ISTANBUL

Explore the only city to span two continents - fascinating Istanbul, known in the past as Byzantium or Constantinople. It’s illustrious history leaves a rich legacy of churches, mosques, palaces and museums, and once you've seen enough of that, take a trip to the mindblowing Grand Bazaar - at a size of 31 thousand square metres it has to be experienced to be believed! Sultanahmet, the compact old city of Istanbul is full of parks, gardens and stunning sights. Visit the Blue Mosque - famed for it’s unique looking blue Iznik tiles and unique 6 minarets. See the Byzantium architechture of the Hagia Sofia, the grandest and biggest church in Christendom until the conquest of Constantinople in 1453, when it became a mosque. Just around the corner is Topkapi Palace - the home and hareem of the Turkish Sultans!

TROY

EPHESUS

This is the best-preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean, with more being discovered all the time, as it is estimated that only 15% of this huge site has been excavated so far.  Ephesus, under the Romans, was a vast city with a population nearing 250,000. Feel like an ancient pilgrim as you visit the great Temple of Artemis - one of the Seven Ancient Wonders. Enjoy top sights within the huge archaeological area such as the Great Theatre - once capable of seating 25,000 spectators, Curetes Street which is paved entirely with marble, the Temple of Hadrian with a well preserved relief of the snake woman Medusa and fascinating friezes of various Gods and Goddesses. Off Curetes Way are ancient public toilets, a brothel, remains of fountains and various temples. Be sure to look out for some of the ancient Roman graffiti and inscriptions on Curetes Way.

PERGAMUM

Pergamum (modern Bergama) - the ancient capital of the Roman empire in Asia is famous in antiquity for it’s library. In its time, it was thought to have rivalled the great library in ancient Alexandria. Sitting in a stunning location on top of a hill, Pergamum is also famous for it’s awesome hillside amphitheatre and the Acropolis of Pergamum - based on the Acropolis in Athens. Down the hill you can see Pergamum’s Asclepion (medical centre). The Asclepion is entered along a Roman street where there's a Roman column carved with snakes - the symbol of Asclepios (the God of Medicine). There are various ruins including a Roman theatre, the Sacred Well (which still gives off drinkable water) and the Temple of Telesphorus. Patients slept here hoping Telesphorus (another god of medicine) would send them a cure or diagnosis in their dreams!

PAMUKKALE

Pamukkale or 'Cotton Castles' as the locals call it, is a natural phenomena and gift of Mother Nature. Pamukkale was formed when warm, calcium rich mineral water cascaded over the cliff edge, cooling and depositing in the process. The calcium built natural shelves and pools on the cliffs, creating the visual effect of a frozen waterfall. Feel like you're in an alien world as you wander through fantastical stalactites, rocks made of crystalline marble. At the very top of the pools or 'white castle', is Pamukkale Thermal, where a pleasant dip can be enjoyed in the warm waters which are believed to have healing powers. It is thought the natural pool once formed the centre of the ruined Roman spa town of Hierapolis, which was a cure centre founded around 190 BC by the Romans. Among this other worldly landscape, you can see chunks of marble ruins dotted around haphazardly, but the star attraction of Hierapolis has to be the partially restored Roman theatre, once capable of seating more than 12,000 spectators. 

TURQUOISE COAST - FETHIYE

A seaside town on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, fringed by the Taurus Mountains, Fethiye is stunningly situated. This charming coastal port will take your breath away as you view the outer bay strewn with islands, and its a great base from which to enjoy a range of beautiful beaches and coastline. Fethiye itself offers a choice of laid back cafes, bars and restaurants, not to mention shops, just perfect for a relaxing afternoon. From here you can opt to take a boat cruise to some of the offshore islands, explore the Lycian ruins dotted about the coast or just maroon yourself at a beach or bar!  If you're bored of beaches (if that's possible!) why not go for a stroll in the fresh green pine forests? Fethiye is also usually the port from which gulet cruises depart. 

SAKLIKENT GORGE

Find paradise in Turkey at the Saklikent Gorge.  There’s something for everyone here, from active outdoor pursuits to beautifully chilled relaxation.  Take a walk through nature, float down the Xanthos River in rubber tubes, or throw caution to the wind and paraglide through the canyon.  Alternatively, watch the world go by from the fig tree-shaded wooden platforms overlooking the river, that contain comfy cushions, cool drinks and bubbling shisha pipes.

LAKE EGIRDIR

Be enchanted by Turkey’s Lake District, and visit the peaceful town of Egirdir that sits by the huge lake of the same name. Drink in the scenery of mountains and orchards, or perhaps try some of the fresh drinking water that the lake provides!  Enjoy the laid back atmosphere and fresh fish dishes and for those of you feeling active, take a swim, a pleasant boat ride, go fishing, or a hike up neighbouring Davras Dagi mountain.  Find some culture at the crumbling 2500 year old fortress and an ornately decorated Mosque or visit the Island of Yesilada (Green Island) and see the now abandoned and dilapidated Greek houses from the past.

OLYMPOS

The picturesque ancient city of Olympos enjoys a rich history and interesting inhabitants, from Roman conquerors to Cicilian pirates, and you can see scattered ruins among the thick greenery of wild fig trees and grape vines.  Olympos has become renowned for it's fantastic tree house budget accommodation that is hugely popular with backpackers.

Take a trip to nearby Cirili to witness the mysterious eternal fires that spring from the ground – known as the Chimera.  Harry Potter fans and Greek mythology lovers will recognise the name of the fierce lion-headed, goat-bodied and snake-tailed beast, which issued hot flames from its mouth - clearly the inspiration for the name of this unusual natural phenomenon.  Partake in activities such as trekking, sea kayaking and mountain biking or sunbathing by the beach, before going back to your quirky tree house residence for some fabulous food and relaxation, or to party the night away with the nearby live music till 4am.

CAPPADOCIA

Perhaps the jewel in Turkey’s crown. Whole troglodyte villages, subterranean churches and fortresses have been hewn from the soft, porous, eerily eroded rock of Cappadocia. The World-Heritage listed Goreme is probably the biggest attraction, with over 30 magnificently decorated Byzantine rock churches open to the public. At Zelve is the famous phallic-like eroded landscape of so-called ‘fairy chimneys’. Sort of like entering a huge and complex chunk of Swiss cheese with holes here and holes there, these underground cities are up to 8 levels deep. The complex system of apartments, public rooms and underground interconnecting streets easily housed hundreds and hundreds of people in former times, and still house people today! Cappadocia is also an excellent region for the purchasing of carpets and leisure pursuits such as mountain biking, hot air ballooning and hiking.

MOUNT NEMRUT

This fascinating National Park contains the tomb of the ancient Greek king Antiochus.  A hike to the summit of this 2150 metre mountain reveals huge limestone statues that guard the king’s resting place.  Wander around this somewhat surreal setting admiring the various giant heads of eagles, lions, kings and gods, and imagine you are the powerful Antiochus himself as you survey the awe inspiring views of the surrounding lands.

GALLIPOLI

Pay homage to those that valiantly gave up their lives in the doomed mission at Gallipoli, in the First World War.  If you’re travelling around the 25th April then you can commemorate ANZAC day with the thousands of other travellers that come to the cove on this day, with plenty of activities, culminating in a moving dawn service.

At other times of the year you can honour those that died by walking round the battlefield and trenches and visiting the various monuments and graves.  Either way this is a wonderful way to pay your respects to the ANZACs and maybe even find the grave of a family member.