Faculty-led travel courses · Middle East
Turkey Faculty-Led Travel Course
Turkey holds more archaeological sites than almost any other country and sits between Europe and Asia. Students learn about its cultures, traditions, arts and folklore across historic cities and ancient ruins.
Good to know
- Language
- Turkish
- Currency
- Turkish lira (TRY)
- Best season
- April–June or September–October
- Typical length
- 10–14 days (customizable)
Highlights
What students will see and do
- Hagia SophiaBuilt in 537 CE in Istanbul, it served as a cathedral, a mosque and now a mosque open to visitors.
- Topkapi PalaceThe main residence of Ottoman sultans for about four centuries, overlooking the Bosphorus.
- Blue MosqueCompleted in 1616, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque is known for its six minarets and blue interior tiles.
- EphesusA well-preserved Greek and Roman city near the Aegean coast, with its Library of Celsus.
- CappadociaA region of volcanic rock formations, cave dwellings and underground cities.
- PamukkaleWhite mineral terraces and the ancient spa city of Hierapolis in southwestern Turkey.
Faculty-led travel courses
Courses that fit Turkey
Professors build their own syllabus; ARAMFO arranges the visits that bring it to life.
Art, Architecture & HistoryCourses could study Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman heritage in a single country.
Psychology, Sociology & Social WorkStudents could examine religion, secularism and the many cultures of modern Turkey.
Business & EntrepreneurshipA course could look at trade along the Silk Road and Turkey's role as a bridge between markets.
Education & Teacher PreparationStudents could compare the Turkish education system with U.S. approaches and study heritage education.
Map
Where you will go
Academic and professional visits
- A local university
- An archaeological site and museum
- A traditional arts or carpet workshop
- A school or teacher training institute
Visits are chosen with the professor to match the course.
Itinerary
Sample itinerary
A starting point only — every trip is adjusted to your course, dates and budget.
Customizable. This sample shows the kinds of visits and places available. Days, pace and academic visits are built around your course.
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Day 1
Departure for Istanbul
Begin the flight to Turkey.
- Depart for Istanbul
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Day 2
Arrival in Istanbul
Arrive in the city that spans two continents.
- Airport transfer to the hotel
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Day 3
Grand Bazaar and Old City
Start in one of the oldest covered markets in the world.
- Grand Bazaar
- Free time to walk through the market district
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Day 4
Hagia Sophia
Visit the sixth-century building that has served as a cathedral, a mosque, a museum and again a mosque since 2020.
- Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
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Day 5
Islamic Art and Academic Visit
See Turkish and Islamic art and meet local students and professionals.
- Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts
- Academic visit matched to your course (university, school, NGO or company)
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Day 6
Sultanahmet and Markets
Tour Istanbul's historic district and finish in a traditional spice market.
- Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque)
- Basilica Cistern
- Spice Bazaar
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Day 7
Palaces and City Walls
Visit the Ottoman sultans' palace and the ancient Byzantine fortifications.
- Topkapı Palace Museum
- Istanbul Naval Museum
- Valens Aqueduct
- Theodosian Walls
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Day 8
Istanbul to Ankara
Travel east to the capital of modern Turkey.
- Early transfer to Ankara
- Hotel check-in
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Day 9
Ankara to Cappadocia
Continue into Cappadocia to see the rock-cut churches of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Drive to Ürgüp and Mustafapaşa
- Göreme Open Air Museum
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Day 10
Underground Cities and Return to Ankara
Explore underground cities dug by early Christian communities, then return to Ankara.
- Kaymaklı and Derinkuyu Underground Cities
- Gümüşler Monastery
- Drive to Ankara
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Day 11
Ankara
Visit the old citadel and the Roman ruins in the capital.
- Ankara Castle
- Temple of Augustus
- Academic visit matched to your course (university, school, NGO or company)
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Day 12
Departure Day
Transfer to the airport and fly home.
- Transfer to the airport
From past trips
Students' experiences
What is included
ARAMFO arranges everything
You choose the dates and the airport your group flies from. We handle the logistics and the academic visits so you can focus on teaching.
3–6 credit hours, offered through your own department · 8+ students and the professor's travel cost is covered by ARAMFO · Your dates and your departure airport
- Airfare from your preferred airport
- Hotels or student housing
- Meals as set out in the itinerary
- Transportation in the host country
- Tour guides and entrance fees
- University, company and professional visits
- A native guide with the group for the whole trip
- Customized dates and itinerary
Get started
Plan a course in Turkey
Tell us about your course and we will reply with a draft itinerary and cost.