Turkey
Extension: Istanbul: Ancient City - Modern City
Program No. 16878RJ
Extend your adventure in Istanbul to gain deeper insight into the story of the city as you visit museums, palaces, religious sites and grand monuments.
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Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
800-454-5768
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Mar 28 - Mar 31, 2025
Starting at
999Apr 25 - Apr 28, 2025
Starting at
999May 2 - May 5, 2025
Starting at
999May 16 - May 19, 2025
Starting at
999Oct 3 - Oct 6, 2025
Starting at
999Oct 17 - Oct 20, 2025
Starting at
999Oct 24 - Oct 27, 2025
Starting at
999DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Filling Fast!
Mar 28 - Mar 31, 2025
Starting at
1,349Apr 25 - Apr 28, 2025
Starting at
1,349Filling Fast!
May 2 - May 5, 2025
Starting at
1,349Filling Fast!
May 16 - May 19, 2025
Starting at
1,349Oct 3 - Oct 6, 2025
Starting at
1,349Filling Fast!
Oct 17 - Oct 20, 2025
Starting at
1,349Filling Fast!
Oct 24 - Oct 27, 2025
Starting at
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This date is available to book as a private experience for your group!
At a Glance
Delve deeper into the ancient and contemporary cultures of Turkey. From the Istanbul Archaeology Museum and the lavish Dolmabahce Palace to Istanbul’s Modern Art Museum and bustling squares — experts immerse you in the real Istanbul, bringing to life the city’s heritage of cultural fusion.
Program Extension
To take this extension, enroll in this main program first.
The Best of Turkey: A Journey by Land and Gulet
Go off the beaten path as you explore the Turkey seldom seen by tourists. From a private Sufi and Zikr ritual to expert-led walks and sailing excursions, this adventure has it all.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to one mile a day; some uneven terrain.
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…
- Marvel at the exquisite Sarcophagus of Alexander the Great and Sarcophagus of the Mourning Women at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum.
- Visit the Dolmabahce Palace, the second palace of the Ottoman Sultans built in mid-19th century.
- Gain an insight into Turkey’s contemporary art scene at the Istanbul Modern Art Museum.
General Notes
This program may only be taken as an extension of "From Legends to History: Turkey's Legacy of Civilizations and Culture" (#12828). Because of the special nature of this program, we request that you call us to enroll. Please call toll free at (800) 454-5768, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. ET.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Sami Ozcini
Sami Ozcini has shared his love for Turkey — and his home city of Istanbul — with Road Scholar participants for more than 12 years. His on-site lectures bring a different perspective to understanding and appreciating the rich history and legacy of Istanbul. A graduate of Marmara University, Sami has a degree in English literature and enjoys traveling throughout Europe, Australia and the U.S. In his spare time, he enjoys reading and acting as a referee for amateur football games in Istanbul.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Sami Ozcini
View biography
Sami Ozcini has shared his love for Turkey — and his home city of Istanbul — with Road Scholar participants for more than 12 years. His on-site lectures bring a different perspective to understanding and appreciating the rich history and legacy of Istanbul. A graduate of Marmara University, Sami has a degree in English literature and enjoys traveling throughout Europe, Australia and the U.S. In his spare time, he enjoys reading and acting as a referee for amateur football games in Istanbul.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
4 days
Program Begins
Istanbul
Program Concludes
Istanbul
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
8
| 4B |
3L |
1D |
Activity Level
Delve deeper into the ancient and contemporary cultures of Turkey. From the Istanbul Archaeology Museum and the lavish Dolmabahce Palace to Istanbul’s Modern Art Museum and bustling squares — experts immerse you in the real Istanbul, bringing to life the city’s heritage of cultural fusion.)
Best of all, you'll...
- Marvel at the exquisite Sarcophagus of Alexander the Great and Sarcophagus of the Mourning Women at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum.
- Visit the Dolmabahce Palace, the second palace of the Ottoman Sultans built in mid-19th century.
- Gain an insight into Turkey’s contemporary art scene at the Istanbul Modern Art Museum.
General Notes
This program may only be taken as an extension of "From Legends to History: Turkey's Legacy of Civilizations and Culture" (#12828). Because of the special nature of this program, we request that you call us to enroll. Please call toll free at (800) 454-5768, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. ET.
Featured Expert
Sami Ozcini
Sami Ozcini has shared his love for Turkey — and his home city of Istanbul — with Road Scholar participants for more than 12 years. His on-site lectures bring a different perspective to understanding and appreciating the rich history and legacy of Istanbul. A graduate of Marmara University, Sami has a degree in English literature and enjoys traveling throughout Europe, Australia and the U.S. In his spare time, he enjoys reading and acting as a referee for amateur football games in Istanbul.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
This is a Program Extension of
The Best of Turkey: A Journey by Land and Gulet
Go off the beaten path as you explore the Turkey seldom seen by tourists. From a private Sufi and Zikr ritual to expert-led walks and sailing excursions, this adventure has it all.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to one mile a day; some uneven terrain.
Small Group
(13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
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
4 days
3 nights
What's Included
8 meals | 4B | 3L | 1D |
8 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
3 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Archaeological Museum, Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts
Location:
Istanbul
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Armada Hotel Istanbul
Activity Note
Walking up to 1 mile on cobblestone streets
Breakfast:
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning:
Following breakfast, meet with your guide to embark on your guided day of touring. Start the day by visiting the Archeological Museums of Istanbul that houses some magnificent artifacts, especially the exquisite Sarcophagus of Alexander the Great and Sarcophagus of the Mourning Women. Also located in the same complex, you will also visit the Museum of the Ancient Orient to see some artifacts from the ancient Mesopotamian, Hittite and Egyptian periods.
Lunch:
Lunch at a local restuarant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, continue on to visit the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, displaying the most exquisite examples of early Turkish and Islamic pottery, carpets, calligraphy, stonework and textiles. Visit the seldom visited yet stunningly beautiful Sokullu Mosque and return to the hotel in late afternoon. Dinner at the hotel.
Dinner:
Dinner at the hotel.
Evening:
Free evening
Day
2
Dolmabahce Palace, Grand Palace of Ottoman Sultans
Location:
Istanbul
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Armada Hotel Istanbul
Activity Note
Walking up to 1 mile and climbing a few flight of stairs at the Palace
Breakfast:
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning:
This morning, after breakfast, you will first visit the Dolmabahce Palace, the second palace of the Ottoman Sultans built in mid-19th century. Visiting this Palace will provide a better insight to the socio-economic and cultural changes that the Ottoman Empire was going through in 19th century.
Lunch:
Lunch in Ortakoy at a local gozleme restaurant
Afternoon:
After visiting the Palace, you will drive to Ortakoy, a charming district on the Bosphorus frequented by young people and artists. After strolling through this colorful seaside district, drive to the Galata Tower, to catch a glimpse of the old city from the top of this 14th century tower. Rest of the day free on your own.
Dinner:
Dinner on your own to explore local fare.
Day
3
Modern Art Museum, Ferry to Kadikoy
Location:
Istanbul
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Armada Hotel Istanbul
Activity Note
Walking up to 2 miles on cobblestone streets in the busy streets of Kadikoy bazaar
Breakfast:
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning:
Start the day with a visit to the Modern Art Museum of Istanbul, to gain an insight to the modern art scene in contemporary Turkey. Here you will see the evolution of Turkish modern art starting with the later periods of the Ottoman period, all the way to our time. Rest of the day free on your own.
Lunch:
Lunch at a well known restaurant specializing in culinary delights of Anatolia
Afternoon:
Take the local commuter ferry and cross the Bosphorus to Kadikoy. Walk around the lively bazaar of this neighborhood and get a sense of life on the Asian side of the city. Take the ferry back to the old city. Rest of the day free on your own.
Dinner:
Dinner on your own.
Day
4
Program Concludes
Location:
Istanbul
Meals:
B
Breakfast:
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning:
Transfer to Istanbul airport for flights home.
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MEALS
8 Meals
4 Breakfasts
3 Lunches
1 Dinner
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Oct 24, 2025 - Oct 27, 2025
- Mar 28, 2025 - Mar 31, 2025
- Apr 25, 2025 - Apr 28, 2025
- May 02, 2025 - May 05, 2025
- May 16, 2025 - May 19, 2025
- Oct 03, 2025 - Oct 06, 2025
- Oct 10, 2025 - Oct 13, 2025
- Oct 17, 2025 - Oct 20, 2025
- Oct 24, 2025 - Oct 27, 2025
Participant Reviews
Based on 1 Reviews
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This extension added significantly to the base program I attended and I would recommend adding the extension to everyone's base program
— Review left October 1, 2019