Turkish Delight

The countdown is finally over, global roamers! We're here in Istanbul and all geared up to uncover fabulous Turkey. No better way to kickstart this journey than a delightful Turkish dinner, after which you'll have some free time to explore this wonderful city on your own.

20,000 hand painted tiles fill the stunning Blue Mosque; millions of trinkets line the kilometres of the Grand Bazaar; and over 1,500 years of history sit within the walls of the Hagia Sophia. This is just some of the exotic magnificence that will keep us glued to Istanbul today with a walking tour (guided by an local expert, of course!). Choose to end the day of sightseeing with a traditional Turkish Hammam and an optional cruise along the Bosphorus. Day two and we're already up to our eyeballs in experiences.

Out of exotic Istanbul we make our way to Canakkale, taking a sobering stop at the World War I site of Gallipoli. Visiting ANZAC Cove, Chunuk Bair & Lone Pine Cemetery today we are gifted with a special opportunity to pay tribute to the heroes of World War I right here where part of the battle took place.

Tonight is yours to unwind and relax with your squad.

A big day sits ahead of us. Down as much breakfast as you can before we jump on the road in search of adventure. Today we discover that "Troy" means more than just a Hollywood blockbuster; so much more. Unravel the historical layers of a ten year war & what is now a mythical excavation site, and sign up for an in-depth look at the ancient ruins of the region.

Further along the Turkish coastline we arrive at Pergamon. Once a political hotspot, this town is now brimming with history. We'll take a scenic mountain drive and give you the chance to get acquainted with Pergamon's hillside ruins, tapping into the archaeologist that you surely are. After our day's adventures are done, we arrive in Izmir, the birthplace of Homer (no kids, that isn't Homer from Springfield).

After we tuck into some Turkish dinner, head out and explore the palm-lined promenades of this town known as the 'Pearl of the Aegean'.

Cruising out of Izmir after breakfast, we're heading out to marvel at what will probably be one of the most breathtakingly beautiful natural landscapes you have ever seen, but not before a trip to see one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World.

Did you know Mark Antony and Cleopatra used to hang out here at Ephesus back in the day? And now here we are, walking in their footsteps some 2,000 years later in what is now the best preserved classical city on the Mediterranean. We'll have a chance to see the well-preserved ruins of this ancient port city including the Temple of Artemis and the Library of Celsus before heading back on the road to our next wonder, Pamukkale.

On arrival in Pamukkale, we'll check into our hotel and ease into the afternoon with some well-earned pool time. With a big day ahead tomorrow, this is your moment to relax, recharge and soak up those laid-back vibes. Tonight, we'll refuel over an included dinner before drifting off to sleep dreaming about the iconic cotton-white thermal pools waiting for us on the horizon.

Ready for more magic today? On the agenda is a visit to Hierapolis, one of the antique cities of the Aegean, where you'll have the chance to take a guided tour.

Afterwards, take a moment to dip your toes in the healing thermal waters of what the locals call the 'Cotton Palace'. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the stuff of dreams... and will level up your insta! After lunch we'll drive to our next destination, Konya. The Sufi pilgrimage city of Konya dates back to 3000BC and is home to an elaborate 12th century mosque, narrow market streets, a contemporary university, whirling dervish ceremonies and the burial place of the Islamic poet, Rumi. We'll enjoy an included dinner at our hotel amidst the ancient and modern energy of this 5,000 year old city.

Waving goodbye to Konya this morning, we have our sights set on another UNESCO World Heritage site, Cappadocia. Here in Cappadocia we'll visit the Goreme Open Air Museum and encounter the vast monastic rock complex this area is famous for, with elaborate cave formations and even entire churches carved into the rockface, complete with colourful wall frescoes. Thoroughly blown away by the countless wonders we're experiencing in Turkey, we'll return to our hotel, for a delicious traditional dinner tonight.

We'll start this morning before the sun has even risen - by jumping on the coach with our crew to chase the type of photos you can only see on Instagram! Get your fully charged camera at the ready to chase those all-too-famous sunrise hot air balloon shots from only the best angles - your local guide will be taking you to some of the best viewing platforms!  

After comparing photos at our hotel breakfast, we will head out to Uchisar Castle and make our way through the Fairy Chimney Valley to our Make Travel Matter® Experience where a local family welcomes us into their generational home. If we haven't had the most perfect day already - this afternoon you'll have the chance to join a cooking class with the locals to whip up a feast made for a Turkish King! What a day!

We have Ankara in our sights today, but we're not quite done with Cappadocia yet. Departing after breakfast we'll first stop at the Zelve Open Air Museum, a cave town honeycombed with dwellings and a Byzantine-era monastery, followed by a peek at Pasa Baglari, the 'fairy chimneys' this region is known for, before heading on to Turkey's cosmopolitan capital. Ankara awaits us with the historic fortified Kalesi (castle) overlooking the city and a chance to load up on pears, honey, muscat grapes, and angora wool. Here we'll enjoy an included dinner at the hotel with Istanbul ahead of us tomorrow.

Ankara, it's been short but sweet. Today we're returning to Istanbul with a stop for lunch on the way. Arriving in the afternoon, we'll be amazed at how much we've covered since we last set foot in Istanbul at the start of our adventure. We'll make the most of our time in the 'Paris of the East' with the option of joining a final dinner and Whirling Dervish show for our last dose of Turkish Culture!

This morning, our Turkish Delight ends where it began in Istanbul. It's time to say fond farewells, but we'll always have our photos and memories of this incredible adventure.