As the gateway between Europe and Asia and as the successor state to the Ottoman Empire, Western Turkey offers a diverse culture, fascinating historical sites, stunning natural landscapes and of course amazing food. Turkey is divided into seven geographical regions, the western three of which we have grouped together: Marmara, Central Anatolia and Aegean. The Marmara region is the smallest but most densely populated.

Its strategic location has made it an important trade route through the centuries, making it a diverse and exotic destination for a cooking vacation in Turkey. Its capital city, Istanbul, with its location on the Bosphorus (Istabul Straits), is one of the world’s top travel destinations and a perfect melding of East and West.

The Agean region and its capital city Izmir boast some of the country’s most beautiful coastline—gorgeous beaches, charming villages, rocky bluffs, olive groves and woods—while Central Anatolia is a plateau rife with natural beauties such as the stark Cappadocia, and is also home to some of the best examples of Turkish cuisine.