Istanbul Food Tour: A Taste of Diversity

Cooking Vacations in Istanbul, Turkey

Journey to one of the world’s iconic cities on this Istanbul culinary vacation. Known throughout earlier centuries as Constantinople, is a city of contrasts. It is quite literally where east meets west, where Europe transitions to Asia in the Bosphorus Strait. Istanbul straddles not only two continents, but different cultures and religions as well.

During your culinary vacation in Istanbul, you will experience first hand the richness of its history, which runs back well over two thousand years, including a millennium and a half as an imperial capital. Its position between the Mediterranean and Black Seas, its position on the Silk road, and its strategic control of rail networks made it historically one of the most important cities in the world. You can see traces of this fascinating and grand history everywhere during your Istanbul food tour, especially in the city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and around the city’s natural harbor, known as the Golden Horn.

During its years as Constantinople and head of the Byzantine Empire, the city was a center of culture and Christianity, resulting in the construction of many churches, including one of its iconic buildings, the Hagia Sophia. With the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans and transition to the Ottoman Empire the Hagia Sophia was converted into an imperial mosque – perfectly symbolizing the cultural diversity and tensions that permeate the city to this day. During the centuries of Ottoman rule, many of Istanbul’s famous mosques were built, including the famed Sultan Ahmed Mosque (more commonly referred to as the Blue Mosque).

The gastronomy of Turkey is quintessentially Mediterranean and draws on the flavors of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, the Balkans, and Central Asia, making it a vastly rich and flavorful cuisine. Of course, the specifics of Turkish gastronomy varies region to region, but some staples are stews, fish, kababs, tons of vegetables, and the use of olive oil. You will explore all of these and more during your Istanbul cooking vacations and will learn the secrets of preparing local food during your cooking class.

So journey with TIK to Istanbul for a culinary vacation and experience one of the world’s most fascinating destinations!

If you want a longer trip to Turkey, check out our Cuisine of Sultans 6-night itinerary. And keep in mind, the 3-night Istanbul stay can be easily combined with other culinary tours to Turkey, Greece, and more.