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Go behind the scenes of the local cuisine on an adventure that’s full of Turkish delights.

Get up close and personal with Turkey's age-old culinary traditions on this authentic food adventure. From ancient recipes with modern twists, to Asian-inspired feasts with European influences, take a tongue-tingling journey beyond the cookbook and discover the secrets behind delicious Turkish dishes that are as heart-warming as their people. Enjoy a cooking class in the caves of Cappadocia, forage for local produce in a regional farm outside Bodrum, discover the traditional technique behind creating the classic gozleme and explore the impressive ruins of Ephesus with an expert guide. Whether you’re wandering through the passageways of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar or flying high in a balloon above the fairy chimneys of Goreme, embark on an experience that goes above and beyond what you think you know about Turkish cuisine.

Start
Istanbul, Turkey
Finish
Istanbul, Turkey
Destination
Turkey
Style
Original
Theme
Food
Code
ERZZ
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Discover Istanbul, a city brimming with delectable dishes! The options can be dizzying, but your expert local guide will have you headed straight for the local hot spots.

  • Forage in the fields on the outskirts of Bodrum and learn how to make gozleme like a pro – using regional produce and traditional techniques.

  • Experience the warmth of Turkish hospitality as a local family takes you into their beautiful home nestled in the hills of Ortahisar, a small town famous for its friendly inhabitants.

  • Get a feel for life in ancient times by exploring the beautifully preserved city of Ephesus. Your local guide will walk you through the remarkable ruins and bring its colourful 1500-year history to life.

  • Enjoy a cooking class under the tutelage of renowned chef Nuray, as you’re welcomed into her enchanting cave house to experience some delicious Central Anatolian cuisine.

Is this trip right for you?

  • The cuisine of Turkey includes a lot of meat and seafood. For vegetarians and vegans we recommend reviewing the itinerary and inclusions to ensure that you will be able to fully participate and enjoy this trip. We also have many other trips to Turkey which can accommodate a range of dietary requirements.

  • The itinerary includes a long overnight train trip from Izmir to Konya. In your first-class cabin, however, the trip may not feel as long as 12 hours!

  • This trip involves a lot of walking, sometimes on rocky or slippery terrain such as the sites in Goreme. Please bring sturdy walking shoes, but also note that you can sit out the walks if you do not feel up to them.

  • Temperatures can be quite cool in the evening, particularly in April and October. Not all hotels will have heating so be sure to bring warm layers if you plan to travel in this period.

  • Turkey can get hot in the summer months of July and August, but this is normally a dry heat and is easier to cope with than humidity. Where possible, you'll be taken to sites in the early morning before it gets too hot.

Baklava will be in plentiful supply on a Turkey Real Food Adventure
Turkey_Goreme_Cappadocia_Cooking-class
Explore Turkey on a Real Food Adventure with Intrepid Travel
Enjoy a real food adventure in Turkey with Intrepid Travel
Visit the Turkish capital, Istanbul and it's many mosques and fascinating culture.
Eat like a local in Turkey on a Real Food Adventure with Intrepid Travel
Dinner at Dibek restaurant in Cappadocia.

Itinerary
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Hosgeldiniz! Welcome to Turkey. Istanbul is the only city in the world to straddle two continents, so when you explore the streets, you'll see a great clash of east and west, that’s represented not only in its architecture, but in its delicious cuisine. Your Real Food Adventure kicks off at 6pm today with an important welcome meeting, however if you arrive early, feel free to go out and explore what this captivating city has to offer. Following the meeting, head out for your first taste of Turkey with a classic – a kebab. While you might be familiar with the shaved meats and pita bread sensation, nothing beats the kind they wrap up in Istanbul. The eggplant kebab is also a winner if you fancy something vegetarian tonight.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Istanbul - Welcome Dinner
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Start the day by heading to the celebrated Egyptian Spice Bazaar on a guided walking tour, meet a spice merchant, sit down for a Turkish coffee and savour a typical Turkish sweet. Continue your tour around Sultanahmet and Eminonu, taking in some of the most celebrated sites of the city, such as Suleymaniye Mosque and the Hippodrome. The area around Eminonu boasts some delicious street food, and local favourites include barbecued corn, roasted kestane (chestnuts), and of course Turkish delight. In the afternoon, jump on a ferry and in just 20 minutes you’ll arrive at the side of Turkey that lies on the continent of Asia, and the vibrant neighbourhood of Kadikoy. Hit the Sarkuteri (delicatessen) to sample some olives, pastirma (seasoned cured beef) and a variety of delicious cheese. Grab some provisions and head out for a picnic with your fellow travellers.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Istanbul - Spice Market and Street Food Tour
  • Istanbul - Kadikoy visit and picnic
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Fly from Istanbul to Bodrum (approximately 1 hour). Located on a bay on the Aegean coast, the region is all about hilly landscapes, rustic villages and beautiful bays. Bodrum is a relaxing and stunning corner of Turkey, with charming resorts adored by sailors and beach-lovers alike. But don’t be deceived – while it may be popular among international visitors, the region retains an authentic side, with traditional Turkish cuisine and incredible ancient ruins. Check in to the hotel and spend some time exploring the town, then take a public dolmus (bus) to meet a local wine-making family. The Yurut family have been making wine for 20 years, and now produce 12,000 bottles a year. Learn about their journey over dinner and wine tasting, perhaps finding your new favourite drop along the way.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bodrum - Winery visit and tasting
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

What better way to discover the local produce than pick it yourself? Today you'll journey to a homestead and join farmers in the fields and hot houses. Forage for vegetables and pull them all together to make a gozleme using traditional techniques, this delicious savory flatbread stuffed with variety of fillings is a Turkish favourite. Don't forget your hat and sunscreen, in addition to your appetite, on this fun day out discovering regional produce.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bodrum - Farm visit and gozleme class
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Catch a public bus to Selcuk (approximately 3.5 hours) today and take the time to wander around this fascinating town on arrival. On the slopes of Ayasoluk Hill lie several historical buildings, including the Isa Bey Mosque and the Grand Fortress. Selcuk is also home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – the Temple of Artemis (though sadly only a single pylon remains). This evening you will visit the Sirince, a local village steeped in Greek Ottoman tradition – it's a photographer's dream! Post-war settlers revived the town's wine industry, which makes use of local fruit. Enjoy a tasting and consider buying a bottle to take on a walk up a gentle slope through cobbled streets and alleys to an atmospheric garden cafe. Up here you'll see how manti (Turkish stuffed dumplings) are made. After trying your hand preparing them, feast on a serving for dinner.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Selcuk - Manti Cooking Demonstration
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Today you'll visit Ephesus, one of Turkey's most important ancient sites. Explore this beautifully preserved classical city with your local guide who will bring its colourful 1500-year history to life. Watch in awe as the sophistication of this former metropolis reveals itself. It had running water, public toilets, a renowned medical institute, a brothel and Roman baths. The theatre is well-preserved and regularly hosts concerts, but the marvellous library might just be the highlight. Head back to Selcuk to hit the local market and buy some vine leaves, then spend an hour or so learning how to add rice and spices and rolling them into tasty morsels called sarma – just perfect for the train picnic tonight. Travel to Izmir to board the overnight train, which features first-class cabins with a fridge and a washbasin, and twin beds with all bedding provided.
Accommodation
  • Overnight sleeper train (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Ephesus - Archaeological site visit
  • Selcuk - Sarma cooking class
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Arrive in Konya by early morning, then take a private transfer to Goreme (approximately 3 hours). This is your gateway to the fabled fairy-chimneys of Capadoccia. Perhaps stop for a mid-morning snack of etli ekmek, a larger local variation of the traditional Turkish lahmacun: flat bread baked with ground meat, tomato, peppers and onion. Stop in at Derinkuyu, the astounding old subterranean city that goes as deep as 60 metres underground. It used to have wine and oil presses, cellars, refectories, stables and chapels, not to mention some 20,000 residents. For lunch perhaps hit a local pide saloon for Turkey's answer to the Italian pizza, enjoy toppings like grilled lamb, black pepper, tender spinach, fresh egg and Turkey’s famed peynir cheese made from sheep’s milk. For the next three nights you'll stay in the village of Ortahisar, which is famous for its friendly inhabitants, picturesque stone houses, narrow streets and lovely churches as well as the castle-like rock formation after which the town is named.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cappadocia - Derinkuyu Underground City
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

For early birds, a hot air balloon ride over the majestic landscape is a highly recommended experience. Wander through the Soganli Valley on a morning walk (approximately 1 hour), taking in the arid surrounds and towering vistas. Take the opportunity to stop for lunch at a local restaurant in this beautiful place, savouring fresh local flavours next to the memorable landscapes. Visit one of Cappadoccia’s most famous wineries to learn about the region's 4000-year-old wine industry. Afterwards, walk through the stunning Red Valley to watch the sun set (approximately 1.5 hours), enjoying a glass of the local wine. For dinner, perhaps try the local specialty, testi kebab. Your leader will be able to recommend a restaurant dedicated to the perfection of this delicious clay pot dish.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Goreme - Sunset Wine Tasting in Cappadoccia Valley
  • Goreme - Red Valley walk
  • Goreme - Soganli Valley walk
Optional Activities
  • Goreme - Hot Air Balloon, Cappadocia Regular Flight - EUR195
  • Goreme - Hot Air Balloon, Cappadocia Deluxe Flight - EUR250
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Without a doubt, one of the most amazing memories of this journey is a hot air balloon ride over the majestic landscape to see this otherworldly scene at sunrise. Those who are interested in this optional extra will have a truly awe-inspiring experience. The cost of this activity varies depending on what type of flight you choose. This activity can only be booked locally. Please speak to your group leader as early on in your trip as you can to organise this.

Today’s walks are not particularly challenging, but a basic level of fitness will help you to enjoy them to the fullest. The routes include gradual hill ascents and descents, and the exercise will mean you can enjoy more of the delicious Turkish food!

Enjoy a free morning to do as you please before being welcomed into the home of a local, Nuray, an award-winning regional cook. Under her tutelage, learn to prepare some classic central Anatolian dishes (the menu will depend on the season). Sit down and enjoy the results over lunch then enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure, perhaps visit the excellent Goreme Open Air Museum or indulge in a Turkish hammam (bath). In the evening, you might like to dine in a restaurant set inside a 475-year-old building.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Goreme - Cooking Class & Lunch
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

This morning, wave the fairy chimneys a fond goodbye and transfer to one of the regions airports for a flight back to Istanbul. Your incredible Turkey trip will finish on arrival at the airport. Your Intrepid Leader will be available to assist you with your onward travel plans. For your convenience if you are planning on spending a few more days in the city then a complimentary transfer will be available back to our starting point hotel. Your leader can help to arrange this for you.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
This trip will finish on arrival at the New Istanbul Airport (IST). If you are booking an international flight, we would recommend not booking any departures prior to 7pm from this airport. If you are departing from Istanbul’s second airport, Sabiha Gokcen (SAW), we would recommend not booking an international flight prior to 8.30pm.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

9 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners

Transport

Plane, Dolmus, Train, Public bus, Overnight Train

Accommodation

Hotel (8 nights), Overnight Sleeper Train (1 night)

Included activities

  • Istanbul - Welcome Dinner
  • Istanbul - Spice Market and Street Food Tour
  • Istanbul - Kadikoy visit and picnic
  • Bodrum - Winery visit and tasting
  • Bodrum - Farm visit and gozleme class
  • Selcuk - Manti Cooking Demonstration
  • Ephesus - Archaeological site visit
  • Selcuk - Sarma cooking class
  • Cappadocia - Derinkuyu Underground City
  • Goreme - Sunset Wine Tasting in Cappadoccia Valley
  • Goreme - Red Valley walk
  • Goreme - Soganli Valley walk
  • Goreme - Cooking Class & Lunch

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Turkey Real Food Adventure trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

Travellers on Intrepid trips are required to produce proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. Read details here.

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 6 (Overnight Train) where you will be in shared accommodation, and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. While we endeavour to cater for specific dietary requirements, some meals and food activities are set in advance and may be difficult to adjust. Please advise us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking so that we can ensure you’ll enjoy this trip.
3. This trip includes domestic flights. The luggage allowance is 15kg for check in luggage and 8kg for carry on. You can store excess luggage at the start point hotel.
4. This trip ends between 11:30am and 2:30pm on Day 10 at Istanbul Airport (IST), dependant on flight schedules. Please do not book onward travel arrangements commencing before 7pm from Istanbul Airport (IST) or 8:30pm from Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) on the final day of the trip.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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