Turkey | Cultural Exploration

Overview

Cultural Exploration Turkey immerses you in the rich cultures and diverse landscapes that have fascinated travelers for centuries.  Our itinerary is a carefully structured balance of the cosmopolitan yet exotic city of Istanbul, off-the-beaten-track villages, the natural wonders of Cappadocia and the Turquoise Coast, and archaeological marvels like Ephesus and Olympos. Not only do you experience Turkey’s incredible mix of people and places, you learn about the country as a complex and evolving nation that faces the challenges of modernization while maintaining its rich historical and cultural roots. Every day is full of active and fun ways to get to know our host country. Turks are among the warmest and most hospitable on the planet, eager to share their rich culture with visitors. We will actively engage in the Turkish way of life through conversations and interactions with local people.

We begin in Istanbul, a remarkable, modern city with roots tapping deeply into the cultures of both Europe and Asia. Spend an hour having tea with a shop owner as he helps you see the subtle attractions of his wares.  Peek into the mystical world of Sufism at an evening ceremony where “Whirling Dervishes” dressed in flowing garments and cone-shaped hats perform religious dances. Take a walking tour of the neighborhood with the owner of our hotel to learn the details about the lives of its historic and present-day inhabitants, and cruise the Bosphorus, the narrow strait which is the traditional boundary between Europe and Asia. Visit world-class museums and stunning mosques, wind your way through fragrant and lively bazaars, and haggle with vendors over pistachio candies or fresh figs.

Take in the view in Cappadocia

The next stop is Cappadocia. Hike through this strange lunar landscape and discover caves elaborately carved from abrupt outcroppings of solid rock that have housed people for millennia. Explore abandoned underground cities and ancient ruins.

Returning to the coast, explore the Greek ruins at Ephesus, one of the world’s best preserved archaeological sites. Gaze at the crystal waters of the Mediterranean as you hike along seaside paths, spend four days sailing the Turquoise Coast, exploring the underwater ruins of ancient cities, snorkeling with colorful fish and sea life, and stargazing on the deck of our 80-foot traditional Turkish gulet. Enjoy a final night on the coast at Olympos, staying in a tree house adjacent to an ancient city whose ruins merge into a spectacular beach.

Our accommodations in Turkey are simple, safe, comfortable, and diverse, ranging from family-run hostels to tree houses in Olympos to cabins on board the gulet. In Cappadocia, you spend one night at the home of a local friend of Putney’s, where you can tuck into a cozy cave room or spend the night under the stars on an open-air loft built into the hills overlooking the peculiar rock formations of the expansive valley below. Start out each day with a delicious Turkish breakfast of yogurt, breads, olives, tomatoes, cheeses, and fresh fruits at our residence and then, for other meals, eat in restaurants or enjoy putting together picnics of delicious local foods.  On board ship, take turns helping with the cooking and cleaning crews.

We travel by plane in and out of Cappadocia, and for shorter distances we travel by private bus. We will occasionally use dolmuş, or local buses, for short trips. Dolmuş are safe, quick, and popular means of transportation along the Mediterranean coast.

Highlights

• Stand at the crossroads of East and West in the bustling bazaars of Istanbul.
• Swim and snorkel in crystal clear waters as you sail the Mediterranean aboard a wooden yacht.
• Bunk in a tree house on the beach in the ancient town of Olympos.
• Hike through majestic valleys and mysterious rock formations in Cappadocia.
• Sip çay (tea) with locals as they share their stories of old and new Turkey.

What to Expect

This is a physically active program.  You should be prepared to be on the move—walking in cities, hiking in the mountains—for most of each day.  You should come to the program with an open mind, excited about new experiences, and willing to challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone on occasion to make the most of your time in Turkey.

Fees

Tuition: $4,990

Itinerary

This program begins and ends at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

Departure • June 28.  Join your group for 16 days of cultural exploration and travel in Turkey.  Gather at JFK Airport to meet your program leaders and depart as a group for Istanbul on an overnight flight.

Istanbul • Begin in the heart of Old Town, minutes from the Hagia Sofia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar, and all the treasures historic and vibrant Istanbul has to offer. Here we spend five days getting to know one another and the country by visiting museums, spending a day with local highschoolers, taking a survival Turkish lesson, cruising the Bosphorus, and exploring hidden neighborhoods.  Learn how to play backgammon, attend a Whirling Dervish performance, search out the best baklava in town, and immerse yourself in a culture totally different from your own.

Cappadocia • From Istanbul, we fly to Cappadocia for two days of adventure. Hike, bike, or ride horseback through a landscape of mystifying rock formations, underground cities, ancient cave dwellings, and expansive canyons. Spend one night in the Red Valley at the home of a friend of Putney’s, where you can tuck into a cozy cave room or sleep out under the stars on an open-air loft built into the hills overlooking the entire valley.

Ephesus • After Cappadocia, we visit Ephesus, one of the world’s best preserved archaeological sites and home to one of the Ancient Wonders of the World, the now-crumbled Temple of Artemis. Climb the steps of the enormous amphitheater, imagine all the books that were housed in the immense Library of Celsus, and envision Roman invaders patrolling the hills as you survey the landscape from a rocky overlook.

Relax on deck as we cruise the Mediterranean.

Fethiye and Oludeniz • After our history lesson at Ephesus, it’s time to set out for the Mediterranean coast! Stroll around the seaside village of Fethiye, tiptoe through the ghost town of Kayakoy, and take in views of the ocean at every switchback as you hike the winding trails along the coast. Take a dip in the Blue Lagoon, one of Turkey’s most beautiful secluded beaches.

Cruising the Turquoise Coast • Starting in Fethiye, board a traditional Turkish gulet, or wooden sailing yacht. Spend four days snorkeling and swimming in the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, sail past sunken cities crumbling into the sea, and relive the stories of your time in Turkey as you and your friends stretch out under the stars on deck.

Olympos • We end our cruise in Olympos, an ancient city whose ruins tumble into the sea, leading you down to the shores of a spectacular beach. Stay in a tree house for a fun and unique experience on your last night on the Turquoise Coast.

Istanbul • From Olympos, return to Istanbul for your final day.  Reflect as a group on all that you’ve seen and done in this incredible country.

Return • July 13.  On the last morning of the program, we head to Istanbul Ataturk International Airport and depart as a group for John F. Kennedy Airport in New York accompanied by one of the program leaders.

This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule.  However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.

Destination

Background • Since the time of ancient Troy, Greek, Roman, Christian, Muslim, and modern secular civilizations have left their imprints on Turkey, attracted by its strategic location linking the continents of Europe and Asia.  Each has left behind its physical monuments and cultural traces, which complement the beauty of its beach-studded rocky coastline and rugged interior.  Only in recent years have visitors begun to recognize Turkey for its unparalleled mixture of cultures, both ancient and modern, and for its importance as a place where these cultures interact, learn about each other, and devise ways to coexist and thrive.

Population  •  Turkey has over 80 million citizens and Istanbul alone is home to nearly 15 million people. Turkey has a secular government – a stable republic established in 1923—though 99% of the population is Muslim.

Our program ends with a 4-day cruise along Turkey’s Mediterranean coast.

Language  • The national language is Turkish.  English is widely taught and spoken in the areas that we visit.

Climate • Turkey is a large country with a varied climate, but our program focuses on the western regions, which enjoy Mediterranean summers of cloudless days, pleasant breezes, and daytime highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s. Cappadocia is more arid, with daytime temperatures in the 80s, falling into the low 60s at night.

Turkish markets abound with fresh and dried fruits, candied nuts, and a multitude of other tasty treats.

Cuisine • A product of its geography, Turkish cuisine blends Mediterranean flavors with the spices of the Middle East and influences from Central Asia. Typical meals may start with potatoes, rice, or pilaf, and often include a mix of vegetables such as eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Turkey is famous for its kebabs, fresh figs, olives, and of course you can’t forget dessert! Turkish Delight, baklava, and crepe-like pastries called gözleme are all delicious after-dinner treats.

Currency • The Turkish Lira (TRY) is the national currency. An ATM card is the best way to access cash in Turkey, and ATMs are widely accessible in each location that we visit.

Voltage • Turkey uses 240V/50Hz current and type C plugs, which are two round pins (the same as many European countries). You will also need a converter for any electronics that do not say “INPUT: A.C. 100-240V” on them.

How To Apply

Step 1: Log On.

If you are new to Putney Student Travel, visit our Online Application. 
If you are a Putney Student Travel alumni family, use your existing account information to Log In.

Step 2: Hold A Space In The Program.

You can hold a space in a program by completing the Online Application Form and providing the $700 Application Deposit by Mastercard, Visa, or Discover Card through our secure online system or by sending a check to our office. Our admissions staff is also available to take credit card information over the phone.  We will hold a space in a program for a reasonable time, pending completion of the full application process. See Step 3.

After March 15, to hold a space in a program an application must be accompanied by full payment made by check or wire transfer and the signed Agreement Form.

Step 3: Complete the Application Process.

Before we can make a final admissions decision, an application must be complete.  In addition to the Application Form and Application Deposit described above, a complete application includes:

• Applicant Statement
• Two Teacher References
• Signed Agreement Form

These documents are available as part of our Online Application.  We review a completed application within a few days, and notify families of our admissions decision by e-mail.

For a full description of eligibility, admissions policies, and terms of payment, please visit our Terms & Conditions.