A Journey to the Heart of Turkish Cuisine – A Culture and Culinary Tour

Day 1 ISTANBUL

Arrival in Istanbul , the only city in the world built on two continents, providing a unique link between East and West and guardian of the treasures of three empires of which she has been the capital.  Napoleon said that if the world were a single state then its capital would be Constantinople. Even today, amid the traffic-choked streets of modern Istanbul, among the high-rises, the steep alleys and the glowing ancient churches and mosques, you can still feel exactly what he meant.

Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2   ISTANBUL

Today you will visit the Blue Mosque, a famous 17th century mosque that dominates the Istanbul skyline. Hagia Sophia, the church of the Divine Wisdom, which was a church (circa 548 AD), then a mosque. The Theodosius Cistern (known as Şerefiye Sarnıcı in Turkish), which was built by Roman Emperor Theodosius II between 428 and 443 to store water supplied by the Valens Aqueduct. The area is about 148 by 82 feet and the roof is supported by 32 marble columns about 30 ft high.

For lunch you will taste delicious kofte -meatballs- at a specialized restaurant operating since 1920.

Then you will drive to the pier  for your private cruise on the Bosphorus.

Upon disembarkation you will proceed to a Turkish home to enjoy a Hands- on cooking class learning to cook home-style, family recipes and taste what you have cooked.

A truly unique opportunity to experience Turkish hospitality and local home life.

Overnight in Istanbul. (B, L, D)

Day 3 ISTANBUL

Today you wil visit Topkapı Palace the residence of the sultans for almost three centuries. It is located on the promontory jutting out between the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. Being the imperial residence of the sultan, his court and harem, the palace was also the seat of government for the Ottoman Empire. In the Treasury section, you will see the 7^th biggest diamond in the world, the “Spoonmaker’s Diamond” and the Harem is a vast labyrinth of rooms and corridors once occupied by the black eunuchs, concubines, the Sultan’s mother and the Sultan himself.

You will visit The Palace Kitchens, Helvahane and Quarters and learn about our culinary culture of 400 years.

Lunch will be at a restaurant where you will taste Ottoman Palace recipes.

After lunch you will visit Süleyman the Magnificent Mosque created by the great architect Sinan. The Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent is one of his two most impressive achievements, carrying mosque architecture to its grandest development. Then explore the famous Grand Bazaar.

A baklava shop where you will taste the best Baklava in town will be your last stop for the day.

Dinner will be on own.

Overnight Istanbul.(B, L)

Day 4            ISTANBUL – GAZİANTEP

After breakfast you will walk through the Spice Bazaar, an extensive market which was built in the 17th century to finance the upkeep of the nearby mosque – Yeni Cami. The bazaar is often referred to as the “Egyptian Market” due to the fact that spices used to come to the market from India and Southeast Asia via Egypt. You will stop for a spice tasting session in a Spice shop that has been there since 5 generations.

Take a ferry ride to the other side of the river that separates the European and Asian parts of Istanbul to explore the famous open-air street market of Kadıkoy. Notice the big difference in atmosphere between the Spice Market and the Kadıkoy which is more in tune with the way most people in Istanbul cook and eat.

Indulge yourself in the huge variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables, with plenty to discover for the “foodie.” Feel the real bazaar shopping experience with the fishmongers, bakers, butchers and grocers singing out to attract you to their stall. Take your time and explore the many pastry shops, Turkish delight and deli stores and the aromatic spice stands. There is plenty to see and buy, with information and recommendations available.

Lunch will be at reknown Ciya Restaurant where you will taste best samples of Anatolian Cuisine. After lunch we will head to the airport for our flight to Gaziantep.(B,L)

Overnight in Gaziantep.

Day 5    GAZIANTEP

Gaziantep has been home to some of the oldest civilizations in the world. Owing to this heritage and the wide variety of food stuffs available due to its geographical position, the region has developed a unique cuisine with lts own distinctive flavours and becoming a top destination for foodies.

The city of Gaziantep  is best known for its highly developed industrial areas and pistachio nuts as well as baklava.

We will visit a traditional baklava producer and learn more about Baklava.

Breakfast at a pastry shop offering plates containing vegetables, dips, olives, spreads, cheeses, jams and a basket of different warm breads (simit, pide), tasting and observing a production of “katmer”, a local desert with clotted cream and pistachio.

We will then visit the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, the world’s largest mosaic museum complex displaying the most important mosaics from the ancient site Zeugma (Belkis).

Lunch at a reknown kebab restaurant.

The city of Gaziantep is best known for its pistachio nuts as well as baklava. After lunch we will visit a traditional baklava producer and learn more about Baklava.

We will stop at Historical Tahmis Coffee shop to taste Menengiç (wild pistachio) coffee.

Last today you will visit the Emine Gogus Culinary Museum a historical stone house built in 1904, and has been restored into a museum. The museum has displays of kitchen equipment and table arrangements.

Dinner at one of the main landmarks in Gaziantep, a restaurant serving traditional meals.

Overnight in Gaziantep (B, L, D )

Day 6     GAZİANTEP

Today you will walk down the Bey neighborhood which has the city’s most striking nostalgic value, with its narrow streets and houses with bay windows. The Bey neighborhood is the place where perfect examples of stonemasonry of Gaziantep are displayed.

Lunch at a restaurant where you will also taste a Gaziantep classic “Beyran” soup and lahmacun.

After lunch you will walk through the local bazaar to explore artisan workshops such as coppersmiths, spice shops and other tradesmen making furniture with inlaid mother of pearl.

Rest of the day at leisure.

Dinner at one of our favorite restaurants.

Overnight n Gaziantep (B, L, D )

Day 7     GAZİANTEP – ŞANLIURFA – GÖBEKLİTEPE

After breakfast we will drive towards the Euphrates river to take a traditional boat to Rumkale.

Rumkale is rumored to be a place where John the Apostle dwelled during the Roman Empire and reproduced the Bible in a room excavated inside a rock. As you cruise you will come to an ancient castle city of now surrounded by water that the dam stopped to travelling elsewhere. Lunch.

After lunch we will drive to visit Gobeklitepe.

It is currently the oldest known archaeological site with evidence of significant and prolonged construction activity by humans. Evidence suggests that it was some sort of religious/gathering place for people. The site was built about 12,000 years ago, was active for over 3,000 years and then methodically covered up in the 8th millennia BC. Gobeklitepe is a series of mainly circular and oval shaped structures set on the top of a hill and has been interpreted as the oldest human-made place of worship yet discovered.

After visiting Gobeklitepe, we drive to the city centre of Sanlıurfa. Home to the world’s earliest civilizations, Sanliurfa’s cuisine also featuring fantastic origin tales. Cig kofte (raw meatballs, according to legend was invented by Abraham himself from what he had available in the cave where he hid from Nemrut. The dish is also said by some to have been created for Hittite royalty.

Sanliurfa is also known throughout Turkey for its spice, and in particular Urfa biber or Isot pepper, a dried dark red pepper with a smoky, raisin-like taste.

In addition to being used in Sanliurfa’s diverse range of kebabs and lahmacun, the pepper features in sac kavurma, a dish that consists of ground lamb and vegetables fried on a thin iron skillet.

Dinner at a popular Urfa Restaurant.

Overnight in Urfa  (B,L,D)

Day 8    ŞANLIURFA

After breakfast you will visit the New Şanlıurfa Archaeological Museum also housing the oldest temple of the world,Gobeklitepe excavation findings.

Then continue to Abraham’s Cave and the Pools of Holy Carp surrounding it. You will then walk around the oriental covered bazaar and Gümrükhan.

We will then drive to the airport to take flight to Istanbul. (B,L)

USD 4548 Per person

USD 785 Single supplement

The tour will proceed with minimum 4 participants. 

If you would like to organize a private trip for you, your family or friends, please email us ([email protected]).