Turkish Food & Culture Tour - 15 Days

Day 1: Arrive in İstanbul, Dinner at Tuğra Restaurant

Welcome to Turkey and the vibrant city of İstanbul! This iconic destination is known as "the Bridge between Europe and Asia," as it's the only city in the world that straddles two continents. Upon arrival at the airport, a driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel, where you can settle in and relax before getting ready for dinner at Çırağan Palace Kempinski. This historic Ottoman palace houses one of the city's most famous restaurants, Tuğra Restaurant and Lounge (Tuğra meaning "Signature of the Sultan").

Enjoy incredible views over the Bosphorus Strait from the opulent dining room adorned with intricate Ottoman-era decor. Choose from an array of dishes crafted from centuries-old recipes with a modern twist, from delectable appetizers or mezes to succulent kebabs. No meal is complete without dessert; try a homemade baklava or a warm halva paired with Turkish coffee. Continue the night with drinks along the glittering strait, or return to the hotel to rest for tomorrow's tour of the city. 

Day 3: Guided Tour of Sultanahmet & the Grand Bazaar

Today you get a closer look at İstanbul's historic district, Sultanahmet, home to many important buildings and sites from the Byzantine era. Follow your guide to one of the city's most famous sites, the Blue Mosque. Enter this historic landmark from the 17th century to see the interior lined with intricate blue tiles that lent the mosque its name. Head outside to the Hippodrome of Constantinople, now known as Sultanahmet Square. Admire the square's fountain with the mosque as a backdrop, and check out the towering Obelisk of Theodosius, imported directly from Egypt.

Sit down for lunch at Suleymaniye Kurufasulyecisi to try fasulye, a classic Turkish dish of white beans cooked in tomato sauce with rice. Explore other UNESCO World Heritage sites in the area, such as the Hagia Sophia mosque, to see the blend of Byzantine grandeur and Ottoman magnificence in its architecture before heading to the Grand Bazaar in the afternoon. Stay close to your guide as you walk down the winding streets and alleys covered by over 4,000 stalls. End the night with kebabs at Samatya Develi, which has been serving this beloved local dish since 1966.

Day 4: Street Food Tour of Eminönü & Kadıköy

You might want to forgo breakfast this morning, as you're going to eat your way across the city. Start with the European side at the commercial waterfront area of Eminönü. As you weave through the colorful backstreets, learn about and try different traditional dishes and ingredients, like local cheeses, pickles, puddings, and Turkish delight. Surround yourself with mouthwatering aromas at the Spice Bazaar, with over 85 shops selling local snacks, spices, and sweets for you to try. Grab a dürüm, a delectable wrap filled with tender meat, to keep you going.

In the afternoon, take a short ferry ride across the strait to the Asian side of the city, Kadıköy. Walk along the narrow, pedestrian-only streets, entering local shops and restaurants. Explore one of the many markets in the area; from fresh fruit to seafood to spices, they sell it all. This is the best area to try the favorite local dish of midye dolma, stuffed mussels with rice, and kokoreç, lamb intestines seasoned with traditional spices wrapped in bread. End the street food tour with a restorative glass of Turkish tea called çay in one of the traditional tea gardens overlooking the Sea of Marmara.

Day 5: Fly to Cappadocia, Lunch & Cooking Class, Whirling Dervish Show

Leave the bustling city behind, as you fly one hour to the otherworldly landscape of Cappadocia in central Turkey this morning. Upon arrival, your driver will be waiting outside the airport to transfer to your hotel. Take some time to refresh after your flight, then head to a village house to learn about the secrets of baking bread and cooking local dishes in a stone oven from the owner of the house. Sit down with your hosts in the garden afterward to enjoy the food you made.

In the evening, your driver will take you to the nearby town of Avanos to watch a whirling dervish ritual dance, called a sema, performed by members of the Sufi Muslim sect. You'll watch this meditative and entrancing performance amid the atmospheric and beautifully preserved halls of the historic Sarihan Caravanserai—a grand roadside inn dating from the 13th century. After the performance, enjoy a traditional Ottoman sherbet drink, tea, or coffee before returning to your hotel for the night. 

Day 6: Hot-Air Balloon Ride, Guided Tour, Dinner at Seki Restaurant

Wake up before dawn this morning for a hot-air balloon ride over Cappadocia at sunrise. Watch as the crew inflates the massive balloons, then hop into the basket. Hold on tight as you ascend into the air, looking out over the valleys as the sun paints the sky with hues of pink and orange. When you land, continue to explore the area by visiting the Göreme Open-Air Museum, with its dozens of painted cave churches. After admiring these rock-cut structures, head to the Devrent and Paşabağı valleys to see the famous "fairy chimneys," towering erosion-shaped structures only found in this region.

The adventure continues after an authentic Cappadocian lunch as you visit Uçhisar Castle, built in the fourth century. Climb to the top for a panoramic view of the entire valley. Return to Avanos to watch a pottery demonstration, as the nearby Kızılırmak River gives residents plenty of red clay to work with. End this action-packed day with dinner at Seki, a restaurant that uses fresh, local ingredients paired with contemporary cooking techniques to produce unique flavors. Try dishes like firik, a rich pilaf dish with fresh garden herbs, and a traditional candied quince for dessert, all paired with delicious Turkish wines.

Day 7: Kaymaklı Underground City, Ihlara Valley, Dinner at Lil'a Restaurant

Cappadocia has over 36 underground cities, and this morning, you get to explore one, the Kaymaklı Underground City, which used to house over 3,500 people fleeing religious persecution in the seventh and eighth centuries. Today, the ancient city has eight floors, but only the first four are open to visitors. Navigate the labyrinth tunnels, chambers, and living spaces so you can imagine how residents used to live. Once you're back above ground, continue to the Ihlara Valley, one of the largest valleys in the world, for a picnic lunch with regional delicacies and local wine.

After refueling, trek through the valley, surrounded by sheer canyon walls that create a shaded oasis, and admire the rock-cut churches and dwellings from the Byzantine era dotting the landscape. End the day in the Museum Hotel at Lil'a Restaurant, which pairs traditional recipes with the almost-forgotten tastes of Anatolia and Cappadocia. Chef Saygın Sesli's philosophy is, "from farm to table," so you'll enjoy the freshest ingredients in dishes like tandoor ribs or partridge manti, large ravioli-like dumplings filled with slow-cooked partridge meat.

Day 11: Transfer to Bodrum via Lake Bafa & Kapıkırı Village, Dinner at Orfoz Restaurant

Set off after breakfast to Bodrum, a city on the Turquoise Coast. To break up the three-hour transfer, you'll stop at Lake Bafa Nature Park along the way, one of the most important bird sanctuaries in the country. Keep an eye on the trees to see birds like herons, pelicans, and fish eagles. Continue to Kapıkırı village to discover the ruins of Herakleia. Walk through the village to see the remnants of theaters, temples, and ancient streets. End your quick tour of the ruins at the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the tomb of Mausolus, a ruler of ancient Caria, and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

After exploring the ruins, head to Agora Pension for a homemade lunch, then settle in at your hotel in Bodrum. Stay in to relax or walk to Yahşi Beach to sunbathe and swim in the Aegean Sea. In the evening, return to your hotel to get ready for dinner at the taverna-style Orfoz Restaurant. This gastronomic haven offers a delightful blend of fresh seafood, locally sourced ingredients, and innovative dishes. Enjoy views of the sea and the towering Bodrum Castle while you work your way through delectable mezes, seafood specialties with an Aegean twist, and a special dessert.

Day 12: Explore Bodrum at Your Own Pace

The day is yours to spend as you wish, and there's plenty to do in Bodrum. The city is known for its pristine coastline, so you can spend an entire day soaking up the sun, swimming, and enjoying water sports at popular beaches like Bodrum Beach, Bitez Beach, or Camel Beach. If you want to see more of the coastline, take a boat trip to Black Island to dip in the hot springs or cruise to the nearby Meteor Hole, the site of a meteor crash, now the perfect swimming spot. Depending on the boat tour you choose, you may also visit Aquarius Bay, Rabbit Bay, and Red Bay to swim in the crystal-clear waters.

Day 13: Bodrum City Tour, Dining Experience at Selia Artisanal Farm

Today you get to visit the landmark you saw at dinner last night, Bodrum Castle, a medieval fortress that has been overlooking the Aegean coastline since 1402. Admire the stone walls, ancient watchtowers, and picturesque courtyards, then head inside the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, the largest of its kind in the world. Learn about the region's maritime history and browse the impressive collection of ancient shipwrecks, artifacts, and treasures.

Enjoy panoramic views of the sea, then leave the city behind as you venture into the countryside to Selia Artisinal Farm in the afternoon. Learn about how the farm produces wine, olives, goat cheese, jams, and bread using traditional methods. Take a trip around the grounds, visit the cellars, and enjoy an afternoon cocktail before a leisurely supper with the farm's owners to end the day.

Day 15: Depart İstanbul

Now that you've eaten your way across Turkey, it's time to head home. If you have a later flight, you can continue to explore İstanbul on your own or revisit the Grand Bazaar to pick up some last-minute souvenirs. Keep an eye on the clock, though, as a driver will be picking you up at your hotel to transfer you to the airport. Have a safe flight home!

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