The Historic Peninsula, Read Through Its Flavours: 18 November with Mastercard

On Wednesday 18 November I’ll be on Istanbul’s Historic Peninsula with twelve Mastercard cardholders, as part of Mastercard’s priceless™ programme.

The experience is led by a licensed professional tourist guide. I’ll be sharing what years of eating my way through these bazaars, hans and family-run shops have taught me. From döner to local cheeses, from baklava to Turkish coffee: a conversation and a bite at every stop…

Why the Historic Peninsula?

Istanbul has done its shopping on these streets for centuries. Spices, coffee, cheese and dry goods still move along the same routes, and the makers who learned their trade and their recipes from the generation before are still here. If you want to understand how this city eats, this is where to start.

Who can join, and how

• Date: Wednesday 18 November 2026
• Neighbourhood: Historic Peninsula, Fatih
• Group size: 12 guests
• Who can join: Mastercard cardholders only, aged 18 and over
• Booking: at least 2 days ahead, so by 16 November, on priceless.com

To join the tasting experience, follow this link:

Reserve your place on priceless.com →

Booking, payment and cancellation terms are set by priceless.com; the experience is non-refundable once purchased, and you are charged in the local currency.

We covered these streets on the podcast too

Nilay and I talked through the Historic Peninsula on our Turkish-language podcast, Yemekte Bile Yemek Konuşuyoruz. Episode 27, recorded in October 2024 and also made with Mastercard’s support, runs from Tahtakale and the Spice Bazaar through corners of the Grand Bazaar to Fatih and the Golden Horn.

Cover: Yemekte Bile Yemek Konuşuyoruz

Advertising and partnerships. This post is part of a partnership with Mastercard. Guiding on this experience is provided by a licensed professional tourist guide; I do not act as a guide, I share my personal experience. My editorial principles →