review left October 8, 2024
What an amazing experience we had during our adventure to Greece and Turkey. The Ancient Aegean discovery has it all: Untouched, almost unreal medieval Villa and beau unbitten pass Greek Islands, mastiha plantation, fresh fish from the sea and unforgettable lunch on the shore or beautiful peaceful Harbor with delicious fresh grown vegetables, whole fried calamary and Greek drink Ouzo. How not to mentioned amazing desserts 3 times a day with breakfast ,lunch and dinner.
This trip would be impossible to be so pleasant without our outstanding group leaders Chrysa and Yasmin. These two wonderful ladies have great experience working with garden variety of diverse travelers, deep knowledge about history, culture, tradition, religion, archeological sites, local authentic cuisine. They have such a warm, caring personalities.
Trip was designed to cover multiple area to study culture and a history in 2 great countries. We have 4 different hotels, 2 in large cities such as Athens and Istanbul. And 2 Boutique hotels on island and resort area Kusadasi.
We enjoyed our Olive oil tasting experience, and Traditional Turkish rugs factory.
We survived Grand Bazar and Species Bazar.
Our Leaders went above and beyond to help everybody to satisfy their desire to attend different activity in our leisure time. I am very grateful for our group leader Yasmine, who help us to visit house of Virginia Mary in Turkey. This was on forgetful experienced in very meaningful.
I recommend for traveler to also take the opportunity and attend traditional Turkish bath It was another and forgetful experienced.
We visited multiple Greek Orthodox churches and the most historical and famous Mosques in Istanbul. Every single day was filled with Joy, learning opportunity, sharing wonderful pictures and personal discoveries.
We had an outstanding lecture provided by program manager Kazim that lasted 2 hours instead of 1 hour. I strongly recommend this program for travelers!
— Review left October 1, 2024
I loved this tour, both guides were extremely knowledgeable . We had rather more free time than I experienced in my last trips, but I teamed up with others during those times and we explored on our own. Meals were excellent for the most part although the first night meal in the hotel was somewhat mediocre.
— Review left September 26, 2024
Excellent group leaders! We've attended more than a dozen previous RS programs. This one ranks among the best. Prospective participants, however, should honor the "keep the pace" expectation...there are lots of steps and irregular walking surfaces.
— Review left June 3, 2024
This trip is a wonderful combination of exploring the major sites of the cities with some out-of-the way hidden gems in the countryside. Be ready to be fairly active walking on ancient cobblestones (no hand rails on many of the stairs) and up and down the hills of the Aegean. The guides are top notch and everyday we learned something new and fascinating.
— Review left June 2, 2024
The Road Scholar tour:"The Ancient Aegean: Discover the Best of Greece & Turkey" was our first but not last Road Scholar tour. The pre-trip materials were excellent, and our 2 guides were fabulous - Interesting, Knowledgeable and Fun. The choice of destinations was well considered, as we visited some places that were off the major tourist beaten paths, such as the Island of Chios, Sounion and some small towns and attractions in both countries.
— Review left May 1, 2024
My wife and I had the BEST time on this trip. That was made possible because of the two group leaders Elani in Greece and Sami for the Turkey part. The two of them are so knowledgeable of their own countries. Both explained what we were seeing in a context that encompassed social, economic and religious aspects of the time. Everything we saw was important and meaningful. They are wonderful group leaders and are skilled in the logistics of group travel ie. patience and a sense of humor.
The name Ancient Agean is a very fitting title for this tour. It was explained that our group was the third time this tour was done. I hope Road Scholar continues to offer it because it really gives a good overview of that part of the world.
My wife and I had done some reading before the trip of the history. This trip really tied together what we read and what we saw and the events.
Please keep this tour so others can learn from it like we did.
— Review left November 5, 2023
The Ancient Aegean geography and history was revealed on this journey. I now appreciate the richness of this part of the world, where prior to this excellent opportunity, it was an unknown.
— Review left October 31, 2023
Interacting with the other participants was a major positive of my experience
— Review left September 24, 2023
This is a trip of many contrasts. It explores the civilizations of classical Greece, the Aegean, the Byzantine empire, and the Ottoman empire. There is a different group leader for Greece and Turkey so you get all this, plus a lot about modern culture and politics, from two different perspectives. The hotel in Athens is a block away from everything and there is enough free time to explore the shops and restaurants. Chios is like no other Greek island, with its mastic trees and citrus groves, and the medieval villages with city walls and narrow passages and building coated with black volcanic stucco and painted in some wild patterns. It is relaxed and does not have the crowds. The ancient city of Ephesus is well preserved. Istanbul is a very exciting place with its mosques, Byzantine churches, city walls, markets. old and new neighborhoods, ultra-modern buildings verging on the abstract, and views of the waterfront in almost any direction. Hearing the call to prayer from the minarets around the city was a new experience. Food is excellent everywhere. In Greece it is more traditional Greek. In Turkey it seems more gourmet and is probably the creation of the individual chefs. There is plenty of seafood like octopus, sea bass, and fried anchovies. Chios has mastic ice cream and mastic liqueur. It was a very ambitious trip. A lot of walking, standing, and rough pavement, possibly more demanding than other trips. It was well organized and the group leaders were knowledgeable, friendly, and very helpful.
— Review left June 28, 2023
