2011 ANZAC Day Tours
'ANZAC Day Tour - The Major Tour'
11 - Day itinerary
16 Apr 2011 to 26 Apr 2011

Welcome to Istanbul

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

Istanbul old city

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. Overnight Istanbul (B)

Ankara, Cappadocia

After breakfast, drive to the nation's capital, Ankara, visit 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 (B, D)

Goreme, Underground city

Today we tour the Goreme open-air museum, Pasabag, Uchisar castle and one of the fascinating underground cities, home to early Christians who hid underground from Roman persecution. 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 (B)

Konya, Caravansary

Leaving Cappadocia we head west along an ancient Silk Road for the stunning Aegean Coast. We take time out along the way to visit Sultanhani Caravansary and the Mevlana Whirling Dervish Museum in Konya. Overnight Pamukkale (B, D)

Pamukkale, Hierapolis

Today we visit the calcium terraces of Pamukkale and the ruins of Hierapolis, an ancient resort city overlooking the terraces. Overnight Kusadasi (B, D)

Ephesus, Sirince, Kusadasi

Absorb yourself in history today with a visit to the site of the Temple of Artemis and a guided tour of the ancient city and stadium of Ephesus. Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey and next we learn how the carpets are made by hand and what determines their value before an afternoon visit to the former Greek village of Sirince, famous for its fruit wines. We finish the day with 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 (B, D)

Acropolis of Pergamum

This morning we check out some local Turkish handicrafts before we head north along the Aegean coast towards the WWI battlefields of Gallipoli. Along the way we stop for a tour of the magnificent acropolis of the ancient city of Pergamum. Overnight Canakkale (B, D)

Troy, Gallipoli battlefields, Gallipoli Cruise

Early start this morning to tour Troy, the site of the famed Trojan Wars, before a cruise from Kabatepe along the shores of the Gallipoli peninsula. We enjoy a BBQ lunch before a short orientation tour of the WW1 battlefields of Gallipoli visiting Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial and ANZAC Cove if accessible. After the tour we head straight to the site of the dawn service to get a good spot for the long night ahead. Overnight ANZAC Cove (B, L)

ANZAC Day at Gallipoli

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. We attend the Australian &/or New Zealand Memorial services before a late afternoon drive back to Istanbul. Overnight Istanbul

Istanbul

Our tour concludes after breakfast and we bid farewell to our new friends. (B)

Tour includes

• Inbound airport transfer from Ataturk or Sabiha Gokcen Airports
• Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking bus
• Professional English-speaking tour guide for the duration of the tour
• Commemorative gift
• Gallipoli cruise
• 9 nights - ANZAC Legend accommodation in total.
  • 1 night in Ayvalik
  • 2 nights in Cappadocia
  • 3 nights in Istanbul
  • 2 nights in Kusadasi
  • 1 night in Pamukkale
• 9 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 5 Dinners

Tour does not include

• Suggested optional activities
• Tips
• Entrance fees to the various sites