Adventures Online: The Legends & History of Turkey

Wonderful presentation! Made me want to go to Turkey !

An dive into the ancient history of three area of Turkey - Troy, Ephesus, and Cappadocia - this program was engagingly presented by three country experts. The format included a lecture with slides on ancient legends and historical background, then an online "field trip" exploring the high points of the areas. The tag team presentation and the well selected videos and slides made this program a worthwhile introduction to the area and gave us a good idea of the many fascinating sights to see if we are fortunate enough to visit in person.

This was my first Road Scholar adventure. I felt I learned a lot and enjoyed the instructors. If you are not able to take an in person trip, this a a wonderful way to see the area and learn about the history.

This program was well designed and delivered. The local experts provided a variety of presentation styles and lots of good information. The Timelines provided helped me clarify the history and appreciate the wealth of information we covered. Great program! Looking forward to more internet travel opportunities with Road Scholar!

This was another outstanding experience learning about the history and culture of Türkiye. Lectures, breathtaking photos and striking video tours/field trips offered a well developed, entertaining first-hand narrative about a part of the world I’m unlikely to see in person. This team comprises well prepared and insightful tour guides who are very willing to engage in conversation. Highly recommend to anyone interested in the cultural history and present day Türkiye. And experiencing a balloon ride over ancient lands of Cappadocia is not to be missed!

We enjoyed fascinating glimpses into the history of Turkey through the lectures but especially through the field trip videos. This was the next best thing to being at the Troy, Ephesus, and Cappadocia sites!

The program "Legends & History of Turkey" allowed me to travel to a country I hadn't had the chance to visit. Learning about Troy is meaningful to one who had just finished reading Ancient History. Visits to Ephesus & Cappadocia showed me the differences between what they would have looked like in earlier times, & what is left today, both in natural & human-made formations. I didn't drive or take a plane, & I didn't get tired walking. Virtual Learning is Great!!

An outstanding adventure! We virtually walked through Troy, visited the ruins, learned of its layered history and relived the Iliad. The history of Ephesus came alive with the lectures and stories of the rulers, the battles, the gods. And breath-taking Cappadocia was one remarkable experience after another. Above ground and under, it is a wonder not to be missed. Although I sat at my computer at home, I feel like I have experienced some of the treasures of Turkey.

This was an outstanding program which combined history and art to understand the past and present of 3 cities in Turkey. The presenters were knowledgeable, well coordinated and engaging. This was a terrific way to explore and learn.

Great instructors. Take a course with them!

This is a fascinating course. The guides, Kazim, Sami and Volkan combine historical perspectives with modern day online sightseeing. The time flies by as you are transported virtually back in time during the historical lectures. Then the sightseeing continues with tours of the areas (without crowds) and interviews of the local people. One of the delights of travel is encountering unanticipated interests, and this program offers that. For example, I had no idea of what to expect from Cappadocia. Now my tour of Turkey would certainly require a visit there to stay in a cave hotel and enjoy the natural wonders.

This was a tremendously interesting and informative course, made possible by the knowledge and enthusiasm of Kazim, Sami, and Volgar (sp?). I had last been to Turkey in 1992 , so Ephesus has changed considerably, as have Black Sea areas since taken over by Russia! Before this course, I knew virtually nothing about Troy, beyond what I remembered from the Iliad, But these wonderful guides presented detailed background on how Troy's changing geographic position and related commercial interests evolved over the years. The history and main characters of the Iliad also came alive, as the egos, pride and anguish of Achilles, Priam and others were made clear in quotes and paintings. Having never been to Cappadocia, I was blown away by the photos and field trips showing close-up as well as distant rock formations containing former churches and underground cities containing frescoes up to 2,000 years old, many protected from the elements and thus well-preserved and colorful. Adding to their knowledge and lively presentations, Kazim, Sami, and Volgar (hope I'm not mangling spelling of their names!) were very generous with their time, remaining online with us until the last question had been asked and answered. BRAVO!

If ancient Ephesus interests you, this is the place to sign up!

This was a great course, tying in nicely with the previous week's program about Istanbul. Same great instructors, with their energetic presentations and obvious love of Turkey. The field trips were awesome and very informative, nicely presented with the detailed pictures. I loved this course for so many reasons, not least because of the historical emphasis. Thanks Kazim, Sami, and Volkan!

Turkey is amazing! If you can't get there, this online trip is a great teaser.

This was a wonderful program. The instructors are very knowledgeable about the material, provided thorough, well organized, yet not overwhelming, lectures/field trips and their enthusiasm for the material was contagious. I would highly recommend this program if you have an interest in Turkey.

Terrific and easy way to “travel”, really learn a lot. Expert guides. This will be my 6tth program AND I have also been traveling physically, many times. The on-line courses avoid jet-lag, lost luggage and fatigue, but WOW do you learn so much!

This was a delightful three days. I was sorry to see it end. The group leader and instructors were good natured and interesting. Our group leader gave a history of the Trojan War from start to finish illustrated by about twenty works of art. That was a great start. I think the field trips were more enjoyable because there were no crowds. I have previously been to Ephesus and Cappadocia but this program whetted my appetite for a return trip.

Excellent program. I particularly liked the format of lecture followed by fascinating virtual field trips. Since Sami and Volkan videoed the sites during the pandemic, there were few people blocking our views. I particularly liked the visit to the Cappadocia caves. This program piqued my interest in visiting Turkey in person once we can travel again.

Feel free to use the comment I made in the survey.

Fascinating and extensive information was presented by skilled and engaging presenters. Excellent lectures, interesting and clear slides, and videos that made me feel like I was there! This information underscored my desire to travel to Turkey! (Susan D.)

Great experience! Well educated, knowledgeable guides. Trips were all well organized and planned. Will do another online adventure. Very creative idea travelling during pandemic.

This program was outstanding, and I learned so much. I encourage others to sign up for it and learn more about the wonderful country of Turkey.

Best of the best. Excellent instructors. Fascinating material. Just the right balance of information and field trips. I've taken all three Turkey programs and would sign up for another one in a heartbeat.

The Legends and History of Turkey is a wonderful ride. So well done and so interesting. I will be looking for the opportunity to visit.

I have never been too archeological sites but this turned out to be so interesting I was glued to my computer every minute I could be. The lecturers were fantastic, the videos wonderful. I learned so much about Troy, Ephesus and Cappadocia I'm shocked. Wonderful wonderful tour!

Road Scholar never fails to satisfy our quest for knowledge and our desire to connect with local experts and fellow travelers. Adventures Online: The Legends & History of Turkey, didn't disappoint. This expert introduction to the landscapes, history, legends and traditions of this region were fascinating.

This was a great program. The presenters were relaxed, very knowledgeable, and well versed in the technology as we 'travelled' via our computers to an incredible land. Thanks, Dee

This is an excellent program, with plenty of information and insights. Highly recommended!