Take a 2-day jaunt from Istanbul to discover the region's past, from ancient times through to the 20th century.

Day 1 watch the sunrise as you ride past the summer homes and sunflower fields that line the European shores of the Marmara Sea. Ride along the strait of the Dardanelles, pass by Gallipoli, site of the so-called “Gentlemen's War” between the Ottoman and ANZAC troops during WWI. Cross the Dardanelles by ferry and arrive in the city of Çanakkale, where the Ottoman army made its last stand against the allied armada. Visit the Kabatepe Museum and emblematic wartime landmarks, from the Australian memorial and cemetery at Lone Pine and the Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial to the tunnels and trenches at Johnston's Jolly. Wrap up your day with a delicious seafood dinner if you'd like before turning in for the night at your hotel.

Day 2 take a short drive to Troy,famous in Homer's epic poem The Iliad. Discuss the mythology of the Trojan Wars as you see the symbolic Trojan Horse statue and tour the archaeological ruins of the city walls and the columns of the Odeon. head to Assos. Hear about Aristotle's time in this small city, colonnaded ruins of the Temple of Athena and the grand Theatre of Assos. Light lunch, stroll around at your leisure, participat in an old sailors' tradition if you'd like by buying bread to throw overboard in the Dardenelles to feed the souls of brave soldiers who lost their lives there in battle.