Turkish Delight Culinary Vacation...Cooking Vacations...Culinary Getaways...Cooking Classes!
Turkish Delight Culinary Vacation
1-800-405-0313
Ancient Flavors from Istanbul to Ephesus to Cappadocia
10 days | 9 nights
Pricing: $3,299 (For One Person, Double Occupancy)
Availability: Year Round Based on Your Travel Dates
Package includes:
- 9 Nights, Turkish Delight Package - Deluxe- For One (Double Occupancy)
- Welcome to Istanbul!
- Istanbul Tour and Cooking Class
- Tour of Gallipoli, Troy and Hands-on Cooking Class in Kusadasi
- Guided Tour of Ephesus and a Winemaking Class
- Intra-Turkey Flights and Transfers
- Kusadasi, Cappadocia, Cooking Class and the Whirling Dervishes
- Tour of Cappadocia and Cooking Class
Turkish Delight Culinary Vacation
Turkey will inspire and amaze, from spice bazaars to beautiful landscapes and vistas in this ancient yet cosmopolitan country. Foods throughout Turkey, from traditional street vendor kebabs to dishes prepared at the Istanbul Culinary Institute, are carefully prepared so you may enjoy every moment of your Turkish vacation. You'll visit ancient Troy and follow in the footsteps of Alexander the Great as you roam Turkey in search of mouth-watering flavors, cooking adventures and exquisite entertainment. You'll travel from Istanbul to Troy, and dine in the shadows of the Temple of Athena in Assos. Be inspired by the sight of the Acropolis and the exotic scents and sights of the markets in Kusadasi, and from there venture to Cappadocia to taste some of the best wine in the world.
Your Turkish Delight Culinary Vacation includes Arrival airport transfer from Istanbul Ataturk Airport; 5 Different Cooking Classes; 3 and 4 Star Lodging; Flight from Izmir to Cappadocia; Flight from Cappadocia to Istanbul; 9 Breakfasts; 9 Dinners; Private Guided Tour of Istanbul; Private Guided Tour of Ephesus; Private Guided Tour of Sirince Village; Private Guided Tour of Cappadocia; All Entrance Fees Mentioned in the Itinerary; Transporation in a Fully Air-Conditioned, Non-Smoking Coach; Professional English-Speaking Tour Guides; Return Airport Transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
Turkish Delight Package - Deluxe- For One (Double Occupancy) map
Your package includes all of your lodging while in Turkey. A collection of premium 3 and 4 star hotels have been selected for your comfort in Istanbul, Cannakkale, Selcuk and Cappadocia. From charming and unique boutique hotels to the rustic elegance of the Alfina Cave Hotel in Cappadocia, each accommodation has been chosen for its location, comfort, modern amenities and ambience.
Welcome to Istanbul!
You’ll arrive at Atatuk Airport and be driven to your hotel for check-in, where you will enjoy a welcome drink, and chat with gourmet experts about Turkish cuisine. Tonight you will participate in a welcome dinner where you will be introduced to your tour guides and your fellow travelers while enjoying traditional Turkish food. Istanbul is rich in history and beautiful architecture, exciting and colorful districts and home to world-class museums, palaces, fortresses and statues.
Istanbul Tour and Cooking Class
After a morning orientation and sightseeing tour of Istanbul, you’ll participate in your very first Turkish cooking lesson. You will prepare a traditional Turkish lunch, and enjoy your tasty creations at the conclusion of class. After lunch you will visit Topkapi Palace. This is the grand palace of the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, and the Holy Mantle enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. You will also visit the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet) designed by the architect Mehmet, with its magnificent interior decorated with blue Iznik tiles. Also on today’s tour will be the ancient Hippodrome – scene of chariot races and the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine.
Tour of Gallipoli, Troy and Hands-on Cooking Class in Kusadasi
You will spend a day visiting the museaums and battle fields of Gallipoli, such as The Beach Cemetery, Shrapnel Valley, Anzac Cove and Plugges Plateau. You’ll follow this cultural and historical day by visiting ancient Troy where you will visit the famous archeological and mythological side of Troy, home of the Trojan Horse and Helen of Troy. Then it is off to Kusadasi where you’ll rest up in your hotel for a bit prior to embarking upon another cooking lesson. This evening you will learn to cook the delicious tastes of Turkey, including Turkish Pide bread with Meat, Cheese, Potatoes among other delectable options...as well as Turkish Lahmacun for your dinner.
Guided Tour of Ephesus and a Winemaking Class
On your way to Ephesus, one of the best preserved ancient sites in the world, you will visit the Temple of Artemis, Curetes Street, Famous Roman Baths, Celsus Library and Grand Theatre. After a lunch break at a small Turkish restaurant, it’s off to Sirince Village, which also has a fantastic reputation for making some of the best wines in Turkey – especially fruit wines. You will visit the vineyards where you will actually learn how to make fruit wine with Turkish winemakers. This evening during dinner you will share your new found knowledge of winemaking with fellow travelers.
Intra-Turkey Flights and Transfers
While airfare to and from Turkey is not included in your package, your flights inside of Turkey associated with this tour are included. You will be picked up from your hotel and driven to the airport and checked in for your flight. Once you arrive in Cappadocia, you will once again be escorted to your hotel for check in. Your guides will do everything necessary to ensure that you are comfortable and stress-free during your time in Turkey. Including your intra-Turkey flights is just one way to ensure that your travels in and around this wonderful country are carefree. Flights inlcude Izmir to Cappadocia and Cappadocia to Istanbul.
Kusadasi, Cappadocia, Cooking Class and the Whirling Dervishes
After your flight to Cappadocia, you will check into the famous cave hotel. This evening there is an optional activity – The famous traditional Turkish Night where you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the Whirling Dervishes, Belling Dancing & Traditional Turkish Folklore accompanied by traditional turkish food and drink. This is one of the only places in Turky to glimpse the Whirling Dervishes. On your next day, you’ll take a tour of the local markets wtih stops for tastings of artisanal food and wine for lunch. You’ll join a cooking class with village women who share their traditional recipes. After lunch you’ll visit the Goreme Open Air Museum where rock churches carved by the first Christians after the 4th Century, and decorated by fresoes that explain the life of Jesus.
Tour of Cappadocia and Cooking Class
After having had breakfast, participants will take part in another cooking lesson in Cappadocia. In the afternoon, participants will enjoy a guided tour through the spectacular sites of Cappadocia, such as Derinkuyu Underground City where dwelling was started during the Hittites (2000 BC) and became a large shelter for 12 different nations.