Designed for history enthusiasts, foodies, and those who love the sea, our Turkey: History (Ancient Wonders) and Cuisine tour from May 16 - 26, 2027 is for you! Experience an immersive journey that perfectly balances guided expertise in iconic ancient sites with authentic, hands-on cultural encounters and leisurely coastal relaxation.

Our journey begins in Bodrum, referred to as the "Turkish Riviera." Situated along the Aegean coastline, this picturesque town is defined by its stunning turquoise waters, iconic whitewashed houses, and history. You will be fully immersed in the local culture, guided by our Bodrum-born Local Cultural Insider who will reveal hidden gems and share the authentic flavors of traditional regional cuisine. A highlight of our time in Bodrum and a must do is a day aboard a traditional wooden boat, spent relaxing while enjoying the beautiful coastline and views.

The tour is rich with history and you will feel like you have stepped back in time in each location. Two Seven Wonders of the World - the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus in Bodrum and the Temple of Artemis. Expert led guided tours of the ancient city of Ephesus and the castle of St. Peter in Bodrum which includes the world famous Underwater Museum of Archaeology, to the Haiga of Sophia and Basilica Cistern in Istanbul among other amazing historical sites.

A focus is on regional cuisines. From a hands-on cooking class in a village near Selcuk, with our expert guide, where you will make and taste authentic local dishes. Throughout the tour you will enjoy meals at carefully selected local restaurants in each location that highlight the region and daily life. In Istanbul, we indulge in a dessert tasting at a famous pastry shop and a walking food tour on the Asian side with an expert led guide - in her own neighborhood that highlights the different regions and cuisines that define Turkey.

Experience the perfect blend of rich history, culture, and personal discovery in Istanbul the city where two continents meet. Our itinerary balances expert-led guided tours of the city's most iconic landmarks with free time for personal exploration.

The Turkey: History (Ancient Wonders) and Cuisine tour is designed for those who want to dive deep into Turkish culture with like-minded travelers. It is ideal for solo travelers who want to explore the country without traveling alone and no single supplement.

Join us for this immersive journey from the turquoise waters of the Turkish Riviera to the magnificent ruins of Ephesus and the historic streets of Istanbul, where you will experience the rich tapestry of flavors, traditions, welcoming local people, and the ancient wonders that define Turkey.

Travelers make their way on their own to the hotel in Bodrum, Turkey.

3:00 pm the tour begins at the hotel with a welcome drink at the hotel and orientation.

We take a stroll to acquaint you with the harbor and quaint town on our way to the restaurant. We spend the evening getting to know each other at the Welcome Dinner while enjoying a delicious dinner.

Meals Included: Welcome Dinner and drink at hotel

Hotel: Bodrum

After breakfast at the hotel, a local tour guide will meet the group for a walking tour of historical sites in Bodrum, also known as Halicarnassus.

Bodrum is home to the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Mausoleum was a tomb built between 353 and 351 BC and you will walk on the site, see the remaining ruins and learn the history.

For lunch, you will visit a traditional local restaurant in town, where you will be introduced to an array of authentic regional Turkish dishes.

In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of Bodrum Castle, originally constructed in 1402 by the Knights of St. John as the Castle of St. Peter. Strategically surrounded on three sides by the Aegean Sea, this landmark features five main towers—the English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish towers—each named after the nations responsible for their construction. Bodrum Castle is currently featured on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.

Located inside the castle is the Underwater Museum of Archaeology. The museum holds discoveries from ancient shipwrecks in the Aegean sea. The museum is the largest of its kind and is a must see for anyone interested in Ottoman, Crusader, Roman Maritime history.

The evening is yours to enjoy Bodrum and dinner on your own.

Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch

Hotel: Bodrum

Tuesday is the market bazaar day in Bodrum! After breakfast, we will walk to the local market located near the central bus station. The Tuesday market is filled with a variety of vendors selling clothing, textiles, linens, bags, fabrics, household items, and often local villagers selling their weekly seasonal vegetables, dried fruits, spices, olives and more. A true cultural experience! No worries about the custom of bargaining, our Local Cultural Insider will be there to help you negotiate. We end the shopping experience with a tea and snack and a view of the beautiful coastline.

The rest of the afternoon and evening is yours to explore. Spend the afternoon at a hamam (Turkish bath), at the beach, wandering around town shopping, or relaxing.

Meals Included: Breakfast / Tea and snack

Hotel: Bodrum

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, we will head to the harbor to board a traditional wooden luxury boat for a full day of sailing and relaxing along the stunning Turkish coastline.

Bodrum is famous around the world for traditional handcrafted wooden sailing boats called gulets. Our day will include stops along the beautiful coastline for swimming and snorkeling in the sparkling turquoise waters of the Aegean sea, and plenty of time for relaxing. A delicious lunch featuring appetizers (meze) and dishes made on board using fresh ingredients will be served. We return to the harbor in the early evening.

The evening is yours to enjoy Bodrum and dinner on your own.

Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch on boat

Hotel: Bodrum

Today the group departs Bodrum, after an early breakfast and check-out, for Selçuk via a private van. Selçuk is located approximately 3 hours north near the magnificent ancient city of Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

A local guide will meet the group at the hotel. The afternoon begins with time for lunch before our guide takes us to the Ephesus Archaeological Museum, the home of artifacts and excavations from the ancient city of Ephesus, and relics from the area.

Next, a special visit to the guide's family-owned traditional pottery studio. The tour also includes a mosaic artist, a pottery demonstration and time for shopping.

We conclude our day with a group dinner at a traditional Turkish restaurant enjoying authentic local cuisine.

Meals Included: Breakfast / Dinner

Hotel: Selcuk

Today step into history! A driver and our local guide will pick up the group at the hotel to spend the morning exploring the ancient city of Ephesus. Founded by the Greeks in the 11th century BC and then in 133 BC came under the control of the Romans. The city was home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World completed in 550 BC. You will walk on the marble roads where the chariots once drove, wander through the ruins of the Library of Celsus, and climb the stairs of the Great Theatre. Our guide will bring history to life while you explore this remarkable archaeological site.

Following the tour, we travel to a local village for a hands-on cooking class lunch led by our local guide. Together you will make and enjoy traditional Turkish dishes such as stuffed grape leaves (Zeytinyağlı Yaprak Sarma), carrot tarator, sigara böreği (borek) plus other dishes using seasonal vegetables.

The driver will return the group to the hotel. The evening is yours to explore Selcuk and dinner on your own.

Meals Included: Breakast / Cooking Class Lunch

Hotel: Selcuk

Following breakfast and hotel check-out, we will travel by private van to the Izmir airport for a short flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, a private transfer deliver the group to our centrally located hotel.

After time for lunch, our local guide will meet us for an exploration of the Hagia Sophia, or "Holy Wisdom." Originally built in 537 AD as the Byzantine Empire's grandest cathedral, it was converted into a mosque in 1453, served as a museum starting in 1935, and returned to an active mosque in 2020. Our tour will highlight the site's stunning gold Christian mosaics, intricate Islamic calligraphy, and magnificent dome.

Next, our local guide will take us to the Basilica Cistern to explore Istanbul's largest ancient underground cistern. Originally constructed in 532 AD to supply water to the Great Palace of Constantinople, it features 336 magnificent marble columns that stand nine meters tall.

After the guided tours end, the evening is yours to explore Istanbul including dinner on your own.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Hotel: Istanbul

Exploring Istanbul neighborhoods is the theme today! After breakfast, we will walk to a ferry and cross the Bosphorus to the Asian side of Istanbul. A local guide will meet us in her neighborhood of Kadıköy for an immersive walking food tour featuring 16–17 tastings that showcase diverse cuisines from across Turkey. The tour will conclude with a refreshing drink at a local café.

After returning by ferry to the European side, we will wander and explore the charming, bohemian neighborhood of Balat. Known for its colorful historic houses built on steep hills along the Golden Horn, it is a perfect area for discovery.

We will also visit the Chora Church (Kariye Mosque). Originally built in the early 4th century as part of a monastery complex outside the city walls, it houses some of the world's best-preserved Byzantine mosaics and frescoes. Your visit includes an audio guide.

We return to the hotel via public transportation. The evening is yours to enjoy including dinner on your own.

Meals Included: Breakfast / Food Walking Tour Lunch

Hotel: Istanbul

After breakfast, we will spend the morning exploring the vast Topkapi Palace and Museum. Serving as the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire and the primary residence of its sultans since 1469 and for four centuries, this sprawling complex offers a deep dive into imperial history. You will have the opportunity to view an incredible collection of Ottoman relics and treasures, admire the intricate architecture and stunning tile work, and explore the historic Harem, where the sultan’s wives, children and concubines once lived. An audio guide will be available to allow you to explore at your own pace.

As a group we will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and then end with a variety of traditional Turkish dessert tastings at one of the finest pastry shops.

The rest of the afternoon and evening are yours to explore and enjoy Istanbul. Dinner is on your own.

Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch and Dessert tastings

Hotel: Istanbul

After breakfast, we meet a local guide for an exploration of three bazaars.

First, we will walk through the Arasta Bazaar located behind the Blue Mosque. Built in the 17th century to support the mosque complex.

Next is the historic Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops and 22 main gates. Built in the 15th century as a shopping and trading hub, still functioning today. Our guide will take you down side streets filled with artisans and vendors and uncover the history and mystic, while allowing time for shopping along the way.

Final stop is the Spice Bazaar, traditionally the center for spice trade, it is one of the largest bazaars in Istanbul with 85 shops.

After the tour ends, the rest of the afternoon is yours to explore Istanbul, including lunch.

We meet for a final Farewell Dinner of delicious Turkish cuisine and to share travel stories.

Meals Included: Breakfast / Farewell Dinner

Hotel: Istanbul

The tour ends after breakfast. You say goodbye to new friends and return home with a suitcase filled with cultural experiences and travel memories from this unforgettable tour in Turkey!

Meals Included: Breakfast

Deposit:

$500 per person required at the time of booking to confirm a spot on the tour. Price is in USD. Deposits are refundable until December 31, 2026.

Payment Options:

1. Payment in full

2. Two equal installments

   1. First payment due by January 15, 2027

   2. Balance due by March 15, 2027

Activity Level:

The tour has a Level 3 moderate/active level rating. The tour includes daily walking, often on uneven surfaces, inclines and slopes, as well as city walking and public transportation.

Travelers must be capable of meeting the activity level for this tour, including:

• Board and disembark a van without assistance

• Walk a mile or more each day and stand for 45-60 minutes at a time

• Climb and descend stairs and marble paths

• Walk on uneven paths, paved and unpaved and explore historic ruins

• Handle your own luggage, including loading it on the van and carrying it to your hotel 
  

Travelers are responsible for ensuring they are physically able to participate in the daily activities of the tour. Health conditions that will impact or limit participation must be disclosed at the time of booking. We reserve the right to decline a booking if the condition or limitations may affect the ability to safely participate in the tour. By clicking the "Book Now" I acknowledge that I am physically able to participate in the tour/activity.

Travel Insurance:

Travelers are strongly recommended to purchase personal travelers insurance for the tour. Insurance policies can cover medical, medical emergencies, evacuation, trip cancellation, and potential losses including damage to or theft of belongings. Travelers insurance offer you access to 24/7 travel assistance and peace of mind while traveling abroad or if you have an emergency last minute and need to cancel the tour.

Passport:

A valid passport with an expiration date of six months or more is mandatory to depart the United States. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met. If you need a passport or to renew your passport allow sufficient time.