This morning is one big Istanbul bucket list. Tick off the city sites on a walking tour. Then, why not do the optional activity and get yourself entry to the Topkapi Palace, the Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern? After, grab a quick bite before we set off to experience the bustling student life in the city of Eskisehir tonight.

Today’s highlights
Walking tour of Istanbul
Meals
Breakfast
Optional extras
Entry to Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern

If the promise of a drug-free psychedelic daydream doesn’t get you out of bed, what will? Cappadocia next. Cue alien landscapes, fairytale mountainside villages and epic hiking potential. But that’s not before a photo stop at the nearby UNESCO World Heritage site of Gordion and a visit to an underground city. Pretty cool, huh?

Today’s highlights
Visit Gordion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Photo stop at Salt Lake
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Optional extras
Visit Saratli Underground City

Wander the streets of Göreme, fall in love at Love Valley and check out the Uchisar Castle (optional) for more epic views. Tonight: get your groove on at an optional Turkish dance show.

Today’s highlights
Visit Love Valley
Meals
Breakfast
Optional extras
Visit Göreme Open-Air Museum
Visit Uchisar Castle
Traditional Turkish dance show

Kick back on today’s drive to Antalya where more otherworldly landscapes await. Tonight is a good time to see a man about a kebab. The food here is famous for a reason (we’re talking about slow-roasted mutton the local way).

Meals
Breakfast
Optional extras
Visit Sultan Han

Fethiye and another fifty shades of blue. And white beaches. Wade through the icy blue to waterfalls set against limestone canyon walls on an optional visit to Saklikent Gorge. Locals call this place a paradise granted to Earth by God. When you see the beaches, you’ll know why. Ready for it?

Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Optional extras
Visit Saklikent Gorge

Like most rivieras, this place doesn’t lack options of places to worship the sun. Check out tombs carved into rock cliffs or alternate between dips in the water and sandy naps on the beach. This afternoon: set sail on an optional boat cruise. Then, mingle with the newbies joining tonight or split off to dig into some more local cuisine.

Meals
Breakfast
Optional extras
Islands of Fethiye boat tour

On to Pamukkale for a dip in the best natural hot tubs in Turkey. Then, take a tour of the ancient Roman city Hierapolis before we roll into Kusadasi in the early evening.

Today’s highlights
Visit the ruins at Hierapolis-Pamukkale
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner

More Indiana Jones vibes today as we check out the ruins of the Roman city Ephesus. Apart from buildings dating back to 3,000 BC, this is also the home of the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven ancient wonders of the world. See forgotten city halls, a former library, a Greek amphitheatre and a stadium whose last race saw chariot and horses compete. The rest of the day is free to explore Kusadasi. Flex your haggling skills at the Grand Bazaar, hit the beach or go baklava hunting. You can’t go wrong.

Today’s highlights
Visit the ancient Greek city of Ephesus
Meals
Breakfast

On to Troy. Yep: an ancient battle, hidden soldiers and that movie with Brad Pitt. But first, a visit to the ruins of Pergamon to see the Acropolis. Spend the night in Çanakkale after a photo op with the notorious wooden horse. New profile pic?

Today’s highlights
Visit Pergamon Acropolis
Meals
Breakfast
Optional extras
Visit Troy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Today we take on a more sombre tone. On to the WWI-scarred shores of Gallipoli for one of the most defining events in the histories of Australia, New Zealand and Turkey. Pay your respects at the Australian War Memorial at Lone Pine and the New Zealand Memorial at Chunuk Bair. Visit ANZAC Cove and the Turkish Memorial. Then more Turkish delight and teary goodbyes at our farewell dinner in Istanbul this evening.

Today’s highlights
Gallipoli visit including Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair and ANZAC Cove
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner

You can never have enough baklava. Eat yourself into a food coma this morning. We’re out of here after breakfast.

Meals
Breakfast