Trip Overview
Your single source of truth for Europe 2027. All legs are optional — join any combination you like.
⚠️
Register by 1 December 2026 so we can lock in group accommodation and transfers. Use the Register tab to sign up for your legs and add any suggestions for the trip.
36
Days Total
29
Days Max
6
Countries
3
Festivals 🎉
Free
TK Hotel Nights
Registration Progress — closes 1 December 2026
People registered so far7 / ~20 invited
Numbers needed to lock in group accommodation and transfers for each leg
Mon 19 May · 1 night
🏛 Athens — arrive
Arrive from Sydney. Plaka neighbourhood. Acropolis at dusk. Athens City Festival free events throughout May.
Tue 20 – Mon 26 May · 6 nights
🇬🇷 Santorini — Sharron's 60th 🎂 LOCKED
Private villa, caldera views, boat trips, island restaurants, birthday celebrations. Athens Epidaurus Festival starts late May.
Tue 27 May – Mon 2 June · 6 nights
🇩🇪 Berlin — optional leg
World's techno capital. Berghain, Tresor, Watergate, Sisyphos. East Side Gallery, Holocaust Memorial, Museum Island. See Berlin tab for full guide.
Tue 3 – Sat 7 June · 4 nights
🇳🇱 Amsterdam — optional leg · 909 Festival 🎉
909 Festival Friday 5 + Saturday 6 June. Canals, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum.
Sat 7 – Mon 9 June · 2 nights
🇪🇸 Bilbao — optional leg
Guggenheim Bilbao. Basque pintxos. Day trip option to San Sebastián.
Mon 9 – Wed 11 June · 2 nights
🇪🇸 Barcelona + Figueres day trip — optional leg
Figueres/Dalí day trip 9 June. Gothic Quarter, Barceloneta. Watch for Primavera Sound 2027.
Fri 11 – Sat 12 June
🌲 Gottwood Festival — Anglesey, Wales — optional leg
Boutique electronic festival in Welsh woodland. ~4,000 capacity, 24-hour licence. Travel: BCN→LHR (2h) then Euston→Holyhead (3.5h) then shuttle to site.
Sun 13 – Thu 17 June · 4 nights
🇬🇧 London — optional leg
Tate Modern, Borough Market, Southbank, Shoreditch, live music. London in mid-June at its best.
Thu 17 – Sun 20 June · 3 nights
🇹🇷 Istanbul — optional leg · Free TK hotel + Göbekli Tepe 🏛
Fly LHR→IST on Turkish Airlines. Free hotel return (2–3 nights). Day tour to Göbekli Tepe ~18 June. Hagia Sophia, Bosphorus. Fly home IST→SYD.
Sun 20 June
✈ Istanbul → Sydney · Turkish Airlines
Arrive Sydney Mon–Tue 21–22 June. 36 days complete.
Arrive Sydney. Trip complete.
📢 All legs are optional — join any combination
You don't have to do the whole trip. Join for Berlin only, just the festivals, or as many legs as you like — entirely up to you. The only requirement is that you register by 1 December 2026 so we can lock in group accommodation and transfers. Use the Register tab to sign up.
Updated 2027
Full Itinerary
36 days · 17 May – 22 June 2027 · All legs optional — join any you like.
Up to 29 days · 27 May – 20 June 2027 · All legs optional — join any you like.
✅
Fly into Athens (Emirates/Qatar/Etihad). Fly home from Istanbul on Turkish Airlines — unlocking 2–3 free hotel nights. Gottwood 2027 dates assumed — confirm at gottwood.co.uk when announced.
✅
Join any leg or combination of legs — all optional. Fly home from Istanbul on Turkish Airlines to unlock 2–3 free hotel nights in Istanbul. Gottwood 2027 dates assumed — confirm at gottwood.co.uk when announced.
| Dates | Where | Nights | Transport & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 17 May | ✈ Depart Sydney | — | Emirates/Qatar/Etihad · SYD→ATH via Dubai or Doha · ~24hFly to your first destination · book independently based on which legs you're joining |
| Mon 19 May | 🏛 Athens | 1 | Arrive evening · Plaka · Acropolis at dusk |
| Tue 20 – Mon 26 May | 🇬🇷 Santorini | 6 | 🎂 Sharron's 60th LOCKED · Private villa · Caldera views |
| Tue 27 May | ✈ Athens → Berlin | — | ATH→BER easyJet/Ryanair · ~2.5h · ~€40–80 |
| Tue 27 May – Mon 2 June | 🇩🇪 Berlin | 6 | Clubs · East Side Gallery · museums · street art · see Berlin tab |
| Tue 3 June | ✈ Berlin → Amsterdam | — | BER→AMS easyJet 1.5h · OR ICE scenic train 6h · ~€30–50 |
| Tue 3 – Sat 7 June | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | 4 | 🎉 909 Festival 5–6 June LOCKED · Canals · Museums |
| Sat 7 June | ✈ Amsterdam → Bilbao | — | AMS→BIO Vueling · ~2h · ~€40 |
| Sat 7 – Mon 9 June | 🇪🇸 Bilbao | 2 | Guggenheim Bilbao ✅ · Pintxos · Casco Viejo |
| Mon 9 June | ✈ Bilbao → Barcelona | — | BIO→BCN Vueling · 1h10 · ~€20 |
| Mon 9 June (day trip) | 🎨 Figueres — Dalí Museum | — | Train BCN→Figueres 45min each way · back by 4pm ✅ |
| Mon 9 – Wed 11 June | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 2 | Gothic Quarter · Barceloneta · Watch for Primavera Sound 2027 |
| Wed 11 June (travel) | ✈ BCN → London → Anglesey | — | BCN→LHR ~2h · Euston→Holyhead 3.5h direct · Festival shuttle |
| Fri 11 – Sat 12 June | 🌲 Gottwood · Anglesey Wales | 2 | Gottwood Festival ✅ · Camping · Carreglwyd Estate · 24-hr licence |
| Sun 13 June | ✈ Anglesey → London | — | Holyhead→London Euston 3.5h direct train |
| Sun 13 – Thu 17 June | 🇬🇧 London | 4 | Tate Modern · Borough Market · Southbank · Shoreditch |
| Thu 17 June | ✈ London → Istanbul | — | LHR→IST Turkish Airlines · ~4h · Apply TK free hotel 72h before |
| Thu 17 – Sun 20 June | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 3 | Free TK hotel ✅ · Göbekli Tepe day tour ~18 June ✅ · Hagia Sophia |
| Sun 20 June | ✈ Istanbul → Sydney | — | IST→SYD Turkish Airlines · ~22h |
| Mon–Tue 21–22 June | 🏠 Arrive Sydney | — | Home · 36 days · 6 countries · a lifetime of memoriesHome · up to 29 days · 5 countries · a lifetime of memories |
Destinations
All legs are optional — join any combination you like. Register by 1 December 2026.
💡
You can join any single leg or any combination of legs. Do just the festivals, just the cities, or as many legs as you want. Use the Register tab to lock in your choices before the 1 December 2026 deadline.
Greece — Athens + Santorini
19–26 May · 1 night Athens + 6 nights Santorini
🎂 Sharron's 60th · Invite only
SH
Organised by
Sharron — contact for details
Berlin
27 May – 2 June · 6 nights · Optional
UNESCO Techno HeritageAll welcome
BA
Leg admin
TBA — register interest
Amsterdam
3–7 June · 4 nights · Optional
🎉 909 Festival 5–6 June
AA
Leg admin
TBA — register interest
Spain — Bilbao + Barcelona
7–11 June · 4 nights total · Optional
Guggenheim BilbaoDalí Figueres
SA
Leg admin
TBA — register interest
Gottwood Festival · Wales
11–12 June · 2 days camping · Optional
🌲 Boutique electronic festival
LA
Leg admin
TBA — register interest
London
13–17 June · 4 nights · Optional
After Gottwood
LA
Leg admin
TBA — register interest
Istanbul + Göbekli Tepe
17–20 June · 3 nights · Optional
2–3 FREE hotel nights (TK return)
TA
Leg admin
TBA — register interest
📋
Go to the Register tab to sign up for your chosen legs and lock in by 1 December 2026. You can also add suggestions for the trip in the registration form.
Flights
Fly into Athens (any carrier). Fly home London→Istanbul→Sydney on Turkish Airlines for the free hotel benefit.
Fly home London→Istanbul→Sydney on Turkish Airlines for the free hotel benefit. For your first leg, fly independently to whichever city you're joining from.
💡
Book international flights by 1 December 2026. Flying Turkish Airlines home from London unlocks 2–3 free hotel nights in Istanbul. Apply at turkishairlines.com/stopover ↗ at least 72h before London departure.
Inbound — Sydney to Athens
SYD
✈
ATH
Getting to your first leg
SYD
✈
BER / AMS / BIO / LHR
Homebound — London → Istanbul → Sydney (Turkish Airlines)
LHR
✈
IST
2–3 nights FREE hotel✈
SYD
Intra-Europe Connections
ATH → BEReasyJet/Ryanair · ~€40–80 · 2.5h
BER → AMS ⭐ICE train 6h scenic (recommended) · OR easyJet 1.5h
AMS → BIOVueling · ~€40–80 · 2h
BIO → BCNVueling · ~€20–40 · 1h10
BCN → LHReasyJet/Vueling/BA · ~€40–80 · 2h
Euston → Holyhead (Gottwood)Direct train · 3.5h · ~£30–60 · thetrainline.com ↗
LHR → ISTTurkish Airlines · ~€80–150 · 4h
BCN → FigueresTrain · 45min · ~€7–28 · runs hourly
Search Tools
Turkish Airlinesturkishairlines.com ↗
TK Stopoverturkishairlines.com/stopover ↗
Google Flightsflights.google.com ↗
The Trainlinethetrainline.com ↗
Skyscannerskyscanner.com.au ↗
Berlin · 27 May – 2 June 2027 · 6 nights
Berlin — The World's Techno Capital
After the Wall fell in 1989, techno was the soundtrack to reunification. Since 2024, Berlin's club culture is UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. This is where electronic music was born as a political act — and where it still feels that way every weekend.
📍
Where to stay: Friedrichshain or Kreuzberg. Walking/cycling distance to Berghain, Tresor, Watergate, East Side Gallery and the best food. Prenzlauer Berg is calmer and prettier for a quieter base.
Day 1 · Tue 27 May
Arrive from Greece — first Berlin eveningArrive in Berlin — first evening
Afternoon
Check in + Kreuzberg walk
Döner kebab from a Kreuzberg späti. Beer on the Landwehr Canal. Oranienstraße for evening bars. Berlin makes its case immediately.
Currywurst at Curry 36Day 2 · Wed 28 May
History day — Wall, Nazis, Cold War
9am
East Side Gallery
1.3km of surviving Berlin Wall. 105 murals by 21 countries. Walk the full length. Free, always open — allow 1–2 hours.
Free11am
Topography of Terror + Checkpoint Charlie
Topography of Terror on former Gestapo/SS HQ — free, daily 10am–8pm. Checkpoint Charlie Museum (€18.50) has extraordinary escape stories.
Mostly free3pm
Holocaust Memorial + Brandenburg Gate + Reichstag
2,711 concrete slabs with free underground Information Centre. Brandenburg Gate 5 min walk. Reichstag dome is free — pre-book at bundestag.de at least 2 weeks ahead.
Free · Pre-book ReichstagDay 3 · Thu 29 May
Museum Island + Tresor
Morning
Museum Island — Neues Museum or Pergamon
UNESCO World Heritage. Nefertiti bust (Neues Museum) or ancient Greek altar (Pergamon). Pre-book online.
€12–19 · Pre-bookAfternoon
Hamburger Bahnhof — contemporary art
Former railway station, world-class contemporary collection. Beuys, Warhol, Kiefer. Light-flooded industrial space.
€14Late night
Tresor — where Berlin techno began (1991)
Opens midnight Fri/Sat. Former power plant. Basement vault: smoke-filled, Detroit techno. An essential pilgrimage.
From midnight · €15–18Day 4 · Fri 30 May
Street art + Berghain night
Morning
Urban Nation Museum + street art walk
Free museum dedicated entirely to street art. Then walk Bülowstraße — some of Europe's best murals outside the East Side Gallery.
FreeAfternoon
Boxhagener Platz market + canal walk
Saturday market — vinyl, DDR memorabilia, vintage. Walk the Landwehr Canal. Beer from a späti, feet in the water.
Free1–4am Sat
Berghain / Panorama Bar
The world's most famous club. Berghain = dark hard techno. Panorama Bar = house, more light. Sunday 4–8am queue has the best admission rate. Read the Clubs tab door tips before going.
Sat night–Mon morning · €20Read door tips firstDay 5 · Sun 1 June
Recovery + Mauerpark + Sisyphos
Midday
Mauerpark Flea Market + outdoor karaoke
Prenzlauer Berg's legendary Sunday market. Free outdoor karaoke amphitheatre — strangers singing to hundreds. Classic Berlin Sunday hangover cure.
FreeAfternoon
Sisyphos — Sunday outdoor session
Former dog biscuit factory. Multiple dance floors, outdoor areas, fairy lights, art installations, beach area. Sunday afternoon sessions legendary. Relaxed dress code.
Sun afternoon · €15Evening
Watergate — Spree river terrace
Floor-to-ceiling windows over the Spree. River terrace at sunset. More melodic techno and house. One of the most beautiful club settings in Europe.
Evening · €12–16Day 6 · Mon 2 June
Jewish Museum + depart for Amsterdam
Morning
Jewish Museum Berlin (or Potsdam day trip)
Jewish Museum: Libeskind's zinc building is as powerful as any exhibit (€8). OR: Potsdam Sanssouci Palace 30 min by S-Bahn — Frederick the Great's Versailles-scale summer palace.
Jewish Museum €8Afternoon
Depart for Amsterdam
easyJet BER→AMS 1.5h · OR the ICE train 6h via Hannover (strongly recommended — central station to central station, dining car, beautiful countryside). Book at thetrainline.com
ICE train highly recommendedℹ️
Berghain rejection is not personal. If you don't get in, try Tresor, Watergate or Sisyphos — all extraordinary. Come back at 6am Sunday. The experience is completely different to Saturday midnight.
Berghain / Panorama Bar
MusicHard techno (Berghain) · House (Panorama Bar)
HoursSat midnight → Mon morning (marathon)
Entry~€20 · No tickets · Queue only · No photos inside
Best time to queue4–8am Sunday — significantly higher admission rate
Dress codeDark, functional, comfortable · No heels · No suits
Door tipsGroups of 2–3 · Speak quietly · Know who's playing · Look relaxed
Tresor
MusicDetroit techno · Industrial · Hard
HoursFri/Sat from midnight
Entry€15–18 · Door easier than Berghain
Watergate
MusicTechno · House · Melodic
HoursFri/Sat from midnight
Entry€12–16 · Stunning river terrace
Sisyphos
MusicHouse · Techno · Eclectic
HoursFri night through Sun evening
Entry€15 · Relaxed door · Outdoor · Art · Beach area
Kater Blau
MusicHouse · Techno · Warm and eclectic
Entry€12 · Open-minded door · River terrace
Must-see history
East Side Gallery
1.3km surviving Wall · 105 murals · Free · Always open · Walk full length
FreeTopography of Terror
Built on former Gestapo/SS HQ · Free · Daily 10am–8pm · Most powerful Nazi documentation centre in Europe
FreeHolocaust Memorial + Information Centre
2,711 concrete slabs across a city block · Disorientating and profoundly moving · Free underground Information Centre
FreeCheckpoint Charlie Museum
Extraordinary escape stories — car boots, homemade balloons, tunnels under the Wall. Worth the entry.
€18.50Jewish Museum Berlin
Libeskind's zinc building is as powerful as any exhibit inside. Emotionally extraordinary. Allow 2–3 hours.
€8Reichstag Dome + Brandenburg Gate
Both free. Pre-book Reichstag at bundestag.de at least 2 weeks ahead. Panoramic views over Berlin.
Free · Pre-book ReichstagMust-see art
Museum Island — Neues Museum or Pergamon
UNESCO World Heritage. Nefertiti bust · Ancient Greek altar reconstructed inside. Pre-book tickets.
€12–19 · Pre-bookHamburger Bahnhof
Former railway station → world-class contemporary art. Beuys, Warhol, Kiefer. Light-flooded industrial space.
€14Urban Nation Museum + Bülowstraße
Free museum dedicated to street art. Walk Bülowstraße for outstanding outdoor murals.
FreeNeue Nationalgalerie
Mies van der Rohe's stunning glass pavilion (recently restored). Picasso, Dalí, Klee, Kirchner.
€14The Neighbourhoods
FriedrichshainClubs, East Side Gallery, young energy — best base
KreuzbergBest street food, canal, Turkish market, countercultural
Prenzlauer BergLeafy streets, best restaurants, Sunday Mauerpark market
NeuköllnUp-and-coming, natural wine bars, very local feel
Essential Berlin Food
CurrywurstCurry 36 (Kreuzberg) · Konnopke's (Prenzlauer Berg, since 1930)
Döner KebabAny Kreuzberg späti · Berlin invented the modern German Döner
Turkish MarketMaybachufer · Tue & Fri · Incredible street food and produce
Markthalle NeunKreuzberg · Street Food Thursday · brilliant variety
Natural winePrenzlauer Berg + Neukölln · Europe's best natural wine bar culture
VeganBerlin is the vegan capital of Europe · 80+ fully vegan restaurants
Getting Around + In/Out
Transport cardBerlin WelcomeCard — unlimited U/S-Bahn · buy at airport
CyclingBest way to see city · Nextbike or Lime bikes everywhere
Clubs — cashMany clubs are cash only — get cash before going out
Fly in from AthensATH→BER easyJet/Ryanair · ~€40–80 · 2.5h
Fly in from SydneyBook SYD→BER independently · via any hub
Airport to cityS-Bahn every 10 min · €3.80 · 30 min to Friedrichshain
Train to Amsterdam ⭐ICE Berlin→Amsterdam · 6h · ~€50–80 · Strongly recommended
💡
The Berlin–Amsterdam ICE train is one of the great European rail journeys. Central station to central station, no airport hassle, dining car, beautiful Dutch countryside. Book at thetrainline.com ↗
🇹🇷
Return Leg · 17–20 June 2027
Istanbul & Göbekli Tepe
Fly London → Istanbul on Turkish Airlines on the way home. Free hotel on the return leg — 2 nights economy, 3 nights business. Day tour to Göbekli Tepe. Then fly home to Sydney.
🏨 2 FREE nights Economy⭐ 3 FREE nights Business🏛 Göbekli Tepe ~18 JuneLHR→IST→SYD Turkish Airlines
⭐
Australia is a priority country. Flying from London on Turkish Airlines, you qualify for the enhanced return benefit — 2 free nights 4-star (economy) or 3 free nights 5-star (business). Must apply at turkishairlines.com/stopover at least 72 hours before London departure.
Return Leg — What You Get
Departing from London · Turkish Airlines · Australian passport
Economy Class
2
free nights
4-star hotel
Marriott / Sheraton / Sofitel / Radisson tier
Marriott / Sheraton / Sofitel / Radisson tier
Est. saving: A$400–500
Business Class
3
free nights
5-star hotel
Conrad / Hilton / Swissôtel tier
Conrad / Hilton / Swissôtel tier
Est. saving: A$1,000–1,200
How to Claim
1
Book LHR→IST→SYD as multi-city on Turkish Airlines
At turkishairlines.com ↗ use multi-city option. Set LHR→IST then IST→SYD departing 3 days later. This creates the eligible layover.
2
Note your PNR booking reference
You'll need PNR + surname to claim the hotel. Keep it handy.
3
Apply at least 72 hours before London departure
Visit turkishairlines.com/stopover ↗. Hotel allocations fill fast — don't leave this late.
4
TK assigns your hotel — airport transfer included
Partners include Marriott, Sheraton, Sofitel, Radisson Blu, Hilton. These are genuinely good hotels in great locations.
⚠️
Important: Hotel is NOT automatic — you must apply through the TK portal. Flights must use IST (Istanbul Havalimani). NOT Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) — that airport is NOT eligible.
UNESCO World Heritage · Şanlıurfa, SE Turkey
Göbekli Tepe
Built ~10,000–9,000 BCE · Approximately 12,000 years old
Carved from bedrock by hunter-gatherers with no writing, no pottery, no agriculture — Göbekli Tepe is the oldest megalithic ritual complex ever discovered. T-shaped limestone pillars up to 5.5m tall arranged in precise circles with extraordinary animal reliefs. Its discovery completely overturned our understanding of early human civilisation. Stonehenge is 7,000 years younger. The Pyramids of Giza are 7,500 years newer.
~12,000
Years old
7,000
Yrs older than Stonehenge
200+
Pillars found
💡
Also visit Karahan Tepe — sister site 35km away, also ~12,000 years old with even more sophisticated carvings including the first known human figural sculptures. Many archaeologists consider it more impressive. The 2-day tour covers both.
Getting There from Istanbul
RouteIST → Şanlıurfa (GNY) · ~2h domestic flight
Flight cost~€80–130 return · Turkish Airlines
Site entry~€8–12pp · elevated walkways protect the ruins
Best timeEarly morning — cooler and fewer crowds
EssentialsHat · sunscreen · 2L water · closed-toe shoes required
Tour Options
1-Day Tour from Istanbul
~€350pp
Return domestic flight IST↔Şanlıurfa · Guided Göbekli Tepe tour · Şanlıurfa Museum · Pool of Abraham · lunch · all transfers. 5am hotel pickup.
All inclusiveEnglish guide
2-Day Tour + Karahan Tepe + Harran
Recommended ⭐~€450–500pp
Return flights · overnight Şanlıurfa · Göbekli Tepe + Karahan Tepe (sister site, equally extraordinary) · Harran 3,000yr beehive houses · Mosaic Museum · local food.
Both major sitesKarahan Tepe included
🌡
June heat warning: Şanlıurfa in June reaches 35–40°C. Visit early (8–9am). Hat, sunscreen, 2L water per person minimum. Closed-toe shoes on gravel walkways.
🌉 Istanbul — Where Europe Meets Asia
3 days is enough to fall in love with this extraordinary city. 15 million people, 2 continents, 3,000 years of layered history.
Must-See in 3 Days
Hagia Sophia
Built 537 AD — world's largest cathedral for nearly 1,000 years. Byzantine mosaics alongside Islamic calligraphy. The most extraordinary interior you'll ever stand in. Now an active mosque — free entry.
FreeBlue Mosque + Grand Bazaar
Blue Mosque: six minarets, 20,000 İznik tiles, free. Grand Bazaar: 61 covered streets, 4,000 shops, established 1455. Bargaining expected.
Free entryBosphorus Cruise
Public ferries from Eminönü for ~A$3–5. Palaces, bridges, Ottoman waterfront. One of the great urban boat trips in the world.
Very affordableTopkapi Palace
500-year home of Ottoman sultans. Topkapi Dagger, 86-carat Spoonmaker's Diamond, extraordinary harem. Bosphorus views.
~A$15–20 · 3–4 hoursIstanbul Food Scene
Balık ekmek (fish sandwiches) at Eminönü. Kebabs in Beyoğlu. Mezes and rakı in Karaköy. A$15–25 for a full incredible meal.
World-class · Very affordablePractical Istanbul
CurrencyTurkish Lira (TRY) — AUD goes very far
TransportIstanbulkart — buy at airport, use on all metro, tram, ferry
Visae-Visa required · evisa.gov.tr ↗ · ~A$35 · apply 1 week ahead
Daily budget~A$80–120 (hotel is free!)
Airport → CityHavataş bus ~A$12 · Metro ~A$5 · 45 min
📅 Istanbul + Göbekli Tepe — 3-Night Plan
Thu 17 June — Arrive from London
✈ LHR → IST · Turkish Airlines · ~4h
Arrive Istanbul afternoon. Free TK hotel check-in. Explore Beyoğlu neighbourhood. Rooftop dinner overlooking the Bosphorus. Apply for TK hotel 72h before London departure.
Fri 18 June — Göbekli Tepe
🏛 Göbekli Tepe day tour — 5am hotel pickup
Early pickup. Domestic flight IST→Şanlıurfa (~2h). Guided tour: Göbekli Tepe + Karahan Tepe + Şanlıurfa Museum. Evening return to Istanbul. 12,000 years of history in one day.
Sat 19 June — Istanbul free day
🌉 Hagia Sophia · Bosphorus · Grand Bazaar · Topkapi
Hagia Sophia + Blue Mosque morning. Bosphorus public ferry afternoon. Spice Bazaar + Grand Bazaar. Evening: Karaköy food scene. Decompress before the long flight home.
Sun 20 June — Fly home
✈ IST → SYD · Turkish Airlines · ~22h
Fly home. Arrive Sydney Mon–Tue 21–22 June. 36 extraordinary days complete.
Visa & Entry
Visa requiredYes — Turkish e-Visa for Australians
Cost~US$20–25 (~A$32–40)
Apply atevisa.gov.tr ↗ · takes 24–48 hours
Passport validityMust be valid 6 months beyond entry date
Money & Budget
CurrencyTurkish Lira (TRY) — AUD goes very far
Daily budget~A$60–90/day (hotel is free!)
Best cardWise or Revolut — no conversion fees
🇬🇧 London & Wales
Gottwood Festival in the Welsh woodlands, then 4 nights in London before flying home via Istanbul.
Gottwood Festival · Anglesey, Wales
🌲 Gottwood — A Mystical Party Hidden in the Woods
Fri 11 – Sat 12 June 2027 · Carreglwyd Estate, Anglesey, Wales · ⚠️ 2027 dates assumed — confirm at gottwood.co.uk
A critically acclaimed, independent, boutique electronic music festival hidden in stunning Welsh woodland. ~4,000 capacity. World-class curated lineup spanning deep house, techno, leftfield electronic. Stages: Barn, Walled Garden, Curve (1,150 cap), lakeside Lighthouse, custom-built Trigon. Now 24-hour licensed. The Independent: "one of the most important boutique festivals the UK has to offer."
~4,000 capacity · intimate24-hour licenceCamping on siteBoutique camping availableCarreglwyd Estate, Anglesey
⚠️
Gottwood 2027 dates not yet announced. Watch gottwood.co.uk ↗ and sign up to their mailing list NOW. Tickets sell out within minutes. Buy on Resident Advisor ↗ when they go on sale.
Getting to Gottwood from Barcelona
Wed 11 June morningFly BCN→LHR · ~2h · ~€40–80
London → AngleseyLondon Euston→Holyhead · 3.5h direct · ~£30–60
Holyhead → SiteOfficial festival shuttle · or taxi from Holyhead station
Total BCN → Site~8h (flight + train + shuttle) — have a relaxed morning in Barcelona
Train bookingthetrainline.com ↗ · book in advance for best fares
Gottwood — What to Expect
Music
Deep house, techno, leftfield electronic — beautifully curated. Think Move D, Âme, Job Jobse, Floating Points, Peggy Gou, Objekt tier acts. Very different energy to 909 — more intimate woodland commune than big outdoor rave.
The stages
Barn and Walled Garden (intimate), the Curve (main outdoor, 1,150 capacity), lakeside Lighthouse, custom Trigon structure. Sound systems are world-class — Gottwood takes audio seriously.
Camping
General camping included. Boutique camping available for those who don't want to bring a tent — book when purchasing tickets as it sells out alongside weekend tickets.
The location
Anglesey is one of Wales's most beautiful areas — coastal, dramatic, rich Celtic heritage. The Carreglwyd Estate woodland setting is extraordinary. June Wales: bring a layer for nights, usually dry but pack a compact rain jacket.
18+ only · strictly enforced
Photo ID required on entry. No exceptions — have ID ready.
Leaving Gottwood for London
Sun 13 June morningFestival site → Holyhead (shuttle or taxi)
Holyhead → Euston3.5h direct · multiple departures · ~£30–60
Arrive LondonSunday afternoon · check in · rest · recover
London · 13–17 June 2027 · 4 nights
🇬🇧 London — 4 Nights
4 proper nights in one of the world's great cities. Sunday to recover, then 3 full days to explore. London in mid-June at its absolute best — long days, parks in full bloom, Southbank buzzing.
London — 4 Night Plan
Day 1 · Sun 13 June
Arrive from Gottwood — gentle recovery
Afternoon
Southbank walk + Borough Market
Check in, then a gentle walk along the Thames — Tate Modern exterior, Millennium Bridge, Borough Market for late lunch. Easy, beautiful, no rushing. Perfect Gottwood recovery day.
Borough Market freeDay 2 · Mon 14 June
Tate Modern + East London
Morning
Tate Modern
World-class contemporary and modern art in a stunning former power station. Free permanent collection. One of the best art museums on earth — the Turbine Hall installation is always extraordinary.
Permanent collection freeAfternoon
Shoreditch + Brick Lane
East London's creative hub. Street art, independent boutiques, Brick Lane bagels, vintage markets. The best street food and coffee east of anywhere in London.
East London's bestDay 3 · Tue 15 June
Central London — galleries, parks, West End
Morning
National Gallery or British Museum
National Gallery (Trafalgar Square): Leonardo, Turner, Van Gogh, Caravaggio — free. British Museum: Rosetta Stone, Elgin Marbles, Egyptian mummies — also free. Pick one.
Both freeAfternoon
Hyde Park + Notting Hill + Portobello Road
Hyde Park in mid-June is glorious — Serpentine Gallery, deckchairs. Walk through to Notting Hill for Portobello Road and the best neighbourhood pubs in London.
FreeEvening
Live music or West End
Ronnie Scott's in Soho (jazz), Fabric (electronic — check lineup), 100 Club, Electric Ballroom. Or a West End show. Check listings at londonboxoffice.co.uk
Check listingsDay 4 · Wed 16 June
Greenwich + farewell London dinner
Morning
Greenwich by river boat
Thames Clipper from central London (~30 min) to Greenwich. Royal Observatory (stand on the Prime Meridian), Cutty Sark, Greenwich Market, beautiful park with city skyline views.
~£10 river boat returnEvening
Final London dinner — Soho or Covent Garden
Soho: most dense concentration of great restaurants in London. Covent Garden for atmosphere. Last European evening — make it count.
Farewell Europe 🥂London Practical
TransportOyster card or contactless bank card on all Tube, bus, river
Best area to staySouthbank, Shoreditch, or Soho — central and walkable
CurrencyBritish Pounds (GBP) — Wise/Revolut for best rates
Fly out Thu 17 JuneLHR → IST Turkish Airlines · allow 3h to Heathrow from central London
Heathrow from centreElizabeth Line (Tube) ~30min · Heathrow Express 15min · ~£12–25
Dance Music Festivals
Every significant festival mapped against your exact dates and locations.
🎯
The big watch: Primavera Sound 2027 dates not yet announced. Based on the 5-year pattern (always Thu–Sat, late May to early June), it may fall exactly during your Barcelona dates of 9–11 June. Watch primaverasound.com in late 2026 — buy immediately if confirmed.
🇬🇷 Greece · 19–26 May
Athens Epidaurus Festival
Odeon of Herodes Atticus + Epidaurus, Athens
Late May – August · starts during your stay
Greece's foremost cultural festival since 1955. Theatre, opera, dance and music in the 2nd-century BC Odeon of Herodes Atticus below the Acropolis — one of the most extraordinary performance venues on earth.
CulturalRight where you are
Verdict
✅ Coincides. Book a performance at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus — watching music in a 2,000-year-old open-air venue below the Acropolis is unforgettable.
🇩🇪 Berlin · 27 May – 2 June
Berlin Club Scene — Every Weekend
Berghain · Tresor · Watergate · Sisyphos · Kater Blau
Every Fri/Sat/Sun — fully coincides
Berlin doesn't need a festival. The permanent club scene is world-class every single weekend. Your 6 nights cover 2 full club weekends — Friday 30 May and Saturday 31 May are your prime nights.
Techno · HouseEvery weekendUNESCO heritage
Verdict
✅ Fully coincides. This is the point of Berlin. See the Berlin Guide tab for the complete club plan.
Rave the Planet Berlin
Straße des 17. Juni, Berlin
Typically July–August — likely misses
Spiritual successor to the Love Parade. 300,000+ people. 2025: 12 July. 2026: 15 August. 2027 TBC — but almost certainly July or August again.
Likely July or August 2027
Verdict
❌ Unlikely to coincide. Probably 6–10 weeks after your Berlin dates. The club scene compensates fully.
🇳🇱 Amsterdam · 3–7 June
909 Festival
Amsterdam, Netherlands
🎉 LOCKED: 5–6 June 2027
The festival that anchors the trip. Named after the Roland TR-909 drum machine. Internationally renowned, world-class lineups, Amsterdam's biggest dance music weekend.
⭐ LOCKEDHouse · Techno
Verdict
✅ This is the event. Buy tickets the moment they go on sale. Check 909festival.nl ↗
🇪🇸 Spain · 9–11 June
Primavera Sound
Parc del Fòrum, Barcelona
2027 TBC — possibly 9–11 June 🎯
One of Europe's most celebrated music festivals — indie, electronic, pop, genre-defying. 75,000 capacity. Pattern: always Thu–Sat, late May to early June (2024: 30 May–1 June, 2025: 5–7 June, 2026: 4–6 June).
🎯 May overlap your exact datesSells out in hours
Verdict
🎯 WATCH CLOSELY. Based on the drift pattern, 2027 could fall 9–11 June — exactly your Barcelona dates. Watch primaverasound.com ↗ in late 2026. Buy immediately if confirmed.
Sónar Barcelona
Fira Gran Via, Barcelona
~17–19 June — ~1 week after you leave
World's most prestigious electronic music and technology festival. Aphex Twin, Björk, Floating Points, Arca tier. 2026 was 18–20 June.
~17–19 June — just after you leave
Verdict
❌ Just misses you by about a week. You'll be in Istanbul when Sónar runs.
🏴 Wales · 11–12 June
Gottwood Festival ⭐
Carreglwyd Estate, Anglesey, Wales
🌲 Assumed: Fri 11 – Sat 12 June 2027
Boutique electronic festival hidden in Welsh woodland. ~4,000 capacity. Curated lineup: deep house, techno, leftfield. Multiple stages including the lakeside Lighthouse and custom Trigon. 24-hour licensed. "One of the most important boutique festivals the UK has to offer" — The Independent. Camping on site.
🌲 ON YOUR ITINERARY~4,000 capacity24-hr licence
Verdict
✅ Locked in. 2027 dates TBC — watch gottwood.co.uk ↗ and sign up to mailing list now. Buy on Resident Advisor when tickets drop.
Summary Table
| Festival | Location | Likely 2027 Dates | Fits? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens Epidaurus Festival | Athens | Late May onwards | ✅ Yes |
| Berlin club scene | Berlin | Every weekend | ✅ Yes |
| 909 Festival | Amsterdam | 5–6 June 🔒 | ✅ LOCKED |
| Gottwood | Anglesey, Wales | ~11–12 June 🔒 | ✅ LOCKED |
| Primavera Sound | Barcelona | ~9–11 June (TBC) | 🎯 Possibly |
| Sónar | Barcelona | ~17–19 June | ❌ Just after |
| Rave the Planet | Berlin | ~July or August | ❌ Too late |
| Bilbao BBK Live | Bilbao | ~9–11 July | ❌ 1 month late |
| Tomorrowland | Belgium | 16–26 July | ❌ Post-trip |
| Glastonbury | Somerset, UK | ~23–27 June | ❌ Post-trip |
Register for the Trip
Sign up for any legs you want to join. All legs are optional. Deadline: 1 December 2026.
Key Deadlines
Hard lock-in dates — missing these affects group pricing and availability.
ASAP 2026
🌲 Sign up to Gottwood mailing list NOW
Tickets sell out within minutes of going on sale. Sign up at gottwood.co.uk ↗ for early access. Buy on Resident Advisor ↗ when they drop.
Late 2026
🎯 Watch Primavera Sound 2027 announcement
Announces in November/December 2026. If dates fall 9–11 June, buy immediately — sold out in under 24 hours recently. Watch primaverasound.com ↗
1 Dec 2026
📋 REGISTER for the trip — hard deadline
All participants must register via the Register tab by this date. We need confirmed numbers to lock in group accommodation and transfers for each leg. Late registrations may not get group rates.
1 Dec 2026
✈ Book all international flights
SYD→ATH (any carrier) and LHR→IST→SYD (Turkish Airlines). Group pricing if 10+ book together. Apply TK stopover hotel portal 72h before London departure.
1 Dec 2026
✈ Book your flights to first leg + homebound
Book SYD to whichever city you're joining first. Book LHR→IST→SYD on Turkish Airlines for the return. Group pricing if 10+ book together. Apply TK stopover hotel portal 72h before London departure.
1 Feb 2027
🇬🇷 Greece — Numbers locked + deposit
Villa bookings need confirmed numbers and deposit. Critical — best Santorini villas book 12+ months out.
1 Mar 2027
🇳🇱 909 Festival tickets — DO NOT MISS
Sell out months ahead. Buy by this date or miss it entirely. Check 909festival.nl ↗
1 Apr 2027
🇪🇸 🇬🇧 🇹🇷 Spain · Wales · Turkey — final confirmations
Confirm accommodation for Bilbao, Barcelona, London. Book Göbekli Tepe tour (advance booking required in June peak season).
Sat 17 May 2027
🛫 Depart Sydney — Adventure begins!
36 days. 6 countries. 3 festivals. The adventure starts here.
Up to 29 days. 5 countries. 3 festivals. The adventure starts here.
Tips & Practical Info
Everything you need to know to move between destinations and stay comfortably.
Getting Between Destinations
SYD → ATH: Fly via Dubai or Doha
Emirates (Dubai), Qatar (Doha), Etihad (Abu Dhabi). ~23–25h total. Book by 1 December 2026.
Getting to your first leg from Sydney
Fly SYD to whichever city you're joining first (Berlin, Amsterdam, Bilbao). Book independently via Google Flights or Skyscanner. Aim to book by 1 December 2026 for best fares.
BER → AMS: ICE Train ⭐ (strongly recommended)
6h central station to central station. ~€50–80. Dining car, beautiful scenery, no airport hassle. Book at thetrainline.com ↗
London Euston → Holyhead (for Gottwood)
3.5h direct. ~£30–60. Official festival shuttle from Holyhead to Carreglwyd Estate. Book in advance.
LHR → IST → SYD: Turkish Airlines (home)
Book as multi-city TK ticket. Apply for free hotel 72h before London departure at turkishairlines.com/stopover
Essential Tips
Get Wise or Revolut before you leave
Zero conversion fees across EUR, GBP, TRY. wise.com ↗ · revolut.com ↗
eSIM — get Airalo before you leave
Airalo.com ↗ EU-wide eSIMs ~€10–15 for 10GB/30 days. Add UK and Turkey separately.
Travel insurance — buy before any deposits paid
Comprehensive cover including cancellation, medical and evacuation. comparethemarket.com.au ↗
Time zones from Sydney (May–June)
Greece/Germany/Netherlands/Spain: CEST = UTC+2 = Sydney −8h. UK: BST = UTC+1 = Sydney −9h. Istanbul: UTC+3 = Sydney −7h.
WhatsApp group — join after registering
The WhatsApp group is the main hub for day-to-day planning, questions, and coordination. Join via the link shown after you register in the Register tab.
Admin
For trip organisers. View registrations and manage the trip.
📊
View all registrations in your Netlify dashboard ↗ → Your site → Forms → europe2027-registration. You'll also get an email at bryce.levido@gmail.com every time someone registers.
Setup checklist
Form notificationsNetlify → Site → Settings → Forms → Form notifications → Add email: bryce.levido@gmail.com
WhatsApp linkCreate group → Invite via link → replace REPLACE_WITH_YOUR_LINK in the HTML
Password A (Greece)Change GREECE2027 in the script below to your preferred code
Password B (no Greece)Change EUROPE2027 in the script below to your preferred code
To update the siteEdit HTML → Netlify dashboard → Deploys → drag and drop new file
Export registrationsNetlify → Forms → Download CSV — share with leg admins
⚠️ Before going live — change these in the HTML
1. GREECE2027 → your chosen Greece-access password
2. EUROPE2027 → your chosen general-access password
3. ADMIN2027 → your chosen admin password (keep private — gives full access + admin tab)
4. REPLACE_WITH_YOUR_LINK → your WhatsApp group invite link (appears twice)
5. Go to Netlify → Site settings → Forms → Form notifications → add bryce.levido@gmail.com
2. EUROPE2027 → your chosen general-access password
3. ADMIN2027 → your chosen admin password (keep private — gives full access + admin tab)
4. REPLACE_WITH_YOUR_LINK → your WhatsApp group invite link (appears twice)
5. Go to Netlify → Site settings → Forms → Form notifications → add bryce.levido@gmail.com