13-Day Istanbul, Cappadocia, Aegean & Troas Culinary and Cultural Discovery Tour

Today introduces Istanbul’s imperial layers through its most significant monuments. Visit the Blue Mosque, an architectural masterpiece of the classical Ottoman period, followed by Hagia Sophia, whose long history as a Byzantine cathedral, Ottoman mosque, and modern monument reflects the city’s layered identity. Continue to the Basilica Cistern, a vast underground reservoir built during the reign of Emperor Justinian, illustrating the engineering solutions that sustained Constantinople. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a well-regarded local restaurant, offering a first introduction to Istanbul’s diverse culinary traditions shaped by imperial kitchens, regional migration, and seasonal ingredients. Overnight in Istanbul.

Begin at Topkapı Palace, the administrative and ceremonial center of the Ottoman Empire for nearly four centuries. Special focus is given to the palace kitchens, where elaborate court cuisine was developed, reflecting hierarchy, ceremony, and regional influence. After lunch, enjoy a Bosphorus cruise, highlighting the strategic importance of the strait and the evolution of waterfront life. In the afternoon, visit a local home for a hands-on cooking experience, preparing traditional dishes while learning about family recipes, regional variations, and the social role of food in Turkish daily life. Overnight in Istanbul.

After a relaxed morning, explore the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest covered markets. Lunch is served at a historic restaurant reflecting Istanbul’s culinary heritage. Continue through the Spice Market, with a spice tasting session at a long-established shop, followed by a stop at a traditional baklava shop to sample one of Türkiye’s most famous desserts. Dinner is at a local restaurant. Overnight in Istanbul.

In the morning, cross to Istanbul’s Asian side by ferry and explore the lively open-air market of Kadıköy, offering insight into everyday local life. Lunch is at a renowned restaurant specializing in regional Anatolian cuisine. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for a flight to Cappadocia. Upon arrival, transfer to your cave hotel, where a light dinner is served. Overnight in Cappadocia.

This day focuses on Cappadocia’s rural culture and culinary traditions shaped by geography and isolation. Begin at a local farmers’ market, where seasonal produce reflects the region’s agricultural rhythm. Continue to a village home for a hands-on cooking experience, preparing traditional Central Anatolian dishes using local ingredients. In the afternoon, explore the volcanic landscape at Devrent Valley, Zelve Open Air Museum, and Paşabağ, where fairy chimneys and rock-cut dwellings illustrate how communities adapted to the terrain. Descend into Kaymaklı Underground City, revealing how people once lived, stored food, and protected themselves underground. The day concludes with a visit to a local winery, highlighting Cappadocia’s long but lesser-known wine tradition. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Optional hot air balloon flight at sunrise. Continue to Avanos, historically associated with pottery due to the clay-rich Kızılırmak River, followed by a baklava-making demonstration explaining techniques and regional styles. Walk through the scenic Red Valley, where erosion has shaped dramatic formations and ancient paths. Later, visit the Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site showcasing rock-cut churches with Byzantine frescoes, offering insight into early monastic life. The day concludes with a carpet weaving demonstration, explaining symbolic motifs and regional techniques, before an evening flight to Izmir and transfer to Selçuk. Overnight in Selçuk.

Explore Ephesus, one of the most important cities of the Roman world and a major center of trade, administration, and religion. Walk along marble-paved streets past the Library of Celsus, Great Theatre, and monumental public buildings that reveal the scale and sophistication of Roman urban life. Continue to an ecological farm for lunch, followed by a visit to the Oleatrium Olive and Olive Oil Museum, tracing olive oil production from antiquity to modern times and highlighting its central role in Aegean cuisine, economy, and daily life. Overnight in Selçuk.

Depart Selçuk for Pergamon, one of the most influential cities of the Hellenistic world. Visit the Acropolis, dramatically set above the plain, and the Asclepion, an ancient medical center associated with holistic healing practices that combined medicine, diet, and ritual. Continue north to the Mount Ida (Kazdağları) region, known in mythology and history as a fertile and culturally rich landscape. Arrival at a rural setting highlights the transition from classical cities to village-based Aegean life. Overnight in Mount Ida.

Today is dedicated to the food culture of the northern Aegean. Participate in a cheese and local delicacies workshop, followed by an olive oil tasting, illustrating the region’s emphasis on simplicity, seasonality, and high-quality ingredients. Lunch is served at a countryside farm. In the afternoon, visit Assos (Behramkale), an ancient city associated with Aristotle, featuring a hilltop temple overlooking the Aegean and a well-preserved harbor below. Return to the hotel with time to enjoy the natural surroundings. Dinner is served at a seafood restaurant, reflecting coastal Aegean cuisine. Overnight in Mount Ida.

Visit Troy, the legendary city immortalized by Homer, where archaeological layers reveal nearly 4,000 years of settlement and conflict. The site offers insight into how myth and archaeology intersect in Anatolian history. Continue to Çanakkale and cross the Dardanelles by ferry to the Gallipoli Peninsula, a landscape shaped by both ancient geography and modern history. Overnight in Eceabat.

Depart Gallipoli and travel through the Thracian wine region, where viticulture dates back to antiquity. Visit a vineyard for lunch and wine tasting, learning about grape varieties and modern Turkish winemaking. Continue to the Istanbul Airport area in the afternoon. Overnight near Istanbul Airport.

Transfer to Istanbul Airport for international departure.