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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Protecting the Environment

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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
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

  • 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
Profile Image
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.

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 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.
Profile Image of Eleni Petroutsou
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!”
Profile Image of Chrysa Peritogianni
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.
Profile Image of Marily Papadopoulou
Marily Papadopoulou View biography
Marily Papadopoulou was born and raised in Thessaloniki, Greece. She studied history and archaeology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Her love for art took her to Athens University, where she got her master's degree in museum studies. She is a PADI certified diver, allowing her to combine her passion for diving with her passion for archaeology. Apart from above-ground excavations, she has participated in underwater excavations as well. As a licensed group leader, she works in Greece and surrounding countries.





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