Stones, Stories & Flavours of Western Türkiye 5 Days

Depart from your hotel in Istanbul for Edirne in the morning, travelling through the agricultural landscapes of Thrace, a region known for fertile fields and dairy production. Upon arrival, the city is explored by beginning with the Selimiye Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the architectural masterpiece of Mimar Sinan. Beyond its artistic value, Selimiye represents the wealth and refinement of Ottoman court culture, closely linked to palace cuisine traditions once centred in Edirne.

Enjoy food tasting at Edirne Arasta (Selimiye Arastası) – explore small shops selling local foods such as almond paste (badem ezmesi), cheeses, and traditional sweets. Proceed with lunch at the traditional restaurant focusing on ciğer tava (liver), seasonal vegetable dishes, and Thracian dairy products prepared using time-honoured methods.

The day continues at the Health Museum of Sultan Bayezid II Complex – an awarded museum focusing on Ottoman-era medicine, music therapy, and holistic wellbeing.

Today's total driving distance is 250 km (approx. 3 hours).

Overnight: Edirne

Meals Included: Lunch

Depart for Çanakkale in the morning for the Gallipoli Peninsula Historical National Park, where one of the most decisive campaigns of the First World War unfolded. The tour starts at ANZAC Cove, the initial landing site of Allied forces on 25 April 1915, where the guide explains the challenges posed by the terrain and the early stages of the campaign.

Ascend to Chunuk Bair, one of the most strategically important high points of the peninsula, offering panoramic views across the Dardanelles and the Aegean Sea. Here, visit the New Zealand Memorial and learn about the August Offensive and its legacy. The program continues to Lone Pine Memorial, dedicated primarily to Australian soldiers, followed by a visit to Johnston’s Jolly, where preserved trenches vividly illustrate the conditions endured by both sides. You will also visit the Çanakkale Martyrs’ Memorial, honouring the Ottoman soldiers who fought during the campaign and lost their lives at the Peninsula.

Evening transfer to the winery hotel for the overnight stay.

Today's total driving distance is 250 km (approx. 3 hours).

Overnight: Canakkale

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

A short morning drive leads to the ancient city of Troy, where the guided visit connects archaeology, mythology, and early settlement patterns that created one of the greatest tales of all times. Located near the Dardanelles, the ancient city of Troy stands at one of the most strategic crossroads of the ancient world, linking the Aegean and Black Seas. Continuously inhabited for over 4,000 years, Troy developed as a key centre for trade, defence, and cultural exchange.
The route continues to Adatepe, a beautifully preserved stone village renowned for its olive oil culture. Free time will allow you to explore village streets, visit small olive oil shops, and observe traditional rural life at a gentle pace. The evening is ideal for tasting local dishes prepared with village olive oil and seasonal vegetables.

Today's total driving distance is 150 km (approx. 2 hours).

Overnight: Adatepe

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Depart in the morning for Pergamon, one of the most influential cities of the ancient Mediterranean world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, the guided exploration begins at the Acropolis of Pergamon, dramatically situated atop a steep hill. Key monuments include the remains of the Temple of Athena, and the Great Theatre, one of the steepest ancient theatres in the world. Continue your exploration with a visit to the Asklepion, one of the ancient world’s most important medical centres, and introduces guests to holistic healing practices that combine diet, herbal remedies, physical exercise, hydrotherapy, music, and dream interpretation. The route also includes the Gymnasium complex, reflecting the connection between physical training, nutrition, and education in classical society.

Before departing Pergamon, enjoy a local lunch and visit the Red Basilica (Temple of Serapis), an imposing Roman-era structure built of red brick and dedicated to Egyptian deities. Later converted into an early Christian Basilica, the site illustrates Pergamon’s long religious continuity and cultural transformation across pagan, Roman, and Christian eras. The journey then continues toward Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, for the overnight stay.

Today's total driving distance 390 km (approx. 5.5 hours).

Overnight: Bursa

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Start the day by stepping back in time in this charming UNESCO-listed Cumalıkızık Village, where cobblestone streets and historic wooden houses have been preserved for centuries. Stroll through the village lanes, meet local artisans, and explore organic gardens where traditional farming practices are still alive. Sample homemade village delicacies, from jams to pastries, made using seasonal locally produced ingredients.

Visit Bursa’s iconic Grand Mosque, a masterpiece of early Ottoman architecture. Learn about its role in the community, where historical kitchens once provided meals to the needy, and gain insight into how gastronomy and culture intertwined in Ottoman life. Savor the best of Bursa’s culinary specialties such as the world-famous Iskender kebab or traditional vegetarian Ottoman dishes. Complete the tour at the vibrant atmosphere of Koza Han, Bursa’s centuries-old silk bazaar. Discover the city’s long-standing silk tradition, from mulberry cultivation to handwoven textiles. Return to Istanbul in the evening. The tour ends with the drop off at your hotel in Istanbul.

Today's total driving distance 220 km (approx. 4 hours).

Overnight: None

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch