TWO WEEKS STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM in TURKEY

12 Nights / 14 Days
Suggested Months: June, July & August
Visit Istanbul at the beginning of the program, then take Izmir as a base and visit the
Ancient Greek and Roman Sites, Explore Ottoman Culture, History of Anatolia, Discover Turkish Cuisine and Have Fun.

Day 01
Depart USA

Day 02
Arrive Istanbul
Meet and greet. A short orientation tour. Then transfer to the hotel for a welcome briefing. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul. (D)

Day 03
Istanbul
Discover the Byzantine and Ottoman treasures of Istanbul. Visit the Royal TOPKAPI PALACE, home of the Ottoman Sultans, the BLUE MOSQUE, unique with six minarets, the Roman HIPPODROME SQUARE and the ST.SOPHIA CHURCH which is considered one of the worlds greatest architectural marvels. Then visit the Grand Covered Bazaar with over 4,000 tiny shops. Evening at leisure. (B)

Day 04
Istanbul - Troy - Canakkale
Drive to GALLIPOLI, through the European lands of Turkey. Cross the Dardanelles Strait by ferryboat. Visit ancient TROY, see its legendary walls and the replica of the wooden horse. Dinner and overnight in Canakkale. (B,D)

Day 05
Pergamon - Izmir
Drive to Bergama. Visit the ACROPOLIS, the steepest theater of the ancient world, the Temple of Trojan, Library. Lunch at a local restaurant. Then visit ASCLEPION, the ancient healing center and the RED BASILICA which is one of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse (rev:2-12). Check-in to your hotel. Dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 06
Half Day Izmir City Tour
Morning visit the Agora, Alexander the Great’s Castle and the new Izmir Museum. Rest of the day is free. Dinner at the hotel. ONE HOUR SPECIAL COURSE AT THE HOTEL ABOUT THE GREEK AND ROMAN EMPIRES. (B,D)

Day 07
Free Day
Free day to explore Izmir city or relax at the hotel. Breakfast and Dinner are served at the hotel.

Izmir has a population of over 3 million people. It has many restaurants, cafes, bars, shops for the entertainment of the students. The Kordon (Sea Side) street of Izmir is always alive during the evenings and fun to have a walk there. Alsancak and the Kıbrıs Sehitleri Street offers hundreds of small cafes and bars. (B,D)

Day 08
Ephesus - Izmir
Leave for EPHESUS, cradle of early Christianity (rev:2-1-7). Visit the HOUSE OF THE VIRGIN MARY, the ancient Ephesus, the ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM and the TEMPLE OF DIANA which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Return to Izmir. Evening at leisure. Overnight in Izmir. (B,L,D)

Day 09
Sardes - Izmir
Drive to SARDES (rev:3-1-6) capital of ancient Lydia. Visit the Temple of Cybele which later became a church, the famous SYNAGOGUE from the third century, the Gymnasium and the new excavation area. See the Golden River Pactalos. Lunch en route. Return to Izmir. Rest of the day is free. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. ONE HOUR SPECIAL COURSE AT THE HOTEL ABOUT THE BYZANTINE & OTTOMAN HISTORY. (B,D)

Day 10
Discover the Beaches and the Night Life of Cesme
Today we will drive to Cesme, the most popular holiday town of Turkey for its beaches and night life. Free time at white sandy beaches for swimming. We will have dinner at an outside Fish Restaurant. Free time at a famous open air-sea-side bar. Return to Izmir late in the evening. (B)

Day 11
Izmir
Free Day in Izmir (B,D)

Day 12
Hierapolis - Aphrodisias - Izmir
Morning tour of PAMUKKALE, noted ancient spa, where pure white travertine forms frozen waterfalls. Observation of carpet weaving at one of the local workshops. Drive to APHRODISIAS, the city of the Goddess of Love, see the well preserved stadium, the Odeon, the theater and the agora. Return to Izmir for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Day 13
Izmir
Free Day in Izmir (B,D)

Day 14
End of the Tour
Escorted transfer to Izmir Airport. Fly back home via Istanbul. End of our services. (B)