8-Day Mesopotamia: Tables & Tales — A Culinary Journey through Southeastern Türkiye

After breakfast, explore the market district with your guide. Browse spice stalls, food shops and traditional workshops, stopping for a selection of tastings along the way.

Continue to a local kitchen for a hands-on cooking session. Your host will introduce the ingredients and explain the family or regional traditions behind the chosen dishes.

Depending on the seasonal menu, you may prepare stuffed vegetables, a bulgur-based dish or another local speciality. Work together, ask questions and then sit down to enjoy the lunch you have helped create.

In the afternoon, visit an artisan baklava producer. Watch the stages of preparation available during your visit and enjoy a tasting before returning to your hotel.

Overnight: Gaziantep
Meals: Breakfast and workshop lunch

Begin with a visit to a local food producer. Depending on the season and availability, this may focus on pistachios, dried produce or another regional ingredient. Meet your host and learn about the work behind the products you have been tasting.

Continue to Halfeti for lunch overlooking the Euphrates.

In the afternoon, take a shared boat excursion through the river landscape. Enjoy a change of pace after the busy kitchens and markets of Gaziantep.

Travel onward to Şanlıurfa and check in to your hotel. The evening is free to relax or explore nearby with recommendations from your guide.

Overnight: Şanlıurfa
Meals: Breakfast and lunch

After breakfast, explore Balıklıgöl and the surrounding historic streets before heading into the bazaar district.

Your guide will introduce selected ingredients and regional specialities through a tasting walk. Take time to browse and enjoy tea before joining a local cook for a practical food session.

Depending on the host’s menu, help prepare a bulgur-based speciality, stuffed vegetables or another regional dish. Lunch follows, giving you time to enjoy the food and talk with your host.

The afternoon is at leisure.

In the evening, attend a traditional Sıra Night, where dinner is accompanied by regional music. It is an opportunity to experience Şanlıurfa’s hospitality around a shared table.

Overnight: Şanlıurfa
Meals: Breakfast, workshop lunch and dinner

After breakfast, travel to Mardin by private vehicle, with a comfort stop along the way.

On arrival, explore selected streets of the old town. Walk past stone façades, browse small shops and pause to enjoy the views. There is free time for lunch.

Later, visit a local food artisan for a tasting and conversation. The visit may focus on bread, pastries, spices or another speciality, depending on the confirmed host.

In the evening, enjoy a hosted regional dinner. Hear about the dishes served and the occasions on which local families prepare them.

Overnight: Mardin
Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Today begins with a visit to selected food shops to learn about the ingredients used in your cooking session.

Continue to a local kitchen, where your host will guide you through a small regional menu. Depending on availability, dishes may include sembusek, stuffed bulgur preparations or a seasonal vegetable dish.

The session is designed for participation rather than observation alone. Help with the preparation, practise the techniques and enjoy lunch together when the food is ready.

In the afternoon, take a guided cultural walk followed by free time. You may wish to browse the shops, photograph the streets or settle into a café.

Overnight: Mardin
Meals: Breakfast and workshop lunch

After breakfast, depart for Midyat.

Explore the historic streets and visit a local food artisan for a demonstration or tasting. The host and speciality will be confirmed for your departure, with time to talk about ingredients, production and local demand.

Following free time for lunch, continue to Diyarbakır.

Check in to your hotel before an introductory walk through selected parts of the historic centre, subject to arrival time.

In the evening, gather for a farewell dinner featuring regional dishes. A short live music performance is included, subject to confirmation with the selected venue.

Overnight: Diyarbakır
Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Enjoy breakfast before checking out.

If your flight schedule allows, take a short morning walk through the historic centre, with a final stop for tea or a local tasting. Otherwise, transfer directly to the airport.

Your tour ends with a transfer to Diyarbakır Airport.

Meals: Breakfast