Taste of Turkey: A culinary Exploration

Embark on a carefully crafted journey that brings food and wine to the forefront, showcasing each destination through its rich local cuisine. This high-end culinary tour offers you a taste of Turkey rarely available to visitors, taking you deep into the country’s local food culture, diverse past, and vibrant communities. More than a journey; it’s a story of flavors, places, and people, woven together in true Roots Adventure Travel style.

Highlights

  • Delicious street food
  • Unexplored local spots
  • Insight into traditional culture
  • Cultural diversity
  • Wine of ancient grape varieties
  • Colorful markets
  • Historic landmarks
  • Near-forgotten recipes

Taste of Turkey: A culinary Exploration​

Dates: October 29th – November 5th, 2026

Region: Istanbul, Mardin, Izmir, Bodrum

Trip Length: 8 days

Activities: Cuisine

Price: Starting from €5335 per person

Get in Touch
default
DSCF5359
DSCF8057
DSCF5155
DSCF8233
IMG_3516
DSCF5407
DSCF5410
DSCF5449
DSCF2505
20140701_124937_Original
DSCF5435
DSCF8227
DSCF6324
IMG_7946
DSCF8359
Süleymaniye Mosque
default
20140628_175940_Original
DSCF3238
DSCF5485
default
DSCF5432
DSCF6282
DSCF8275
IMG_8389
DSCF8247
DSCF8361
DSCF8347
DSCF4806
DSCF5055

Tour Details

Experience Turkey’s incredible regional cuisine, from the cosmopolitan streets of Istanbul, to the spice and heat of the southeast and the fresh flavors of the Aegean, we’ll taste our way through Mardin, Urfa, Gaziantep, Izmir, Urla, and all the way to Bodrum. Remarkable flavors, incredible landscapes, and the warmth of Turkish hospitality.

BOOK

Touch down in one of the world’s most vibrant cities. Settle in and get ready to explore Istanbul’s iconic blend of history and modernity.

Dive into the city’s eclectic cuisine with guided tastings and a deep-dive into Istanbul’s bustling markets, where spices, sweets, and local delicacies await. 

Visit a local village for a taste of traditional production techniques. We’ll then dive into the storied history of locally-made Syriac wines, tasting some of the favorites of our wine expert. Our dinner will be specially prepared just for in our gorgeous hotel: Arura. 

Explore Urfa’s colorful bazaar, first with a taste of the city’s public bakeries. Also on the menu are Urfa’s famous liver kebabs, lahmacun, delicious desserts, and extra strong local coffee known as mirra. We’ll also visit the Neolithic site of Gobeklitepe and discuss how it changed the course of human history and cuisine. 

.

Another day, another bazaar, this time in Antep. We’ll sample the city’s kebabs and famous baklava, perusing its shops for unique kitchen gadgets and flavorful spices. Sip a wild pistachio ‘coffee’ in the historic Tahmis Kahvesi before visiting the Mosaic Museum. Our day ends with a cooking workshop exploring some hyper-regional dishes and a glass of wine or raki in a converted caravanserai. 

Arriving in Izmir Airport, we’ll head to a village near Urla to try our hand at cooking some Aegean-style dishes. After the workshop, we’ll visit a local winery to sample the finest wines of the region before dinner in one of the fine-dining restaurants the area has become known for. 

Leaving Urla, we’ll visit the must-see ancient city of Ephesus before stopping in a small village for olive oil tasting and sampling the vegetable dishes known as ‘zeytinyaglilar’, meaning dishes with olive oil. Our evening in Bodrum will be spent in search of the town’s freshest fish and most unique mezes, all capped off with a raki tasting at a local ‘meyhane’. 

Departure.

Level 1: Easy

Local flights, all car transfers, accommodation, all food during tour, professional guide.

Not Applicable

Cappadocia – don’t miss out on one of Turkey’s most popular destinations; this tour can be extended to include a few magical days in Cappadocia.

Accommodation

Enjoy a handpicked mix of boutique charm and modern luxury. From the stylish Rixos Tersane in Istanbul to the historic ambiance of Arura Hotel in Mardin and Stone Houses by Cevahir in Şanlıurfa, each stay reflects the local character. Relax in Anadolu Evleri, a heritage gem in Gaziantep, savor vineyard serenity at Teruar Urla, and end with coastal luxury at Mett Hotel in Bodrum.

Why travel with Roots

Embark on an unforgettable adventure travel journey through the ancient wonders of Turkey, Greece, and beyond with our travel experiences that seamlessly blend historical marvels with modern delights.

BOOK YOUR
ADVENTURE