11 Days | Go behind the scenes of the local cuisine on an adventure that’s full of Turkish delights
Get up close and personal with Turkey's age-old culinary traditions on this authentic food adventure. From ancient recipes with modern twists to Asian-inspired feasts with European influences, take a tongue-tingling journey beyond the cookbook and discover the secrets behind delicious Turkish dishes. Enjoy a cooking class in the caves of Cappadocia, learn from a celebrated local chef in Selcuk, and explore the impressive ruins of Ephesus. Whether you’re wandering through the passageways of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar or flying high in a balloon above the fairy chimneys of Goreme, embark on an experience that goes above and beyond what you think you know about Turkish cuisine.
Trip overview
- Start
- Istanbul, Turkey
- Finish
- Istanbul, Turkey
- Theme
- Food
- Destinations
- Turkey
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- ERZT
- Discover the secrets behind Turkish dishes during a cooking class with a celebrated local chef in Selcuk, and learn how to make central Anatolian dishes with a local chef in her cave home.
- Meet the people behind the dishes, from the market vendors serving up sizzling street food in Izmir and Istanbul, to the owners of a local olive farm in a rural village.
- Explore bustling Istanbul, walk among the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, hear the wartime stories of Gallipoli and wander through the ancient ruins of Ephesus.
- Taste the country’s most cherished dishes, from iconic kebabs and world-famous Turkish delight to local favourites like baklava, pide, gozleme and fish sandwiches.
- Get to know the artisans behind local crafts when you visit a social enterprise that trains local women in carpet weaving, and visit a family-run pottery studio that’s been in business for six generations.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, CYDD (Çağdaş Yaşamı Destekleme Derneği). Donations help them provide scholarships and educational programs for economically disadvantaged youth in Turkey.
- The cuisine of Turkey includes a lot of meat and seafood. For vegetarians and vegans we recommend reviewing the itinerary and inclusions to ensure that you will be able to fully participate and enjoy this trip. We also have many other trips to Turkey which can accommodate a range of dietary requirements.
- This trip includes a 12 hour overnight train trip from Izmir to Konya. Please see Day 6 of the itinerary for details.
- This trip involves a lot of walking, sometimes on rocky or slippery terrain such as the sites in Goreme. Please bring sturdy walking shoes, but also note that you can sit out the walks if you do not feel up to them.
- Don’t underestimate the weather at any time of year in Turkey. In the summer months, heat can be extreme. In winter months, some travellers have been surprised at how low the temperatures go. A hat, sunscreen, and clothing that can be layered will serve you well year-round.
Itinerary
Inclusions
10 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
Plane, Private Vehicle, Overnight Train
Hotel (9 nights), Overnight Sleeper Train (1 night)
- Istanbul - Welcome Dinner
- Istanbul - Spice Market tour
- Istanbul - Kadikoy visit and street food tour
- Istanbul - City Tour
- Gallipoli - Battlefields visit
- Canakkale - Leader-led orientation walk
- Canakkale - Cheese Halva tasting
- Havran - Olive Oil Farm
- Adatepe - Altar of Zeus
- Ephesus - Archaeological site visit
- Selcuk - Sultankoy Village Carpet Weaving
- Selcuk - Cooking class
- Sirince - wine tasting in a wine house
- Selcuk - Leader-led orientation walk
- Izmir - Street eats and city tour
- Cappadocia - Derinkuyu Underground City
- Goreme - Sunset wine tasting
- Goreme - Red Valley walk
- Goreme - Soganli Valley walk
- Mustafapasa - Coffeehouse visit and tasting
- Goreme - Cooking Class
- Cappadocia - Pottery demonstration
- Istanbul - Balik ekmek (fish sandwich)
- Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Regular Flight - EUR275
- Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Deluxe Flight - EUR325
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 6 (Overnight Train) where you will be in shared accommodation, and is subject to
availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. While we endeavour to cater for specific dietary requirements, some meals and food activities are set in advance and may be difficult to adjust. Please advise us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking so that we can ensure you’ll enjoy this trip.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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