National Press Club members, families, friends visit Istanbul

Thirty-six National Press Club members and guests had a jam-packed visit to the colorful and history-filled city of Istanbul Jan. 14-19, continuing the Press Club's tradition of trips to far-flung locations over the Martin Luther King holiday weekend.

The highly successful trip was coordinated by the NPC's Travel Committee and led by Richard Meyer, a member of the committee.

After arriving late in the day on Thursday, Jan. 15, the travelers embarked on two days of guided sightseeing to the city’s major sites and locations, including Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, Sultanahmet Square, Grand Bazaar, and a ferry ride across the Bosphorus Strait to the Asian side of the city. The excursions were made under the tutelage of expert guide Ms. Sevile, a non-stop source of information on every site visited along with the history and culture of the Ottoman Empire and how it evolved over centuries into modern Turkey.

On Sunday, Jan. 18, 13 Club travelers took an optional all-day excursion to the ancient city of Ephesus, while those remaining in Istanbul made it a day of shopping and visits to remaining unseen sights. Many of the group departed Istanbul bearing tightly packed rugs of varied size and color.

As is customary, on the return trip to Washington the group voted on the 2016 MLK holiday trip destination. Leading candidates are Brussels, Florence and Havana. Watch the Wire for information on 2016 MLK Holiday Trip as well as other NPC travel opportunities.