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Istanbul
A city sprawled over two continents and twenty centuries, read by two experts at once.
Region
Türkiye
Group size
14–28 travelers
Next departure
September 18 - 25, 2027
Come experience this majestic city as it sprawls over two continents and numerous centuries. This metropolitan crossroads of the world brings ancient civilizations to life, and invites you to explore its uniquely rich history and peoples.
Visit its mosques, churches, art, and exotic bazaars. Take in the views of the Bosporus, and explore the 8,500 years of stories that make up the stunning city history catalogs as the desired jewel of the empires.
Tours take place in September annually and are joined by Thomas Madden, PhD, author of Istanbul: City of Majesty at the Crossroads of the World. Professor Madden shares the scholarly role here with Serif Yenen, the licensed Turkish guide who walks you through the present and fills in the Ottoman and modern Turkish layers. Two expert voices for one city.
"If the earth were a single state, Istanbul would be its capital."
Trip highlights
- Lose yourself in the aromas of international spices
- Find yourself haggling in the shops of the Grand Bazaar
- Experience the reverence of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia
- Take in the views of the Bosphorus Strait
- Visit the shores of Turkish Asia
- Explore the remains of ancient empires that all laid claim to Constantinople
Your experts
Next departure
September 18 – 25, 2027
What Travelers Say
Verbatim, from travelers on this trip.
“Our Istanbul trip was above and beyond what I could ever have imagined. Istanbul in itself is full of history. Jewel and Matt topped it off with only the best of the best… guides, food and extra’s!! Jewel is extremely talented at what she does and so freely gives her time in how and whenever you might need it.”
- Rosemary H.
“What a great group of people to experience awesomeness with. Mehmet and the staff at Magnaura Palace hotel were the best. Waiting for another opportunity to experience the world with CulturED Travel.”
- Stephen H.
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A thousand-year republic, walked chapter by chapter with the man who wrote its history.
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