ANZAC Day Experience

On arrival at Istanbul Airport, your journey in this storied transcontinental city begins. We meet you and transfer you to your hotel in central Istanbul, passing lively neighbourhoods along the way. The rest of the day is yours to explore at leisure – you can wander atmospheric streets, browse bustling markets and take in historic landmarks at your own pace.

We visit the Blue Mosque, taking in its soaring domes, slender minarets and intricate Ottoman‑era tilework. We then step inside Hagia Sophia – a monumental masterpiece layered with Byzantine and Ottoman history. We tour Topkapi Palace – the opulent former seat of the Ottoman sultans – wandering through serene courtyards and richly adorned royal chambers. We also pause at the Hippodrome of Constantinople, once the bustling ceremonial and sporting centre of the Byzantine Empire.

From Istanbul we travel to the Gallipoli Peninsula, bound for its historic First World War battlefields. We arrive at ANZAC Cove – an iconic stretch of coastline associated with the ANZAC landings – and take time to absorb its atmosphere.

We gather before first light to attend the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at Gallipoli – a solemn commemoration honouring those who served and fell. After the service, we return by road from the Gallipoli Peninsula to Istanbul, bringing this meaningful journey to a close.

We begin with a short drive from Canakkale to the ancient city of Troy in the north west of Turkey. At the Museum of Troy we explore artefacts linked to the legendary city – tangible echoes of myth and history. We then visit the archaeological ruins, tracing the successive layers of ancient civilisations. Later, we continue by road from Troy to Kusadasi along the Aegean coast.

We travel from Kusadasi to the ancient Roman city of Ephesus, where we walk its marble streets and admire grand monuments. We visit the nearby Temple of Artemis – a major historic site linked to the ancient sanctuary – before continuing to the hillside village of Sirince. We explore Sirince, known for its fruit wines and traditional architecture, then return to Kusadasi by road.

We travel inland from Kusadasi to Pamukkale in south western Turkey, where we take in the brilliant white travertine terraces formed by mineral rich thermal waters. We then explore the ancient city of Hierapolis – wandering among its Roman ruins and viewing the thermal pools.

We trace the historic Silk Road from Pamukkale to Konya, following age old trade routes. We visit the Sultanhani Caravanserai near Konya – a grand Seljuk era trading stop – and the Mevlana Museum, the spiritual centre of the Whirling Dervishes. From Konya we continue into central Turkey, travelling on to the remarkable landscapes of Cappadocia.

We journey through Cappadocia’s otherworldly volcanic landscapes, wandering among sculpted valleys and striking formations. We explore ancient underground cities and step into churches carved from the rock – once used by early Christian communities – gaining a vivid sense of the region’s history.

We travel by road from Cappadocia to Ankara, crossing central Anatolia’s wide‑open landscapes on a long overland journey. In the capital we visit Anıtkabir, the monumental mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk – an enduring symbol of modern Turkey. We then continue by road from Ankara to Istanbul, returning to the country’s cultural and historical hub.

You have free time to explore Istanbul at your own pace – wander its characterful streets, browse the markets and take in its historic landmarks as you wish. When it is time to depart, we transfer you from your hotel to Istanbul Airport for your onward flight.