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Tourists gather before a grand neoclassical building with Greek flags during a cultural voyage through history in the Greek Isles.
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Greece/Turkey

The Greek Isles & Istanbul: A Voyage Through History & Culture

Program No. 25369RJ
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Itinerary
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All itineraries and excursions are subject to change. Weather and water conditions may affect the progress of the ship, and we may miss ports if it is not safe to dock. The operators reserve the right to change the content and duration of excursions without prior notice and so the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. Whenever possible, Road Scholar’s published daily schedule will indicate port arrival and departure times. Prior to departure, if there is a major change, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
13 days
12 nights
What's Included
30 meals ( 11B, 10L, 9D )
5 expert-led lectures
9 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Check-in available from 3:00 PM.
Afternoon:
After arriving at the hotel, check-in and take some time to unpack and relax. Attend an orientation meeting. Your Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the program theme, the up-to-date Daily Schedule and any changes, discuss safety guidelines, emergency procedures, roles and responsibilities, and answer any questions you may have. Indicated times are approximate. Program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible.
Dinner:
At the hotel, get to know your fellow participants with a welcome meal.
Evening:
Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking up to 3 miles on varied terrain, standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Discover the timeless wonders of Istanbul’s historic heart on this immersive walk through the Sultanahmet District, where empires once rose and faiths intertwined. Your journey begins with a panoramic drive from the port to Sultanahmet Square, the ancient Hippodrome of Constantinople, surrounded by some of the city’s most magnificent landmarks. Enjoy an outside visit to the Blue Mosque, admired for its cascading domes and exquisite blue Iznik tiles that give the mosque its name. Continue with a guided visit to the legendary Hagia Sophia (St. Sophie Mosque), an architectural masterpiece that has served as a cathedral, mosque, and museum through the ages—its vast dome and intricate mosaics telling the story of Istanbul’s ever-changing soul.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
The afternoon unfolds with a visit to the Topkapi Palace. Constructed from 1460-1478, the palace served as the residence of Ottoman sultans as well as their administrative and ceremonial center until the mid-19th century. A local expert will lead our exploration as we see aspects of the Imperial Treasury that holds riches of royal history including thrones, jeweled pendants and precious stones, sacred items from the tomb of the Prophet Mohammed, decorated weapons, and much more. We will also see parts of the harem apartments that originally contained more than 300 rooms including living quarters for the sultan and his family, bath houses, courtyards, dormitories for concubines, a hospital, laundry, mosques, and pavilions.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Please pack your passport and any medications in your hand luggage today. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary. Sea conditions affect the progress of the ship, making it run late and sometimes miss ports because it is not safe to dock. Because of this, the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. The operators reserve the right to change the content of excursions without prior notice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Begin your journey with a scenic drive along Kennedy Avenue toward the monumental City Walls of Constantinople. Capture striking photos at the Golden Gate (Porta Aurea) of Yedikule Fortress, the triumphal entryway of Byzantine Emperors and continue along the ancient walls as your local expert points out Ottoman landmarks such as Mihrimah Sultan Mosque and the Chora Church (Kariye Mosque). The route leads to the Golden Horn Walls, whose fall in 1453 sealed the fate of Byzantium and heralded a new era under Sultan Mehmed II. We will have a short visit to the iconic Bulgarian Iron Church (St. Stephen) before beginning your walking tour through Balat—a colorful quarter of winding streets, vibrant façades, and deep-rooted faiths.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch the journey continues to the aromatic Spice Bazaar, where centuries of trade come alive amid the scent of saffron and sumac. After leisure time for shopping, we will transfer to port to embark our ship in the late afternoon for the cruise portion of our program. Once aboard, we will have a welcome drink to meet the ship's crew and staff, followed by a safety orientation before we depart. Please note that your departure is part of our Floating Campus programs. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary. Sea conditions affect the progress of the ship, making it run late and sometimes miss ports because it is not safe to dock. Because of this, the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. The operators reserve the right to change the content of excursions without prior notice.
Dinner:
Aboard the ship, dinners will be eaten in the open seating dining room. Most will be buffets, with choices of salads, vegetarian and meat or seafood entrees, dessert, and coffee, tea, and water. The first and last dinners on board will include a glass of wine, with other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Istanbul on our journey to Chios, Greece.
Activity Note
Full day at sea.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
This morning we will be cruising through the Dardanelles, also known as the Strait of Gallipoli. Enjoy the sights of this narrow, natural strait and internationally significant waterway in northwestern Turkey that forms part of the continental boundary between Asia and Europe. This morning, enjoy a lecture on topics relevant to our program.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
This afternoon, enjoy another lecture on topics relevant to our program. Free time onboard the ship.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking up to 3 miles on varied terrain, standing up to 2 hours. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
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.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
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.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Chios on our journey to Kusadasi, Turkey.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking up to 3 miles on varied terrain, standing up to 2 hours. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We will step off the ship, then board a motorcoach to take us to ancient Ephesus, where a local expert will lead our exploration. From the UNESCO inscription: “Located within what was once the estuary of the River Kaystros, Ephesus comprises successive Hellenistic and Roman settlements founded on new locations, which followed the coastline as it retreated westward. Excavations have revealed grand monuments of the Roman Imperial period including the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre. Little remains of the famous Temple of Artemis, one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the World,’ which drew pilgrims from all around the Mediterranean.” Unlike her Greek counterpart, this Artemis was primarily a fertility goddess. We will also see ruins of what have been called the Terrace Houses, residential structures once inhabited by wealthy Ephesians.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
The day continues with an exploration of the Ephesus Archaeological Museum, followed by a visit to Selcuk Old Town, where we will have the chance to explore the local culture and enjoy some free time. Later in the afternoon enjoy a lecture on topics relevant to our program.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Kusadasi on our journey to Samos, Greece.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking up to 3 miles on varied terrain, standing up to 2 hours. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Setting off the ship with our Group Leader, we’ll board a motorcoach for a field trip into Samos, a small island in the eastern Aegean Sea. In Vathi, the capital and main port, we will explore on foot and see where neoclassical architecture intertwines winding streets and small squares. We will also learn about Pythagoras, the influential philosopher and mathematician born here in the 6th century BCE. For a time, he lived in a cave apart from society where he developed and taught his theories.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time to explore on your own in Samos. Later in the afternoon enjoy a lecture on topics relevant to our program.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Samos on our journey to Mykonos, Greece.
Activity Note
We will use the ship's tenders to get to shore. Walking up to 3 miles on uneven ground with wide and exposed roads, standing up to 2 hours. There is no shade on Delos, so a hat and sunscreen is strongly recommended. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We will arrive at the island of Delos, antiquity’s most sacred island and the birth place of Apollo and Artemis. We will set out by foot with our group leader and visit the island’s main archaeological sites. This is a walking Field Trip as the island is uninhabited, there are no vehicles on the island. The ship will then depart for the island of Mykonos.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
As the ship travels towards Mykonos, we will stop (weather permitting) for an opportunity to swim in the warm Aegean waters. After pulling into port, take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Mykonos on our journey to Syros, Greece.
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles on varied terrain, standing up to 2 hours. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Setting off the ship with our Group Leader, we’ll take off on foot to explore Ermoupoli, the principal port where architecture is characterized by classical design of two storied houses with stone plastered walls, red tiled roofs and wooden cornices, balconies, open terraces and courtyards. Syros stands out for its impressive architectural culture where great architects from Greece, Italy and Germany devised the Neoclassical Architecture of Syros which became a symbol of the status of the island. We will discover numerous little squares displaying statues of various commemorations, proudly and grabbing everyone’s attention at first sight. Late morning, we will return to port.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time in Ermoupoli. Later in the afternoon enjoy a lecture on topics relevant to our program.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. The ship is scheduled to leave Syros on our journey to Athens, Greece.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking up to 3 miles on varied terrain, standing up to 2 hours
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
After disembarking, we will visit the Temple of Poseidon, who according to Greek mythology was the "master of the seas" and brother of Zeus. Learn about the significance and value of Poseidon to Athenians and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Aegean sea before boarding our motorcoach for a scenic drive to Athens along the Athens Riviera.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Check into the hotel. Free Time in Athens. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most.
Dinner:
On your own to explore local cuisine.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking about 3 miles including uphill along a winding trail with over 100 well-worn steps to reach the Acropolis, no handrails; uneven, slippery and rocky at the top; standing up to 2 hours. At the Acropolis Museum, walking and standing for more than an hour. Popular sites may be crowded at certain periods.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will begin our exploration of Athens with a visit to its signature site, the Acropolis. Led by our Group Leader, we will climb the formidable Acropolis to explore the pinnacle of Greek Antiquity. Home to some of Ancient Athens’ most iconic monuments – the Parthenon, Erechtheon, and temple Athena Nike – the rocky summit was transformed into a manifestation of Greek advancement in culture and the arts. The Acropolis’s focal point is the Parthenon, built to honor the city’s patroness Athena, constructed under Pericles’ rule and completed in 432 BCE. We will also visit the renowned new Acropolis Museum.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most.
Dinner:
Farewell dinner at the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel Check Out 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This concludes our program. 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. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!
Please Note: This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.
Sep 08, 2026 - Sep 20, 2026
Sep 15, 2026 - Sep 27, 2026
Sep 15 - Sep 27, 2026 Itinerary Differences: This departure starts in Istanbul and ends in Athens.