Turkish Delight Food & Bazaar Tour: Culinary Istanbul & Cooking Class | 5 Nights and 6 Days Turkey Package
- Transfer Included
- Stay Included
- Meals Included
- Sightseeing Included
Overview
Itinerary
Arrival & Welcome Walk in Sultanahmet
Arrive at Istanbul Airport and transfer to your hotel in Sultanahmet. After check-in and a short rest, enjoy a gentle introduction to the city with a guided walk through the historic quarter. Visit the exterior of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, stroll the ancient Hippodrome, and finish the evening with a welcome dinner featuring traditional mezes and Turkish specialties. Evening at leisure.
Grand Bazaar & Spice Bazaar — Tastes of Old Istanbul
Dive into the sensory delights of Istanbul's markets. Begin with a guided exploration of the Grand Bazaar, sampling simit, Turkish delight, and lokum while learning about artisanal crafts. Continue to the Spice Bazaar for saffron, dried fruits, teas, and spice tastings. Enjoy a riverside lunch at Eminönü and a short ferry ride to take in the Golden Horn views. Evening free for independent exploration or optional Turkish bath (hammam).
Bosphorus Cruise & Asian Side Food Market
Set sail on a short Bosphorus cruise to see the palaces, bridges, and waterfront mansions that line the strait. Disembark on the Asian side and explore Kadıköy Food Market—a neighborhood favorite for street food, cheeses, and fresh fish. Sample local specialties such as midye dolma (stuffed mussels) and freshly brewed Turkish coffee. Return to the European side for dinner or enjoy an evening at leisure in Karaköy or Galata.
Local Market Visit & Hands-on Cooking Class
This signature day begins with a guided tour of a local market (early morning) to learn about seasonal produce, spices, and Turkish ingredients. Shop alongside your chef for fresh items, then move to a hands-on cooking school for a full interactive class. Prepare a multi-course menu—typically including a starter (meze), a main (stews, kebabs or pide), and a dessert (baklava or sütlaç). Enjoy the meal you've prepared with wine or ayran. Dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice.
Princes' Islands Day Trip — Relaxation & Seafood
Escape the city for a day on the Princes' Islands. Take a ferry to Büyükada, explore by bicycle or traditional phaeton (horse carriage), and enjoy picturesque streets and Ottoman-era mansions. Savor a seaside lunch of fresh seafood at a local restaurant. Return to Istanbul in the late afternoon; optional sunset visit to Galata Tower or Pierre Loti Hill for panoramic views.
Leisure Morning, Last-minute Shopping & Departure
Spend your final morning at leisure—enjoy breakfast, stroll along Istiklal Avenue, or pick up last-minute souvenirs from local boutiques. Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your departure. If your flight is late, consider adding an optional Istanbul culinary walking tour or museum visit.
Inclusions
- 5 nights accommodation in a centrally-located 3/4-star hotel in Istanbul (daily breakfast)
- Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
- Guided tours of Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, and market visits
- Short Bosphorus cruise (shared, unless private upgrade selected)
- Hands-on cooking class with market visit, ingredients, and lunch/dinner (as listed)
- Princes' Islands ferry tickets and island orientation
- Selected entrance fees and local guide services
- Local VAT and service charges
- Emergency local assistance and 24/7 support
Note: Hotel category can be upgraded on request.
Exclusions
- International flights to/from Turkey
- Turkish entry visa fees and travel insurance
- Personal expenses, optional activities, and additional meals not specified
- Tips/gratuities for guides and drivers (recommended but not included)
- Early check-in/late check-out fees
- Any items not mentioned in 'Inclusions'
Important: Optional private transfers, private Bosphorus cruise, or premium dining reservations are available at an extra cost.
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We booked a Turkey trip for me and my wife through TourGrids, and honestly the coordinator they assigned — Priya — was the real reason everything went well. Before the trip, she was on WhatsApp almost daily, answering all our questions without making us feel like we were bothering her. When our hotel check-in in Istanbul had a small issue, one message to her and it was sorted within the hour. She called the property directly and kept us updated throughout. No hidden charges, the itinerary was exactly what we discussed, and the cabs were always on time. Felt like someone was genuinely watching over the trip the whole time.
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Honestly, I was very nervous about handing over our entire Turkey trip to a company I'd never used before. My husband and I had always planned everything ourselves, so this was a big step. But from the first WhatsApp conversation itself, TourGrids felt different — they actually listened to what we wanted instead of pushing a standard package. Our coordinator was reachable throughout, even when we had questions about visa documents at odd hours. Hotels were proper good, the Istanbul to Cappadocia transfers were all pre-arranged, and there were no surprise charges at the end. Everything matched exactly what was promised. That trust factor is what I'll remember most.
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Honestly went in skeptical because I'd priced Turkey myself on MakeMyTrip and the numbers weren't looking great. TourGrids came back with a package for me and my wife that included flights, 4-star hotels in Istanbul and Cappadocia, airport transfers, most breakfasts, and a hot air balloon experience — all within a budget I wasn't expecting. The coordinator was available on WhatsApp throughout, answered every small doubt without making us feel like we were bothering him. No hidden charges when we actually paid, which I was specifically watching for. Booking independently would've saved maybe 3-4k maximum but with ten times the effort. The hotels were proper good, especially the cave hotel in Cappadocia — that alone felt worth it.
