Wellington Battalion - 11 days
FROM USD $2,399
Starts: 23rd April 2015. Commemorate the brave ANZACs and embrace history at the 100th Anniversary at Gallipoli in 2015. Then take a journey of discovery through the ever changing landscapes of Turkey with its Roman ruins, underground cities, fairytale chimneys, striking calcium pools and beautiful Aegean coastline.
Please Note: The arrangements of our Wellington tour whilst in the Gallipoli Region are subject to changes as dictated by the ANZAC 2015 Organising Committee. This could entail re-routing some journeys or changing the particular sites visited on this tour. We will endevour to keep you updated on information as it is released
Day 1: Istanbul
Thursday 23 April 2015. Welcome to Turkey and the start of a memorable ANZAC experience! Choice of shuttle transfers to hotel. Rest of the day free in Istanbul. Overnight - Istanbul
Day 2: Gallipoli
Istanbul - Gallipoli. A very early departure to the WW1 battlefields on Gallipoli Peninsular. This afternoon, enjoy a guided tour (subject to ANZAC Cove opening hours and traffic conditions) of the evocative war memorials that dot the region, for example; Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, Johnston’s Jolly and the trenches. Early this evening, we’ll relax at our exclusive ANZAC Eve Turkish BBQ before later taking our places amongst the many at the Dawn Service site for the atmosphere charged ANZAC Eve vigil. Overnight - Dawn Service site (ANZAC Cove) (B, L)
Wellington Battalion - 11 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
Day 3: ANZAC Day - Gallipoli
First light heralds a poignant bugle call and commencement of the Dawn Service. After the service and armed with your maps, you’ve a chance to independently explore many of the trenches and memorial sites as you head up to Lone Pine or Chunuk Bair for the Australian or New Zealand National services. Later this afternoon we continue onwards to Ayvalik, where upon our late evening arrival, we check into our hotel for a well-earned rest after such an emotion-filled day. Overnight - Ayvalik (D)
Day 4: Kusadasi
Ayvalik – Kusadasi - breakfast. This morning we drive south stopping at the Roman ruins of Pergamum and its impressive hillside amphitheatre. We also visit the neighbouring Asclepion - a Roman precursor to modern-day hospitals before continuing onto coastal Kusadasi. Overnight - Kusadasi (B, D)
Day 5: Ephesus
Today, we enjoy a guided tour at the legendary Roman ruins of Ephesus. Positively the best-preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean, Ephesus, under the Romans was a vast city with a population nearing 250,000. Rumoured to have been founded in the 13th century BC, it became the Roman capital of Asia Minor. It revelled in its prosperity from commerce and visiting pilgrims who came to see its great Temple of Artemis - one of the Seven Ancient Wonders. Exemplifying the finesse of Roman urban life, Ephesus boasts carefully restored elements within the huge archaeological area including the Great Theatre once capable of seating 25,000 spectators at one time, Curetes Way (one of the main thoroughfares) the Temple of Serapis, the elegant façades of the Temple of Hadrian and the awesome Library of Celsus. Off Curetes Way, are ancient public toilets, a brothel, remains of fountains and various temples. Overnight - Kusadasi (B, D)
Day 6: Pamukkale
Kusadasi - Pamukkale. Driving east, a short stop is made at a leather manufacturing house before arriving at Pamukkale - famed for its unique cascades of natural mineral rich pools. Here we can paddle our feet in the warm water flowing over the terraces or perhaps opt for a swim at the Pamukkale Thermal Baths. Overnight - Pamukkale (B, D)
Day 7: Cappadocia
Pamukkale - Cappadocia. Today, we travel north-east to the famed fairy castles of Cappadocia. En route we break at Sultanhani’s old caravanserai and at Konya to visit the Mevlana Whirling Dervish Museum. Overnight - Cappadocia (B, D)
Day 8: Cappadocia
Breakfast. Perhaps the jewel in Turkey’s crown, Cappadocia is one of Turkey’s most extraordinary national treasures. The surreal landscape has to be seen to be believed with its ‘stuff of fables’ cave dwellings and phallic ‘fairy chimneys’ landscape. Whole troglodyte
villages, subterranean churches and fortresses have been hewn from the soft, porous, eerily eroded rock of Cappadocia. The crumbling legacy of persecuted Christians trying to escape the Muslim onslaught in 1st-10th centuries AD by effectively heading underground, is one of Turkey’s finest attractions. A guided tour of the region takes us to the World – Heritage listed - Goreme Valley where we’ll see stunning examples of rock-cut Byzantine churches, chapels and temples and Zelve with its phalliclike eroded landscape of so-called ‘fairy chimneys’.
Tonight, why not join us on our optional 'Cappadocia by night!' With a 3 course dinner, beer, wine, belly dancers and entertainment its a top night out! Tickets can only be purchased before arriving in Turkey. Overnight - Cappadocia (B)
Tonight, why not join us on our optional 'Cappadocia by night!' With a 3 course dinner, beer, wine, belly dancers and entertainment its a top night out! Tickets can only be purchased before arriving in Turkey. Overnight - Cappadocia (B)
Day 9: Cappadocia
Cappadocia - Istanbul. Today, we return to Istanbul via the nation's capital Ankara, where we visit the Ancient Civilisations Museum. Arriving Istanbul late evening, we check into our hotel. Overnight - Istanbul (B)
Day 10: Istanbul - the old city
Today we enjoy a guided tour of the old city, taking in the stunning Iznik tiled Blue Mosque, Hippodrome area, the 6th century Hagia Sofia and more. This afternoon, we take a relaxing cruise on a Bosphorus Strait. You'll see waterside palaces framed by a modern city skyline dotted with expansive domed mosques and towering minarets of traditional Ottoman style. Later you can opt to explore the mammoth Grand Bazaar and exotic Egyptian Spice Market. Overnight - Istanbul (B)
Day 11: Istanbul - you way
Sunday 03 May 2015. Tour ends after breakfast and hotel check out at 12noon. Maybe take a walk along the shores of the Sea of Marmaris or pick up some last minute souvenirs in Taksim before departing for the airport.
(B)
Combine Turkey with a holiday to Egypt
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Combine ANZAC day in Turkey with the best of ancient Egypt - taking in the legendary Pyramids of Giza, treasures of King Tutankhamen and the Valley of the Kings.
You could choose to embark on your Egyptian Adventure either before or after your Anzac holiday. Check out our Egypt Group tours section for holiday ideas and itineraries. |
The Wellington Battalion - New Zealand Army
The Wellington Battalion were a New Zealand troop that served in the Battle of Gallipoli during the Great War. Most famous for their important part in the capture of Chunuk Bair, they were led by a brave soul called William Malone. Malone had a unique way of running his troops in that he didn’t always agree with the orders coming from above. Most commonly noted for his refusal to agree to the order for his troop to go into battle by day, he released them under the cover of darkness where they successfully managed to get Chunuk Bair from the Turks.
They lost 690 men that day and a couple of days later they were relieved of their post by the 6th Battalion of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment and some of the 5th Battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment. Unfortunately their hard work didn’t pay off for too long and on 10th August Ataturk and his army led an overwhelming counter attack and the Allies were toppled. The bloodshed was immense with the complete Loyal North Lancashire Regiment wiped out.
Tour Details
- Starts in: Istanbul / Ends in: Istanbul
- Departs: 23 Apr 2015
- No local payment required
- Breakfast:9, Lunch: 1, Dinner: 5
- Hotel Rating: 4 star & Special Class
- Tour Guide: Yes
The Inside Track
Gallipoli – Coming Home
By John Stuart. John Stuart has kindly permitted us to share his poignant piece ‘Coming with ..
ANZAC Day in Egypt
A member of our team shares her experiences of the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Commonwealth War ..