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Greece/Turkey

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

Program No. 25369RJ
Explore ancient ruins, vibrant islands and the beauty of Istanbul on this Floating Campus voyage from Athens through the Greek Isles and Turkey’s storied coastlines.
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  • A map showing the voyage from Athens through the Greek Isles to Kusadasi and Istanbul in Turkey.
  • The Variety Voyager sails through the turquoise waters off the coast of a tree-covered island in Greece or Turkey.
  • The famous Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, overlooks the water with the sprawling cityscape visible behind it under a blue sky.
  • An aerial view of Istanbul, Turkey at sunset, featuring the Galata Tower in the foreground with the Bosphorus waterway and cityscape in the background.
  • Ornate, crumbling stone columns and structures of the ancient city of Ephesus in Turkey under a cloudy sky.
  • A sunlit, narrow alley in the village of Pyrgi in Chios, Greece, shows buildings decorated with intricate black and white geometric patterns.
  • Two people explore the sunny, ancient stone ruins at the Delos Archaeological Site in Greece, looking up at the walls.
  • A group of people explores the ancient stone ruins of the Delos archaeological site in Greece on a bright, sunny day.
  • Whitewashed buildings with colorful blue and red balconies sit on the edge of the bright blue sea in Mykonos, Greece.
  • A group of travelers on a walking tour admire a large, whitewashed historic church under a bright blue sky in Mykonos, Greece.
  • Colorful buildings of the port city of Ermoupoli on the island of Syros, Greece, cover the hillsides next to the deep blue sea.
  • The bright blue dome of a church in Ermoupoli, Greece, shines against a deep blue sky with a crescent moon visible above.
  • A tour guide with a microphone and umbrella speaks to a group at the Acropolis in Athens, Greece.
  • Sunlight illuminates the ancient ruins of the Erechtheion temple and its famous Caryatid statues on the Acropolis in Athens, Greece.
  • A group of visitors observes ancient ruins from a modern glass walkway inside the Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece.
Small ShipAdventures Afloat Study CruiseHistoryNewFloating Campus
Length
13 days
Rating
New
Activity Level
Starts at
7,499
Special Offer
Flights start at
FREE
Program
At a Glance
Duration
13 days
Program Begins
Istanbul
Program Concludes
Athens
Meals
30 ( 11B, 10L, 9D )
Activity Level
Embark on an exclusive Road Scholar Floating Campus voyage through history, culture and timeless landscapes. Beginning in Athens, explore the iconic Acropolis and delve into ancient Greek civilization. Then, set sail across the Aegean to Greece’s unique isles. Explore Syros’s distinctive Neoclassical architecture. Discover Delos, antiquity’s most sacred island and the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. On Chios, savor mastiha, a unique resin harvested from the mastic trees and known as the world’s first chewing gum. In Turkey, explore the ruins of ancient Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where emperors once walked the streets. Your voyage concludes in Istanbul with time to immerse yourself in iconic landmarks like Topkapi. Throughout your voyage, enjoy access to onboard instructors and get to know other Road Scholars who love learning as much as you do!
Best of all, you'll...
  • Enjoy exclusive access to experts who will be with you throughout your journey and learn from them as you take in onboard lectures and educational activities.
  • Climb the iconic Acropolis with an expert instructor, exploring this home to some of ancient Athens’ most iconic monuments: the Parthenon, Erechtheon and temple Athena Nike.
  • Experience Chios, an island renowned for its mastiha resin, famed for its healing properties and centuries-old traditions — it is only in certain villages that this special kind of mastic tree is cultivated.
  • Delve into the history of Istanbul with two overnights, exploring its vibrant streets, iconic landmarks and the blend of cultures that shape this dynamic city.
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Featured Expert
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Ioanna Christoforaki
Ioanna Christoforaki, born and raised on the island of Rhodes, has lived in Athens for the past 20 years. She studied history and archaeology at the University of Athens and holds a Master’s degree and a Doctorate from the University of Oxford. She has worked at the Greek Ministry of Culture, the Hellenic Open University, and the Academy of Athens. Her research interests focus on the visual and material culture of the Mediterranean during the Middle Ages and cultural interchanges among its people.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Roula Skoula was born in Heraklion, Crete. She studied journalism in Athens and worked as a freelance print and radio journalist. After enrolling in the School of Professional Greek Tourist Guides, she travelled with university professors, learning history, philosophy, archaeology, and more. Roula has been a professional exploration leader since 1987. In addition to Greek, she speaks English and Italian. She continues learning to increase her vast knowledge of Greek history and culture and has worked with Road Scholar for the past 13 years.
Maria Argyraki, an experienced member of the Association of Greek Licensed Tourist Guides, joined the Road Scholar Group Leader team in 2011. Born and raised in Athens to a family of Ottoman Greek refugees, she has studied, traveled, and worked in the U.S.A, the U.K, France, Turkey, and Japan. Dedicated to sharing her knowledge of history and culture and hosting travelers in a most personable manner, Maria is also an awarded literary translator. She is currently working on two historical novels of her own.
Georgia is a Greek licensed tourist guide in English and Turkish. She holds a Diploma in Tourist Guiding, a Certificate in Museum Education, a BA in Cultural Studies and an MEd in Adult Education with a specialization in Adult Education for Museums and Archaeological Sites. She has been guiding in Greece since 1981 and strongly believes that learning through travel can be both fun and rewarding.
Ioanna Christoforaki, born and raised on the island of Rhodes, has lived in Athens for the past 20 years. She studied history and archaeology at the University of Athens and holds a Master’s degree and a Doctorate from the University of Oxford. She has worked at the Greek Ministry of Culture, the Hellenic Open University, and the Academy of Athens. Her research interests focus on the visual and material culture of the Mediterranean during the Middle Ages and cultural interchanges among its people.
Tommy Hatwell—born in Plymouth, England—has lived, worked, and photographed all over the globe. In 2017, he completed his B.A. with honors in commercial photography and soon after was nominated for the prestigious Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize at the National Portrait Gallery in London, also opening his first solo exhibition. He shares his passion and knowledge of photography by traveling around the world, offering workshops, and visiting universities.
Chrysanthos Vostantzoglou was born and raised in Athens. He studied Spanish literature and has a master's in museum studies, but his passion has always been travel. He has been working as a licensed group leader in Greece for over two decades.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to three miles per day over various types of terrain; walking up stairs unassisted, getting in and out of motor coaches. Please note: the ship does not have an elevator and is not suitable for wheelchair or electric scooter use.
Floating Campus®
On our Road Scholar Floating Campuses, we’ll have the entire ship to ourselves and enjoy field trips onshore in smaller groups. Onboard experts will be on hand throughout the voyage and will offer instruction during exclusive lectures, Q&A sessions and discussions.
Suggested Books and Resources
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You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
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Call 800-454-5768
Helpful Links
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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

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Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

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Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

An illustration of an elderly woman holding a piggy bank, with the Eiffel Tower in the background
Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

An illustration of a hand holding a globe with a small bird flying around it
  • Peace of Mind

    We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

    An illustration of a hand using a pen to check off the final item on a clipboard checklist
  • Assurance Plan

    Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

    An illustration of an elderly man sitting at a computer with a pair of binoculars beside him
  • Want to Protect Your Investment?

    Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

    An illustration of an elderly woman holding a piggy bank, with the Eiffel Tower in the background
  • Sustainable Travel

    We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

    An illustration of a hand holding a globe with a small bird flying around it