Special Journey · A Journey Through Türkiye's Table
With Chef
Fisun Ercan
A boutique gastronomy journey with Chef Fisun Ercan. Ten days across Türkiye's table, from İstanbul to the banks of the Euphrates.
Dates
3–12 May 2027
Duration
10 Days · 9 Nights
Group
Max 18 Guests
Tour Leader
Chef Fisun Ercan
Journey Design
Fields & Forks
Your Host
Fisun Ercan
Chef
Chef Fisun Ercan hosts this journey from beginning to end. Her full biography will be shared here soon.
Journey Philosophy
Reading a country through its table.
Türkiye cannot be understood through monuments alone. Every region tells its story through the ingredients it grows, the dishes it perfects, and the families who keep those recipes alive across generations. From İstanbul's vibrant streets to the vineyards of the Aegean, and from the fertile plains of Gaziantep to the ancient landscapes of Mesopotamia, this journey traces the country's extraordinary cultural richness through its food.
Fields & Forks brings guests face to face with passionate chefs, producers, winemakers, olive oil makers, artisans, and village communities. Every shared table becomes an entry point into genuine conversation and the true spirit of Türkiye.
This is more than a culinary tour. It is an invitation into a country where every dish carries centuries of history, every table tells a story, and every meal shared creates a lasting connection.
I
The Gate
Days 01 – 02
II
The Road West
Days 03 – 04
III
The Living Kitchen
Days 05 – 06
IV
Where It Began
Days 07 – 08
V
Full Circle
Days 09 – 10
The Gate
İstanbul
Every journey through Türkiye begins here. Two days, two millennia of layers.
The First Table
Arrival in İstanbul
Your journey begins on arrival in İstanbul, with a transfer to your hotel in the vibrant district of Karaköy arranged according to your flight schedule. The rest of the afternoon is left intentionally unhurried: time to settle in and begin adjusting to the city's rhythm.
The evening opens with a carefully curated welcome dinner, your first taste of Turkish hospitality and culinary heritage. More than a meal, this first table sets the tone for everything ahead: a journey where every destination, every producer, and every shared plate carries a story.
Schedule
- On arrival
- Arrival in İstanbul and transfer to the hotel, arranged according to your flight schedule.
- 17:00 – 19:00
- Hotel check-in and time to settle in
- 19:30 – 21:00
- Welcome dinner
- 21:30
- Return to the hotel
Overnight · İstanbul
İstanbul, Layer by Layer
From the Markets to the Meyhane
Today we explore İstanbul at its own pace, on foot, through its most iconic neighbourhoods: from Karaköy and Galata to Eminönü, the Spice Bazaar and the historic peninsula. Each stop peels back another layer of the city's culinary and cultural heritage.
With an expert local guide, we trace how centuries of trade, migration, and cultural exchange shaped İstanbul's remarkable food traditions, tasting our way through a curated selection of the street foods and specialties that define everyday life here.
After a scenic private Bosphorus boat crossing and some time to rest, the evening turns to İstanbul's beloved meyhane tradition: seasonal mezes, regional flavours, and the simple joy of a shared table, reimagined through a contemporary lens.
Schedule
- 08:30 – 09:00
- Breakfast at the hotel
- 09:30 – 15:30
- Guided culinary walk through Eminönü, the Spice Bazaar, the Grand Bazaar, and Sultanahmet, with curated tastings of street foods and local specialties along the way
- 15:30 – 17:00
- Private boat tour on the Bosphorus
- 17:30 – 19:15
- Time to rest or explore independently
- 19:30 – 21:30
- Dinner introducing İstanbul's meyhane tradition through a contemporary interpretation of classic regional dishes
- 22:00
- Return to the hotel
Overnight · İstanbul
The Road West
Bursa · İzmir · Urla
The first Ottoman capital, then the Aegean's olive and wine route.
The First Capital
Bursa's Craft and Sweet Heritage
After breakfast, we leave İstanbul behind for Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire and a city where many of Türkiye's culinary traditions first took shape. Along the way, we visit a local women's cooperative to see how traditional recipes, seasonal ingredients, and hands-on craftsmanship are preserved from one generation to the next.
In Bursa, we explore the historic centre, including the storied Koza Han, once a bustling hub of the Silk Road. Lunch is devoted to Bursa's most celebrated dish, İskender, prepared to its original tradition, before an afternoon spent tasting the city's sweeter side: handcrafted chestnut candy and Bursa's famous milk dessert, süt helvası.
As the sun sets, we head to a picturesque vineyard for an exclusive farm-to-table dinner created for Fields & Forks guests. A local chef prepares a seasonal menu from the region's finest ingredients, paired with carefully selected local wines: a fitting celebration of Bursa's agricultural and culinary legacy.
Schedule
- 08:00
- Breakfast and check-out
- 09:00 – 11:00
- Transfer from İstanbul to Bursa
- 11:00 – 12:30
- Traditional breakfast at a local women's cooperative
- 13:00 – 14:30
- Guided exploration of Bursa's historic centre, including Koza Han
- 14:30 – 15:30
- Traditional İskender lunch
- 16:00 – 17:00
- Tastings of handcrafted chestnut sweets and Bursa's famous milk pudding, followed by free time in the historic centre
- 17:30 – 18:00
- Hotel check-in and time to rest
- 19:00 – 20:30
- Exclusive farm-to-table dinner at a local vineyard, with seasonal dishes and regional wine pairings
- 21:00
- Return to the hotel
Overnight · Bursa
The Aegean's Olive and Wine Route
From İzmir's Bazaars to Urla's Vineyards
After breakfast, we leave Bursa for the Aegean coast, where a new chapter of Türkiye's culinary story begins. Our first stop is İzmir's historic Kemeraltı Bazaar, one of the country's oldest and liveliest marketplaces, where a curated tasting route reveals beloved local specialties and the city's rich, multicultural trading heritage.
In the afternoon, we continue to Urla, a coastal town celebrated for its vineyards, olive groves, and exceptional producers. We visit the world's first olive oil library and a family-owned winery, with guided tastings of premium extra virgin olive oil and regional wine that reveal the traditions shaping the Aegean landscape for generations.
After checking into our beautifully restored boutique stone hotel, we gather for a relaxed waterfront dinner celebrating the very best of Aegean cuisine: fresh seafood, seasonal olive-oil-based dishes, and carefully selected local wines, with an optional introduction to Türkiye's beloved rakı tradition by the sea.
Schedule
- 08:00
- Breakfast and check-out
- 08:30 – 12:00
- Transfer from Bursa to İzmir
- 12:00 – 14:00
- Guided culinary walk through Kemeraltı Bazaar, with curated tastings and lunch featuring İzmir's local specialties
- 14:00 – 15:00
- Transfer to Seferihisar
- 15:00 – 16:00
- Visit to the Olive Oil Library
- 16:00 – 17:00
- Transfer to Urla
- 17:00 – 18:15
- Winery visit and wine tasting
- 18:30
- Check-in at our boutique stone hotel
- 19:30 – 21:00
- Waterfront dinner featuring fresh seafood, traditional zeytinyağlılar, and local wines (optional rakı experience)
- 21:30
- Return to the hotel
Overnight · Urla
The Living Kitchen
Gaziantep
A UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, where family recipes still shape everyday life.
A UNESCO City of Gastronomy
First Tastes of Gaziantep
A short domestic flight takes us from the Aegean coast to Gaziantep. On arrival, we begin the day the way locals do, with a traditional Gaziantep breakfast, our first introduction to one of the world's most celebrated culinary traditions.
Recognized by UNESCO as a Creative City of Gastronomy, Gaziantep is a place where centuries of craftsmanship, trade, and family recipes still shape everyday life. Throughout the day, we explore its historic streets, lively bazaars, and traditional markets, following a curated tasting route through some of the region's most iconic specialties.
From fragrant spices and freshly roasted pistachios to handmade sweets and time-honoured recipes, each stop deepens our understanding of the city's extraordinary food culture. The evening closes with a refined dinner celebrating the richness and diversity of Gaziantep cuisine.
Schedule
- 04:30
- Check-out from the hotel
- 05:00
- Transfer to İzmir Airport
- 07:00 – 09:00
- Domestic flight to Gaziantep
- 10:00 – 11:00
- Traditional Gaziantep breakfast
- 11:00 – 13:00
- Guided exploration of Gaziantep's historic centre and traditional bazaars
- 13:00 – 15:30
- Curated tasting route through the city's iconic specialties, with traditional lunch
- 15:30 – 18:30
- Free time to rest or explore
- 19:00
- Dinner showcasing the rich flavours of Gaziantep cuisine
Overnight · Gaziantep
From Ancient Mosaics to the Family Table
Zeugma, Master Bakers, and a Kitchen of Our Own
We start the morning with another Gaziantep breakfast before visiting the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, home to one of the world's finest collections of Roman mosaics: a striking glimpse into the layered history that has shaped this region for millennia.
From history, we turn to one of Gaziantep's great culinary crafts with a visit to a renowned baklava workshop, watching master pastry chefs transform paper-thin dough and famous Antep pistachios into Türkiye's most iconic dessert.
The afternoon belongs to a hands-on cooking workshop led by a local chef, where we prepare some of Gaziantep's signature dishes using seasonal ingredients and traditional techniques, learning the stories and family recipes behind this internationally celebrated cuisine. The day closes with a relaxed dinner of regional specialties.
Schedule
- 09:00
- Traditional Gaziantep breakfast at the hotel
- 10:00 – 11:30
- Guided visit to the Zeugma Mosaic Museum
- 12:00 – 13:00
- Baklava workshop and tasting with master pastry chefs
- 13:00 – 14:00
- Lunch
- 15:00 – 17:30
- Hands-on cooking workshop with a local chef
- 17:30 – 19:00
- Free time to rest or explore
- 19:30
- Traditional dinner experience
Overnight · Gaziantep
Where It Began
Halfeti · Göbeklitepe · Şanlıurfa
Eleven thousand years. The earliest known gathering place in human history. The oldest table.
Where Civilization Began
Halfeti, Göbeklitepe, and Urfa's First Table
Leaving Gaziantep, we follow ancient routes that have connected civilizations for thousands of years, arriving first in the riverside town of Halfeti. A leisurely boat cruise along the Euphrates reveals dramatic landscapes, submerged villages, and the quiet beauty of southeastern Türkiye.
Before continuing to Göbeklitepe, we stop for lunch to taste one of the region's most iconic dishes, Urfa-style grilled liver, prepared to local tradition. In the afternoon, we visit Göbeklitepe itself, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's oldest known monumental sanctuary. At over 11,000 years old, it offers an extraordinary window into the origins of civilization and the earliest known ritual gathering place in human history.
On arrival in Şanlıurfa, we check into our beautifully restored traditional stone hotel before gathering for a special evening at one of the city's renowned local restaurants, featuring live demonstrations of traditional Urfa recipes. The evening closes with a tasting menu of authentic local specialties, celebrating the bold flavours and warm hospitality of southeastern Türkiye.
Schedule
- 08:00
- Breakfast and check-out
- 09:00 – 10:30
- Transfer from Gaziantep to Halfeti
- 10:30 – 12:00
- Boat cruise on the Euphrates River
- 12:30 – 13:30
- Traditional lunch featuring Urfa-style grilled liver
- 13:30 – 14:00
- Transfer to Göbeklitepe
- 14:00 – 16:00
- Guided visit to Göbeklitepe
- 16:00 – 17:00
- Transfer to Şanlıurfa
- 17:00
- Check-in at our traditional stone hotel
- 19:30
- Exclusive regional dining experience with live cooking demonstrations and a tasting menu of authentic Urfa specialties
Overnight · Şanlıurfa
Stories Around the Table
Karahantepe and a Village Feast
After breakfast, we set out for Karahantepe, one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of recent years and a remarkable companion site to Göbeklitepe, deepening our understanding of the earliest settled communities.
From ancient history, we step into the living traditions of southeastern Türkiye with a visit to a village, welcomed by the local community. Here we experience the rhythm of village life, learn about regional food traditions, and see how recipes, farming practices, and hospitality are passed down through generations. A home-style lunch, prepared with seasonal ingredients and shared around a communal table, offers an authentic taste of rural Anatolia.
In the late afternoon, we return to our hotel in Şanlıurfa for some time to rest before our dinner in a beautifully restored historic mansion, where an elegant regional menu celebrates Şanlıurfa's culinary heritage and the journey we've shared together.
Schedule
- 08:30
- Breakfast
- 09:00 – 10:00
- Transfer to Karahantepe
- 10:00 – 11:30
- Guided visit to Karahantepe
- 11:30 – 12:30
- Transfer to a village
- 12:30 – 14:30
- Village experience, traditional cooking demonstrations, and home-style lunch with the local community
- 14:30 – 15:30
- Return to Şanlıurfa
- 15:30 – 18:30
- Free time to rest or explore
- 19:00
- Dinner at a historic mansion featuring regional specialties
Overnight · Şanlıurfa
Full Circle
İstanbul
Back where we began, for tea rituals and a farewell dinner.
One Last Taste of İstanbul
Tea Rituals and a Farewell Dinner
A short domestic flight returns us to İstanbul, bringing the journey full circle. After checking into our hotel in Karaköy, the afternoon is yours: browse independent boutiques, discover local artisan shops, or simply take in the atmosphere of one of the city's most vibrant neighbourhoods. For those interested, an authentic Turkish hammam experience can be arranged at one of İstanbul's historic bathhouses.
Later, we come together for an immersive Turkish tea experience, exploring the history, culture, and rituals behind one of Türkiye's most cherished traditions through a guided tasting of teas from across the country.
The evening closes with a farewell dinner at a Michelin Guide-listed restaurant in İstanbul (subject to availability), where a menu of contemporary Anatolian cuisine brings together regional ingredients, traditional technique, and modern creativity: a fitting final table for our culinary journey across Türkiye.
Schedule
- 08:00
- Breakfast and check-out
- 10:00 – 12:00
- Domestic flight to İstanbul
- 12:30
- Transfer to Karaköy and hotel check-in
- 13:30 – 17:00
- Free time for shopping, cafés, or exploring the neighbourhood. Optional: Turkish hammam experience
- 17:00 – 18:30
- Turkish tea experience and guided tasting
- 19:00 – 21:00
- Farewell dinner at a Michelin Guide-listed restaurant in İstanbul (subject to availability)
Overnight · İstanbul
Departure – Until the Next Table
Departure
Breakfast at your own pace, followed by airport transfers arranged according to your confirmed flight schedule.
A Journey That Stays at the Table
Fields & Forks doesn't take guests across Türkiye's geography; it takes them across its table. Every stop carries a recipe, every recipe a family, every family a story. The bread shared, the seasons tasted, and the stories heard over ten days remain at the table long after the journey ends.
What's Included
- 9 nights accommodation at carefully selected hotels
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary, including all featured culinary experiences
- Exclusive chef-hosted dining experiences and specially curated tasting menus
- Farewell dinner at a Michelin Guide-listed restaurant in İstanbul (subject to availability)
- Traditional Turkish street food tastings and regional culinary experiences
- Winery visits, wine tastings, and olive oil producer experiences in the Aegean
- Farm-to-table vineyard dinner with wine pairing
- Hands-on regional cooking workshop with local culinary experts
- Village dining experience hosted by local women
- Welcome drink and farewell dinner
- All domestic flights included in the itinerary
- Private transportation throughout the journey
- Airport transfers
- Professional English-speaking licensed guide
- Fields & Forks tour host throughout the journey
- Entrance fees to all museums, archaeological sites, and attractions included in the itinerary
- Private Bosphorus boat tour
- Private Halfeti boat experience
- Bottled water during transfers
- All local taxes and service charges
Not Included
- International flights to and from Türkiye
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees (if applicable)
- Alcoholic beverages outside the included wine pairings and tasting experiences
- Personal expenses
- Laundry services
- Room service, minibar, and hotel incidentals
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
- Tips for guides, drivers, hotel staff, and restaurant teams
- Any meals or beverages not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
- Traditional hammam experience (optional)
Small group · Boutique experience
Ten days across Türkiye with one of its most respected culinary voices.
Bookings for this journey are handled exclusively by our partner travel agency in Canada.