LEARNING JOURNEYS
Treasures of Turkey Exploration
Amazing Historic Sites – Unique, Luxury Accommodations – Incredible Fresh Meals
Grand Bazaar Shopping – Optional Hamam Experience & Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Cappadocia
Cooking Class – Wine Tasting – Fully-Guided Experience
There is a special magic and beauty to Turkey that so few have experienced. Marty Hargar is thrilled to offer an outstanding program to help you explore the true treasures of this complex country. Get ready for an outstanding adventure of discovery as we’ve included significant attractions and combined them with unique, personalized experiences just for our group.
Turkey is the ideal Exploration for active world travelers who are ready to walk the paths and hike the steps in to Turkey’s unique terrain and historical sites. Join Marty to discover the Treasures of Turkey and all its colorful and mystical offerings!
Itinerary
September 25 – October 4, 2025
10 days/9 nights
Double Occupancy: $5,705 Per Person
Single Occupancy: $6,845 Per Person
Thursday, September 25
ARRIVE in ISTANBUL, WELCOME DINNER
Arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST) where you will be greeted by our Learning Journeys staff outside the Arrivals Terminal, holding a sign with your name on it. Together, they will transfer with you to the hotel for check in.
OPTIONAL AFTERNOON TOUR: For those with earlier arrivals, we have an optional afternoon tour available for an additional fee. Please see details at the end of the itinerary section.
This evening, we will meet as a group in the lobby to greet our English-speaking guide, who will provide a brief orientation about our upcoming tour. Tonight we will enjoy our Welcome Dinner at a Local “Meyhane” located in the Flower Passage within 10 minutes walking distance to your hotel. It’s time to celebrate our arrival in Istanbul with an evening of sophisticated indulgence and flavorful memories.
This evening marks the beginning of a splendid week in Istanbul as we extend an exclusive invitation for a delightful dinner experience at a local restaurant where culture and gastronomy unite to craft an unforgettable experience. Immerse yourself in the authentic celebration of traditional meyhane culture, savoring the iconic Turkish “Lion’s Milk” – Raki. Explore its captivating history and nuances while indulging in a curated selection of traditional mezzes and fresh seasonal fish, expertly prepared in quintessential Turkish fashion.
Overnight at 10 KARAKOY Boutique Hotel. (D)
Friday, September 26
ISTANBUL CITY ORIENTATION & FOOD TASTING
After breakfast, meet our Guide in the lobby at 9:00am to begin our tour. We will cross over the Bosphorus Bridge and continue to the lovely neighborhood of Kuzguncuk, with a unique tradition of tolerance maintained over the years. Once a center for the Jewish community, Armenians and Greeks, in the 60’s a small group of Black Sea farmers settled in the area. Since 2000 it has been popular amongst artists and intellectuals. We’ll enjoy a soft Bosphorus breeze and see the traditional wooden houses looking over Kauzguncuk’s city garden — quite a hidden gem away from the bustling districts of Istanbul.
Along the walk, we will taste some of delicacies of Turkish cuisine; stop by historic bakeries and local food making stores. You will taste a delicious simit (a special bagel with sesame seeds) and borek – one of the most traditional Turkish pastry dishes still enjoyed widely today. Enjoy them with black Turkish tea in traditional small “s” shaped glasses.
Later this afternoon, continue the our walking tour in Kadikoy ( Chalcedon) where we will wander by the local fish market, antique shops, second–hand book seller shops, and continue our street food tasting experience of Turkish. We will complete our day of touring on a local ferry back to Karakoy, for a traditional Turkish Baklava Tasting at one of the most well-known baklava makers in the land.
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE: Turkish Hamam Spa Experience. For those in our group who want to try an authentic 2-hour late afternoon spa experience referred to as a “Turkish Bath” or “Ottoman Bath”, reservations can be made in advance to enjoy this unique session.
This evening, we will depart the hotel at 8:00pm for dinner at a local Turkish Kebab restaurant overlooking the Golden Horn – named such as the sun’s yellow rays often reflect on the water making it appear golden.
Overnight at 10 KARAKOY Boutique Hotel. (B,L,D)
Saturday, September 27
EXPLORE ISTANBUL in OTTOMAN STYLE, GRAND BAZAAR, BELLY DANCING, DINNER CRUISE
After breakfast and a morning briefing from our Guide, depart for the Historical Peninsula, a Unesco Heritage Site since 1986, and from where four major empires were ruled throughout history. We will begin with a step back in history at the Topkapi Palace, the former residence of the Ottoman Sultans that has been turned into a museum boasting an unrivalled collection of jewelry including the Spoonmaker’s Diamond – the 3rd largest in the world! We’ll see collections of court costumes, ceramics, weaponry and take a stroll through the courtyards that surround the Palace.
We’ll continue on to the fabulous Blue Mosque, one of the most important places of worship in the world. It is named for the blue Iznik tile work that decorate its interior and its iconic dome with six minarets can be seen from all over the Sultanahmet neighborhood.
Following a delicious lunch of Ottoman Cuisine, get ready to visit the Grand Bazaar, open since 1455 and expanded many times since. The result is an enormous labyrinth of covered streets lined with thousands of shops selling, for example, hand-woven carpets and kilims, gold and silver jewelry, hand-painted ceramics, leather goods, fine antiques and illuminated manuscripts.
Get ready to move as we have some fun and enjoy an authentic belly dance class led by the tutors of Belly Dancer’s Studio. Belly dancing is not only an excellent exercise approach but it is also one of the most beautiful dance arts in the world.
We’ll return to the hotel to freshen up before our private Bosphorus dinner cruise on the open sea at sunset! Wait until you see the sights along the way as we sail toward the Black Sea. This cruise is said to be “one of the most unforgettable excursions available between two continents, Europe & Asia.” Our dinner cruise will take us past the most recent palaces of the Ottomans: the Dolmabahce Palace and Beylerbeyi, and other elegant homes, mansions and modern villas. Enjoy this special evening on the water!
Overnight at 10 KARAKOY Boutique Hotel. (B,L,D)
Sunday, September 28
EXPLORE THE TREASURES OF ISTANBUL
Today we will explore the historic section of Istanbul, called Sultanahmet. First stop is the ancient Roman Hippodrome, the 3,500-year-old obelisk brought from Egypt in 390 CE. Next we’ll visit the Byzantine Underground Cistern built in the 6th century as a secure water reservoir for the city and one of Istanbul’s most unusual tourist attractions!
Get ready for a fascinating next stop to Nakilbent Cistern, a remarkable 6th-century Byzantine underground water tank now situated beneath an authentic Turkish handicraft shop. On this remarkable shop’s terrace, we’ll enjoy a fantastic lunch.
Fascinating architecture and design will surround us as we continue past the extraordinary Haggia Sophia (Aya Sofya) Mosque built in the 6th Century. The original design was said to mirror the image of the heavens, and its design extremely influential in the Medieval years.
This afternoon we’ll visit the Old Spice Market where you’ll find a diverse selection of spices, sacks of henna, varieties of oils and herbs, and of course the world’s very best Turkish delight candy! Outside of the Bazaar, you’ll find the food market where you will be amazed with the variety of olives, fresh fruits and vegetables. Following this tour, we’ll return to our hotel for an evening at leisure.
Overnight at 10 KARAKOY Boutique Hotel. (B,L)
Monday, September 29
FLIGHT TO THE SEACOAST – EXPLORE IZMIR – COOKING CLASS
After breakfast and check out, we’ll meet our driver and Guide to head to the airport and our flight to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport on Turkey’s western coast. On arrival in Izmir, head out to explore this ancient city once known as “Smyrna.” Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey and borders the Aegean Sea. This port city was, in Ottoman times, a melting pot that included Greeks, Armenians, Jews, French and Italians.
We will visit the Roman Agora, the open-air museum of Izmir which was used as a square shaped marketplace during the Roman rule of the city. Get ready to explore the antique Bazaar and get tempted by the variety of delicious, local street foods. Save room for lunch though, as we’ll enjoy ours at a local restaurant before heading to our hotel for late afternoon check in.
Tonight we will enjoy a special treat with a cooking class of authentic Turkish food. You’ll love participating with this hands-on experience in a friendly environment and cozy atmosphere that feels like home at City Restaurant. This restaurant and its kitchen are located in one of the few neighborhoods to has preserved its original social-ethnic composition since the 17th century! By smelling, touching and tasting the ingredients of Turkish cuisine you will better understand Turkish customs, traditions and life perspective with our passionate teachers and cooks.
Overnight at La Vista Boutique Hotel (B, L, D)
Tuesday, September 30
ANCIENT EPHESUS – ORGANIC FARM – HOME OF VIRGIN MAR
Today, you will visit the ancient city of Ephesus (UNESCO Heritage) – a stunning and partially excavated archaeological site where digging has taken place for over a century. The city was an important Greek trading city and later a Roman provincial capital and home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – the Temple of Diana, the massive foundation of which can still be seen today after nearly 3 millennia. The ruins of Ephesus include the striking Celsius Library, built in the 2nd century AD with its giant columns and façade, and the spectacular Grand Theater.
Continuing on, we’ll visit the Temple of Hadrian, built in the 2nd century AD and named after the Roman emperor. Our tour also includes a special visit to the Roman Villas or “Terrace Houses” which rise above the main streets of Ephesus as a testimony to the importance and the wealth of the city. These houses belonged to the politically or economically important citizens of Ephesus and were in use until the city was abandoned.
Today we have a very special lunch planned at the women-owned and operated, Degirmen Organic Farm where local women work the land owned by “Iron Lady” Gürsel Tonbul. Ms Tonbul is a true pioneer in organic farming and self-sustainable operation of farming.
Venturing on after lunch, we will drive to Mt. Pagus and travel up a small tree-lined path which leads to a tiny stone cottage that clings to the side of Bulbul Mountain outside of Ephesus. This cottage is believed to be the last home of the Virgin Mary, who is said to have come here towards the end of her life in the company of St. John sometime around AD 40. Below the house you will find a fountain, where a sacred spring feeds three fonts, each bestowing a unique blessing upon visitors.
We’ll then return to our hotel to relax and enjoy dinner.
Overnight at La Vista Boutique Hotel (B, L, D)
Wednesday, October 1
FLIGHTS TO CAPPADOCIA – WINE TASTING
After breakfast and hotel check-out, we’ll head back to the airport for our flight back to Istanbul and on a connection to Kayseri and the surrealistic landscape of Cappadocia. Cappadocia is a geologic wonder of multi-hued volcanic pillars and twisting valleys sculpted by a millennium of rain and wind.
Cappadocia is a region of central Turkey surrounded by a triangle of towns: Nevsehir, Nigde and Kayseri. Famous for its “fairy chimneys,” these unique geological formations have been created from porous, volcanic rock debris that is easily carved, chipped and eroded by the elements. This region is also known for its ties to early Christian history.
Enjoy a wine tasting experience to wrap up this day spent amid fairy chimneys and Byzantine vestiges. We’ll visit a local vineyard with some of the oldest perched vines in the world, and taste the fruity wines made from local grapes. After our tour, on we’ll go to the Nino Cave Suites for dinner and overnight.
Overnight at Nino Cave Suites. (B, D)
Thursday,
October 2
CAPPADOCIA
OPTIONAL SUNRISE HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE: For those with no fear of heights who are ready for adventure and want to see the most iconic images of Cappadocia from above, take a look at the details below this itinerary.
Enjoy breakfast at our hotel before we depart to discover more about the local Christian history at the Goreme Outdoor Museum – UNESCO World Heritage Site. Carved here within the earth are 15 churches, 7 refectories and numerous storerooms and living quarters. The churches have been decorated with frescoes of stories and symbols of the New and Old Testaments dating back to the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries. The frescos also provide records of visits by St. George, St. Theodore and St. Barbara. These structures at Goreme are a marvel of ingenuity, engineering and faith dating back to the 11th century. Goreme Valley is where thousands of people once lived in homes cut into the soft rock walls of caves and “fairy chimneys.”
Next we’ll head underground to experience Cappadocia’s underground city Kaymakli, which was cut out of volcanic rock as deep as 300 feet during the period from the 6th to the 10th Centuries. One can go as deep as seven floor levels of the underground city through an intricate labyrinth of tunnels.
Let’s explore ancient terra cotta and pottery production dating back to the Hittites as we travel to the village of Avanos. Here you’ll see beautiful old houses and discover more about the ceramic trade in this district and its countless pottery factories. We’ll visit one of the handicraft centers to learn about the production process and the art of pottery making. On our way back to our cave hotel, we’ll visit the Pigeon Valley and enjoy a panoramic tour of the famous place where the guano of revered pigeons was collected and used as a fertilizer.
This evening’s dinner is on your schedule at our hotel.
OPTIONAL EARLY EVENING WHIRLING DERVISHES SHOW. The Whirling Dervishes Performance is approximately one hour where you’ll learn about this meditative practice and witness the twirling up close from their ceremony in a museum and cultural center.
Overnight at Nino Cave Suites. (B, L, D)
Friday, October 2
GEOLOGIC WONDERS OF CAPPADOCIA – FAREWELL DINNER
This morning after breakfast, we’ll drive to the Love Valley —situated in the very center of modern-dayTurkey. The Love Valley is a natural wonder of geologic formations that sit on a high plateau. The arid environment hot and dry, creating these huge, natural structures which to some seem like some sort of ancient homage to male fertility!
We’ll continue exploring other sandstone formations as we arrive in Zelve and the Red Valley. Zelve is surrounded by deep red stone, versus the white stone of Goreme. The central ridge that runs through the valley, used to be the natural divide between the Christian and Muslim communities. Here we can visit two of the most interesting churches in the area: The Church of Grapes and the Fish Church. We will also visit Pasabagi (Monk’s Valley) known for multiple stems and caps, peculiar to this area.
Today we’re getting a taste of Greek influence with lunch at a local restaurant in the ancient Greek town of Mustafapasa (Sinasos). This community features spectacular old Greek houses which are excellent examples of late Greek settlements and architecture. After lunch we’ll stop at the Keslik Monastery, which houses the well-preserved 9th century Chapel of St. Stephen.
We’ll wrap up our day with a return to our cave hotel and a Farewell Dinner gathering.
Overnight at Nino Cave Suites. (B, L, D)
Saturday,
October 3
CAPPADOCIA BACK TO ISTANBUL FOR DEPARTURE
Today we conclude our Treasures of Turkey Exploration together. After breakfast we’ll all head to the airport for our flight back to Istanbul and transfers to flights back to the USA. We hope you’ve enjoyed the true treasures of this historic country and its lovely people. Until we meet again, safe travels to all!
Inclusions
Program Includes:
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Arrival meet & greet by English-speaking Learning Journeys representative at airport and private, individual transfer to your hotel in Istanbul.
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Private, individual airport departure transfer in Istanbul
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Private English-speaking Tour Guides for the group
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Ground Transportation as outlined in modern deluxe vehicles (Mercedes Sprinter 18-seater mini bus)
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4 nights at 10 Karakoy Hotel, Istanbul – Superior Room
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2 nights at La Vista Boutique Hotel, Kusadasi – Deluxe Room
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3 nights Nino Cave Suites – Standard Room
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9 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 8 Dinners
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3 Hour Cruise by Private Boat
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Domestic Airfare (On Coach Class with 20 kg luggage allowance + 8 kg hand luggage) for Istanbul/Izmir & Izmir/Istanbul/Kayseri & Kayseri/Istanbul
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Belly Dancing Workshop, Istanbul
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Evening Cooking Class in City Restaurant, Kusadasi
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Beverage: 1 Bottled water daily per person provided in vehicle. Meals are inclusive of bottled water and in-house soft drink brands. Hotels generally include coffee and tea at no additional cost.
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Welcome packet in Turkey on arrival
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Complimentary WIFI on all vehicles for transfers and touring
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Entrance fees to and all sightseeing and admission fees indicated in the program.
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Tips for hotel valet on arrival/departure, and restaurants where group meals are planned.
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All currently applicable VAT, accommodation taxes, city taxes, tolls, parking fees, fuel costs and service tax
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Please note: Some visits or activities may be altered due to unforeseen circumstances.