The experience in a nutshell
The Ida Mountains rise along Turkey’s north Aegean coastline, home to olive groves, working farms and the protected forests of Kazdağı National Park. This half-day experience allows you to slow down and connect with the land itself, choosing from a range of seasonal activities, from helping local producers with the olive harvest to foraging for wild mushrooms and preparing traditional dishes using seasonal ingredients at a sustainably run farm.
Is it for me?
This suits you if you have already explored Istanbul or western Turkey’s history and culture and now want a few restful, unhurried days spent quietly in nature. It also appeals if you are drawn to hiking and walking and want to see a side of Turkey away from the coast and cities, where food, land and daily life remain closely connected.
Give me the details
Opt between one or more of the following experiences, chosen to suit your interests and the season you visit.
A focus on olive heritage
Discover one of the north Aegean’s most significant traditions, with olives grown around the Gulf of Edremit for over 2,000 years. During harvest season (October to December), work alongside a local producer in the olive groves, hands in the branches, taking part in the picking yourself. Outside harvest season, sit with a producer over the fruits of their land to learn how the local variety, deep alkaline soils and Mediterranean climate combine to shape oils with their own distinctive character.
Farm and cooking traditions
Visit Manici Farm (or similar property) where sustainability and rural life come together in perfect harmony. Roll up your sleeves for a hands-on workshop or gather with local women for a private cooking session, using recipes passed down through generations to turn seasonal, local produce into delicious traditional dishes.
Seasonal wild mushroom foraging
Join an experienced local expert on a guided walk through the forests and foothills of Mount Ida, learning to identify wild mushroom varieties and how they are traditionally used in local cooking. Weather, rainfall and growing conditions decide what the season brings, so this experience is arranged only where conditions genuinely allow foraging that day. Mushroom season typically runs through October and November.
How long will I need?
Allow around five hours to enjoy one of the optional activities, though to fully take advantage of this idyllic, peaceful region, we recommend a stay of around two days to a week.
When’s the best time to go?
The olive harvest generally runs from mid-October through December, with the precise timing varying according to olive variety, altitude and whether the olives are being picked early for oil or later for greater yield. The main wild-mushroom season is also October and November, making autumn an ideal time to participate in these seasonal traditions.
Where does it fit into my wider travels?
We’ve included this experience in our nine-day Legends of the Aegean itinerary, which uses the Ida Mountains as a base from which to explore Troy, Assos and Pergamon. You could equally pair it with a moving visit to the battlefields of Gallipoli, or continue on south to the epic ruins of Ephesus and fashionable resorts of the Bodrum Peninsula. Get in touch with our specialists to tailor your own Turkey itinerary.
