Itinerary Start and end in Istanbul! With the food & culinary tour Turkey Real Food Adventure, you have a 10-day tour package taking you through Istanbul, Turkey, and 4 other destination..
Itinerary Start and end in Istanbul! With the food & culinary tour Turkey Real Food Adventure, you have a 10-day tour package taking you through Istanbul, Turkey, and 4 other destinations in Turkey. Turkey Real Food Adventure includes accommodation in a hotel as well as an expert guide, meals, transport. Introduction.
Day 1: Istanbul Welcome to Turkey. Istanbul is the only city in the world to straddle two continents, so when you explore the streets, you'll see a great clash of east and west, that’s represented not only in its architecture but in its delicious cuisine. Your Real Food Adventure kicks off at 6 pm today with an important welcome meeting, however, if you arrive early, feel free to go out and explore what this captivating city has to offer. Following the meeting, head out for your first taste of Turkey with a classic – a kebab. While you might be familiar with the shaved meats and pita bread sensation, nothing beats the kind they wrap up in Istanbul. Please let your leader know beforehand if you will be requiring a vegetarian option. Accommodation: Hotel
Day 2: Istanbul Start the day by heading to the celebrated Egyptian Spice Bazaar on a guided walking tour, meet a spice merchant, sit down for a Turkish coffee and savor a typical Turkish sweet. Continue your tour around Sultanahmet and Eminonu, taking in some of the most celebrated sites of the city, such as the Suleymaniye Mosque and the Hippodrome. The area around Eminonu boasts some delicious street food, and local favorites include barbecued corn, roasted chestnuts, and of course Turkish delight. In the afternoon, jump on a ferry, and in just 20 minutes you’ll arrive at the side of Turkey that lies on the continent of Asia, and the vibrant neighborhood of Kadikoy. Hit the Sarkuteri (delicatessen) to sample some olives, pastirma (seasoned cured beef), and a variety of delicious cheese. Grab some provisions and head out for a picnic with your fellow travelers. Accommodation: Hotel
Day 3: Bodrum Fly from Istanbul to Bodrum (approximately 1 hour). Located on a bay on the Aegean coast, the region is all about hilly landscapes, rustic villages, and beautiful bays. Bodrum is a relaxing and stunning corner of Turkey, with charming resorts adored by sailors and beach-lovers alike. But don’t be deceived – while it may be popular among international visitors, the region retains an authentic side, with traditional Turkish cuisine and incredible ancient ruins. Check in to the hotel and spend some time exploring the town, then take a bus to meet a local wine-making family. The Yurut family has been making wine for 20 years, and now produces 12,000 bottles a year. Learn about their journey and perhaps find a new favourite drop. Accommodation: Hotel
Day 4: Bodrum What better way to discover the local produce than pick it yourself? Today you'll journey to a homestead and join farmers in the fields and hothouses. Forage for vegetables and pull them all together to make a gozleme using traditional techniques, this delicious savory flatbread stuffed with a variety of fillings is a Turkish favorite. Don't forget your hat and sunscreen, in addition to your appetite, on this fun day out discovering regional produce. Accommodation: Hotel
Day 5: Selcuk In and around Selcuk Catch a public bus to Selcuk (approximately 3.5 hours) today and take the time to wander around this fascinating town on arrival. On the slopes of Ayasoluk Hill lie several historical buildings, including the Isa Bey Mosque and the Grand Fortress. Selcuk is also home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – the Temple of Artemis (though sadly only a single pylon remains). This evening you will visit the Sirince, a local village steeped in Greek Ottoman tradition – it's a photographer's dream! Post-war settlers revived the town's wine industry, which makes use of local fruit. Enjoy a tasting and consider buying a bottle to take on a walk up a gentle slope through cobbled streets and alleys to an atmospheric garden cafe. Up here you'll see how manti (Turkish stuffed dumplings) are made. After trying your hand preparing them, feast on a serving for dinner. Accommodation: Hotel
Day 6: Selcuk Today you'll visit Ephesus, one of Turkey's most important ancient sites. Explore this beautifully preserved classical city with your local guide who will bring its colorful 1500-year history to life. Watch in awe as the sophistication of this former metropolis reveals itself. It had running water, public toilets, a renowned medical institute, a brothel, and Roman baths. The theatre is well preserved and regularly hosts concerts, but the marvelous library might just be the highlight. We are heading to Izmir airport to catch the flight direction Cappadocia. Transfer from Airport to your hotel in Goreme.
Day 7: Goreme In and around Goreme This is your gateway to the fabled fairy-chimneys of Capadoccia. Perhaps stop for a mid-morning snack of etli ekmek, a larger local variation of the traditional Turkish lahmacun: flatbread baked with ground meat, tomato, peppers, and onion. Stop in at Derinkuyu, the astounding old subterranean city that goes as deep as 60 meters underground. It used to have wine and oil presses, cellars, refectories, stables, and chapels, not to mention some 20,000 residents. For lunch perhaps hit a local pide saloon for Turkey's answer to the Italian pizza, enjoy toppings like grilled lamb, black pepper, tender spinach, fresh egg, and Turkey’s famed peynir cheese made from sheep’s milk. For the next three nights, you'll stay in the village of Ortahisar, which is famous for its friendly inhabitants, picturesque stone houses, narrow streets, and lovely churches as well as the castle-like rock formation after which the town is named. Accommodation: Hotel
Day 8: Goreme For early birds, a hot air balloon ride over the majestic landscape is a highly recommended experience. Please check out our offers. Wander through the Soganli Valley on a hiking trip, taking in the arid surrounds and towering vistas. Take the opportunity to stop for lunch at a local restaurant in this beautiful place, savoring fresh local flavors next to the memorable landscapes. Visit one of Cappadoccia’s most famous wineries to learn about the region's 4000-year-old wine industry. Afterward, walk through the stunning Red Valley to watch the sunset, enjoying a glass of local wine. For dinner, perhaps try the local specialty, testi kebab. Your leader will be able to recommend a restaurant dedicated to the perfection of this delicious clay pot dish. Accommodation: Hotel
Day 9: Goreme Enjoy a free morning to do as you please before being welcomed into the home of a local, Nuray, an award-winning regional cook. Under her tutelage, learn to prepare some classic central Anatolian dishes (the menu will depend on the season). Sit down and enjoy the results over lunch then enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure, perhaps visit the excellent Goreme Open Air Museum, or indulge in a Turkish hammam (bath). In the evening, you might like to dine in a restaurant set inside a 475-year-old building. The testi kebab is highly recommended. Accommodation: Hotel
Day 10: Istanbul This morning, wave the fairy chimneys a fond goodbye and transfer to one of the airports of the region for a flight back to Istanbul. Your incredible Turkey trip will finish on arrival at the airport your guide will be available to assist you with your onward travel plans. For your convenience, if you are planning on spending a few more days in the city then a complimentary transfer will be available back to our starting point hotel. Your leader can help to arrange this for you.
Included services: - Hotel accommodation - Mentioned transfers - English speaking guides - Mentioned meals: 9 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners This tour offers Vegetarian, Vegan, Halal, and Kosher food options on request. Simply let our Customer Support team know the food option that you prefer. - Transport
Excluded services: - All drinks - Flights Flights before and after the tour are not included in the tour price. You can organize your flights separately at any point. - Insurance Insurance is not included. Travel insurance is required for this tour. Please make sure you are adequately covered - Tips for guides and drivers