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The traditions of Turkey come alive when you journey to a beautiful stone chateau for a wine tasting accompanied by locally made cheeses served in a countryside setting on this lovely four-hour adventure.

Turkey has the distinction of being the world's fourth-leading producer of grapes, and many wine historians think that viticulture and winemaking were first seen in this part of the world. With hundreds of grape varieties in the region, an opportunity to try several varietals of wines is an excellent way to deepen your understanding and enjoyment of Turkey's fruit of the vine.

This is your chance to explore a charming winemaking facility in this region. Enjoy a panoramic drive through the countryside surrounding Kusadasi to the Seven Sages Vineyard, or "Yedibilgeler" as it is called in Turkish. Situated amidst lush country scenery and lavender gardens, this stone chateau boasts state–of-the-art winemaking facilities producing wines from the Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec grapes.

A resident expert will accompany you on a tour of the grounds and the facility while explaining the process from vineyard to glass and taking you through the steps of picking, fermentation and production. When you enter the fragrant wine cellar, you'll see the wonderful French oak barrels, and in this setting you'll settle in to a wine tasting that allows you to try several varietals, accompanied by an assortment of fresh, locally made cheeses.

Stroll the vineyard area and snap some photographs before reboarding your motorcoach and setting off to the second attraction of the day.

Visit a Turkish handicraft village dedicated to the weaving arts and the time-honored tradition of carpet making. Watch a demonstration and learn more about the process. Carpet weaving has been one of Turkey's most treasured arts from time immemorial. Almost exclusively, it is women who execute this ancient craft. During carpet-weaving demonstrations, you'll learn of the great care taken in the dyeing and spinning processes and the ways carpet patterns often represent elements of daily life. Turkish rugs utilize a double-knot technique, which makes them not only durable but of tremendous value.

After your visit to the Handicraft Village, your motorcoach will return to downtown Kusadasi, where you have the option to disembark and explore independently, later making your own way back to the ship.