Turkish Delights October 2025
Turkey has long been a favourite destination for Australians, its history forever linked to our own through Gallipoli. I was excited to finally experience it for myself, and it certainly didn't disappoint.
After a period of political uncertainty, Turkey has firmly re-emerged as a sought-after destination. What appealed to me most was its incredible blend of history and culture, much of it intertwined with Greece and Italy, but without some of the overwhelming crowds those destinations now experience. As someone who travels to learn and explore, Turkey ticked every box. Ephesus, Gallipoli and a hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia were at the top of my wish list, and everything else simply fell into place around them.
Our journey began in Istanbul, where we stayed on the European side near Taksim Square and bustling Istiklal Street. Wandering along the avenue was delightfully slow work, thanks to endless displays of Turkish delight, baklava and other irresistible sweet treats.
On our first day, we joined a walking tour through Istanbul's Old Town, centred around Sultanahmet, once the heart of Constantinople. I loved exploring Topkapi Palace at my own pace, even discovering a quaint little coffee cart tucked away in the palace gardens for my much-needed caffeine fix.
The Blue Mosque was every bit as spectacular as I'd imagined. Its soaring decorated ceilings and stained-glass windows were breathtaking. Despite the crowds, there was still a sense of quiet reverence throughout the space. We wandered past Hagia Sophia and the beautiful fountains outside before stopping for lunch at one of the many local eateries hidden among the surrounding streets.
The afternoon was dedicated to the Grand Bazaar. It was everything you'd expect—busy, noisy and utterly iconic. While it felt more polished than the rustic marketplace I'd imagined, I was grateful for its sturdy roof when a torrential downpour arrived without warning.
The next day we travelled to Ankara to visit the Mausoleum of Atatürk, founder of modern Turkey. The immense scale of the complex was impressive, as were the ceremonial displays, including the changing of the guard. I became so absorbed in the museum exhibits that I slightly overstayed my allotted time and earned a few impatient looks from my fellow travellers waiting on the bus!
From Ankara, we continued to Cappadocia for a two-night stay. It's a long travel day, but absolutely worth it.
While in Cappadocia, we upgraded to a cave hotel because, honestly, how could you not? Our hotel resembled a desert fortress, with rooms carved into the landscape itself. Despite being built into the rock, it was surprisingly comfortable, with beautiful gardens, a swimming pool and spacious lounge areas. The only downside was its distance from the nearby villages, making it difficult to wander into town independently.
The early morning wake-up call confirming ideal ballooning conditions made the darkness and lack of sleep instantly worthwhile.
Watching hundreds of balloons inflate before dawn was magical. Soon we were floating silently above Cappadocia's surreal landscape as the sun rose across the horizon. It was one of those travel moments that truly lives up to the hype. Our slightly chaotic landing involved chasing three horses around a paddock before we finally touched down and celebrated with a traditional champagne toast.
The rest of the day was spent exploring Cappadocia's remarkable attractions, including the Underground City, the Göreme Open-Air Museum and the natural fortress at Uçhisar. Along the way we learned about local handicrafts, including carpets, pottery, Turkish tiles and onyx carving. That evening, a lively Turkish dinner and dance performance rounded out a very full day.
The following morning we departed for Pamukkale, stopping en route at the 13th-century Sultanhan Caravanserai. Once a resting place for Silk Road merchants, it offered a fascinating glimpse into Turkey's trading history—and a very good coffee stop.
Later we visited the Mausoleum of Mevlana. While historically significant, it wasn't a personal highlight. The area attracts its fair share of pickpockets, so staying aware of your surroundings is important. Lunch, however, more than compensated. Served in a beautiful local restaurant, it featured some of the best food of the trip—fresh, delicious and delivered with genuine hospitality.
That night we stayed at a large spa hotel in Pamukkale, where more hot air balloons drifted across the morning sky.
The next day turned out to be one of my favourites.
We visited the ancient city of Hierapolis and the famous white limestone terraces of Pamukkale. Our guide cleverly arranged entry through the North Gate as soon as it opened, allowing us to explore before the crowds arrived. It made an enormous difference.
The terraces themselves may be crowded with Instagram hopefuls, but I happily joined in, paddling through the warm water and capturing a few photos of my own. The real highlight, however, was the recently restored ancient theatre. The short uphill walk was absolutely worth it, and having our guide explain its history brought the ruins to life.
Lunch that day in Selçuk was another standout. We enjoyed freshly made gözleme served in a traditional Turkish setting with low tables and scattered cushions. The food was simple, authentic and absolutely delicious—one of those memorable meals that perfectly captures the spirit of a destination.
Before continuing to Izmir, we stopped briefly at the Temple of Artemis, once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The following morning we set off early for Ephesus.
For me, Ephesus was one of the highlights of the entire trip. Both historically and biblically significant, it had fascinated me long before I arrived. Even though we got there early, the crowds weren't far behind.
One thing that surprised me was how few restrictions there were around touching and climbing on parts of the ruins. Having visited similar sites in Greece and Italy, where preservation measures are much stricter, I found this slightly concerning.
Still, wandering through the ancient streets, past temples, bathhouses, the magnificent Library of Celsus and the enormous amphitheatre was unforgettable. It's a place where you can genuinely feel the weight of history. My advice? Get there as early as possible.
Later we visited ?irince, a charming hillside village filled with small shops, local restaurants and ice cream stalls. It was lovely to have free time to wander, chat with locals and simply soak up the atmosphere.
The next day began at Pergamum's Asklepion, an ancient healing centre and hospital, before continuing to Troy.
Yes, there is a giant horse.
While the legendary Trojan Horse is considered mythological, the city itself is very real, and standing amongst ruins that are thousands of years old is quite extraordinary. Elevated boardwalks help protect the archaeological site, and excellent information panels explain the complex history of the city.
That evening we arrived in Çanakkale and were delighted to discover upgraded sea-view rooms. We had just enough time to enjoy a sunset drink before preparing for an early start the next morning.
Gallipoli was always going to be an emotional experience.
After crossing the Dardanelles by ferry, we visited ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine, The Nek, Chunuk Bair and the 57th Regiment Memorial. Our guide did an exceptional job presenting both the Australian and Turkish perspectives of the campaign. By the end of the day, the bus ride back was noticeably quieter as everyone reflected on what we had seen.
The journey back to Istanbul was long, but watching the countryside gradually give way to one of the world's great cities was mesmerising. Giant Turkish flags billowed from hilltops as we approached the skyline in intense peak hour traffic!
For our final evening, we enjoyed dinner overlooking a beautiful square, complete with gardens and fountains in the heart of the Old Town—a fitting end to an unforgettable trip.
If you love history, culture and stories that connect the past with the present, Turkey is an incredible destination. Add a few days on the Mediterranean coast to recover from the travel days, and you may just have the perfect holiday.