The ICAA is pleased to partner with Classical Excursions to present an exclusive journey through Turkey.
Join Classical Excursions founder Lani Summerville and travel writer Cosmo Brockway on this extraordinary journey tracing the course of classical civilization through Istanbul, Troy, Assos, Ephesus, and Cappadocia, guided by experts in art, architecture, and archaeology. This exclusive tour combines private access, refined accommodations, and immersive experiences across some of the most storied sites of the ancient world.
The program begins in the imperial city of Istanbul, where East and West have intertwined for millennia; continues along the Aegean coast to Troy and Assos, where myth and philosophy were born; explores the magnificent ruins of Ephesus, among the finest surviving cities of antiquity; and concludes amid the dreamlike volcanic formations of Cappadocia.
This tour is arranged by Classical Excursions. Please note, that you must contact Classical Excursions’ Director, Lani Summerville to formally register for this program. Upon completing a registration form, submitting a deposit to Classical Excursions, and receiving a confirmation from Classical Excursions you will be considered registered for this program. The $600 donation to the ICAA should be made only after your registration has been confirmed. Please make sure you have received confirmation before making your donation. Payment of the $600 donation to the ICAA prior to registration does not guarantee placement on the trip. Again, to inquire about registration for this program, please contact Lani Summerville at [email protected] or 413-446-8728.
A fully tax-deductible donation of $600 per person is required to participate in this travel program. This donation should be made only after your registration has been confirmed. Please note that this donation is non-refundable except in the case that this travel program is cancelled by the organization. All travel program participants have the opportunity to receive a complimentary Individual level membership for one year to the ICAA.
Çırağan Palace Kempinski Hotel
Participants will stay at the Çırağan Palace Kempinski Hotel, a restored 19th-century Ottoman imperial palace on the Bosphorus, renowned for its marble colonnades, sweeping terraces, and views of the strait.
Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Basilica Cistern
Three days of touring the historic and private sites of Istanbul including Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahçe Palace, the Blue Mosque, and the Basilica Cistern, along with a selection of private residences curated by Cosmo Brockway.
Troy and the Ida Mountains
Travel from Istanbul to the ancient site of Troy, the fabled archaeological site immortalized in Homer’s Iliad.
Assos and the Aegean Coast
A day in the ancient city of Assos, perched high above the Aegean. Founded between 1000 and 900 BC, Aristotle lived here, marrying the niece of Hermias, ruler of Assos. The program includes the Doric Temple of Athena, the ancient theatre, and fortifications with breathtaking coastal views.
Alaçatı
Arrival in the seaside town of Alaçatı for a two-night stay at the Alavya Design Hotel, a serene collection of stone houses with gardens, pools, and courtyards.
Ephesus
A full-day excursion to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities of the classical world. Once a major port of the Roman Empire, Ephesus boasts monumental architecture: the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre, the Temple of Hadrian, and the Marble Street that once thronged with merchants, pilgrims, and philosophers.
Cappadocia
Arrival in Cappadocia and check into the Argos in Cappadocia, a historic complex of ancient dwellings and stone mansions carved into the hillside. At dawn, an optional hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia’s surreal landscape of ‘fairy chimneys’, tall, conical rock formations shaped by millennia of volcanic erosion. The program also includes visits to the underground cities and rock-carved monasteries of the region.
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Hagia Sophia, Istanbul
The Blue Mosque, Istanbul
Basilica Cistern, Istanbul
Library of Celsus, Ephesus
Temple of Hadrian, Ephesus
The Great Theatre of Ephesus
If you would like to register, you may contact the travel operator organizing the program. Please note that a $600 donation per person to the ICAA is required in order to participate in each travel program.
Your $600 donation helps to further the ICAA’s goal of advancing the practice and appreciation of the classical tradition in architecture and the allied arts by supporting its varied educational programs, including continuing education courses, college workshops, the Summer Studio in Classical Architecture, New Heights, and many more.
Yes, a donation of $600 to the ICAA is required for each travel program you register for. The donation is required for each person attending a tour.
You can make your $600 donation to the ICAA online, or you can download, complete, and mail this form to the ICAA. You can alternatively fax a copy to 212-730-9649. You may also call 212-730-9646 x102 or email [email protected] to make a donation. Donations must be made separately from the registration fee.
The $600 donation should be made only after your registration has been confirmed by Classical Excursions. Please contact Classical Excursions first to complete your registration, and once they confirm your place on the trip, you may then submit the required $600 donation.
No, membership is not required to attend an ICAA travel program. However, complimentary Individual membership to the ICAA is included with your $600 required donation.
For full itinerary and more information, contact [email protected], 860-926-4895. Due to the exclusive nature of our tours, some private locations or visits may be omitted from the ICAA's website.
Over the past several years, the ICAA has travelled to destinations including Paris; Andalusia; Atlanta; Barbados; South Africa; Chicago; the Netherlands and Belgium; Scotland; the French Riviera; Morocco; the Italian Lake Region; Charlottesville; Naples; and New Delhi, among many other locations. The ICAA is always looking to diversify its travel offerings. If you have a suggestion or location you would like to see added, please email [email protected].