SUGGESTED ITINERARY (can be modified according to your specifications)

Day 1   Depart USA

Day 2   Arrive Istanbul

Arrive Istanbul Airport. Our representative will meet you after the customs and baggage claim with a “Tutku Tours” sign. Drive to Gelik Meat Restaurant. Lamb Cooking demonstration and lunch (Menu: Lamb with Gelik Rice, Ayran, Künefe). Short orientation tour in the city. Transfer to the hotel for check-in. Rest of the day is free. Welcome dinner at Sea Food Restaurant in Kumkapı district (Menu: Mezes, Calamari, Fish, Fruits)

Day 3   Istanbul

Visit Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, St. Sophia. Lunch at Sultanahmet Köftecisi (Menu: Meatballs, Piyaz-bean salad, semolina pinenuts dessert) Afternoon Bosphorus Boat Tour and Grand Bazaar. Return to the hotel. Dinner at Çiya Restaurant in Asian side (Menu: İçli Köfte-Meatballs stuffed with minced meat and wallnuts, Kısır-Bulgur Salad, Green Salad, Chicken with Chestnuts, Garlic with meat, Baklava-Pistachio with clotted cream, and wallnuts with cream fresh, Zahter tea, Sumak drink)

Day 4   Istanbul – Fly Izmir

Visit Spice Bazaar. Lunch at Darruzziyafe Restaurant (menu by George). Transfer to airport for 4 pm flight to Izmir. Arrive Izmir at 5 pm. Visit Isa Bey vinery. Dinner at Isa Bey Vinery and Wine tasting before and after the dinner (Menu to be advised)

Day 5   Izmir-Gümüldür-Izmir

Cooking demonstration at Fuar Anemon Hotel: Stuffed Grapeleaves, Dolma (Green Pepper) and Börek. Drive to Görece Village to see Evil Eye making process in hot furnaces. Then visit a local house in Gümüldür Viallage to taste Cig Köfte-raw meatballs with spices, and Ekşili Köfte-a kind of meatball soup which citrus brightens the flavor. Also see Ayran making. Baklava and cookies as dessert. Return to the hotel for overnight.

Day 6   Pergamon – Izmir

Visit Acropolis of Pergamon. Visit Cheese making factory to see the grated cheese of Bergama. Lunch at Saglam local restaurant. After lunch, visit a local Yogurt making factory. Return Izmir. Dinner at Altınkapı (Menu: Salad, Döner Kebap, Fruits)

Day 7   Tire – Buca – Izmir

Visit Tire Bazaar. Lunch in Tire. Drive to Buca House. Cooking demonstration and dinner (Menu to be advised)

Day 8   Izmir - Pamucak

Visit Naci Usta Restaurant. Cooking demonstration, puff bread, mezes making, raki tasting. Lunch at Naci Usta. Drive to Selcuk. Visit Ceramic and Leather centers. Continue to Sürmeli Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 9   Ephesus – Pamucak

Visit Ephesus and Terrace Houses. Lunch at Carpet Weaving School. Cooking demonstration; Special Meatballs of Selcuk, Bread Making, Mantı Making-Turkish Ravioli. Return to hotel. Dinner at Çınar Sea Food Restaurant.

Day 10   Aphrodisias - Pamucak

Visit Aphrodisias. Pide Making-Turkish pizza demonstration at local restaurant; Pide with cheese, grounded lamb meat and tahini. Main course and Fruits will be served for lunch. Dinner and overnight at Surmeli Hotel in Pamucak.

Day 11   Izmir

Visit Lavanta Cooking Class, a final cooking class preparing recipes recommended by the students, and Künefe making.

Day 12   Fly back to USA

Transfer to Izmir airport. Fly back to USA via Istanbul. Arrive USA same day. 

TOTAL LAND and AIR RATES :

$3,990 Per Person in Double Occupancy
$340 Single Room Supplement  

INCLUDED FEATURES: (with stated or similar hotels)

·         Roundtrip International Air from New York or Chicago (we may provide air rates departing from         other US cities)
·         Istanbul-Izmir-Istanbul Domestic flights in Turkey
·         2 Nights at 4 star Germir Palas Hotel in Istanbul
·         5 Nights at Fuar Anemon Hotel in Izmir
·         3 Night at 4 star Surmeli Hotel in Pamucak
·         Sightseeing as per the itinerary
·         All escorted transfers
·         All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
·         Transportation by private A/C bus with driver throughout the tour
·         Car ferry cost, tolls, parking fees, gasoline
·         English speaking professional tour guide throughout the tour
·         Entry fees to the sites & museums
·         Service charges & local taxes
·         Bottled water at all meals (lunches and dinners)
·         Local Wine or Soft Drinks at lunches 

EXCLUDING:

·         All drinks
·         Turkish Visa fee to be paid at Istanbul airport upon arrival-$20 per person for US citizens
·         Personal expenses
·         Tips to tour guides and drivers
·         Any other service which is not mentioned above

Deposit and Payment Deadlines: 

Deposit: $100 per person deposit is needed at the time of booking.

Deposits are fully refundable until 60 days prior to departure. 

Full Payment : 60 days prior to departure

We need the final Rooming and Name list. The full payment (BALANCE) must be wired to our bank account. 

Land Cancellation Penalty:

        -          60-46 days prior to departure:    No Penalty
-          45-15 days prior to departure:    10%
-          14-7 days prior to departure:      25%
-          6-1 days prior to departure:        50%
-          After tour departure                   No refund