Best of Turkey (ANZAC Day)

Hello and welcome to Istanbul! You'll meet your crew before heading straight out on a tour of the city.

After you've ticked off the mosques and wandered the markets, it'll be time to feast. So, join us for a welcome dinner with a Turkish delight tasting (to kick things off on a sweet note, like we should).

Out of Istanbul, we'll make our way to Canakkale. Shortly after ferrying across the Dardanelles (casually crossing continents), we'll arrive in the sparkling town of Canakkale. Today we'll discover that “Troy” means way more than a Hollywood blockbuster. We'll unpack the legends, the layers, and the history behind the epic war with a guided tour of the ancient ruins of the region. Thought that was it? Nope. We'll take a tour of this beautiful town too - and even see the legendary Trojan Horse monument.

This evening we'll lock in a great spot for tomorrow's Dawn Service, then settle in for the night at ANZAC Cove — sleeping beachside under the stars.

With the sun rising behind us, we'll attend the Dawn Service at ANZAC Cove, followed by the Australia and New Zealand ceremonies. It's an early start, but a seriously meaningful one. You'll have some time to reflect, pay respect, and soak in the atmosphere before we move on. After the ceremonies, we'll regroup, grab our bags, and refuel with lunch back in Çanakkale.

Then it's wheels up as we make our way to Izmir. We'll roll into Izmir and  head out to explore the palm-lined promenades of this town known as the 'Pearl of the Aegean'. Rest up — our adventure in the birthplace of Homer (no kids, that isn't Homer from Springfield) continues tomorrow.

Izmir, you were incredible. Ephesus, here we come! 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.

Ah yes, there she is. Even more spectacular than Instagram & Pinterest had ever suggested and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Pamukkale's flowing waters of arid ridges and white calcium terraces formed by mineral waters are almost too much. We'll enjoy an included dinner at our hotel tonight, with more time to explore tomorrow.

This morning we'll farewell Pamukkale and hit the road towards the coast — swapping white terraces for full-on turquoise vibes. Along the way, we'll make a quick stop at Ölüdeniz to check out that unreal Blue Lagoon. Stretch the legs, snap the pics, and enjoy the sea-air reset. We'll swing by Kayaköy later on. If you're keen, you can opt in for a BBQ dinner at a local restaurant and settle in for a relaxed evening with the crew. Then it's on to Fethiye, where the pace slows right down.

Tonight's yours: waterfront wander, chill dinner, early night… whatever your reset looks like.

This morning will be free to soak up Fethiye at your own pace. Think waterfront strolls, a lazy beach session, or a wander through the markets for snacks and souvenirs. If you feel like getting out on the water, you can opt into a boat tour with lunch onboard: turquoise water, sun on your face, and a front-row seat to Türkiye's coastline doing the absolute most.

Fethiye, you were fab. But we've got places to be. Konya is a whole mix — ancient roots, grand mosques, market streets, modern student energy, and the legacy of Rumi all in one place.

First up, we'll meet a Sufi master for an intro to whirling dervish traditions. Then it's home-cooked dinner time at our homestay for a cosy, local end to the day.

Waving goodbye to Konya this morning, we'll set our sights on another UNESCO World Heritage spot: Cappadocia. We'll roll into Cappadocia and head straight to the Göreme Open Air Museum to explore its rock-cut monasteries and cave churches. Next up, we'll meet Mr Galip — a UNESCO-recognised pottery legend — for a live demo (and yeah… souvenirs will be very, very tempting).

Leaving this city without a hot air balloon moment? Naurrr. Sign up for an optional sunrise experience to see the balloons drift across the valley and lock in those photo ops.

Later, we'll hike the Red Valley, weaving past honey-coloured rocks and proper other-worldly views. Finally, if you're keen to level up your Turkish food game, you can jump into an optional cooking class. And yep, it's inside a cave!

We'll leave Cappadocia behind today and make our way to the capital, Ankara. On the way, we'll stop at Lake Tuz for a salty, sparkly photo break — cameras at the ready. Hello Ankara! You'll have a free evening to do you. If you're keen for a culture hit, head to Anıtkabir — the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder and first President of modern Türkiye (aka the name in Turkish history). Or keep it simple and hunt down a cosy spot for dinner with the crew.

Catch ya' later, Ankara. Time to hit the road to Istanbul. Nice to see you again, Istanbul. You'll have a free afternoon to roam the streets, soak up the chaos in the best way, and lock in any last-minute shopping. Tonight, you can round things off with an optional farewell dinner with your crew.

And just like that, after 12 days of culture, epic landscapes, and all the “how is this real? ” moments — your trip will come to an end. Hug it out, swap numbers, and get those last pics in… because the group chat's about to become your new travel diary.