Food and travel complement each other so well; the richness of history of the Turks is reflected through their cuisine, and it is best to appreciate it when visiting the amazing land of Turkey. I have been hosting Culinary and Cultural tours to Turkey for 6 years and I am delighted to see the very positive feedback and growing interest. Here is my Fascinating Istanbul and Grand Turkey Tour 2012 – Special Easter Break brochure. I would be delighted to explore my homeland with you and show this amazing country from a local’s perspective.
“We feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to see Istanbul and Turkey with you. You made it a uniquely personal experience”
I am delighted to share our Fascinating Istanbul and Grand Turkey Tour 2012 brochure (click to download). The tour will be from April 2nd thru 12th 2012 and I will have the pleasure to host this wonderful tour, partnering with Four Seasons Travel. It will be very special to be in Turkey during the Easter period, with visits to the Hagia Sophia, Hagia Triada Monastery in the Princess Islands and to the Virgin Mary’s House for the Morning Mass on Easter Sunday.
We have a very exciting itinerary (detailed in the brochure) covering the Fascinating Istanbul, -“the city of the world’s desire”, as Napoleon once said—with its breathtaking historical sites, markets and bazaars; the charming Princess Islands and many more. We will continue to explore the fascinating ancient city of Ephesus, Virgin Mary’s House; Troy and Acropolis of Pergamum, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation; wonderful ancient cities of Priene, Miletus and Didyma and many more. We will not only enjoy the delicious Turkish cuisine, but we will also learn how to make it with the Agean style cooking class and not to be missed baklava class!
The tour is limited to 15 participants. If you would like to join us to explore this fascinating land from a local’s perspective, please let me know. I would also very much appreciate if you can kindly share this brochure with your family or friends that could be interested – this trip could be a wonderful Christmas present to someone.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, I look forward to hearing from you.
Photos from the 2009 Tour
Day 2 - Our boutique Hotel Armada in Istanbul and their amazing breakfast buffet |
Day 2: Scrumptious Turkish Breakfast at Armada Hotel, Istanbul |
Day 2: Sonnie and Ozlem at Armada Hotel entrance - next to a lovely nectarine tree |
Day 2: Local shop in Sultanahmet, Istanbul with colorful Turkish textiles |
Day 2: Ozlem, Sonnie, Brad and Mark in Sultanahmet Istanbul - happy to be back:)! |
Day 2: Our wonderful guide Kaan and the group, in front of Hagia Sophia |
Day 2 : Courtyard of the magnificient Hagia Sophia, Istanbul |
Day 2: Hagia Sophia, Istanbul |
Day 2: The interior of the magnificent Hagia Sophia |
Day 2: The magnificent Deesis Mosaic (The Last Judgement) at Hagia Sophia; Christ is at the centre,with the Virgin Mary on the left and John the Baptist on the right |
Day 2: Magnificient Hagia Sophia; built by Emperor Justinian to restore the greatness of the Roman Empire |
Day 2 : Hagia Sophia; mosaic of Virgin Mary holding the Christ child |
Day 2: Byzantine & Ottoman Empire Exhibition at Hagia Sophia |
Day 2: Visit to the atmospheric Underground Basilica Cistern, Istanbul. |
Day 2: The head of Medusa at the Underground Bailica Cistern |
Day 2: The wonderful meze spread of the Develi Kebap House, great intro to Turkish cuisine |
Day2: The group enjoying the wonderful Turkish dinner at Develi Kebap House |
Day 3: Fresh fruit and veg store; the olives, the nuts, the fresh produce are just mesmerising! |
Day 3: More olives! Over 20 different varieties, most tasty! |
Day3: The Spice Market, my favorite shop Malatya Pazari with their fresh spices, nuts and turkish Delight, a must stop! |
Day3: Spice Market continues; the colours and smells of cumin, red pepper flakes, mint.. mesmerising |
Day 3: Delightful Bosphorus Cruise starts. The Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia stands right accross |
Day 3: Sonnie enjoying the Bosphorus cruise with the Dolmabahce Palace in the background |
Day 3: Bosphorus cruise; Sonnie, Ozlem and Mark enjoying the ride thruough the Bosphorus Bridge |
Day 3: Scrumptious southern Turkish dinner at the balat Ottoman Restaurant, over looking Golden Horn |
Day 3: The group enjoying the wonderful southern style Turkish kebabs at balat Ottoman restaurant |
Day 4; Fountain of Sultan Ahmet III, in fron of the Topkapi Palace |
Day 4: The group at the grand entrance of the Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman Empire |
Day 4: And our group makes their grand entrance to Topkapi Palace! |
Day 4: Ozlem & Nancy at the upper courtyard of Topkapi Palace |
Day 4: Inside one of the private rooms of Topkapi Palace, which was also used for circumsition ceremonies for the Ottoman princes |
Day 4: Topkapi Palace; an example of the beautiful tile work of Topkapi Palace court rooms |
Day3: Nakkas Rug Store visit; we not only enjoyed the carpets but their delicious Turkish lunch spread too! |
Day3: Watching the amazing Rug presentation, a sight to see! |
Day 4: Lucy having a close inspection on the lovely silk carpets |
Day3: Nakkas Rug Store visit; beautiful silk, cotton, wool rugs, something for everyone |
Day3: Ozlem&Sonnie at the terrace of Nakkas Rug store, overlooking the breathtaking sea of Marmara and Old Istanbul |
Day3: A carpenter lady showing us her expertise on the silk carpet making |
Day3: The magnificient Blue Mosque |
Day 4: Visit to the 450 years old breathtaking Grand Bazaar with its colorful, over 4000 shops, an experience not to be missed! |
Day 4: Group photo at the Turkish dinner graciously hosted by Ozlem's parents in their Istanbul home - an unforgettable evening for everyone |
Day 4: And mum's wonderful Turksih food spread, a feast for all senses! |
Day 4: Another lovely group photo from Mum's Turkish dinner, this time with the family and grandchildren too! |
Day 5 : Arrival to magical Cappadocia. A very warm welcome at the local restaurant with wonderful aromas coming from the clay pots |
Day 5: Cappadocia. Traditional kitchen and stone oven in our local lunch spot. |
Day 5 : Cappadocia; freshly prepared, yummy stuffed grapevine leaves in olive oil, I can still feel the taste! |
Day 5: Cappadocia; I am honored to meet the lady who prepared the delicious stuffed grapevine leaves. |
Day 5: Our wonderful boutique hotel in Cappadocia, felt like Sultans! |
Day 5: The courtyard of our lovely boutique hotel in Cappadocia |
Day 5 : Cappadocia; the amazing frawings and frescoes at the underground monastic settlements. |
Day 5: Cappadocia; wonderful example of frescoes and paintings in one of the earliest monastic settlements. |
Day 5 : The colorful market in Cappadocia. |
Day 5 : Locals enjoying the famous Turkish ice cream in Cappadocia |
Day 6: Visit to the Galip Pottery Workshop in Cappadocia |
Day 6 : Cappadocia; Sonnie shows off her prize of hand made pottery! |
Day 6: Cappadocia; Chez Galip demonstrates the pottey making |
Day 6: Cappadocia; and here is the handmade tea pot! |
Day 6: Cappadocia; Mark gives a wonderful go on pottery making. |
Day 6: Some wonderful hand painted examples of pottery in Cappadocia |
Day 6: Cappadocia; Lucy chooses some hand painted pottery. |
Day 6 : Cappadocia; the Fairy Chimneys Valley and the unique tree with the Turkish evil eye! |
Day 6: Capadocia; visit to the local Turasan vinery for wine tasting. |
Day 6 : Cappadocia; we tasted some great Turkish food; here is the wonderful eggplant, vegetables and meat stew, served with rice. |
Day 6: Cappadocia; our group is enjoying the wonderful Turkish dinner. |
Day 6: Cappadocia; no Turkish dinner is complete without the Turkish coffee, served in style - Mum would have been delighted :) |
Day 6 : Cappadocia; some yummy local pastries served at Turkish breakfast, so good! |
Day 6 : Cappadocia; the Turkish breakfast buffet |
Day 7 : On the way to Konya, our hardworking guide Kaan and driver having a well deserved rest. |
Day 6 : Our drive to Konya in our air conditioned, comfortable bus. |
Day 7 : Visit to the 13th century Sultanham Caravanserai, where the medieval merchants used to stay overnight. |
Day 7 : Inside the Sultanhan Caravanserai. |
Dsy 7: Visiting the local pizzeria Cemo in Konya to learn how to make this local treat |
Day 7:Konya; the pide, local pizzeria with ground meat and veg, ready to go to the oven. |
Day 7: Konya; the scrumptiuos kebabs are being served on the ed of local pide with grilled peppers and salad by the side, yummy!! |
Day 7: Our man in Cemo pizzeria demonstrates us to make the filling of the pide |
Day 7: Konya; Cemo pizzeria shows us the filling that goes into their famous pizzeria, Etli Pide. |
Day 7: Konya; adn this is the end result! A melt in the mouth experience of tandoori meat and etli pide, local pizzeria! |
Day 7 : The ultimate tandoori experience in Konya and learning how to make it |
Day 7 : Konya; the baby okra soup in rich tomato sauce, very comforting! |
Day 7 : Konya; the dried baby okras on a string and the baby okra soup, a real treat. |
Day 7 : After our demonstation cooking class at the Konya Pizzeria, we enjoy the wonderful outcome. |
Day 7 : Konya's specialty, Kuzu Tandir (Lamb tandoori) |
Day 7: Specialty walnut oil, poppy seed oil, pomegranate seed oil and many more in Konya! |
Day 7 : Konya; visiting the spiritual, world famous Mevlana Museum. |
Day 7 : The entrance fo the Mevlana Museum in Konya. |
Day 8: On the way to Pamukkale, we are having a refreshing break :) |
Day 8 : Nancy shows of her pashmina! |
Day 8 : On the way to Pamukkale, we pass thru amazing landscape and wildflower fields. |
Day 8: Lunch break while on the way to Pamukkale; this is our gourmet "fast food" on the road! |
Day 8: Passing thru central Anatolia on the way to Pamukkale, breathtaking landscape. |
Day 8: Visit to Hierapolis. |
Day 8: Map of Hierapolis |
Day 8: Visit to Laodicea (Seven Chirches of Revelation) |
Day 8 : Visit to Hierapolis and the ancient theatre |
Day 8: The village of Pamukkale below from the amazing calcareous terraces. |
Day 8 : Hierapolis, the map. |
Day 8: Pamukkale; swimming next to the ancient world, fascinating. |
Day 8: Pamukkale; Ozlem enjoying the fascinating calcareous terraces |
Day 8: Group is relaxing at the dinner in Pamukkale |
Day 9: Kusadasi; our wonderful hotel Kismet over looking the Kusadasi Bay, an uforgettable moment. |
Day 8 : Kusadasi Bay |
Day 8: Our lovely boutique hotel Kismet in Kusadasi |
Day 10: Visit to Ephesus, 11century BC |
Day 10: The fascinating ancient city of Ephesus: the main road going to the amazing Library |
Day 10: Ancient ruins of Ephesus, great example of Graceo-Roman art. |
Day 10: The restrooms used by the people of Ephesus in 11th century BC! |
Day 10: Ephesus; the group poses in front of the magnificient Library |
Day 10 : Visit to the Virgin Mary's House |
Day 10: Candles lit at the Virgin Mary's House near Ephesus |
Day 10: Sirince restaurant for our Turkish cooking class, Agean style. Here is the meaball and patato casserole! |
Day 10: Sirince restaurant, wonderful example of Turkish cooking: stuffed peppers, vegatables cooked in olive oil and many more! |
Day 10: Agean style Turkish cooking class, we are making Mousakka ! |
Day 10: Turkish cooknig class, Agean style - onions being sauteed ready for the Moussakka! |
Day 10 : Mark learns to prepare the filling of Mousakka |
Day 10: Agean style stuffed zucchini flowers, a real treat |
Day 10: We prepared this yummy purslane salad with garlic yoghurt and olive oil dressing |
Day 10: Turkish cooking class; we are maing the stuffed pastry with cheese and parsley (Gozleme) |
Day 10: and here is the cooked Gozleme! |
Day 10: It is now time to enjoy the fruits of our Turksih cooking class: the mousakka, salads and the stuffed pastry were amazing |
Day 10: Visit to the charming Sirince village with traditional woodenhouses |
Day 10 : Tasted some great local wine at the Sirince village, cheers! |
Day 10 : Wooden houses of the charming Sirince village |
My best wishes for happy travels to you all,
Ozlem