Chasing wine on the Izmir Peninsula

The cultural exploration continues with a visit to the Izmir Agora Open Air Museum, the ancient commercial and civic centre of Smyrna. Dating back to the Roman period, the Agora reveals more than 2,000 years of history through its arched galleries, colonnaded structures and sophisticated underground water systems. Accompanied by expert guiding, this immersive visit offers in-depth insights into Roman urban planning, trade networks and Izmir’s long-standing role as a Mediterranean harbour city. Guests come to understand that Izmir is not only a coastal destination, but also a deeply rooted cultural metropolis.

The journey then continues to Kemeraltı Bazaar, where commercial life has thrived uninterrupted since the Ottoman era. With its narrow streets, historic inns and traditional artisan shops, Kemeraltı stands as a living cultural heritage site. This experience provides meaningful interaction with local merchants, traditional trading culture and the rhythms of daily urban life.

As guests stroll through its atmospheric streets, they will sample authentic Izmir street delicacies, marking an engaging and memorable introduction to the region’s culinary traditions. This first gastronomic encounter sets the tone for the wine and gastronomy-focused experiences that will unfold in vineyards and fine-dining venues throughout the journey.

The Kemeraltı exploration concludes at the iconic Izmir Clock Tower, built in 1901 and regarded as a symbol of the late Ottoman modernisation period. Located in the heart of Konak Square, the monument provides a perfect setting for photographs and a short period of leisure time to absorb the city’s atmosphere.

Following the city tour, guests depart for Urla, one of Izmir’s rising lifestyle and tourism destinations. After a refined dinner experience, overnight accommodation is provided at the hotel.

Urla’s gastronomic identity extends well beyond wine. As part of the program, guests will visit the Köstem Olive Oil Museum, one of the most comprehensive olive oil museums in the world. Presenting the evolution of olive oil production from antiquity to the present day, the museum provides valuable insight into the agricultural heritage of the region and the foundations of Mediterranean culinary culture. A professional olive oil tasting session follows, introducing participants to aromatic profiling, acidity balance and sensory evaluation techniques. This experience enriches the itinerary with both cultural and academic gastronomic depth.

Later in the day, leisure time is offered at Urla Art Street, renowned for its restored stone houses, art ateliers and boutique design stores. Representing the creative and contemporary face of the destination, this charming district provides opportunities for shopping, coffee breaks and meaningful interaction with local artisans.

The day culminates with a refined dinner experience at the Michelin-starred Teruar Urla. Embracing the concept of “terroir” as a gastronomic manifesto, the restaurant showcases Aegean cuisine through a modern, sustainable and seasonally driven culinary philosophy, supported by a strong network of local producers. The tasting menu, enhanced with carefully selected wine pairings, represents the gastronomic pinnacle of the day, bringing together the vineyard and olive oil experiences in a sophisticated and memorable way.

Following this holistic Aegean journey—from boutique vineyards to a Michelin-starred table—guests return to the hotel for overnight accommodation.

The journey continues with a visit to Urla Winery, one of the region’s pioneering and well-established producers. Recognised for its modern technical infrastructure and numerous international awards, the winery interprets both indigenous and international grape varieties with a balanced and elegant stylistic approach. The tasting session is complemented by professional insights into production methodologies, vineyard management and brand positioning within the global wine landscape.

At midday, the route leads to Çakır Winery, distinguished for its boutique production philosophy and strong integration of gastronomy and wine culture. Guests will enjoy a curated wine-paired lunch, offering an opportunity to experience the harmony between regional flavours and the estate’s signature wines.

In the afternoon, the program continues with Mozaik Winery, where the focus is on preserving the authentic character of each grape variety through a minimal intervention approach. Following a guided vineyard and cellar tour, the tasting session highlights balance, purity and the natural expression of terroir.

The day concludes with an exclusive wine-paired dinner at Hus Winery, featured in the Michelin Guide recommendation list. This refined culinary experience represents a gastronomic synthesis of the diverse terroirs explored throughout the day, further reinforcing the premium and experiential character of the program.

After dinner, guests are transferred back to the hotel, where overnight accommodation concludes this immersive day of wine, gastronomy and discovery.

Upon arrival in the morning, guests enjoy a panoramic discovery of the town centre. Çeşme Castle, The marina, stone architecture and vibrant waterfront reflect Çeşme’s longstanding role as a strategic maritime trade hub. This introduction provides a concise cultural framework, offering insight into Aegean coastal life and the geographical significance of the peninsula throughout history.

The program then continues with an exclusive tasting experience at BuradanÇeşme Vineyards, one of the leading representatives of viticulture in the Çeşme region, featuring a curated selection of Ovacık wines. Shaped by a strong maritime influence, the region’s distinctive terroir—defined by coastal winds, mineral-rich soils, and a pronounced sense of freshness—creates wines with remarkable elegance and vibrancy. This experience offers guests the opportunity to explore the stylistic contrast between coastal terroirs and the inland character of Urla, while engaging in a refined sensory analysis of regional diversity and expression.

Lunch is served at Ova Sofra, renowned for its seasonal and locally driven culinary philosophy. The menu highlights refined interpretations of Aegean cuisine, centred on olive oil-based dishes, wild herbs and fresh seafood. The experience may be organised as a wine-paired or à la carte format, presenting an elegant expression of coastal gastronomy.

In the afternoon, the route leads to Alaçatı, an internationally acclaimed destination celebrated for its restored Greek houses, narrow streets, windsurfing culture and boutique lifestyle concept. With its design stores, art galleries and stylish cafés, Alaçatı represents the contemporary and sophisticated face of the Aegean. Free time here allows guests to explore, shop, photograph and experience the destination at their own pace.

The day concludes with an exclusive dinner at Sota Alaçatı, featured in the Michelin Guide. Interpreting modern Aegean cuisine through creative techniques, the restaurant presents a seasonal and balanced menu that transforms the coastal character experienced throughout t he day into a memorable gastronomic finale.

After dinner, guests are transferred back to the hotel for overnight accommodation, completing a refined day of coastal discovery, wine and contemporary Aegean lifestyle.

The morning continues with a guided exploration of Teos Ancient City, one of the significant Ionian port cities dating back to the 1st millennium BCE. Known for its association with the cult of Dionysus and the ancient artists’ guild, Teos holds symbolic importance in understanding the historical roots of wine culture. Accompanied by expert commentary, guests discover the ancient theatre, agora and city walls while gaining insight into the region’s trade networks, artistic heritage and viticultural past. This visit provides a meaningful historical dimension to the wine experiences encountered throughout the journey.

The route then leads to Sığacık Castle and its charming inner quarter, enclosed by 16th-century fortifications. Narrow stone streets, restored traditional houses and local producer stalls reflect the town’s distinctive slow-living identity and community-oriented culture.

Following free time to explore and engage with the local atmosphere, guests enjoy a lunch experience highlighting Aegean herbs, olive oil-based dishes and traditional recipes. After the refined Michelin-starred dining experiences of previous days, this au thentic and locally rooted culinary approach completes the gastronomic narrative with balance and cultural depth.

In the afternoon, the journey returns to the Urla Wine Route for the program’s final vineyard explorations and tastings. The first stop is MMG Winery, recognised for its innovative production approach and modern technical infrastructure. The experience continues at USCA Winery, known for its boutique philosophy and character-driven wines that emphasise terroir expression.

The grand finale of both the day and the tour takes place at Urlice Vineyards, one of the pioneering producers of the Urla Wine Route. A private wine-paired dinner is served overlooking the vineyards, featuring a seasonal menu crafted from local ingredients and paired with a curated selection of the estate’s wines. This refined closing experience synthesises the terroir diversity, gastronomic richness and cultural heritage explored throughout the program.

From the cult of Dionysus to contemporary boutique winemaking, from authentic street flavours to Michelinstarred tables, Chasing Wine on the Izmir Peninsula delivers a sophisticated and multi-layered journey. On this final evening, we return to the hotel for overnight accommodation, concluding an exceptional exploration of wine, culture and refined Aegean lifestyle.

DAY 7

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and transfer to Adnan Menderes Airport for your onward flight.