Multi-day journey
Taste of Turkey in 10 Days: A Private Food Tour from Istanbul to Cappadocia
A private 10-day Turkey food tour: the markets of Istanbul, the baklava and beyran of Gaziantep, Adana kebab, the olive oil and wine of Urla, and a last tasting in Cappadocia.
Photo: Turkey Your Way
- Length
- 10 days
- Route
- Istanbul → Gaziantep → Adana → Urla (İzmir) → Cappadocia
- Style
- Private, guided
- Best time
- All year round. Each season changes what is on the table, and we plan the meals around it; in winter, Cappadocia may be under snow, with balloons flying on clear mornings with little wind. In summer, we see the southeast early in the morning.
Best for Returning visitors
Tour code TR-J10D
Overview
Turkey is best understood at the table. Our Turkey food tour takes you to four of its great food regions in ten days, with your own guide and driver, and leaves the ordering to you.
Istanbul on the Turkey Food Tour
We start in Istanbul. On the second day, our Istanbul food tour takes you from Eminönü and a fish sandwich by the water across to the market of Kadıköy on the Asian side. Then, on the third day, you walk through the Spice Bazaar and cook with a local cook in a cooking class.
From our guides
Our suggestion In Eminönü, have your fish sandwich by the water before the ferry to Kadıköy.
Gaziantep, City of Gastronomy
Next, you fly to Gaziantep, a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy since 2015. Antep pistachios and Antep baklava are registered local products here. In the morning, you eat beyran, a meat soup served boiling, and in the afternoon, lahmacun and menengiç coffee. Between meals, you see the mosaics of the Zeugma Mosaic Museum.
Adana and Urla on the Turkey Food Tour
Then you drive to Adana for its kebab, a registered local name since 2005, and see the Taşköprü over the Seyhan. You fly to İzmir and drive to Urla. At Klazomenai, people pressed olives in a rock-cut workshop of the 6th century BC. On the Urla Vineyard Route, you taste at small wineries, paid on the spot.
A Last Night in Cappadocia
Finally, you fly to Cappadocia for the valleys at sunset and a tasting at a local winery. You spend the last night in a cave hotel; see our guide to the best cave hotels in Cappadocia.
Shape Your Turkey Food Tour
Every journey is private, so we add a day for the Gaziantep food and Zeugma tour or the Adana city and food tour, or more time on the Aegean.
Would you like to taste Turkey region by region? Istanbul, Gaziantep, Adana, Urla and a last night in Cappadocia: pack an appetite, and we will plan the tables.
Route
- Istanbul
- Gaziantep
- Adana
- Urla (İzmir)
- Cappadocia
Day by day
-
Day 1 · Istanbul
Arrival in Istanbul
Arrival and transfer to your hotel. A first dinner in the city, paid on the spot.
- Stay: Istanbul
-
Day 2 · Istanbul
The Istanbul food tour
Eminönü, a fish sandwich by the water, the ferry to Asia and the market of Kadıköy.
- Places: Kadıköy
- Stay: Istanbul
-
Day 3 · Istanbul
Bazaars and a cooking class
The Spice Bazaar in the morning, then a cooking class with a local cook, paid on the spot.
- Places: Spice Bazaar
- Stay: Istanbul
-
Day 4 · Gaziantep
To Gaziantep
The flight to Gaziantep, then the old bazaars and the first baklava of the trip.
- Stay: Gaziantep
-
Day 5 · Gaziantep
Breakfast, Zeugma and the kitchen
A beyran breakfast, the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, and lahmacun and menengiç coffee in the afternoon.
- Places: Zeugma Mosaic Museum
- Stay: Gaziantep
-
Day 6 · Adana
Adana
The drive to Adana, the Taşköprü over the Seyhan and a lunch of Adana kebab.
- Places: Taşköprü
- Stay: Adana
-
Day 7 · İzmir
To the Aegean
The flight to İzmir and the drive to Urla, with a long dinner by the sea.
- Places: Urla
- Stay: Urla
-
Day 8 · İzmir
Olive oil and wine in Urla
The olive oil workshop of Klazomenai, the Köstem Olive Oil Museum and tastings on the Urla Vineyard Route, paid on the spot.
- Places: Klazomenai, Urla
- Stay: Urla
-
Day 9 · Cappadocia
Cappadocia
The flight to Cappadocia, the valleys at sunset and a tasting at a local winery, paid on the spot.
- Places: Göreme
- Stay: Cappadocia
-
Day 10 · Cappadocia
Home
A last breakfast in a cave hotel, then the transfer to the airport.
What’s included
Included
- Private licensed guides on every touring day, in the language you ask for
- A private vehicle and driver for the whole journey
- Airport meetings and transfers
- A 10 GB eSIM for one traveler in your group, our gift, valid for 30 days (data only)
Not included
- Flights, unless agreed in your program
- Hotels, unless agreed in your program
- Meals, tastings and the cooking class, paid on the spot
- Entrance tickets, unless agreed in your program
- Tips
“He answered all my questions, kept me updated and made sure everything went smoothly.”
Practical
- Best time to go
- All year round. Each season changes what is on the table, and we plan the meals around it; in winter, Cappadocia may be under snow, with balloons flying on clear mornings with little wind. In summer, we see the southeast early in the morning.
- Fitness level
- Easy: short walks in markets and towns, and some flights between regions.
- Accessibility
- Tell us your needs, and we plan every day around them.
Gallery
Photo: Bernard Gagnon / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 
Photo: Turkey Your Way 
Photo: Aytazeynep / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 
Photo: Turkey Your Way
Frequently asked questions
Are meals included on the Turkey food tour?
No. Meals, tastings and the cooking class are paid on the spot, so you order what you like.
Where does the Turkey food tour start and end?
It starts in Istanbul and ends with a flight home from Cappadocia.
Can vegetarians join?
Yes. Tell us, and we choose the places and dishes with you.
Is there wine on the journey?
Yes, in Urla and Cappadocia. Tastings are for adults and paid on the spot.
Can we change the route?
Yes. Every journey is private, so we can add days or swap a region.
What is your cancellation policy?
Every trip with us is private, so we agree the cancellation terms with you by email before you book, and you find them in writing in your booking confirmation. The deposit is non-refundable.
Who chooses the hotels?
We choose them with you in each region. Hotels are not included unless agreed in your program, and we book the ones you pick.
Who books the flights between the regions?
We do. Flights are not included unless agreed in your program, but we book them for you, and your driver meets each one.
Which language does the guide speak?
The language you ask for, on every touring day.
Can children join?
Yes. Tell us their ages, and we choose the tastings and the pace with them in mind.
