World Religions in Istanbul
8 Days | Istanbul, Türkiye
A look at how the three major religions have shaped, and continue to shape, this world capital at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.
Through site visits, lectures, and discussions, you’ll examine the city’s role as a central figure in the Crusades and Ottoman Empire, where religions met, merged, and sometimes clashed. Engage with local scholars and religious leaders who offer insights into how interfaith dialogues are evolving today. By exploring rituals, beliefs, and practices, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the shared traditions that connect these faiths and the distinct ways they shape Istanbul’s unique identity.
This course provides an unparalleled view into how religion continues to influence Istanbul, offering a rare perspective on spiritual coexistence and cultural complexity.
Discover the religious diversity of Istanbul, a city that has been a crossroads for faiths, empires, and cultures for centuries. This course delves into the significance of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism in shaping the city’s rich spiritual and cultural landscape. Explore the Hagia Sophia, once a Byzantine church, later a Catholic cathedral, and now a mosque—an emblem of Istanbul’s layered history. Visit the Blue Mosque, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture, and the Neve Shalom Synagogue, symbolizing the resilience of Istanbul’s Jewish community.
The Framework
Every Elective runs on the same framework:
expert-led Field Seminars,
daily discussions with a small cohort,
ample time to explore on your own.
You study the course topic through the lens of the place you're in, and in turn come to understand the place through the topic you are learning about. Your instructor offers personalized suggestions so you can follow your own interests, and sharing your discoveries with like-minded travelers allows you to expand your perspective even further.
What’s Included
Course materials, including pre-course reading list and suggested continued readings for after the course
All Field Seminar activities, transport, and entrance fees
Single occupancy room in 4-5 star hotel
Breakfast every day
Week-long transit pass for metro & ferries
Welcome Drinks & Dinner
Farewell Dinner
Enrollment Fees
Enrollment fees at the top of this page include everything listed above under “What’s Included.”
Not included in these fees are: Travel to and from Istanbul, meals not listed, Extracurriculars (see below), travel insurance, and tips.
Your enrollment is confirmed with the payment of a non-refundable deposit ($750). The remainder of your fees will be billed in two installments, at 120 days and 95 days before the course start date.
Your course will be confirmed once minimum enrollment is reached, no later than 120 days before the course start date.
DISCOUNT*: Share a Room - Participants who choose to share a room are eligible for a discount of either 10% off one participant’s enrollment or 5% off each. Please contact us before enrolling to confirm availability.
DISCOUNT*: Bring a Friend - Refer a friend who enrolls in the same Elective as you, and receive 5% off your own enrollment fee. You’ll receive 5% off for each friend you refer!
*Discounts are applied as a reduction to your second payment, 120 days before the course start date, provided both participants have enrolled. Discounts and other offers cannot be combined unless explicitly stated in the offer.
Extracurriculars
Your Facilitator organizes two optional activities during your free afternoons and evenings, with details and costs shared about a month in advance — booking is handled for you, and for outings like concerts or tastings, your Facilitator joins you. Beyond these, your Facilitator and Instructor also offer a running list of suggested restaurants and activities for your Self-Guided Study time and evenings.
Extracurriculars for this course may include:
Live Music — Catch a live performance — Ottoman classical, Anatolian folk, jazz, or contemporary — at an intimate meyhane or a modern venue.
Bazaars & Antique Shops — Explore the Grand Bazaar and nearby antique shops filled with old maps, textiles, and artifacts from centuries of trade — led by a local expert.
Bosphorus Cruise — See Istanbul's Ottoman palaces and Byzantine fortresses from the water, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.
Turkish Wine Tasting — Taste wines from a winemaking tradition older than Bordeaux or Tuscany.
Accommodation
Expect safe, central accommodations that meet Elective's standards for comfort and service — often a property like the Adahan DeCamondo Pera, shown here. Your actual hotel may differ, but will always be of equal or better quality, chosen with the same care for comfort and convenience.
Amenities vary by property — if there's something you require, let us know as early as possible so we can help secure it. If rooms aren't all the same category, the earliest to enroll are assigned the higher category.
What to Expect
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Arrivals
Many US cities fly direct to Istanbul Airport (IST), or you can transfer through a European hub. From the airport, it is easy to get a taxi to the hotel, or let us know if you would like us to book a car for you in advance.
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The best way to get around Istanbul is via its extensive and easy-to-use network of trams, subways, trains, and ferries.
Taxis can be found, but due to traffic can often take much longer than public transport.
Expect to walk quite a bit, including during Field Seminars. Parts of the city are hilly and some streets are paved with cobblestones.
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Early November in Istanbul is generally pleasant, with temperatures in the high 50s to low 60s, though it can drop into the 40s at night, and a 25% chance of precipitation.
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Turkey uses the Turkish Lira (abbreviated as TL and familiarly called tele).
Most shops and businesses in the city accept credit cards, but you should carry some cash for small purchases and tips.
For cash exchange, the best option is to bring USD and convert it at local currency exchange centers for favorable rates.
Note that AMEX is less widely accepted than Visa and Mastercard.
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Turkey is widely recognized to have very good medical care, with clinics, pharmacies, and hospitals throughout the city.
Travel insurance is mandatory for participation. Please reach out if you have questions about this or would like recommendations of providers.
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You will need to have a passport that is valid until 6 months after your travel ends. We will ask you to provide your passport information along with health & dietary information, an emergency contact, travel insurance, and your arrival and departure information.
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Istanbul is generally considered a safe city for travelers, featuring a vibrant mix of neighborhoods, a walkable historic center, and an extensive public transportation system—including trams, metro lines, and ferries—that is widely used and known for being safe, efficient, and convenient.
As with all international travel, we recommend that participants enroll in the U.S. State Department’s STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) to receive important updates and support while abroad.
What to Expect
-
Arrivals
Many US cities fly direct to Istanbul Airport (IST), or you can transfer through a European hub. From the airport, it is easy to get a taxi to the hotel, or let us know if you would like us to book a car for you in advance.
-
The best way to get around Istanbul is via its extensive and easy-to-use network of trams, subways, trains, and ferries.
Taxis can be found, but due to traffic can often take much longer than public transport.
Expect to walk quite a bit, including during Field Seminars. Parts of the city are hilly and some streets are paved with cobblestones.
-
May in Istanbul brings highs in the upper 60s to low 70s, with cool evenings. Late October into early November brings highs in the upper 50s to mid-60s, with rain fairly common this time of year — pack an umbrella just in case.
-
Turkey uses the Turkish Lira (abbreviated as TL and familiarly called tele).
Most shops and businesses in the city accept credit cards, but you should carry some cash for small purchases and tips.
For cash exchange, the best option is to bring USD and convert it at local currency exchange centers for favorable rates.
Note that AMEX is less widely accepted than Visa and Mastercard.
-
Turkey is widely recognized to have very good medical care, with clinics, pharmacies, and hospitals throughout the city.
Travel insurance is mandatory for participation. Please reach out if you have questions about this or would like recommendations of providers.
-
You will need to have a passport that is valid until 6 months after your travel ends. We will ask you to provide your passport information along with health & dietary information, an emergency contact, travel insurance, and your arrival and departure information.
-
Istanbul is generally considered a safe city for travelers, featuring a vibrant mix of neighborhoods, a walkable historic center, and an extensive public transportation system—including trams, metro lines, and ferries—that is widely used and known for being safe, efficient, and convenient.
As with all international travel, we recommend that participants enroll in the U.S. State Department’s STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) to receive important updates and support while abroad.
World Religions in Istanbul Typical Course Schedule
Sunday
Arrivals
Check into hotel
Meet your cohort for drinks and introductions
Welcome Dinner
Monday
9:00 Daily Discussion
10:30 Field Seminar
Free / Self-Guided Study
Free time for dinner & evening
Tuesday
9:00 Daily Discussion
10:30 Field Seminar
Free / Self-Guided Study
Free time for dinner & evening
Wednesday
9:00 Daily Discussion
10:30 Field Seminar
Free / Self-Guided Study
Optional Extracurricular
Thursday
9:00 Daily Discussion
10:30 Field Seminar
Free / Self-Guided Study
Free time for dinner & evening
Friday
9:00 Daily Discussion
10:30 Field Seminar
Free time for dinner & evening
Saturday
Free day / Optional Extracurricular
Farewell dinner
Sunday
Depart at your leisure
Itinerary and course schedule are subject to change. A final, detailed program will be shared with participants two weeks before the course begins.