Day 1 Istanbul

At the terminal keep your eyes open for the Travel Talk representative, as we pick you up from the airport and take you to our Istanbul hotel. Gather round in the hotel lobby at 6:00pm as we meet both the other tour members and the guide. Listen up for a fast and informal meeting with the leader including registration and a short brief about the adventures ahead and some country info. Optional dinner to get to know your travel mates. Click for the arrival details

Day 2 Istanbul City Tour and Bosphorus Cruise. ( B, D )

After breakfast we begin to experience the magnificence of Istanbul. We stroll through the old town visiting Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, majestic Topkapi Palace and the Underground Cistern. Our trip will continue with an amazing cruise along to magnificent Bosphorus capturing the delights of Istanbul.

Day 3 Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia. ( B, D )

Today we sit back and relax in the coach. This is a day to enjoy the amazing Turkish scenery unfold before us, while listening to your music player or just watching the small towns and villages pass by. We pass through the capital Ankara bound for a night sleep in Cappadocia.

Day 4 Cappadocia ( B, D )

We wake up for breakfast and are located amongst the "fairy chimney" rock formations, in a town in Cappadocia, a historical region of the Nevşehir Province in Central Anatolia. The Göreme National Park (Göreme Milli Parklar in Turkish) was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985 and continues to astound visitors. We also visit Göreme Open Air Museum, Pigeon Valley, Uchisar and Cavusin.

Day 5 Cappadocia, Ihlara, Pamukkale. ( B, D )

Today get ready to be more delighted with what Turkey has to offer both naturally and historically. What makes the valley of Ihlara unique is the ancient history of its inhabitants. The whole canyon is honeycombed with rock-cut underground dwellings and churches from the Byzantine period.

Day 6 Pamukkale, Ephesus, Selçuk/Kusadasi.( B )

Now we head to Pamukkale meaning "cotton castle" in Turkish, this is a natural site that contains hot springs and travertine’s, giving the appearance of terraces made by carbonate minerals left by the flowing water. The ancient city of Hierapolis was built on top of the white "castle" and people have bathed in its pools for thousands of years. The best preserved ancient town in Turkey, Ephesus, will be our next stop. Ephesus is a spectacular ancient city and was one of the seven churches of Asia that are cited in the Book of Revelation. Famous also given that historians believe that The Gospel of John was written here. It is also the site of a large gladiators' graveyard and famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BCE), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.We will have our Anzac BBQ tonight.

Day 7 Selçuk/Kusadasi, Pergamum, Ayvalik. ( B )

After breakfast we continue to Pergamum, and the remains of the Asklepion. In the afternoon we arrive in Ayvalik, a small town right beside the Aegean Sea.

Day 8 Ayvalik, Troy, Gallipoli.

After breakfast we head to the ancient city of Troy, the setting of Homer's epic, Iliad, involving a giant wooden horse. In the afternoon we jump into the coach and head for the shores of Gallipoli. Tonight we set up base camp to ensure the best position is kept for the Dawn Service and we sleep under the stars in the ceremony area.

Day 9 Dawn Service, Ceremonies, Gallipoli. ( B )

We wake before the break of dawn and watch as the sun rises over the battle field, we remember the soldiers who lost their lives on this exact day all those years ago. We also attend the National ceremonies and services later in the day. This afternoon we re-charge and freshen up in our hotel in Gallipoli.

Day 10 Gallipoli, Istanbul. ( B )

Our exploration of the Gallipoli peninsular begins today without the crowds it is in silence and quiet contemplation we can truly capture the ANZAC spirit. Today provides a more detailed, personal and emotional experience to reflect and explore the history and heartbeat of this region. We visit Kabatepe War Museum, Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, Jonston’s Jolly, North Beach, Ari Burnu, Hell Spit, Brighton Beach, Shrapnel Valley, Artillery Road, Quinn’s Post, Turkish Memorial, the Nek and Walker’s Ridge. We return to Istanbul tonight, lest we forget.

Day 11 Istanbul.

Our trip will finish after breakfast in Istanbul. We wish you safe travels!