Gourmet Exclusive – Istanbul for all senses (full day, private)

Istanbul is one of the world's great cuisines. On this day you taste it where it is at its best – with your own state-licensed guide, a private vehicle with driver and all food already included in the price.

Highlights

• Ottoman breakfast with kaymak, honey and fresh simit
• Tasting spices, olives, cheese and pastırma in the historic bazaar quarter
• Ottoman palace cuisine lunch in a historic setting
• Meze and fresh fish on the Asian side
• Turkish coffee brewed in hot sand, Turkish delight and baklava to finish
• Vehicle with driver and all food included

Full description

In Istanbul, good food is not found in restaurants with menus in twelve languages, but where locals have eaten for generations. Our team has known these places for decades – and the stories behind them: which sultan loved which dish, why coffee is brewed in sand, and what makes a true Bosphorus breakfast.

The day begins with a generous Ottoman breakfast. Then we taste our way through the old bazaar quarter, have lunch based on palace-kitchen recipes and cross to the Asian side in the afternoon for meze and fish. To finish: Turkish coffee, Turkish delight and baklava. You travel comfortably in a private vehicle – no rush, no taxis.

As on all our tours there are no shopping stops: no carpet, jewellery or leather shops. You simply enjoy – and nobody tries to sell you anything.

What we see

We adapt order and selection of stops to weekday, season, weather and your wishes.

• Ottoman breakfast
  Kaymak with honey, simit, menemen, olives and Anatolian cheese.
• Historic bazaar quarter
  Spices, dried fruit, cheese and pastırma – tasting, not shopping.
• Ottoman palace cuisine
  Lunch based on recipes from the sultans' kitchen in a historic setting.
• Asian side
  Market, meze and fresh fish – where locals eat.
• Coffee and sweets
  Turkish coffee brewed in hot sand, Turkish delight from one of the city's oldest confectioners, baklava and künefe.

Included

• Approx. 7 hours private, state-licensed guide in your language (an experienced colleague from our team)
• Private vehicle with driver for the whole day
• All tastings, breakfast and lunch menu
• Water, tea and Turkish coffee
• Pick-up at your hotel (up to 20 km from the centre) or at Galataport

Not included

• Alcoholic drinks (wine pairing can be added)
• Entrance fees
• Personal expenses, tips

Meeting point

We pick you up in your hotel lobby (up to 20 km from the centre) or at the Galataport cruise terminal. Choose the meeting point in the form; we confirm time and place with your booking.

You will recognise your guide by the sign “MeinReiseleiter.de” and the visibly worn guide licence.

Important information

German, English, Turkish, French, Italian, Spanish – 25 more languages on request.

• Come hungry – many courses, but small portions.
• Allergies, intolerances or vegetarian food: please tell us in the form – we adapt the stops accordingly.
• Optional extras: wine pairing (€45 per person), private boat tour 2 hrs (€300), luxury VIP yacht 2 hrs (from €400).