Tantalise Your tastebuds On This Turkey Real Food Adventure Tour

Tantalise Your tastebuds On This Turkey Real Food Adventure Tour

Take a culinary adventure through Turkey, a country that is steeped in history and tradition, where east meets west and the ancient mixes with the modern day.

Begin in the magnificent city of Istanbul, discovering the real Turkish kebab, being awed by the Aya Sofia and Blue Mosque and exploring the well-trod passageways of the Grand Bazaar.

Soak in seaside flavours of Bodrum and forage for local produce, try your hand a making gozleme ( Turkish pancake) and meet a family passionate about winemaking.

Be astonished by the landscape of the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia and walk through the valleys of rock-cut churches. Spend time with a local Goreme family who will teach you the secrets behind central Anatolian cuisine in a culinary class with a local legend.

Visit the ancient city of Ephesus and go wine tasting in the traditional Turkish charming village of Sirince.

This tour is packed with so much your tastebuds won't know what hit them.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Day

Stop At: Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, Sanayi, 34906 Pendik/İstanbul, Turkey
Once you arrive at Istanbul Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Istanbul, Istanbul
Istanbul, the one and only city in the world that straddles two continents, so when you explore the streets of Istanbul, you'll see a significant mix of east and west.

Before you start the tour, there will be an important welcome meeting, and following the session, you will go out for your first taste of Turkey with a classic – a kebab. You might be very familiar with the shaved meats and pita bread sensation at home, but nothing can beat the kind they wrap up in Istanbul.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel in Istanbul

Day 2: Istanbul

Stop At: Mısır Çarşısı, Rüstem Paşa, Erzak Ambarı Sok. No:92, 34116 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Head to the famous Egyptian Spice Bazaar today where you will meet a spice merchant and sit down for a Turkish coffee and enjoy a traditional Turkish sweet.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Sultanahmet District, Istanbul 34122 Turkey
Continue your walking tour to the Sultanahmet and Eminonu, taking in some of the most important sites of the city, like the Suleymaniye Mosque and the Hippodrome.

The area around Eminonu has some delicious street food, and the local favourites include roasted kestane (chestnuts), barbecued corn, and of course Turkish delight.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Kadikoy Carsisi, Caferaga Mahallesi Kadikoy, Istanbul Turkey
In the afternoon, jump on a ferry and in 20 minutes you’ll arrive at the part of Turkey that sits on the continent of Asia in the cool city of Kadikoy.


Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Şarkuteri, Merkez, 34450 Sarıyer/İstanbul, Turkey
Hit the Sarkuteri (delicatessen) and sample some pastirma (seasoned cured beef), olives, and a variety of tasty cheese? Get some provisions and head out for a picnic.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel in Istanbul

Day 3: Explore Bodrum

Stop At: Milas–Bodrum Airport, Milas Bodrum Havaalanı Girişi, 48200 Milas/Muğla, Turkey
Take a flight from Istanbul to Bodrum (approximately 1 hour) which is located on a bay on the Aegean coast, and the area is all about hilly landscapes, beautiful coves and rustic villages.

Bodrum is a relaxing and a fantastic corner of Turkey, with charming resorts that are adored by sailors and beach-lovers alike. But don’t be fooled. While it may be a favourite among international visitors, the region keeps an authentic side, with traditional Turkish delicacies and magnificent ancient ruins.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Bodrum Çarşı, Çarşı, 48400 Bodrum/Muğla, Turkey
Check in to the hotel and spend a while exploring Bodrum Town, then take a public dolmus (bus) to meet the local wine-making Yurut family who has been making wine for 20 years, and produces 12,000 bottles a year. Learn about their journey and perhaps find a new favourite drop.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel in Bodrum

Day 4: Journey to a local farm in Bodrum

Stop At: Bodrum, Bodrum, Mugla Province, Turkish Aegean Coast
There is not a better way to discover the local produce then pick it yourself, and today you'll visit a local farm and join farmers in the fields and hothouses.

Forage for vegetables and put them all together to make a gozleme (Turkish pancake) using traditional techniques.

Remember to bring along some headwear and some sunscreen, in addition to your appetite, on this fun day out discovering regional produce.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Hotel in Bodrum

Day 5: Selcuk Tour

Stop At: Selcuk, Selcuk, Izmir Province, Turkish Aegean Coast
Catch a dolmus (public bus) to Selcuk (approximately 3.5 hours) and when you arrive, take the time to explore this fascinating town.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Ayasoluk Castle, Efes Selcuk Merkez, Selcuk Turkey
On the slopes of Ayasoluk Hill lies some historical buildings, including the Grand Fortress and the Isa Bey Mosque.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: The Temple of Artemis, Ataturk, Park Ici Yolu No:12, Selcuk Turkey
Selcuk is the home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis (though only a single pylon remains).
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Sirince Koyu, Sirince Turkey
This evening you will visit Sirince, a local village steeped in Greek Ottoman tradition and a photographer's paradise.

Postwar settlers revived Selcuk's wine industry and make use of the local fruit.

Enjoy a tasting and buy a bottle to take on a walk up a gentle slope along cobbled streets and alleys to an atmospheric garden cafe where you'll discover how manti (Turkish stuffed dumplings) are made. After learning how to prepare them, feast on a serving for dinner.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel in Selcuk

Day 6: Ephesus Tour

Stop At: Ancient City of Ephesus, Selcuk 35920 Turkey
Today you will have a tour of Ephesus, one of Turkey's most famous ancient sites and explore this spectacular preserved ancient city with your local guide who brings its colourful 1500-year history to life.

Watch in amazement as the sophistication of this former metropolis reveals itself. It once had running water, public toilets, a medical institute, Roman baths and a brothel.

The amphitheatre is well preserved and still regularly hosts concerts, but the marvellous library might be the main highlight.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Selcuk, Selcuk, Izmir Province, Turkish Aegean Coast
Continue onto Izmir (approximately 1.5 hours) before heading back to Selcuk and hitting the local market where you can buy some vine leaves, and spend an hour or two adding rice and spices and rolling them into delicious morsels that are locally called sarma perfect for the train picnic tonight.

Board the overnight train, which features first-class cabins with twin beds, a fridge and a wash basin with all bedding provided.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Train

Day 7: Goreme

Stop At: Cappadocia Turkey, 50180 Göreme/Nevşehir Merkez/Nevşehir, Turkey
Arrive in Konya by early morning and take a private transfer to Goreme (approximately 3 hours) which is your gateway to the fairy chimneys of Capadoccia.

Stop for a snack of Etliekmek, a larger local variation of the traditional Turkish lahmacun (flatbread baked with ground meat, peppers, tomato, and onion).
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Derinkuyu Yeralti Sehri, Derinkuyu Turkey
Stop at Derinkuyu, an astounding old subterranean city that goes as deep as 60 metres underground and used to have wine and oil presses, cellars, stables, refectories, and chapels, not to mention 20,000 residents.

For lunch, you could go to a local pide saloon for Turkey's answer to the Italian pizza with toppings like grilled lamb, tender spinach, black pepper, fresh egg and Turkey’s famous peynir (cheese) which is made from sheep’s milk.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Ortahisar Kalesi, Ortahisar Turkey
Over the next three nights, you'll stay in the village of Ortahisar, famous for its friendly inhabitants, narrow streets, picturesque stone houses, and lovely churches as well as the castle-like rock formation after which the town is named.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel in Ortahisar

Day 8: Cappadocia Tour

Stop At: Hot Air Balloon Cappadocia, Müze Cd. No:46/1, Göreme, 50180 Göreme/Nevşehir Merkez/Nevşehir Merkez/Nevşehir, Turkey
For the early birds, you could try a hot air balloon ride over the majestic landscape at sunrise and is a highly recommended experience. The cost of this activity can vary depending on the type of flight you choose.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Soganli Valley, Situated Near Yesilhisar In The Province of Kayseri, Kayseri 38800 Turkey
Walk through the Soganli Valley on a hiking trip, taking in the arid surroundings and towering vistas and take the opportunity to stop for lunch at a local restaurant in this beautiful place and savour the fresh local flavours next to the memorable landscapes.


Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Cappadocia Turkey, 50180 Göreme/Nevşehir Merkez/Nevşehir, Turkey
Visit one of Cappadocia's famous wineries to learn about the areas 4000-year-old wine industry.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Red Valley, Nevsehir Ortahisar, Nevsehir 50650 Turkey
Afterwards, stroll through the stunning Red Valley to watch the sunset, enjoying a glass of the local wine.

For dinner, perhaps try the local speciality, testi kebab. Your guide will be able to recommend a restaurant dedicated to the perfection of this delicious clay pot dish.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Hotel in Ortahisar

Day 9: Prepare some classic central Anatolian dishes

Stop At: 50180 Göreme/Nevşehir Merkez/Nevşehir, Turkey
Enjoy a free morning at leisure to do as you please then later be welcomed into the home of a local Nuray, an award-winning regional cook.

Under her tuition, learn to prepare some classic central Anatolian dishes (the menu will depend on the season) then sit down to enjoy the results over lunch.

Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Göreme Tarihi Milli Parkı, Ürgüp/Göreme/Nevşehir, Turkey
The rest of the afternoon, you are then free to visit the excellent Goreme Open Air Museum, or you could experience a Turkish hammam (bath).

In the evening, you could choose to dine in a restaurant set inside a 475-year-old building.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Hotel in Ortahisar

Day 10: Departure Day

Stop At: Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, Sanayi, 34906 Pendik/İstanbul, Turkey
This morning after breakfast, wave the fairy chimneys a fond goodbye and transfer to one of the region's airports for a flight back to Istanbul.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, Sanayi, 34906 Pendik/İstanbul, Turkey
Your incredible Turkey trip will finish on arrival at the airport, and the guide will be available to assist you with your onward travel plans.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.