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Medicine in Turkey and Greece - Historical and Contemporary

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Tour leader
Matt Young
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Dates
7 Oct
19 Oct
2025

History, medicine and culture intertwine on this journey through Turkey and the Greek Islands. It would be hard to find such a concentration of important medical historical sites anywhere else, amidst some of the richest culture and history in the world.

Travel from Istanbul to the beaches of Gallipoli and onto Pergamum, Kos and Rhodes. Your journey encompasses thousands of years of medical history, including Florence Nightingale, the Gallipoli beach hospitals, Hippocrates, Galen and the Knights of St John.

Gain unparalleled insight as you travel along the western coast of Turkey and to Rhodes, with a range of expert talks and specialist visits throughout the tour, in the company of experienced tour leader, GP and archaeologist, Dr Matt Young.

Cuisine is an important part of travel and we have included a number of local restaurants and culinary experiences that highlight the delicious flavours of Turkey and Greece. There is an optional extension to Athens and Epidaurus after the tour.

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Price (room to yourself)
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Reference:
TUR1025-1
At a glance
What you need to know
Type of tour
Cultural
Profession
Medical History
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Nights
12
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Countries
2
Tour grade
Moderate
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Remaining places
0
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Dates and places

Itinerary at a glance

1
Istanbul
Tuesday
,
7
October
Arrive Istanbul and transfer to hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner in the evening.
2
Istanbul
Wednesday
,
8
October
The only city in the world that spans two continents, Istanbul is a bewitching dust-devil of cultures and influences spanning thousands of years. Visit the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome and the Hagia Sophia, one of Istanbul’s most imposing sights. Explore the layrinthine Grand Bazaar before a late afternoon cruise on the Bosphorus, a relaxing and atmospheric end to the day.
3
Istanbul
Thursday
,
9
October
Visit Scutari Barracks, where Florence Nightingale tended thousands of Turkish and Allied soldiers during the Crimean War. During her two years here she laid the foundations of modern nursing care. Tasting tour with lunch in Kadakoy district, known for its markets and specialist food shops. Visit the Acibadem Teaching Hospital to meet with doctors and nurses.
4
Istanbul / Gallipoli
Friday
,
10
October
Depart from Istanbul and drive to Gallipoli. Visit the battlefields of Gallipoli including Anzac Cove, the Museum Lone Pine and the Australian cemetery, and walk along the beach to the site of Number 1 Casualty Clearing Station.
5
Gallipoli / Izmir
Saturday
,
11
October
Visit the UNESCO-listed World Heritage site of Troy, the site of the legendary Trojan horse. Drive to the spectacular ruins of Pergamum, once a great Greek city, which tower one thousand feet above the city with superb views in all directions. Visit the magnificent Acropolis and the Aesclepion, the first complete health spa the world had known. Continue to Izmir.
6
Izmir / Seljuk
Sunday
,
12
October
Visit a local clinic and meet with a local doctor to gain and insight into community medicine in Turkey. Visit the Agora. Drive to the attractive village of Seljuk and at leisure. In the evening enjoy dinner at a village restaurant.
7
Seljuk
Monday
,
13
October
Full day in Ephesus, the best-preserved classical city in the Eastern Mediterranean, unmatched in its sheer magnitude. Most of the surviving ruins belong almost exclusively to its golden Roman age, when it replaced Pergamum as the capital and became the first great metropolis in Asia.
8
Seljuk
Tuesday
,
14
October
Ephesus’ history stretches back thousands of years and it possessed one of the Wonders of the Ancient World in its magnificent Temple to Artemis. Full day at leisure, with the option to visit the Temple of Artemis. Dinner in a local restaurant.
9
Seljuk / Rhodes
Wednesday
,
15
October
Drive to the lovely seaside resort of Marmaris. Take the ferry to Rhodes and transfer to the hotel. Dinner in a taverna.
10
Rhodes
Thursday
,
16
October
Rhodes is one of the showpiece Greek islands, with an exquisitely preserved medieval city that was the legacy of the crusading Knights of St John. Take a half day tour of Rhodes, including the Street of the Knights, the Grand Master’s Palace and the hospital of St John, now a museum. After lunch at a local taverna, visit Genaro Hospital and meet with doctors.
11
Rhodes / Kos / Rhodes
Friday
,
17
October
Catch the fast ferry for a day trip to Kos, the birthplace of Hippocrates. Visit the International Hippocratic Institute of Kos, the famous Hippocrates plane tree and the Asclepium. Lunch at a taverna. Visit the Museum of Medicine. Take the afternoon ferry back to Rhodes.
12
Rhodes
Saturday
,
18
October
Drive to Butterfly Valley. Continue to the lovely town of Lindos. Visit the Acropolis and the medieval village. Time at leisure in the town, returning to Rhodes late afternoon. Enjoy a farewell dinner in the evening.
13
Rhodes
Sunday
,
19
October
Depart Rhodes after breakfast OR join the extension to Athens and Epidaurus.
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Tour map

Plot your journey

Travel from Istanbul to the beaches of Gallipoli and on to Pergamum, Izmir, Seljuk and the Greek island of Rhodes.

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What to expect

Tour highlights

Scutari Barracks
Istanbul

Visit Scutari Barracks, where Florence Nightingale tended thousands of soldiers during the Crimean War. Hear a talk on her work by an expert.

Culinary tour
Istanbul

Enjoy a culinary tour in Istanbul.

Medieval hospital of the Knights of St John
Rhodes

On the Greek Island of Rhodes, visit the medieval hospital of the Knights of St John, the Street of the Knights and the Grand Master’s Palace.

Anzac Cove
Gallipoli

Explore the beaches of Gallipoli in the company of a specialist guide including Anzac Cove and the site of Number 1 Casualty Clearing Station.

Ancient medical history
Kos

Travel to the Greek Island of Kos and the International Hippocrates’ plane tree, the shrine of Asclepius and the International Hippocratic Institute.

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Beautiful landscapes

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Enrich your experience

Extend your tour

Optional post-tour extension

Athens and Epidaurus
19 - 23 October 2025

Extend your tour to visit Naupflon, the ancient site of Mycenae, Epidaurus and the Sanctuary of Asclepius, and the great city of Athens.

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Tour exertion grading

Is this tour right for me?

Moderate
Level 3

Some walking between destinations, more time spent standing, and increased travel distances. Requires a reasonable level of fitness.

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Your expert companions

Tour leaders

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Ask us anything

If you have some questions about this particular tour, you can contact the Jon Baines Tours team by phone or email.

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020 7223 9485
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