Turkey Gourmet Tour with Şerif Yenen April 28 - May 8

Turkey Gourmet Tour would be a fantastic culinary adventure, as the country is renowned for its diverse and flavorful cuisine that reflects its rich history and cultural influences. This itinerary is just a starting point, and you can customize it based on your preferences and the specific regions you’d like to explore. Turkey’s culinary landscape is vast, so you’re sure to discover a wide range of flavors, ingredients, and traditional dishes as you journey through the country.

Turkey Gourmet Tour Program

Turkey Gourmet Tour – Day 1; April 28th, 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)

Turkey Gourmet Tour – Day 2; April 29th, 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)

Turkey Gourmet Tour – Day 3; April 30st, 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)

Gourmet delicacies you can eat in Istanbul

Istanbul, the cultural and historical melting pot of Turkey, offers a rich array of gourmet dishes that blend various culinary influences from its Ottoman, Byzantine, and modern cultures. Here are some iconic gourmet dishes you should definitely try when visiting Istanbul:

1. Kebabs: Istanbul is famous for its various kebabs, each prepared differently. Some notable ones include:
   • Döner Kebab: Slices of seasoned meat (often lamb or chicken) are stacked on a vertical rotisserie and roasted. The cooked meat is then sliced thinly and served in various forms, like wraps or plates.
   • Adana Kebab: Spiced minced meat, often made from lamb, is skewered and grilled, usually served with flatbread and grilled vegetables.
   • Beyti Kebab: Ground meat, usually lamb, is mixed with spices, wrapped in lavash (thin flatbread), grilled, and then sliced.
2. Baklava: A famous Turkish dessert made of layers of thin pastry, filled with chopped nuts (usually pistachios or walnuts), sweetened with syrup or honey, and then baked to a golden perfection.
3. Kumpir: A popular street food, kumpir is a baked potato stuffed with a variety of toppings such as cheese, butter, olives, corn, sausages, and more.
4. Iskender Kebab: A delicious dish made from thinly sliced döner kebab meat placed over pieces of pita bread, then topped with tomato sauce and melted butter. It’s often served with yogurt on the side.
5. Lahmacun: Often referred to as “Turkish pizza,” lahmacun is a thin flatbread topped with minced meat (usually lamb or beef), vegetables, and spices. It’s typically rolled up with greens and eaten like a wrap.
6. Meze: Meze are a variety of small, flavorful dishes served as appetizers. They can include items like hummus, eggplant dip (baba ghanoush), stuffed grape leaves (dolma), and more. They are meant to be shared and enjoyed before the main course.
7. Manti: These are Turkish dumplings filled with spiced minced meat, often served with yogurt and garlic sauce, and topped with paprika and butter.
8. Balik Ekmek: A popular street food along the shores of the Bosphorus, balik ekmek consists of freshly grilled fish (usually mackerel or sea bass) served in a bun or bread with lettuce, onion, and other garnishes.
9. Pide: Similar to pizza, pide is a boat-shaped flatbread topped with a variety of ingredients such as cheese, minced meat, vegetables, and more.
10. Simit: Often referred to as a “Turkish bagel,” simit is a circular bread covered in sesame seeds, typically served as a snack or breakfast item.
11. Turkish Delight: Known as “lokum,” Turkish delight is a chewy confection made from starch and sugar, flavored with various ingredients such as rosewater, citrus, or nuts.
12. Menemen: A hearty breakfast dish made from scrambled eggs cooked with tomatoes, green peppers, and spices, often served with feta cheese and bread.

These are just a few examples of the gourmet dishes you can savor in Istanbul. The city’s culinary scene is incredibly diverse, offering a blend of traditional and modern flavors that cater to a wide range of tastes.

Turkey Gourmet Tour – Day 4; May 1st, 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)

Gourmet delicacies you can eat in Cappadocia

Cappadocia, located in central Turkey, is not only famous for its unique landscapes and hot air balloon rides but also for its delicious gourmet delicacies that reflect the region’s culinary traditions. Here are some gourmet dishes and treats you should definitely try when visiting Cappadocia:

1. Testi Kebab: A traditional dish where meat (usually lamb) and vegetables are cooked inside a sealed clay pot, resulting in tender and flavorful meat. The pot is often broken open at the table for dramatic presentation.
2. Pottery Kebab: Similar to Testi Kebab, this dish is also prepared in a clay pot but typically includes a mix of meats and vegetables, all slow-cooked to perfection.
3. Manti: Like in Istanbul, Cappadocia offers its own version of manti – tiny dumplings filled with spiced minced meat, usually served with yogurt and a tomato-based sauce.
4. Dolma: Stuffed grape leaves, or dolma, can be found in Cappadocia as well. These can be filled with a mixture of rice, meat, herbs, and spices.
5. Cappadocia Wine: The region has a growing wine scene due to its unique terroir. Try local wines, both red and white, that pair well with the local cuisine.
6. Pumpkin Desserts: Cappadocia is known for its pumpkin-based desserts like pumpkin-filled pastries and pumpkin preserves, which are often enjoyed with a cup of tea.
7. Kesme: Kesme is a traditional Cappadocian dish made with hand-cut noodles, often served with a yogurt-based sauce or minced meat.
8. Cappadocian Breakfast: Enjoy a traditional Cappadocian breakfast spread that typically includes a variety of cheeses, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, jams, honey, and freshly baked bread.
9. Lavash Bread: This thin, soft flatbread is often used to wrap various fillings, making it a staple of Cappadocian cuisine.
10. Stuffed Lamb: In Cappadocia, you might find dishes where lamb is stuffed with a mixture of rice, herbs, and spices, then slow-cooked until tender.
11. Apricot Dishes: Cappadocia is known for its apricot orchards, and you can find various dishes and treats made from apricots, such as jams, desserts, and even savory dishes.
12. Local Cheeses: Don’t miss the opportunity to try local cheeses, such as tulum cheese, which is aged in a goat’s skin.
13. Pomegranate Dishes: Pomegranates are another local specialty, and you might find them used in salads, desserts, and sauces.
14. Sesame Simit: Enjoy the sesame-covered simit bread, a popular snack, with local flavors and ingredients.
15. Cappadocian Delights: Just like Turkish delight, Cappadocia offers its own version of this sweet treat, often flavored with local ingredients like honey and fruit.

Cappadocian cuisine is heavily influenced by the region’s agricultural products and local ingredients. Exploring these gourmet delicacies will not only provide you with a taste of the region’s flavors but also a deeper understanding of its culture and traditions.

Turkey Gourmet Tour – Day 5; May 2nd, 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)

Turkey Gourmet Tour – Day 6; May 3rd, 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)

Turkey Gourmet Tour – Day 7; May 4th, Monday: Konya – Pamukkale

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

What to eat in Pamukkale

Pamukkale, a stunning natural site in southwestern Turkey known for its travertine terraces and hot springs, offers a variety of local and Turkish dishes for visitors to enjoy. Here are some foods you should try when visiting Pamukkale:

1. Çılbır: A traditional Turkish breakfast dish, çılbır consists of poached eggs served on a bed of yogurt with a drizzle of hot butter and a sprinkle of paprika or red pepper flakes.
2. Kuzu Tandır: This is a slow-roasted lamb dish, typically cooked until the meat is tender and falls off the bone. It’s often seasoned with herbs and served with rice or bread.
3. Pide: Similar to pizza, pide is a boat-shaped flatbread that can be topped with various ingredients such as cheese, minced meat, vegetables, and eggs.
4. Manti: These tiny dumplings filled with spiced minced meat are also popular in Pamukkale, much like in other parts of Turkey.
5. Döner Kebab: Pamukkale, being a tourist destination, often offers döner kebab options for quick and satisfying meals.
6. Gözleme: A traditional Turkish pastry made from hand-rolled dough that’s filled with various ingredients such as spinach, cheese, or minced meat.
7. Turkish Meze: Like in other parts of Turkey, you can enjoy a variety of meze, which are small dishes served as appetizers. Look for options like hummus, eggplant dip, stuffed grape leaves, and more.
8. Baklava: Don’t miss out on this famous Turkish dessert made of layers of thin pastry filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey.
9. Tavuk Şiş: Skewered and grilled chicken, often marinated for flavor, is a popular choice for a satisfying meal.
10. Sweets and Desserts: Pamukkale might offer locally inspired sweets and desserts that are made using local ingredients such as honey, nuts, and fruits.
11. Fresh Fruits: Depending on the season, you can enjoy fresh local fruits, which can be a refreshing and healthy option.
12. Turkish Tea and Coffee: Don’t forget to try traditional Turkish tea (çay) and coffee. They’re an integral part of Turkish culture and are often served as a finishing touch to your meal.

When visiting Pamukkale, keep in mind that the dining options might vary based on the size of the town and the time of year. Exploring local eateries and trying dishes made with regional ingredients can add to your overall experience of the destination.

Turkey Gourmet Tour – Day 8; May 5th, Tuesday: Pamukkale – Kuşadası

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

Turkey Gourmet Tour – Day 9; May 6th, 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)

Turkey Gourmet Tour – Day 10; May 7th, 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)

Turkey Gourmet Tour – Day 11; May 8th, Friday: İstanbul & Departure

• Transfer to the airport