For me, this trip was the realization of a long held ambition, and I think that it took a couple of days to fully take in my surroundings - it seemed a little surreal at first. To be staying in the Old City of Istanbul, was unbelievable for a history teacher - the contrast of the modern highway and traffic passing under a 2000 year old Roman aqueduct was a sight that I shall never forget.

Sights such as the Topkapi Palace, with its amazing collections the Blue Mosque and the Aya Sophia seemed so different to the places that I had read about and studied. Who could forget the sight of the guard at the Dolmabache Palace, motionless for 45 minutes for the duration of his guard period?

The Gallipoli Peninsula and the battlefields were amazing; and unleashed a mixture of emotions- pride, anger and frustration to the fore. It was confronting to realize the youthful innocence and naivety which abounded with those first Anzacs; and to read some of the inscriptions on the tombstones was heartbreaking for the loss of the families.

This was an amazing trip, made so much more enjoyable by Educational World Travel and their capacity for organization and detail.

– Kerry Brain