Colours of Türkiye

Today we arrive in the vibrant Turkish city that straddles Europe and Asia. With a history as the capital of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, Istanbul is a city full of magnificent monuments where diverse cultures, nations and religions mingle. We settle into the Four Seasons Sultanahmet, our luxurious residence for the next three nights. Tonight, we enjoy a welcome reception and dinner at our hotel within the convivial atmosphere of our small group.

We begin our day in this historic city by exploring some of the wonders of the ancient world. We start at the Hippodrome, the vast arena where Byzantine emperors gathered to watch chariot races. Marvel at The Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column and Constantine Column which remain from the original Hippodrome, the largest of the ancient world. Be held spellbound at the Blue Mosque, the famed masterpiece of Ottoman religious architecture completed in 1616 and named after its turquoise-coloured tiles comprised of quartz minerals. 

A short walk brings us to the magnificent Hagia Sophia, the Church of Divine Wisdom constructed as a basilica in the sixth century by Byzantine Emperor Justinian. We then descend beneath the Old City to the Underground Cistern where we walk among the 336 columns and discover the two giant stone heads of Medusa. At lunch, we sample the traditional flavours of Ottoman cuisine. 

This afternoon we have a choice of immersive Your World experiences:

— Learn the ancient Turkish art of Ebru marbling in a private creative workshop. Ebru
practitioners consider their art to be an integral part of their traditional culture, identity and lifestyle. Create colourful patterns by sprinkling and brushing colour pigments onto a pan of oily water and then transferring the patterns to paper. 
— Under the tutelage of a highly skilled artist, try your hand at the exquisite art of Ottoman calligraphy, learning the secrets of creating rich patterns of handmade marble paper and experiencing the sensuous flow of the script. 
— Experience the wonderful ancient art of hammam bathing. Arabic for bath, in Türkiye hammams are as much a visual spectacle as a cleansing ritual for the body and mind. On our exclusive tour we visit the exemplary Hurrem Sultan Hammam, dating from the 16th century and designed and built by Mirmar Sinan, the chief Ottoman architect.
— Scale the rooftop of Istanbul’s famed Grand Bazaar, reaching the same extraordinary heights as James Bond, as seen in the film Skyfall. Take in views experienced by few others, as you tread paths across the city’s glorious, red-tiled roofs.

Tonight, there is a choice of restaurants to savour in Türkiye’s largest city.

After breakfast, we set out to explore more marvellous highlights of Istanbul. Our first stop is the grand Topkapi Palace, now a museum it was the residence of the sultans for almost three centuries. We continue to the bustling Grand Bazaar, the vast and legendary covered market that is the biggest souk in the world with nearly 4000 shops. 

Afterwards, an exclusive visit to a traditional coffee roaster in the Old City allows us to sample the rich aromas of Turkish coffee. Our tour of the city’s bustling bazaars then continues with a visit to the Spice Market. Take  in the mesmerising aromas of cinnamon, cumin, saffron, mint, and thyme while conversing with the locals in the biggest spice market in the world, dating back to the 1660s.We then visit the home of Turkish delight at Ali Muhiddin Haci Bekir shop. It was here in 1777 that Haci Bekir invented the deliciously aromatic confectionary. We can sample the array, and perhaps take home a box of delights as a souvenir.

Choose to continue exploring or wind down at our hotel for a few hours before enjoying a different perspective of the city, embarking on a boat cruise on the Bosphorus. 

Tonight, we can choose from an array of local restaurants for a meal to savour. 

This morning, we are bound for the Gallipoli Peninsula. Our journey is punctuated by a delightful visit to Caeli Winery. On a cellar door visit we’ll learn how vintners meticulously hand-pick their grapes from the rich terroir before being aged in oak barrels. We sit down to lunch at Caeli Restaurant pairing wines with produce sourced onsite from the Caeli Ecological Garden and Caeli Farm, as well as seafood caught fresh from the Dardanelles.

We’ll then arrive at our residence for the next two days, Doubletree by Hilton. This afternoon is ours to spend at leisure in preparation for those taking the early morning option for the Dawn Service at Gallipoli.

An early morning awaits for those of us wishing to be part of the Dawn Service at Anzac Cove. We’ll depart at 1:30am to be part of this annual commemoration experienced by a privileged few. It was on this soil that brave Australian and New Zealand soldiers fought in 1915. The cove became the main base for soldiers over the long months spent on the Gallipoli Campaign. Over 75,000 Australians and New Zealanders served at Gallipoli between 25 April and 20 December 1915, over 10,000 lost their lives. Today we honour them at the official Anzac Day Gallipoli Dawn Service. We then make our way to Lone Pine Cemetery for the Australian Memorial Service. 

Afterwards we’ll return to our hotel. Those not partaking in the Dawn Service can enjoy a leisurely morning in Çanakkale.

This morning, we journey to the ancient city of Troy. Wander the World Heritage-listed archaeological site and hear the familiar Greek mythological tale of the battle of Achilles and Hector recounted. A visit to the Troy Museum also brings 4,000 years of ancient history to life through its displayed artefacts, including gold jewellery dating back to 2,400 BC. Explore the ruins of the Greco-Roman city of Pergamon, taking note of the Acropolis, the altar of Zeus, and temples of Athena, Trajan and Dionysus before being welcomed into private homes for lunch at typical village houses close to Pergamon. Sit down and enjoy a delicious homecooked meal and conversation with a welcoming local family. 

Afterwards we continue our drive to Izmir before a casual dinner at our residence, the Swissotel Grand Efes Hotel.

West of Izmir, we find Urla, a city situated at the base of a peninsula sharing its name. Often referred to as ‘Tuscany on the Aegean’, the city is blessed with an abundance of beaches, wineries and fine cuisine. Along its acclaimed ‘Art Street’, an array of artisans proudly display their respective works in front of galleries and cafes. After taking in the sights during a walking tour, enjoy a leisurely lunch before we make our return to Izmir. Then take the remainder of the afternoon on your own schedule, exploring Izmir further or enjoying the amenities of our hotel. 

Today we discover the vast ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus in the cool of the morning. Believed to have been settled in the 10th century BC by Ionians, the UNESCO World Heritage site changed hands many times before becoming a Roman dependency during the reign of Emperor Augustus. Wander down roads once used by chariots, traipse mosaic pedestrian walkways, and view the phenomenal facade of the Celsus Library, before taking in the giant amphitheatre which could seat 24,000. 

We then take time out to enjoy lunch and a wine tasting at the Seven Sages Estate before transferring back to our residence in Izmir.