Stand at the ancient crossroads between Europe and Asia, embarking on a journey of discovery through ancient lands and the marauding empires who fought to rule it. Arriving in vibrant Istanbul, you will be transferred to your hotel before joining your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a memorable dinner to kick off your epic adventure. (D) Stay: Arts Hotel Taksim

Spend your day delving into a city where modern and ancient coexist effortlessly. Gain insights into the Ottoman Empire's power during your guided tour of the Topkapi Palace and see the 4th-century Egyptian obelisk. Visit Hagia Sophia and the Hippodrome. View the exquisite Blue Mosque, said to rival even the Great Mosque in Mecca. Consider an optional cruise navigating the waters of the Bosphorus. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the museum of Classical Turkish Music. (B)

Pay tribute to the brave souls who lost their lives at Gallipoli – the national pride of two nations, the Turkish and Australians, were awakened at the site of the bloody WWI battlefields and are commemorated to this day. See Anzac Cove and the Dardanelles, and visit the cemeteries of Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair, the final resting place of many Allied soldiers. We continue to Çanakkale where we dine at our hotel tonight. (B/D) Stay: Kolin

Explore the legends of Troy and see the symbolic replica of the famous Wooden Horse the Greeks used to break their siege of this ancient city.

This afternoon, Connect With Locals over lunch in the village of Demircidere at a Be My Guest experience. Travel to the broad boulevards of seaside Izmir later and dine in your hotel this evening. (B/L/D) Stay: Kaya Izmir Thermal & Convention

Stroll through the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Ephesus, past the amazingly intact façade of the Library of Celcus and down to what was once its thriving port. During your visit to a Turkish carpet emporium, learn about the rich heritage and intricate artistry of carpet weaving. Visit the House of Virgin Mary at Mt. Koressos, then spend the rest of the day at leisure.

This evening you may consider joining an optional dinner at a local restaurant in Izmir and indulge in some of the local raki. (B)

Leave the coastal city of Izmir behind as you journey inland to Pamukkale. Relax and enjoy the blissful thermal pools at your hotel before dinner. (B/D) Stay: Colossae Thermal

Tread in the footsteps of the ancients who sought relief and relaxation at the Roman health spa at Hierapolis, then admire the bubbling pools and delicate white cascades of water of Pamukkale's Cotton Castle Springs. Our stop for the next two nights is the Mediterranean retreat of Antalya. Enjoy some time on your own ambling through the winding lanes of its old city and admiring beautifully preserved Ottoman architecture.

This evening, join your companions for dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D) Stay: Marmara Antalya

Enjoy a day at your own pace, taking in the captivating seaside ambiance of the Turkish Riviera. Stroll through the charming, winding streets of the old city, where you can admire the well-preserved Ottoman architecture. For an Optional Experience, you may choose a yacht cruise and guided tour of Antalya's historic old town. (B)

Witness the world's best-preserved theater of antiquity during your first stop in Aspendos this morning, before continuing to Konya, where we will gain insights into the mystical Whirling Dervish sect whose remains lie in the Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum. We continue to the Karatay Tile Museum, spellbound by its exquisitely Seljuk-tiled dome, before returning to our hotel where we'll dine tonight. (B/D) Stay: Dedeman

See a well-preserved 13th-century caravanserai, at which weary travelers used to rest. We journey to Cappadocia with its honey-colored rocky spires providing an enchanting backdrop for our visit to the underground city of Saratli on the ancient Silk Road.

Tonight we stay in one of Trafalgar's Stays With Stories located with views of the valley and ancient Ortahisar rock castle. (B/D) Stay: Exedra Hotel

The other-worldly landscapes of Cappadocia take center stage today as we explore its volcanic landscape dotted with caves and troglodyte dwellings. We visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum to admire the extraordinary rock-hewn churches and the fairy chimneys of Paşabağ. Dive Into Culture to learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos.

This evening, indulge in the flavors of traditional pottery kebabs during a Regional Dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)

Arriving in the youthful capital of Turkey today, we visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations and the final resting place of the country's beloved Atatürk, the first president of the modern Turkish nation.

This evening we dine at our hotel in Ankara. (B/D) Stay: Grand Mercure Ankara

Returning to Istanbul, Dive Into Culture with a visit to the Grand Bazaar. Discover the hidden lanes and watch artisans at work while you wander the main thoroughfares. Spend some time haggling with passionate market vendors lining its labyrinthine lanes. Enjoy the rest of the day on your own. Delve into the depths of the Basilica Cistern, savor the intoxicating smells of the Spice Market or ascend Galata Tower for exquisite views of east and west. Finish the day with your Travel Director and fellow companions for a memorable dinner. (B/D) Stay: Arts Hotel Taksim

Our epic journey into antiquity has come to an end as we bid Istanbul and newfound friends a fond farewell. (B)

Stand at the ancient crossroads between Europe and Asia, embarking on a journey of discovery through ancient lands and the marauding empires who fought to rule it. Arriving in vibrant Istanbul, you will be transferred to your hotel before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a memorable dinner to kick off your epic adventure. (D) Stay: Arts Taksim

Begin your day at the Hippodrome, once the heart of Byzantine life, where you'll see the 4th-century Egyptian obelisk. View the Blue Mosque, with its striking minarets, and the architectural masterpiece of Hagia Sophia. With a Local Specialist, explore Topkapi Palace and learn how Ottoman sultans once ruled an empire. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the museum of Classical Turkish Music. The rest afternoon is free, or you could choose to cruise the Bosphorus on an Optional Experience, taking in the sights.

In the evening, another Optional Experience offers a taste of local culture, enjoy a traditional Turkish dinner with drinks as dancers and musicians take the stage in a lively performance. (B)

Pay tribute to the brave souls who lost their lives at Gallipoli, where the national pride of both Turkey and Australia was awakened amidst the bloody battlefields of World War I, a legacy still commemorated today. See Anzac Cove and the Dardanelles, and visit the cemeteries of Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair, the final resting places of many Allied soldiers. Continue to Çanakkale, where you dine at your hotel tonight. (B/D) Stay: Kolin

Visit a land of Trojan legends, where the ancient city of Troy has been immortalised by Homer in tales of King Priam, Hector, Paris and Helen. Explore the archaeological site revealing nine layers of civilisation and see the replica wooden horse that recalls the Greek strategy used to end the legendary siege.

Later, travel to the village of Demircidere for your Be My Guest experience. Meet local women, visit the village bakery and enjoy lunch made with fresh, homegrown produce. Continue to Izmir and settle into your seaside hotel before dining together this evening. (B/L/D) Stay: Kaya Izmir Thermal & Convention

Stroll through the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Ephesus, past the amazingly intact facade of the Library of Celcus and down to what was once its thriving port. During your visit to a Turkish carpet emporium, learn about the rich heritage and intricate artistry of carpet weaving. Then, visit the House of Virgin Mary at Mt. Koressos.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure. This evening, you may consider joining an optional dinner at a local restaurant in Izmir and indulge in some of the local raki. (B)

Leave the coastal city of Izmir behind as you journey inland to Pamukkale. Relax and enjoy the blissful thermal pools at your hotel before dinner. (B/D) Stay: Colossae Thermal

Tread in the footsteps of the ancients who sought relief and relaxation at the Roman health spa at Hierapolis, then admire the bubbling pools and delicate white cascades of water of Pamukkale's Cotton Castle Springs.

Our stop for the next two nights is the Mediterranean retreat of Antalya. Visit the Antalya Archaeological Museum, then enjoy some time on your own ambling through the winding lanes of its old city and admiring beautifully preserved Ottoman architecture. This evening, join your companions for dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D) Stay: Marmara Antalya

Enjoy a day at your own pace, taking in the captivating seaside ambiance of the Turkish Riviera. Stroll through the charming, winding streets of the old city, where you can admire the well-preserved Ottoman architecture. For an Optional Experience, you may choose a yacht cruise and guided tour of Antalya's historic old town. (B)

Witness the world's best-preserved theatre of antiquity during your first stop in Aspendos this morning, before continuing to Konya, where you'll gain insights into the mystical Whirling Dervish sect whose remains lie in the Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum. Then, visit the Karatay Tile Museum, spellbound by its exquisitely Seljuk-tiled dome. Return to your hotel, where you'll dine tonight. (B/D) Stay: Dedeman

See a well-preserved 13th-century caravanserai, at which weary travellers used to rest. Journey to Cappadocia with its honey-coloured rocky spires providing an enchanting backdrop for our visit to the underground city of Saratli on the ancient Silk Road. Tonight we stay in one of Trafalgar's Stays With Stories located with views of the valley and ancient Ortahisar rock castle. (B/D) Stay: Exedra

The otherworldly landscapes of Cappadocia take centre stage today as you explore its volcanic terrain dotted with caves and troglodyte dwellings. Visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum to admire the extraordinary rock-hewn churches and the fairy chimneys of Paşabağ. Dive Into Culture to learn about the art of pottery making in Avanos. This evening, indulge in the flavours of traditional pottery kebabs during dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)

Arriving in the youthful capital of Turkey today, visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations and the final resting place of the country's beloved Atatürk, the first president of the modern Turkish nation. This evening, dine at your hotel in Ankara. (B/D) Stay: Grand Mercure Ankara

Returning to Istanbul, Dive Into Culture with a visit to the Grand Bazaar. Discover its hidden lanes and watch artisans at work as you wander the bustling thoroughfares. Spend some time haggling with passionate market vendors lining its labyrinthine alleys. End the day with your Travel Director and fellow companions over a memorable dinner. (B/D) Stay: Arts Taksim

Your epic journey into antiquity has come to an end as you bid Istanbul and newfound friends a fond farewell. (B)