2009 ANZAC Day Tours
"The Brigadier tour"
16 - Day itinerary
11 Apr 2009 to 26 Apr 2009

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.

After breakfast, you enjoy a fully guided tour of the only city to span two continents, visiting the Blue Mosque, the Aya Sofya, Topkapi Palace and the Hippodrome. Optional Turkish Night is for sale for tonight. Overnight Istanbul. Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, drive to the nation's capital, Ankara, visiting the Mausoleum of Turkey's first President, Ataturk, and learn a little about why he is so revered in this country. With Ankara behind us, we head for the surreal moonscape of Cappadocia. Overnight Cappadocia. Breakfast and Dinner.

Today we tour the Goreme open-air museum, Pasabag and Uchisar castle. Photo opportunities are everywhere so have your cameras ready! Tonight, don't miss the optional Turkish folklore evening featuring folklore and belly dancers... a night you won't forget! Overnight Cappadocia. Breakfast and Dinner.

Today we visit the beautiful Ilhara Valley and the fascinating Derinkuyu underground city, home to early Christians who hid underground from Roman persecution. Overnight Cappadocia. Breakfast and Dinner.

Leaving Cappadocia we head south along an ancient Silk Road for the stunning Mediterranean Coast. Along the way you see a Caravansary in Sultanhani. At Turkey's religious Capital Konya, we tour the Mevlana Whirling Dervish Museum. Overnight Antalya. Breakfast.

Free day to explore the old city of Antalya or head to the beach. Overnight Antalya. Breakfast

The Mediterranean coastline leads us to the recently rediscovered Saklikent Gorge, stopping on the way at a carpet village. Here we learn how carpets are made by hand. At the gorge, walk through icy water and battle numerous small waterfalls set in sculpted limestone canyon walls, before taking a tube ride down the rapids. Overnight Fethiye. Breakfast.

Today we take a leisurely boat cruise around picturesque Fethiye Bay. Overnight Fethiye. Breakfast and Lunch.

Visit the calcium terraces of Pamukkale and the ruins of Hierapolis, an ancient Roman resort city. Overnight Pamukkale. Breakfast and Dinner.

Heading towards Kusadasi we stop off at Aphrodisias, famous in Roman times for its marble sculptures, many of which can still be seen. Overnight Kusadasi. Breakfast and Dinner.

Stand in awe at the technology once used in Roman times, with a tour of the ancient city of Ephesus. Feel the mystical atmosphere of the city halls and stadium where chariot and horse races were once held. Afterwards, we visit the former Greek village of Sirince, which is famous for its fruit wines, before a leather goods presentation. Turkey produces some of the finest leather goods in the world and many are made here before branding in Italy. Overnight Kusadasi. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Today we travel towards the WWI battlefields of Gallipoli, stopping along the way for a tour of the magnificent acropolis of ancient Pergamum. Overnight Ayvalik. Breakfast and Dinner.

Early morning tour of Troy, the site of the famed Trojan Wars. Visit Lone Pine Australian Memorial and Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial and ANZAC Cove if accessible. 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. Breakfast.

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. After the services, we drive back to Istanbul. Overnight Istanbul.

Our tour concludes after breakfast and we bid farewell to our new friends. This afternoon, perhaps try your hand at bargaining in the famous Grand Bazaar. Breakfast.

Tour includes

o Inbound airport transfer from Ataturk Airport or Sabiha Gokcen Airport to your hotel
o Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking coach
o Professional English-speaking tour guide for the duration of the tour
o Fethiye boat cruise
o Commemorative gift
o 14 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 7 Dinners
o 14 nights - Hotel accommodation in total.
  - 2 nights in Antalya
  - 1 night in Ayvalik
  - 3 nights in Cappadocia
  - 2 nights in Fethiye
  - 3 nights in Istanbul
  - 2 nights in Kusadasi
  - 1 night in Pamukkale

Tour does not include

o Tips
o Anything not mentioned above
o Entrance fees to the various sites