Turkish Delight: From Bosphorus to Balloon-Filled Skies

• Day 1: Istanbul - Bridging Two Continents

Our Turkish odyssey begins in the towering minarets and bustling streets of Istanbul - the only city in the world to straddle two continents. The iconic Blue Mosque greets us, its exquisite blue Iznik tiles and soaring architecture setting the tone for the incredible sights to come. We wander the ancient Hippodrome, once the heart of Byzantine Istanbul, before toasting our journey over dinner with panoramic Bosphorus views.

• Days 2-3: Gallipoli's Sombre Battlefields and Legendary Troy

Paying respects at Gallipoli, where thousands perished in the battles of 1915, we tread soberly through trenches and memorials like Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair. In Troy, we roam the archaeological site where Greeks and Trojans waged their legendary conflict over mythical Helen. Here, where history and lore intertwine, we find ourselves contemplating the fallen heroes of both past and present.

• Days 4-5: Ephesus and Selcuk's Roman Wonders

Selcuk places us perfectly to experience Ephesus, that greatest of Greco-Roman sites and a true open-air museum. We wander marble streets, the Library of Celsus, and the iconic Grand Theatre once graced by Marc Antony and Cleopatra herself. In the idyllic village of Sirince, we sip fruit wines in a local cellar, then join a chef for a hands-on Turkish cooking class, using farm-fresh bounty to craft delectable meze plates we'll savor over dinner.

• Day 6: Pamukkale's Cotton Castle and Ancient Hierapolis

The "Cotton Castle" of Pamukkale takes our breath away as we gaze upon its mineral-rich pools and petrified white travertine terraces. But it's the neighboring ancient city of Hierapolis that truly astounds, as we meander a monumental necropolis, Roman baths and theatre amid some of Turkey's best-preserved ruins.

• Days 7-8: Kas - Turquoise Coves and Lycian Ruins

Picturesque Kas welcomes us with its cobbled lanes adorned in bougainvillea. We wander among Lycian rock tombs and the ancient amphitheater where we'll catch a dazzling sunset. But the true magic lies offshore, as we board a traditional gulet for a leisurely day exploring hidden coves and ruins submerged in dreamy turquoise waters - feasting on fresh seafood and swimming in secluded white-pebble inlets.

• Day 9: The Treasures of Ancient Antalya

After exploring bougainvillea-draped old Antalya, we delve into the region's storied past, beginning with the stellar archaeological museum housing an open-air collection of ancient statues, mosaics, and artefacts as riveting as any modern exhibition. We journey inland to the remote ruins of Sagalassos, discovering its remarkably intact Roman baths, fountains, agoras and theatres perched high in the Taurus Mountains.

• Days 10-11: The Mystical Heart of Konya and Cappadocia

In spiritual Konya, the mystic capital of the Whirling Dervishes, we pay pilgrimage at the sacred resting place of Rumi. Then it's on to Cappadocia's surreal "fairy chimneys," where we spend two nights in a dream-like cave hotel, watching balloon after balloon drift past our room carved from volcanic stone. We marvel at the region's cave dwellings, intricately carved churches, and famous pottery studios, learning the ceramic art from a master family whose heritage dates to the 13th century.

• Days 12-13: Cappadocia's Fantastical Landscapes and Living Traditions

For an experience bathed in magic, we soar over Cappadocia at sunrise in a hot air balloon, drifting serenely over its famed "Love Valley" and rippling valleys and ravines. On foot, we wander through ancient cave cities and monasteries in Goreme's Open Air Museum and Zelve, interspersed with enriching stops at a carpet cooperative, pottery studio, and for a very special home-cooked meal in a local woman's cave home.

• Day 14: Returning to the Bosphorus

Our journey ends back in Istanbul, affording one last opportunity to soak in its vibrant atmosphere and attractions before a celebratory farewell dinner along the Bosphorus shore. As we raise a glass overlooking the waterway bridging Europe and Asia, we'll revel in a valediction befitting this extraordinary cross-continental odyssey.

Ancient and modern, East and West, mortal and mystical - Turkey's diverse palette of treasures leaves an indelible imprint on the senses and soul. From Istanbul's cosmopolitan charms to Cappadocia's otherworldly valleys; Ephesus' whispering antiquities to the Turquoise Coast's blissful coves; and Rumi's mystic spirit to village traditions that have endured millennia - this comprehensive tour distils the very essence of Turkey's eternally spellbinding magic into an unforgettable journey of discovery.