Anzac Day Tour-10 Days

Welcome to Turkey! At the Istanbul airport terminal keep your eyes peeled for the Travel Talk sign for your transfer to the hotel. Meet in the hotel reception between 6pm to 7pm (please check the board in reception) for an informal meeting with your group and guide. After the meeting, join in an optional group dinner at a local restaurant to get to know your new travel mates.

• Accommodation
  Antik Hotel or Legacy Ottoman Hotel – 4 Star
• Included Activities
  Welcome Meeting
• Optional Activities
  Group Dinner

Today we sit back and relax in the coach. Watch the amazing Turkish scenery unfold before us and see small towns and villages as we pass on by. We will drive through the capital city of Ankara before we reach Cappadocia. In the afternoon, we will visit Derinkuyu Underground City, a city complete with a church, wells, food stores, and even stables which is all located 60m under the ground. End the day with an optional traditional Hamman (Turkish bath).  We will sleep overnight in Cappadocia.

• Accommodation
  Avrasya Hotel – 4 Star
• Meals Included
  Breakfast, Dinner
• Included Activities
  Sightseeing of Derinkuyu Underground City
• Optional Activities
  Turkish Bath Experience – 30 EUR
• Entrance Fees
  Derinkuyu Underground City – 13 EUR

Rise and shine, it will be an early start for our optional sunrise hot air balloon ride over the stunning landscapes and fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. Or if preferred enjoy a leisurely start to the morning before we all fill up on breakfast. We will explore the UNESCO World Heritage listed Göreme, and tick off bucket list sights along the way including Göreme Musuem, Pigeon Valley, Uchisar and Cavusin.

• Accommodation:
  Avrasya Hotel – 4 Star
• Meals Included:
  Breakfast, Dinner
• Included Activities
  Goreme Open Air Museum Visit
  Sightseeing of Cavusin
  Sightseeing of Pigeon Valley
  Sightseeing of Uchisar
• Optional Activities
  Hot Air Balooning – 290 EUR
  Turkish Night Show – 35 EUR
• Entrance Fees
  Goreme Open Air Museum – 20 EUR

It’s time to hit the road to Pamukkale. Along the way we will stop at Ihlara Valley, a unique honeycombed canyon with rock-cut underground dwellings and churches from the Byzantine period. Time to rest up at our overnight stay in Pamukkale.

• Accommodation
  Tripolis Hotel – 4 Star
• Meals Included
  Breakfast, Dinner
• Included Activities
  Photo Break over the Ihlara Valley

Get your cameras ready, as it is time to visit Pamukkale, or ‘cotton castle’ in Turkish. Pamukkale is a natural site that contains hot springs and travertine, 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. Our next stop is Ephesus which is a spectacular, well preserved ancient city. Ephesus was cited in the book of Revelations, and historians believe the Gospel of John was written here. Famed for the Temple of Artemis which was completed around 550 BC and is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. We will sleep overnight in the seaside town of Selçuk.

• Accommodation
  Richmond Ephesus Resort – 5 Star
• Meals Included
  Breakfast, Dinner
• Included Activities
  Sightseeing of Pamukkale White Terraces
  Sightseeing of Ephesus Ancient City
• Entrance Fees
  Pamukkale White Terraces – 30 EUR
  Ephesus Ancient City – 40 EUR

After breakfast we continue to Pergamum, and visit the ruins of the Asklepion, an ancient healing centre. We will then drive to Ayvalik where you will have the afternoon to relax and discover the seaside town.

• Accommodation
  Hotel Grand Temizel – 5 Star
• Meals Included
  Breakfast, Dinner
• Included Activities
  Sightseeing of Asklepion Ancient City
• Entrance Fees
  Asklepion Ancient City – 13 EUR

Today we will depart for ancient city of Troy. You may of heard of Troy from Greek mythology or maybe just watched the Brad Pitt movie, but now you will visit the ruins and archaeological site of the city of Troy, and of course the famous wooden horse. In the evening we head to the shores of Gallipoli. Tonight, we will sleep under the stars at the ceremony space to ensure we have the best position for the Dawn Service.

• Meals Included
  Breakfast
• Included Activities
  Sightseeing of the ancient city of Troy
• Entrance Fees
  Troy Ancient City – 27 EUR

We wake before the break of dawn and watch as the sun rise over the battlefield, as we remember the soldiers who lost their lives on this exact day all those years ago. We will also attend the national ceremonies and services at Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair later in the day. This afternoon we will depart for Canakkale.

• Accommodation
  Zileli Hotel – 3 Star
• Meals Included
  Dinner
• Included Activities
  Dawn Ceremony
  National Ceremonies

Today we will explore the Gallipoli peninsula without the crowds. It is in silence and quiet contemplation we can truly capture the ANZAC spirit. Today provides a more in-depth and emotional experience to reflect and explore the history and heartbeat of this region. We will visit Kabatepe War Museum, Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, Jonston’s Jolly, North Beach, Ari Burnu, Hell Spit, Brighton Beach, Shrapnel Valley, Artillery Road, and the Turkish Memorial. In the afternoon, we will drive back to where our adventure began, Istanbul.

• Accommodation
  Antik Hotel or Legacy Ottoman Hotel – 4 Star
• Meals Included
  Breakfast
• Included Activities
  Sightseeing of Anzac Cove
  Sightseeing of Beach Cemetery
  Sightseeing of Lone Pine
  Sightseeing of Chunuk Bair
  Sightseeing of War Trenches

After breakfast, we begin to experience the magnificence of Istanbul. We will stroll through the historical heart of the old city, making stops along the way to the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, majestic Topkapi Palace and the Hagia Sophia. We will then take a relaxing cruise along the magnificent Bosphorus capturing the delights of Istanbul. Important: the tour finishes around 4.30pm please book flights accordingly.

• Meals Included
  Breakfast
• Included Activities
  Sightseeing of Blue Mosque
  Sightseeing of Hagia Sophia
  Sightseeing of Topkapi Palace Museum
  Bosphorus Boat Trip
• Entrance Fees
  Blue Mosque – Free
  Hagia Sophia – 25 EUR
  Topkapi Palace Museum – 1500 TL