2011 ANZAC Day Tours
'ANZAC Day Tour - The Sergeant Tour'
11 - Day itinerary
22 Apr 2011 to 02 May 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)

Gallipoli battlefields and Cruise

Early morning we depart for the Gallipoli peninsula where we will have 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 enjoy a late BBQ lunch at Kabatepe before a cruise along the shores of the Gallipoli peninsula. We then 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 short ferry ride across the Dardanelles. Overnight Canakkale (D)

Troy, Pergamum

Today we head south along the Aegean coast and on the way we enjoy a guided tour the ancient site of Troy and the magnificent acropolis of the ancient city of Pergamum. Overnight Kusadasi (B, D)

Ephesus, Sirince

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)

Pamukkale, Hierapolis

Today we drive inland to the calcium terraces of Pamukkale (cotton castles) where we also visit the ruined city of Hierapolis, an ancient resort town built above the calcium terraces. Overnight Pamukkale (B, D)

Konya, Cappadocia

We continue east along an ancient Silk Road for the lunar like landscape of Cappadocia. We take time out along the way to visit Sultanhani Caravansary and the Mevlana Whirling Dervish Museum in Konya. 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)

Ankara, Istanbul

Leaving the surreal landscape of Cappadocia behind, we head for exotic Istanbul. Along the way we visit the nation's capital, Ankara and the Mausoleum of Turkey's first President, Ataturk, to learn a little about why he is so revered in this country. Overnight Istanbul (B)

Istanbul

After breakfast, our tour concludes and we say goodbye to our new friends. Breakfast (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 Canakkale
  • 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