Welcome to Turkey! Upon arrival to Istanbul Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul Meals: Welcome Dinner

After breakfast, you will stroll through Sogukcesme Street lined with the wooden houses and landmark buildings of Ottoman architecture. After a short walk, you will arrive at Topkapi Palace, the largest and oldest of the 7 remaining palaces where Ottoman Sultans once lived. Here you can admire the gardens, kitchens, the treasury section and terraces overlooking the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn! A perfect photo opportunity may be found at the Fountain of Sultan Ahmet the 3rd as you explore Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture that dates to the 6th century. After lunch, a visit to the Blue Mosque - covered by more than 20,000 Iznik tiles - continues to the Roman Hippodrome, where the chariot races once took place. Here, you will discover the handcrafts of Anatolia and shop in the labyrinth tunnels of the Grand Bazaar! Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch Overnight in Istanbul

This morning it’s time for an authentic Turkish experience at the famous Spice Bazaar! Upon arrival you will be greeted by a series of rich scents as you never have experienced before. The plethora of spices available will astound you! Next, you will go to the port to embark and start the Bosphorus Cruise. During this boat tour we can admire Dolmabahce Palace, the Mosque, the bohemian neighborhood of Ortakoy, the Fortresses of Rumeli and Anatolia, the Beylerbeyi Palace, the typical “yali” wooden houses, and more. Lunch under the Galata Bridge at Golden Horne. After noon, it’s time to return to your hotel for a 3-hour lecture/workshop given by an aromatherapy specialist on the effects of lavender on our health. The lavender flower, and the oil derived from it, have a long history in herbal medicine and in treatments of mental health issues, anxiety, insomnia, depression, headaches, hair loss, nausea, acne, toothaches, skin irritations and even cancer. Learning Experience: Spice Bazaar, Lavender and Health Workshop Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch Overnight in Istanbul

After breakfast you will board a domestic flight to Antalya, followed by a short visit of Antalya Old City and its lovely harbor, before continuing to the ancient city of Sagalassos. Here, one of the richest cities of the period brought highly advanced masterpieces on art, from the Roman period to the present day. The city spreads across an area of 120 square kilometers and offers great visuals of another era to its visitors. Its ancient still-running fountain is one of the most unique in the world. In the late afternoon, you will visit Kuyucak, a charming village situated on a high hill at the edge of the Taurus Mountains and surrounded by lavender-covered slopes and plains. Today, the village has a population of 250 residents. Kuyucak Köyü is still quite unknown to visitors who have yet to discover this idyllic village. Kuyucak, as well as the nearby Kuşçular, Çukurören, and Yeşilyurt villages, are some of the prime cultivators and producers of lavender in Turkey. Many former residents have left the area because of the barren land and extremely dry climate. Lavender has changed the course of life in Kuyucak. With only a mere 90 households, the current villagers of Kuyucak make their living through lavender cultivation and fishing as well as picking and drying the area’s naturally growing flowers and herbs such as hollyhock, daisies, and thyme for the country’s herbalist shops. Boasting natural cobblestone streets, mudbrick houses, and wild lavender bushes sprouting out of the sidewalks, Kuyucak is truly a beautiful fairytale place to discover. Learning Experience: Sagalasso Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight in Isparta

Departure after breakfast will bring you to Lisinia Nature Preserve. Here, the pollution of nature and cancer that arises is combatted in the work for a continuation of natural life and its inheritance to future generations! Öztürk Sarıca, a veterinarian who lives in Burdur, initiated a project around Lake Burdur in 2005 to raise awareness and preserve natural life after losing his family members to cancer. Its name is Lisinia Nature. There are 9 sub-projects carried out under the structure of Lisinia Nature. Some are informational activities with “A Future Without Cancer is in Our Hands,” lavender fields with “Keep Lake Burdur Alive to Live.” “Nature School,” “Protection of Native Plant-life and Animal Species,” “Gene Preservation,” and “Ecological and Nature Friendly Agricultural Practices.” In addition, one of Turkey’s first wildlife rehabilitation centers is in Lisinia Nature. After your visit, you will continue your journey by visiting the incredible Pamukkale. Here you will witness the natural travertine terraces of the Pamukkale Koyu UNESCO World Heritage Site, before going to see the Hierapolis archaeological zone, an Ancient Roman resort city with the largest necropolis in Asia Minor! Learning Experience: Hierapolis, Lisinia Nature Preserve Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight in Pamukkale

Following breakfast, your immersive journey today brings you to the famous Ephesus. Visit the Ephesus Ruins – the city dedicated to Artemis I the Odeon, Temple of Hadrian, the House of Love, the Library of Celsus, the Agora. In the afternoon it’s on to Izmir for a 3-hour Turkish cuisine workshop and lunch with author, TV producer and Chef Mrs. Gülhan Kara, in her town house. Afterward, you will be transferred to Izmir airport for a flight to Istanbul. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight in Izmir

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Izmir airport for a flight to Istanbul. This morning you will have the pleasure of a visit of Taksim, Istiklal Avenue and Galata Bohemian districts, as well the backstreets of Istanbul to discover authentic daily life! After lunch, you will engage in a workshop to learn about and create homemade natural cosmetics with lavender oil (face masks, perfume, or fitotherapy). Learning Experience: Natural Cosmetic Workshop Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch Overnight in Istanbul

Don’t leave yet! Extend your journey on one of our numerous photography, art and culture programs throughout Europe! Need to head back? We look forward to welcoming you on another Learning Journeys immersion. Choose to journey back to Turkey or consider one of our journeys abroad in Malta, Greece, France, India and more! Meals included: Breakfast