Plan of Gourmet Tour of Turkey

Day 1; September 1st, Tuesday: Arrive in İstanbul, Turkey

  • Arrive in İstanbul
  • Transfer to the hotel
  • Included welcome cocktail and presentation by Şerif Yenen
  • Included welcome dinner
  • Overnight at Richmond Hotel (İstanbul)

Day 2; September 2nd, Wednesday: İstanbul

  • Topkapı Palace
  • Walk in Süleymaniye neighborhood
  • Included Lunch at a local restaurant
  • Süleymaniye Mosque
  • Grand Bazaar
  • Break at a local coffee house
  • Tahtakale neighborhood
  • Baklava experience
  • Included dinner at a local restaurant
  • Overnight at Richmond Hotel (İstanbul)

Day 3; September 3rd, Thursday: İstanbul

  • Hippodrome
  • Hagia Sophia
  • Basilica Cistern
  • Included lunch at a local restaurant
  • Egyptian – Spice Market
  • Cooking Class and Dinner
  • Overnight at Richmond Hotel (İstanbul)

Explanation about Istanbul Gourmet Tour Phase

  1. Breakfast at a Traditional Café: Start your day with a classic Turkish breakfast at a local café. Enjoy an array of cheeses, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, jams, honey, and fresh bread. Don’t forget to try menemen (eggs scrambled with tomatoes and peppers) and çay (Turkish tea).
  2. Visit the Spice Bazaar: Explore the vibrant Spice Bazaar to discover an array of colorful spices, dried fruits, nuts, and sweets. Pick up some saffron, sumac, and other unique spices to take home.
  3. Lunch at a Kebab House: Indulge in a lunch of succulent kebabs at a traditional kebab restaurant. Try lamb shish kebab or iskender kebab, a dish featuring sliced meat over bread, topped with tomato sauce and yogurt.
  4. Dinner at a Meze Restaurant: Experience the variety of mezes (appetizers) at a meze restaurant. Taste dishes like hummus, stuffed grape leaves, and eggplant salad. Pair them with raki, an anise-flavored alcoholic drink. Discover Istanbul with our Gourmet Tour.

Day 4; September 4th, Friday: İstanbul – Fly to Kayseri ✈- Cappadocia

  • Transfer to the airport
  • Flight to Kayseri (Cappadocia) with Turkish Airlines at 06.55 AM, arrive in Kayseri at 08.10 AM.
  • Full day sightseeing in Cappadocia with valleys and rock-cut churches
  • Included lunch at a local restaurant
  • Göreme open air Museum
  • Local craft demonstration
  • Whirling Dervishes ritual (included)
  • Included dinner at a local restaurant
  • Overnight at Yunak Evleri (Cappadocia)

Explanation About Cappadocia Gourmet Tour Phase

  1. Hot Air Balloon Breakfast: Enjoy a breathtaking hot air balloon ride over the Cappadocia landscape at sunrise, followed by a champagne breakfast.
  2. Local Delicacies: Sample local specialties like pottery kebab, manti (Turkish dumplings), and gözleme (stuffed flatbreads) in Cappadocia’s charming villages.

Mosaics of the Hagia Sophia


A variety of Turkish Delight in the market

A variety of Turkish Delight in the market


Sun-dried Apricots

Sun-dried Apricots


Shish Kebap

Shish Kebap


Ali Nazik Kebap with mashed eggplant and garlic yoghurt

Ali Nazik Kebap with mashed eggplant and garlic yoghurt


Barbecue

Barbecue

gourmet tour map

Day 5; September 5 th, Saturday: Cappadocia

  • Optional Hot-Air Balloon Ride
  • Full day sightseeing in Cappadocia
  • Included lunch at a local restaurant
  • Avanos Pottery Village
  • Local craft demonstration (pottery)
  • A visit to an underground city
  • Included wine tasting and dinner
  • Overnight at Yunak Evleri (Cappadocia)

Day 6; September 6th, Sunday: Cappadocia – Konya

  • Sightseeing in Cappadocia
  • Departure for Konya around 10.00 AM
  • Sultanhan Caravansary
  • Included lunch at a local restaurant
  • Rumi (Mevlana) Museum of Whirling Dervishes in Konya (Iconium)
  • Dinner and overnight at Hilton Garden Inn (Konya)
  • Try the famous Meat Bread of Konya with our Gourmet Tour.

Day 7; September 7th, Monday: Konya – Pamukkale

  • Beyşehir: Lake and Mosque
  • Included lunch at a local restaurant
  • Hierapolis in Pamukkale
  • Dinner and overnight at Doğa Thermal Hotel (Pamukkale)

Day 8; September 8th, Tuesday: Pamukkale – Kuşadası

  • Aphrodisias near Pamukkale
  • Included lunch at a local restaurant
  • Dinner and overnight at 7 Bilgeler Hotel (Şirince)

Day 9; September 9th, Wednesday: Kuşadası – Ephesus – Kuşadası

  • Ephesus with Terrace Houses
  • The house of the Virgin Mary
  • Included lunch at a local restaurant
  • The Basilica of St. John
  • Included wine tasting and dinner at a local winery
  • Overnight at 7 Bilgeler Hotel (Şirince)

Explanation about Izmir Gourmet Tour Phase

  1. Seafood Feast: Along the Aegean coast, indulge in fresh seafood dishes like grilled fish, calamari, and shrimp.
  2. Olive Oil Tasting: Visit olive orchards and learn about the olive oil production process. Taste different olive oils and learn about their uses in Turkish cuisine. Try olive oil with our Gourmet Tour.

Day 10; September 10th, Thursday: Kuşadası – İzmir – Fly to İstanbul ✈

  • Transfer to the airport
  • Flight to İstanbul with Turkish Airlines at 10.00 AM, arrive in İstanbul at 11.05 AM.
  • Chora Church
  • Included street food lunch
  • Included conclusion dinner at a local restaurant
  • Overnight at Richmond Hotel (İstanbul)

Day 11; September 11th, Friday: İstanbul & Departure

  • Transfer to the airport

We hope you enjoyed our Gourmet Tour.

* Price:
Price per person in double occupancy: $3,450 + Tax
Price per person in single occupancy: $4,125 + Tax

Gourmet Tour Details

Included Services (for Gourmet Tour):

  • Accommodation for 10 nights in above mentioned hotels or similar,
  • Airport transfers for arrival and departure in Turkey,
  • Professional tour guide services in English by Şerif Yenen,
  • Air conditioned deluxe vehicle with a driver all along the tour,
  • Vehicle expenses (i.e. parking, tolls, highways),
  • Domestic flight tickets from İstanbul to Kayseri (Cappadocia) and from İzmir to İstanbul,
  • Welcome cocktail and presentation by Şerif Yenen,
  • 10 breakfasts at the hotels,
  • 9 lunches at local restaurants,
  • 8 dinners at local restaurants and 2 dinners at hotels,
  • 2 wine tastings,
  • A cooking class,
  • All visits stated in the itinerary,
  • All stated entrance fees to the sites, museums and religious places indicated in the itinerary,
  • Bosphorus Cruise,
  • Tips to the hotels with porter services,
  • Tips to the restaurants for included meals,
  • Complimentary copies of some of Şerif Yenen’s publications,
  • Local taxes and service charges.

Services not included (for Gourmet Tour):

  • International Flights to/from Turkey
  • Meals not stated,
  • Beverages with meals,
  • One hour hot-air balloon ride in Cappadocia (optional),
  • Personal expenses,
  • Gratuities for the guide and driver,
  • Insurance,
  • Any airfare unless specified above,
  • Departure and airport taxes and fees (No similar taxes or fees are required for Turkey),
  • Passport and visa services and fees.

Hotels (for Gourmet Tour):

* Depending on availability there may be hotel changes. C.I.P Travel assures to accommodate you at the hotels with same standards.

Important notes:

  • Travel on an intimate, expert-led luxury small group journey.
  • Almost all of the meals will be notable local dishes at special restaurants.
  • Pre or post trip extensions can be tailor made upon request.
  • Ladies should bring scarves with them to cover their heads when visiting religious sites and mosques.
  • All foreigners must obtain their Turkish visas from Turkish missions abroad or from the e-visa application system, depending on eligibility. Please note, e-visas are easier to get.

Information regarding Turkish e-visas and the application process can be found at: www.evisa.gov.tr/en ↗

General information on Turkish visas can be found at:

www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa ↗

  • CIP Travel has always the right to modify the program according to the upmost satisfaction of the guests.
  • We will disclaim any responsibility and shall not pay any indemnity or reimbursement in the event of certain museums or monuments included in the program could not be visited with any reason beyond our control.

* This tour is organized by Acacia Exclusive Travel (TÜRSAB No: 7851) for C.I.P Travel Services

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia


Spices in the Egyptian Bazaar

Spices in the Egyptian Bazaar


Chora Church, Kariye Museum

Chora Church, Kariye Museum


Sufi Museum of Mevlana Rumi, Konya

Sufi Museum of Mevlana Rumi, Konya


Making Dolmas

Making Dolmas


From the Topkapi Palace

From the Topkapi Palace


Basilica Cistern, Yerebatan

Basilica Cistern, Yerebatan


Keshkek

Keshkek


Pomegranate

Pomegranate


Tea time, in the traditional tulip-shaped glasses

Tea time, in the traditional tulip-shaped glasses


Kokorec

Kokorec


Cag Kebap

Cag Kebap


Pide Bread

Pide Bread


Topkapi Palace Museum

Topkapi Palace Museum


Mezes

Mezes


Roasted Chestnuts

Roasted Chestnuts

For your inquiries or reservations please send an e-mail to

info@serifyenen.com