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Windmills stand tall in the village

MAY 1-8, 2026

Türkiye: Cesme, Izmir & Ephesus

There’s so much to love about Türkiye, so much that we keep returning with Chef Ana Sortun of Oleana and Sofra in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Traveling with Chef Ana is a wonderful gift, and being in Türkiye with her is even better.

Windmills stand tall in the village

What You’ll Love about Your Week in Türkiye

Türkiye: Cesme, Izmir & Ephesus

What You’ll Love about Your Week in Türkiye

This week in Türkiye is an exploration steeped in tradition and history, as well as discovery of a few areas that you might not know.   

First of all, you’ll be traveling with the amazing Chef Ana Sortun, and seeing the Aegean Coast and Izmir through her chef eyes. Our food and cultural guides offer equally exciting views of the food, history and culture of the Aegean region. You’ll return home inspired and full of information. 

It’s not just Türkiye that you’ll experience. We’ll have one day in Greece, on the island of Chios, best known for mastic, an important ingredient in Eastern Mediterranean cuisines.  It will be fascinating to see the differences and similarities between the cuisines of the two countries.  

You’ll get a well-rounded picture of the region, visiting farms, historical sites, city markets, and restaurants that run the full spectrum – from small village cafes and restaurants to a Michelin farm-to-table experience.  

Of course we’ll have wonderful meals throughout the week, and we’ve also found that your fellow travelers become another highlight of traveling with Oldways.

Our hotels are both lovely, offering rooms with great views and opportunities for spa time and swimming.  

If you wish to stay on in Istanbul after the Culinaria, we have a two-day bonus program, with a special dinner, plus visits to the Kadikoy Market, Netflix-covered Ciya Restaurant, The Blue Mosque, Cistern, Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar.

This Culinaria may be eligible for CPEU credit pending CDR review and approval.

We hope you’ll join us!

Day by Day

Day 1

Friday, May 01

Since we expect arrivals from the US will get in on the late side, we are planning an informal drinks and mezze reception at the hotel on the first night. If you’re jet lagged, you can go directly to your room – or if you’re a night owl, we look forward to seeing you for mezze, wine or beer and conversation. If you opt for sleep, not to fear, our official start will be on Saturday morning.  

Turkey
Day 2

Saturday, May 02

We’ll start the day with an official welcome after breakfast. We’ll have an introductory session, and you’ll have a chance to meet and talk with your fellow travelers. We’ll spend the rest of our first full day together in nearby Alacati. The Alacati market on Saturdays is legendary.  Alacati is also famous for its historical stone houses and narrow streets.  We’ll have a late lunch/early dinner at Asma Yaprağı, a very special restaurant in Alaçatı that Ana and Oldways have loved and enjoyed for more than 10 years.  We promise you’ll love it.  

Ana Cooking Greens
Day 3

Sunday, May 03

We’ll start the day with Chef Ana’s Spice Presentation and then a visit to the Sunday Market in Cesme.  Afterwards, we’ll drive 10 minutes to Ovacik, the agricultural center of Cesme.  We’ll visit a farm and then follow the visit with lunch. Afterwards, we will return to Cesme to have the pleasure of a cooking demonstration by Chef Ana at a cooking school. In the evening, we’ll be together for a group dinner in Cesme.  

Erythrai city
Day 4

Monday, May 04

We’ll get an early start so we can begin our day in Germiyan, 30 minutes from Cesme, with breakfast. After breakfast, we’ll continue our visit with a workshop about the famous bread and a tasting of Kopanisti cheese, a specialty of the region.  You’ll have some free time to walk around the town, looking at the colorful paintings on the buildings or to visit the handicrafts store.  We’ll then drive 20 minutes to Iksir to visit the ancient city Erythrai, where we’ll take a walk to the highest spot, the Acropolis, and the ancient theatre, covered with poppy and artichoke fields, followed by lunch.  After lunch we’ll return to Cesme, where you’ll be free for the evening.   

Chios
Day 5

Tuesday, May 05

Today, we are going to Greece!  We’ll take an early morning ferry to the nearby island of Chios.  Chios is famous for mastic, the dried resin of the mastic tree, used in Turkish and Greek cooking.  We’ll visit the Mastic villages and the Mastic Museum and then have lunch in a beautiful historic section of the island, the Kampos, followed by a lesson in the production of spoon sweets.  We’re interested in learning about the similarities and differences between the cooking and cuisines of Greece (Chios) and Turkey (the Cesme peninsula), in particular.  After a full day, we’ll return to Cesme and our hotel to relax and pack for our checkout in the morning.  

Unal Kardesler Katmer Salonu, a katmer restaurant
Day 6

Wednesday, May 06

After checking out, we’ll start the day by attending the daily fish auction in Urla and then walking along the dock to Unal Kardesler Katmer Salonu, a katmer restaurant. There we’ll have the opportunity to watch katmer—a breakfast dish—being made and have a taste of the delicious dish— pastry dough, cooked on a griddle, filled with meat or cheese. After walking through the old city of Urla, we will head over to the Klazomenai Antique City, where the first olive oil production took place in Anatolia and perhaps in the world! 

We’ll stay in Urla for lunch and a wine tasting at the incredibly beautiful Michelin-rated farm to table restaurant, OD Urla.    

After lunch, we’ll continue onto Izmir and check in at the Izmir Marriott.  After a long late lunch and an early start on Thursday, we’ve left the evening free for you to explore Izmir and its seaside restaurants or to turn in early! 

Ephesus, the legendary ancient city
Day 7

Thursday, May 07

Today we’ll leave Izmir early and drive south to Selcuk for a guided visit to Ephesus, the legendary ancient city.  Ephesus’ ruins are well preserved, and with our guide, we’ll spend a couple of hours exploring and learning about this legendary city and its famous inhabitants and visitors such as Cleopatra, Mark Anthony, Augustus, St. Paul, the Virgin Mary, and John the Apostle.   

We’ll then visit a local pomegranate/olive orchard, where you can wander among the groves before enjoying a spread of snacks served with Turkish coffee and tea made by local ladies from a small Aegean village.  Then we’ll drive to a nearby winery for a tasting and our late Farewell Lunch.  

Outdoor dining area with tables and chairs, offering a view of the water
Optional Add-on Days in Istanbul

Friday, May 08

Departures for home or Istanbul for the Optional Add-on Tour. 

Optional Add-on Tour begins with Dinner in Istanbul with Banu and Sara

A vibrant cityscape of Istanbul, showcasing boats on the water and seagulls in flight against the urban backdrop
Optional Add-on Days in Istanbul

Saturday, May 09

Our day will start with the ferry to Kadikoy, on the Asian side of Istanbul. We’ll enjoy a spice and food tour with Banu in the Kadikoy Market area, and then have lunch at CIYA—the famous Anatolian regional fare restaurant (Ana’s favorite restaurant).  After lunch, we’ll get on our private ferry and cruise along the Bosphorus. If you have room for dinner after lunch at CIYA, you will be free to experience the Istanbul restaurant scene during your evening.  You will have Banu’s restaurant suggestions in the program book.

Hagia Sophia, the Cistern, the Blue Mosque, and the Roman Hippodrome
Optional Add-on Days in Istanbul

Sunday, May 10

Take a historic tour with our cultural guide. You’ll visit the Hagia Sophia, the Cistern, the Blue Mosque, and the Roman Hippodrome.  We’ll enjoy lunch as a group and conclude the Culinaria with a visit to the Grand Bazaar. You will be free for dinner on your own.

Your Accommodations

Photo courtesy of the Swissotel Resort and Spa in Cesme

The Swissotel Resort and Spa

The Swissotel Resort and Spa — 15 minutes from the center of Cesme — comprises 248 spacious guest rooms and 18 suites on 8 floors, all tastefully decorated while blending the spirit of Çesme with Swiss style. Everyone in our group will have a room with a Seaview.  Also, y​ou’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the Spa and pool.  If you wish to arrive before the Culinaria starts, we can offer you extra nights at our group rate.  Abby at Oldways will arrange that for you.

Izmir Marriott Hotel
Courtesy of the Izmir Marriott

Izmir Marriott Hotel

Overlooking to the shores of the Aegean Sea, the 5-star Izmir Marriott hotel is perfectly located at the heart of the city, within walking distance from the business hub and posh shopping, lifestyle and historical districts. Remembering their terrific Turkish breakfast from a previous stay, we are returning to the hotel.

Hotel Suggestions if you plan to attend the Optional Istanbul Add-on Tour.

The Istanbul Add-on Tour (which does not include a hotel) costs $750. Travelers book hotels or accommodations independently. Here are our suggestions.

The Bank Hotel is centrally located in the Karakoy section and is a smaller five-star hotel in the Karakoy section. We have used this hotel for our 2025 Culinarias in Türkiye; the staff, service, and rooms are lovely.

The Novotel in the Karakoy section is a great central location. You can walk to the old city (Sultanahmet), and the ferry is right there. Plus, the breakfast is incredible and the rooms very nice.

If you would like to stay directly in the old city (Sultanahmet), we have had groups at:

Empress Zoe: small, may be hard to get a reservation. Chef Ana likes this one.
Hagia Sophia Hotel Old City: near the Cistern and the Hagia Sophia
Ottoman Hotel Imperial: this hotel looks right out at the Hagia Sophia

Meet the Chefs/Experts

Chef Ana Sortun
Jocette (Jo) Aribeyi
Jocette (Jo) Aribeyi

Flight information
to Travel Destination

A clear blue sky with no clouds, creating a serene and open atmosphere.

Flight information
to Travel Destination

ARRIVAL:  You will want to fly into Izmir (ADB airport code) about one hour from our starting point of Cesme.  From the US, you’ll find 1-stop flight connections to Izmir via Lufthansa (Munich or Frankfurt), AerLingus (Dublin) and Turkish Airlines (Istanbul).  

We will provide information about getting from the Izmir Airport to Cesme.  

DEPARTURE:  If you are planning to attend the Optional Add-on Tour in Istanbul, you will want to book a flight from Izmir to Istanbul (many flights each day) on Friday, May 8, 2026.  The Add-on Tour will begin with dinner in Istanbul on Friday, May 8, 2026.  To return to the US, you’ll want to book a flight from Istanbul (IST airport code) to your home city.

If you are not planning to attend the Add-on Tour OR go to Istanbul on your own, you will want to book a return flight from Izmir.  

Pricing & Registration

A scenic view of the beach on the island of Kos, Greece, featuring golden sand and clear blue waters under a sunny sky.

Pricing & Registration

Türkiye: Cesme, Izmir & Ephesus

Please click below to register using our online registration form, which includes instructions for how to submit the form and deposit to Oldways.

Prices are based on rates of exchange, taxes, and other costs as of the tour publication date. We reserve the right to correct errors and changes, and to increase program prices to cover increased costs, taris, and taxes received after prices are published and to reflect currency fluctuations.

  • Price per person from $6,375 with double occupancy.
  • Single supplement is $1,000.
  • The optional Istanbul Add-on Tour (which does not include a hotel) costs $750.

Trip Insurance

Accident Insurance

Oldways has procured accident and evacuation insurance for all Culinaria participants while traveling on one of our Culinarias with an Accident & Health policy from The Hartford. Click here to view Oldways Certificate of Accident Insurance.

Please let us know if you need more information about the insurance.

Travel Insurance

While we cannot offer travel insurance for the cost of the trip or your air travel, here are three widely used travel insurance companies:

Allianz

Travelex

Travel Guard by AIG

More Upcoming Trips

For More Information

For additional questions, please reach out to [email protected] or contact Abby Sloane at  617-896-4875.