Trip Highlights:
Chef Host: Chef Ana Sortun of Oleana and Sofra Restaurants, Cambridge, MA
- Cooking class-demonstrations by Chef Ana – one in Selcuk and one at the Istanbul Culinary Institute
- Introduction to Turkish wines and tasting by an organic family winery on the Aegean Sea
- Guided tour of Ephesus, the legendary ancient city
- Demonstration of katmer, a pastry cooked on a griddle, filled with meat or cheese
- Visit to a winery with tasting and lunch
- Tour of Erythrai, one of the 12 cities of Asia Minor with amazing views of the Greek island of Chios, followed by lunch in Alicati
- Tour of the market district of Kadıköy, an un-touristy section of Istanbul on the Asian side
- Lunch at Çiya, one of Ana Sortun’s favorite restaurants in the world, with Chef Musa Dagdeviren
- Bosporus cruise
- Guided tour of Topkapi, the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque
- Tour of the Spice Market and Fatih section with Chef Ana
- Amazing meals in Istanbul fine dining restaurants, as well as local family restaurants in and around Selcuk and Izmir