10 DAY ANZAC TOUR
Start : 22th April – Istanbul
Finish : 01st May - Bodrum
DAY 1 - Welcome to Istanbul – Thursday 22nd April 2010
Welcome to Istanbul, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Tonight, meet your guide and the rest of your group. Overnight Istanbul.
DAY 2 - Istanbul Old City Tour - Friday 23rd April 2010
After breakfast, you enjoy a fully guided tour of the only city to span two continents, visiting the Blue Mosque, the Saint Sophia , Topkapi Palace and the Hippodrome. Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey and after lunch we learn how the carpets are made by hand and what determines their value. You can enjoy with us the Optional Turkish Night with Dinner meet point, at hotel Lobby at 7:30 pm . Overnight Istanbul)
DAY 3 - Gallipoli Battlefields – Saturday 24th April 2010
This morning your air-conditioned coach will depart Istanbul for Gallipoli. It takes just under 5 hours to reach Gallipoli, then begin your tour of the Gallipoli Peninsula. You visit Gabatepe War Museum, Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Australia's Memorial and Cemetery, Quinn's Post, Turkish 57th Regiment Cemetery, The Nek, Chunuk-Bair New Zealand Memorial and Cemetery. Straight after the tour we head for the site of the dawn service to get a good spot. Tonight, soak up the vibrant atmosphere under the stars waiting for the break of dawn.
Overnight at Dawn Service.
DAY 4 – ANZAC Day at Gallipoli – Sunday 25th April 2010
Awake before sun rise to the ANZAC Dawn Service. We become aware of the almost deafening silence as we commemorate our fallen forefathers on this special day. Also attend the Australian &/or New Zealand Memorial services.
The ANZAC Day Dawn Service at 04:30
The Australian National service at 10:30,
The Turkish National Service at 11.45
The New Zealand National service at 13:00.
After the services with time permitting we will depart for the ancient city of Troy (about an hour drive). Your guide will explain the mythology surrounding Troy, the Trojan Horse and Helen of Troy. After Troy, we drive to our hotel (3 hours drive) in Ayvalik where we will have dinner at the fantastic beach front hotel and a comfy bed to rest your weary bodies. Overnight hotel in Ayvalik.
Day 5 - Bergama Tour & Kusadasi - Monday 26th April 2010
Drive to Pergamum (45 minutes drive) - see Asklepion, Zeus's alter, the Red Bassilcia etc. BERGAMA is the site of the Hellenistic - and later Roman city of Pergamon, ruled for several centuries by a powerful local dynasty. Its foremost attraction is the Kizil Avlu or "Red Basilica", a huge edifice on the river not far from the acropolis, originally built as a temple to the Egyptian god Osiris and converted to a basilica by the early Christians, when it was one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor addressed by St John in the book of Revelation - though sadly it's now a crumbling ruin with a mosque in one of its towers. After Pergamon we continue towards the city of Kusadasi. On the way, we will visit a place which continues to perform one of the oldest arts of Turkey; a carpet weaving centre, we will check into our hotel in Kusadasi. Overnight hotel in Kusadasi.
Day 6 - Ephesus & Kusadasi - Tuesday 27th April 2010
At 08:30am we depart for Ephesus (20 minutes drive) - once the commercial centre of the ancient world - is a highlight of any visit to Turkey. The city, whose wealth and patronage supported its splendid architectural program, was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Her enormous temple, once considered one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World and rebuilt several times, dates in its latest form from the third century B.C. The tour of the ruins also includes a theatre, gymnasium, agora and baths, as well as the Library of Celsus. After lunch, we will make a shopping tour in which you will be aware of the ancient arts of Turkey like leather manufacturing and jewellery. As this will be a guided tour, you will avoid the constant nagging and sometimes bullying that is well known in the markets of Turkey. Enabling you to enjoy the shopping experience whilst gaining the knowledge of the ancient craftsmen. Overnight hotel in Kusadasi.
Day 7 - Pamukkale Tour - Wednesday 28th April 2010
At 08:30am we leave Kusadasi for Pamukkale (2.5 hours drive). In Pamukkale we shall visit the calcium terraces of Pamukkale (Cotton Castle) and the ruins of Hierapolis, walking around this natural phenomenon gives you the option of lying in the waters of the natural springs that flow down the calcium terraces. After our days activities we will check into our hotel intime for dinner and the rest of the evening is yours to explore the small village or relax around the pool bar. Overnight hotel in Pamukkale.
Day 8 - Pamukkale & Bodrum - Friday 29th April 2010
At 08:30am we depart for Bodrum. Bodrum as a city is quickly becoming one of the most sort after destinations in Europe and with such a precedence, it offers some fantastic adventures for any age group. Visit the castle of St. Peter, the symbol of Bodrum. The Crusader castle was built by the knights of St. John between 1402 and 1409. After being defeated in Smyrna (The ancient name of Izmir), the knights came to Halikarnassos and began the construction of the castle.. 01:00pm Visit the ancient theater The Theatre is located on the hillside overlooking Bodrum. The hillside theater that dates from the 4th century BC was built to seat 5.000 people. When rediscovered, it was not in very good condition and therefore has been recently restored. The view of the town from there is beautiful. Overnight hotel in Bodrum.
Day 9 - Free Day in Bodrum - Saturday 30th April 2010
The day is yours. You do not have to wake up early, enjoy the sunshine and take in the views and natural magnificent beach & crystal clear sea and explore the city, shop in the local markets, relax on the beach or enjoy one of the many day trips you have to choose from. These include Aqua Park, scuba diving, fishing tour and many more. Overnight hotel in Bodrum.
Day 10 - Bodrum The End – Sunday 1 May 2010
After breakfast, please check out from your room before 11:00am, as your tour ends today. From Bodrum we can arrange flights or coach transportation to anywhere in Turkey. If you choose to stay longer in Bodrum we can extend your accommodation and all so offer other options such as Jeep Safari, Aqua Park, scuba diving, fishing tour, Jeep Safari, Horse Safari, Turkish Night, Daily Trip to Kos, Turkish Bath and many more or you may like to hit the one week Greek islands boat cruise ? We can arrange the ferry tickets for you to go.
10 DAYS ANZAC TOUR INCLUDES:
· All accommodation as per itinerary in 3 & 4 star hotels,
· 8 breakfasts, 6 dinners
· Guided Istanbul city tour
· Guided Gallipoli tour
· Guided Troy tour
· Guided Pergamon tour
· Guided Ephesus tour
· Guided Pamukkale tour
· Guided Bodrum city tour
· Dawn and National Services (Australian & New Zealand)
· Fluent English speaking professional tour guide for the duration of the tour
· All transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking coach
· All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
· Arrival airport transfers between 8:00am and 11:00pm every two hours
10 DAYS ANZAC DAY TOUR
Start Date : 22/04/2010
Finish Date : 01/05/2010
Start : Istanbul
Finish : Bodrum
Duration : 10 Days
Price: Double/Twin/Triple : 599 Euro - Single: 739 Euro