AEA FAM Trip: Sustainability Tourism, Urban Studies, and the Energy Industry in Turkey

Introduction

Turkey / October 2026

AEA FAM Trip: Sustainability Tourism, Urban Studies, and the Energy Industry in Turkey

Thank you for your interest in our FAM trip to Turkey! This proposal introduces a unique opportunity to engage with local people, food, culture, and history, while exploring immersive activities and local connections around your desired course or topics of study. Build familiarity with a new location that is an excellent option for student groups.

Interested in registering? Email us at team@aeastudyabroad.com to tell us about you and why you'd be a great fit to join this FAM.

Program Highlights

At a glance

AEA FAM Trip: Sustainability Tourism, Urban Studies, and the Energy Industry in Turkey

Map

Day 0 - Depart USA for Turkey

03-Oct-2026

Begin Journey to Turkey for FAM Trip

Depart USA

Flight to Istanbul (own expense)

Day 1 - Arrive Istanbul, Orientation, Welcome Dinner

04-Oct-2026

Arrive in Istanbul and Begin Program

Arrival and Airport Transfer

Upon arrival at Istanbul airport, collect your luggage, go through customs and proceed to the arrivals hall where you will meet your program guide/coordinator, who will be holding an ‘AEA’ sign. Transfer by private coach to hotel.

Hotel (TBD)

Check-in (or leave bags with reception until guaranteed check-in time). Overnight at hotel (TBD).

Lunch on own expense

Lunch on own expense.

Free Time to Rest and Refresh

Remainder of the day free to rest and refresh.

Welcome Dinner at Local Restaurant

Welcome dinner at local restaurant and join an orientation meeting including a brief overview of the program itinerary, Turkey’s sustainability agenda, preview of the Aegean case studies. Information about country, health + safety tips, how to use public transportation, where to take out money, suggested places to eat, phrases and cultural norms.

Optional Neighborhood Walks

Optional: Short neighborhood walks introducing Istanbul’s local life and community commerce.

Day 2 - Istanbul Sustainability and Culinary Experiences

05-Oct-2026

Explore Zero-Waste Initiatives and Local Cuisine in Istanbul

Breakfast at hotel

Breakfast at hotel.

Visit Kadıköy Municipality Zero-Waste Initiatives

In the morning, visit Kadıköy Municipality Zero-Waste initiatives and meet with sustainability officers.

Stop at Dükkan Zero Waste Shop

Make a stop at Dükkan Zero Waste Shop.

Lunch on your own

Lunch on your own (stop and suggestions provided).

Walk through Kadıköy Market

In the afternoon, walk through Kadıköy Market to explore food supply chains, local sourcing, and packaging reduction.

Cooking Class and Dinner

In the evening, join a cooking class using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients — 'from market to table' – and enjoy your hard work for dinner.

Hotel (TBD)

Overnight at hotel (TBD).

Day 3 - Istanbul to Izmir Sustainable Mobility and Urban Briefing

06-Oct-2026

Ferry, Flight to Izmir, and Urban Sustainability Briefing

Breakfast at hotel

Breakfast at hotel, followed by check-out.

Ferry as Sustainable Mobility Case Study

Hop on a Ferry as a sustainable mobility case study (Bosphorus public transport).

Flight from Istanbul to Izmir

Istanbul

Izmir

Board a Flight from Istanbul to Izmir (~1hr).

Transfer to hotel in Izmir

Upon arrival, transfer to hotel. Check-in (or leave bags with reception until guaranteed check-in time).

Lunch on own expense

Lunch on own expense.

Briefing at Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Sustainability Office

In the afternoon, meet with Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Sustainability Office for a briefing on the city’s Zero Waste Program and climate commitments.

Dinner on the Kordon seaside promenade

Enjoy dinner on the Kordon seaside promenade, reflect on urban sustainability and citizen engagement.

Hotel (TBD)

Overnight at hotel (TBD).

Day 4 - Izmir to Alacati Wind Farms and Village

07-Oct-2026

Wind Farm Visit and Alacati Village Exploration

Breakfast at hotel

Breakfast at hotel.

Visit to wind farms near Alacati

Travel to Alacati to visit nearby wind farms — renewable energy briefing and discussion with site representatives.

Walk through Alacati village

Walk through Alacati village, exploring adaptive reuse of heritage homes and the tension between boutique tourism and gentrification.

Optional lunch with local guesthouse owner

Optional lunch with a local guesthouse owner discussing sustainability in small hospitality businesses.

Free time in Alacati

Late afternoon free to explore Alacati and get some dinner on your own.

Hotel (TBD)

Overnight at hotel (TBD).

Day 5 - Alacati to Kusadasi, Geothermal Plant and Women's Cooperative

08-Oct-2026

Geothermal Plant Visit and Women's Cooperative

Breakfast at hotel

Breakfast at hotel, followed by check-out.

Transfer to Germencik Geothermal Plant

Transfer to Germencik Geothermal Plant for a technical site visit and discussion on renewable baseload power.

Lunch on own expense

Lunch on own expense.

Visit to village women's cooperative

In the afternoon, visit a village women’s cooperative (olive oil, weaving, or fig farming) to learn about community entrepreneurship and women’s economic empowerment.

Sunset dinner on the marina

In the evening, arrive at Kusadasi for a sunset dinner on the marina.

Hotel (TBD)

Overnight at hotel (TBD).

Day 6 - Kusadasi, Ephesus, Dilek Peninsula, Sirince

09-Oct-2026

Ephesus Ancient City, National Park Hike, Sirince Village

Breakfast at hotel

Breakfast at hotel.

Visit to Ephesus Ancient City

Early visit to Ephesus Ancient City with a local guide.

Discussion on Sustainable Tourism at Ephesus

Discussion: How can popular sites manage mass tourism sustainably?

Guided hike in Dilek Peninsula–Buyuk Menderes Delta National Park

Embark on a guided hike in Dilek Peninsula–Buyuk Menderes Delta National Park, exploring biodiversity, eco-tourism, and park management.

Lunch on own expense

Lunch on own expense.

Visit to Sirince village

In the afternoon, visit the Sirince village and explore orchards, taste local wines, and join a short workshop (olive oil or herbal soap making).

Discussion on Agritourism and Rural Revitalization

Discussion: Agritourism and rural revitalization — sustaining livelihoods through responsible tourism.

Farewell dinner at vineyard estate

Farewell dinner at a vineyard estate (farm-to-table concept).

Hotel (TBD)

Overnight in Sirince or Selcuk at hotel (TBD).

Day 7 - Return to USA

10-Oct-2026

Departure from Turkey and Return Home

Breakfast at hotel

Breakfast at hotel, followed by check-out.

Transfer to Izmir or Istanbul Airport

Morning transfer to Izmir Airport via private coach and a short flight back to Istanbul for your flight home. Alternatively, join the private transfer back to Istanbul (~5hrs) for a late afternoon/evening flight home.

Flight back to the US (own expense)

Loading Map…

Map

1. Istanbul Airport (IST)

Tayakadın, Terminal Cad No:1, 34283 Arnavutköy/İstanbul, Turkey

2. Kadıköy Municipality

Caferağa, Bahariye Cd. No:29, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Turkey

3. Dükkan Zero Waste Shop

Caferağa, Moda Cd. No:113, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Turkey

4. Kadıköy Market

Osmanağa, Güneşli Bahçe Sk. No:24, 34714 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Turkey

5. Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB)

Dokuz Eylül, 35425 Gaziemir/İzmir, Turkey

6. Izmir Metropolitan Municipality

Cumhuriyet Blv No:1, 35250 Konak/İzmir, Turkey

7. Kordon Seaside Promenade

Alsancak Mahallesi, Kordonboyu, 35220 Konak/İzmir, Turkey

8. Alaçatı

Alaçatı, 35930 Çeşme/İzmir, Turkey

9. Germencik Geothermal Plant

Germencik, Aydın, Turkey

10. Kuşadası Marina

Türkmen, Yat Limanı, 09400 Kuşadası/Aydın, Turkey

11. Ephesus Ancient City

Acarlar, Efes Harabeleri, 35920 Selçuk/İzmir, Turkey

12. Dilek Peninsula–Büyük Menderes Delta National Park

Güzelçamlı, 09430 Kuşadası/Aydın, Turkey

13. Şirince Village

Şirince, 35920 Selçuk/İzmir, Turkey