Culinary Türkiye: Istanbul, Cappadocia and the Riviera

Discover some of the historical landmarks in Istanbul’s old town area. Begin your tour at the famous Hippodrome, a former public arena where chariot races used to take place. Accompany your guide around the square to see the gazebo-styled German fountain, the bronze Serpent Column of Delphi and the two obelisks. Next, head to the Blue Mosque, named for its colored tiles made of quartz. Also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, it is a fine example of 17th-century Ottoman religious architecture. After, visit the iconic Hagia Sophia that has served as both a mosque and a church over the centuries. Often called the Basilica of Saint Sophia, this magnificent edifice is decorated with rich mosaic murals and huge columns typical of Byzantine architecture. The last stop on your itinerary is the Grand Bazaar. It has over 4,000 stalls packed with a variety of items including antiques, jewelry and apparel. After the tour winds up, drive back to your hotel in your private vehicle. (Duration: half day; Private activity & transfers; Fitness level: easy; Entry fees to museums included; Please wear comfortable shoes as there is plenty of walking involved; Grand Bazaar is closed on Sun & Blue Mosque is closed on Fri mornings; There may be long queues and crowds at some of the attractions; Please note that when visiting mosques and religious places, men as well as women must wear clothes that cover the shoulders and knees; Women must cover their heads with a scarf; You will need to remove your footwear at these sites)

Enjoy a cruise on the Bosphorus and visit the 17th-century Spice Market. At the scheduled time, your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you to the public ferry boarding point. Make yourself comfortable in the ferry as you sail on the Bosphorus Strait, which separates Asia and Europe, and through the Golden Horn. Enjoy views of majestic palaces, impressive fortresses and opulent waterfront villas. After cruising for a couple of hours, disembark and head to the famous Spice Market. Housed in a stone building, dating back to 1664, this lively market is packed with shops selling aromatic spices, dried fruits and nuts. As you walk along the narrow alleys, soak in the sights and sounds as the vendors peddle their wares to locals and visitors alike. Stop at the renowned confectioner, Ali Muhiddin Haci Bekir’s store. He is considered to be the inventor of the iconic Turkish delight. Also known as lokum, this sweet treat is a jelly candy flavored with spices and dry fruits. After, return to your hotel. (Duration: half day; Private activity & transfers; Bosphorus cruise is via public ferry; Group size for cruise: 40 – 70 ppl; Fitness level: easy; Entry fees included; Please wear comfortable shoes as there is plenty of walking involved; The Spice Bazaar and public ferry may be crowded on some days; If you are prone to seasickness, we recommend taking appropriate medication before the cruise)

Soar over Cappadocia’s beautiful valleys on this half day tour. You will be picked up from your hotel early in the morning and driven to the starting point for your hot air balloon ride. Climb into the basket and watch as your balloon fills with hot air and slowly lifts you into the sky. Get a bird’s-eye view of the colorful landscape and rock formations lit by the soft morning light and enjoy the tranquility that comes with floating gently through the air. After spending roughly 45 minutes to an hour in flight, return to earth and celebrate your experience with a glass of champagne. Then, head back to your hotel in time for breakfast. (Duration: half day: Time: Between 0400 & 0500 hrs; Transfer time: 40 mins to 1 hr; Shared activity & transfers; Meals are not included; Fitness level: easy; Please note climbing into the balloon basket can be a problem for guests with mobility issues; Please note this activity is subject to weather conditions and could be canceled at the last minute; Min age: 6; Min height: 4 ft 6 in)

Experience the joy that comes with cooking a meal in a home alongside a local family in Cappadocia. Your driver will pick you up at the appointed time and take you to the family’s traditional stone house decorated with arched ceilings, Turkish textiles and Cappadocia rugs. Experience true Turkish hospitality as you meet the family and get ready for your lesson. Use organic ingredients such as fresh eggs from the family’s chickens, honey from their beehives and fruits, vegetables and spices grown in their garden, to make the dishes. Once the food is ready, sit down with your hosts and enjoy a feast together. Head back to your hotel with a full stomach and great memorie. (Duration: half day; Time: flexible, but lunch time is recommended; Private activity & transfers; Meals included: yes; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy)

Immerse yourself in history in Cappadocia on this full day tour. After breakfast at your hotel, drive to the Goreme Open-Air Museum with your guide. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a vast complex filled with hundreds of monasteries and churches that contain 11th and 12th-century frescoes. Your guide will show you some of the most important churches, such as the Yılanlı Kilise, the Elmalı Kilise, and the Tokalı Kilise. Then, head to the town of Avanos, which sits on the banks of the Red River whose clay is ideal for pottery. Visit a pottery workshop to see the collections displayed in a vast underground cave complex, meet the artisans, and learn about their work and its heritage. Continue on to Pasabag Valley to view the tower-shaped hermitages, and from there to Pigeon Valley for a photo opportunity at Uchisar Castle Center. Proceed to explore the castle, which is full of towering rock houses typical of the area, before making your way to Uchisar town. There you will learn about the history and art of carpet making, a quintessential Turkish trade that has been passed down for generations, from mother to daughter. (Duration: full day; Time: morning; Private activity & transfers; Meals are not included; Entry fees are included; Fitness level: moderate, please note that people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance; Please wear comfortable shoes as there is plenty of walking involved; Please note that climbing steps, walking uphill & downhill, and tight underground corridors could be a problem if you have mobility issues or claustrophobia)

Visit Yedi Bilgeler, or Seven Sages Winery, for lunch, a winery tour and a wine tasting. The winery, which is also a restaurant and hotel, is set amid rolling hills. Once you arrive, enjoy a superb gastronomic experience at the restaurant. Relish a sumptuous three-course lunch, while taking in panoramic views of the vineyard and mountains. Next, the vintner will lead you on a tour of the estate. Walk beside carpets of colorful wildflowers, roses and lavender, while learning about Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Shiraz grape varieties. Each of the wines is named after the ‘Seven Sages’, sixth-century BC philosophers, statesmen and lawmakers. In the cellar, learn about the winemaking process and see the French oak barrels, stainless steel fermentation tanks and myriad bottles. Also catch glimpses of the filtration equipment and bottling machines, before heading back to the restaurant. Taste four wines including a white, red, rose and the popular 7 Bilgeler Bia Prine Reserve Red Blend. (Duration: half day; Private activity & transfers; Entry fees are included; Meals included: lunch & wine tasting; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy; Min age: 18 yrs for wine tasting only; Please wear comfortable walking shoes)

Visit a farmers’ market and learn how to make a full-course Turkish lunch on this tour in Bodrum. You will be picked up in the morning and driven to the farmers’ market to shop for ingredients. Browse the stalls selling a wide range of produce, including olives, wild seasonal greens, and vegetables. You will also find jams, pickles, breads and a wide array of delicious cheeses. Your chef will help you pick out the ingredients you need for your meal. You can also taste the cheeses, olives, and spices on display. Once the shopping is done, drive to the cooking warehouse for your lesson. Your English-speaking chef will show you how to make the five meze courses, followed by a hot starter and a main course. Learn to make a Turkish dessert as well. When the food is ready, sit down to enjoy it along with some local wine. After you have eaten, you will be driven back to your hotel. (Duration: 5.5 hrs; Time: 0900 hrs; Not available on Tues & Weds; Private activity & transfers; Meals included: tasting & lunch; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy; Please wear comfortable shoes as there is plenty of walking involved)

Visit a family-run winery nestled in the grounds of ancient Karia in Bodrum. Your driver will pick you from your hotel in the afternoon. Enjoy a picturesque 30-minute drive through Karaova farming lands. Enjoy a glass of Rose Zinfandel on your arrival at Karnas Vineyard. After, follow your guide on a tour of the cellar. Learn about the vineyard’s farm-to-table philosophy, and their use of organic grapes to make their award-winning wines. You will also hear how the 25-year-old winery was started by the owner after she retired. Then, sit down to a wine tasting accompanied by snacks from Karnas Vineyards and Selia Farm, including local virgin olive oil, jams made with fruits from the garden, and goat's cheese. Soak in your beautiful surroundings and watch the sun go down before driving back to your hotel. (Duration: half day; Time: 1300 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Meals included: wine tasting with local snacks, Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: Easy; Please wear comfortable shoes as some amount of walking is involved)