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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Itinerary
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.
Read More.
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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