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This experience moves slowly through one of the Aegean’s most quietly distinctive cultural landscapes.
From the layered streets of İzmir and the vineyards of Urla to the whitewashed harbour towns of Çeşme and the medieval mastic villages of Chios, the journey follows a region long connected by water, commerce and shared traditions. Along the way, local cuisine, Byzantine heritage, coastal life and agricultural rituals reveal an Aegean world that remains deeply rooted in place and remarkably untouched by mass tourism.
How the Experience Unfolds
DAY 1
Arrival in İzmir
Arrive in İzmir and settle into your hotel. Spend the evening exploring the waterfront, enjoying fresh seafood and discovering the relaxed rhythm of one of the Aegean’s great coastal cities.
DAY 2
Agora, Kemeraltı & İzmir
Explore the Roman Agora of Smyrna and the historic Kemeraltı Bazaar, where centuries of trade and local life continue to shape the city. The afternoon is free to enjoy museums, cafés or the waterfront at your own pace.
DAY 3
Urla & Aegean Gastronomy
Travel to Urla, a region known for its vineyards, artisan producers and emerging culinary reputation. The day culminates with dinner at OD Urla, where Michelin-recognised menus celebrate ingredients sourced from the surrounding landscape.
DAY 4
Çeşme
Continue to Çeşme and explore its harbour, Ottoman fountains and Genoese castle. The afternoon is dedicated to the sea, local cafés and the easy-going atmosphere of the Aegean coast.
DAY 5
Ferry to Chios
Cross to Chios and settle into Kampos, a historic district of citrus estates and stone mansions. Later, explore Chios Town, its castle quarter and the island’s Byzantine and maritime heritage.
DAY 6
The Mastichochoria
Discover the villages shaped by the cultivation of mastic, a tradition unique to southern Chios. Visit mastic groves, the Mastic Museum, the decorated village of Pyrgi and the remarkably preserved medieval settlement of Mesta.
DAY 7
Anavatos & Nea Moni
Visit the abandoned hilltop village of Anavatos and the UNESCO-listed monastery of Nea Moni, home to some of the finest Byzantine mosaics in the Aegean. After time in the citrus gardens of Kampos, return by ferry to Çeşme.
Key Moments
İzmir — the Roman Agora of Smyrna, Kemeraltı Bazaar and the layered energy of one of the Aegean’s great trading cities
Urla & OD Urla — Michelin-recognised Aegean gastronomy shaped by local agriculture, olive groves and open-fire cooking
Çeşme — Ottoman fountains, harbour life and the turquoise waters of Türkiye’s western coastline
Chios & Kampos — Citrus estates, stone mansions and one of the eastern Aegean’s most atmospheric island landscapes
The Mastichochoria — UNESCO-listed mastic villages, family-run groves and the extraordinary facades of Pyrgi
Nea Moni & Anavatos — Byzantine mosaics, abandoned hilltop settlements and the layered history of Chios
Anavatos — A dramatically positioned abandoned fortified village, one of the most haunting landscapes in the Greek islands
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