Anzac Smoko - 8 days
Starts: 20th April. Kicking off in Istanbul, take a dip in Pammukale's thermal pools, explore the Roman ruins of Ephesus and Pergamum before experiencing the memorable ANZAC Dawn Service at Gallipoli.
Day 1: 20 April - Istanbul
Friday 20th April 2012. Welcome to Turkey and the start of a memorable ANZAC experience! Airport to hotel arrival transfer. The remiander of the day offers free time for you to explore Istanbul - a city that straddles both Europe and Asia!
Overnight - Istanbul 
Day 2: Pamukkale
Istanbul - Pamukkale. Today we travel south to Pamukkale, home to the magnificent white calcium terraces known as the Pamukkale Thermal Pools. Late afternoon arrival and free time.
Overnight - Pamukkale (B, D)
Anzac Smoko - 8 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: Ephesus
Pamukkale - Kusadasi. Today we tour the Roman Hierapolis which sits at the top of Pamukkale’s travertine source, where we enjoy a short tour. Here, you can walk barefoot along the terraces allowing the mineral rich waters to wash over your feet or opt for a dip in the Pamukkale Thermal Springs - an amazing pool full of sunken Roman columns. Continuing all things Roman, we enjoy a guided visit at Ephesus - perhaps the best preserved classical city on the Eastern Med. We’ll also take in a fashion stop at a top-grade leather garment house, before driving to coastal Kusadasi, where we can relax and enjoy the hotel’s facilities
Overnight - Kusadasi (B, D)
Day 4: Roman Pergamum
Kusadasi - Ayvalik. Driving north, we visit the Roman ruins of Pergamum with it’s steep hillside amphitheatre, a great photo opportunity, and neighbouring asclepion (ancient medical centre). We then continue to Ayvalik on the Aegean coast.
Overnight - Ayvalik (B, D)
Day 5: Gallipoli
Ayvalik - Gallipoli. A very early departure, if open we'll stop at Homer's Troy - famed for its Trojan wooden horse. Crossing by ferry to the Gallipoli Peninsular, this afternoon we 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, the trenches and Kabatepe - the modest ANZAC museum. 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)
Day 6: 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 return to Istanbul, where upon our late evening arrival, we check into our hotel for a well-earned rest after such an emotion-filled day. (timings on 25 April subject to coach traffic)
Overnight - Istanbul 
Day 7: The Blue Mosque & Topkapi Palace
This morning we enjoy a relaxing 2 hour cruise along the Bosphorus Strait. After we commence a classic city tour taking in the Hippodrome area, the stunning Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia - Emperor Justinian's grand basilica, Topkapi Palace and the underground cistern. This afternoon offers free time to do as you please, maybe hone your bargaining skills at the Egyptian Spice market or famed Grand Bazaar – one of the largest covered markets in the world, boasting more than 4000 stores.
Overnight - Istanbul (B)
Day 8: 27 April - Istanbul
Friday 27th April 2012. Tour ends after breakfast and hotel check out at 12noon. We hope you have had a wonderful tour of Turkey and memorable ANZAC Day experience. (B)
Combine ANZAC in Tureky with a holiday in 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.
If you are interested in a holiday that combines Turkey with Egypt take a peek at our 15 day ANZAC & Ancient Egypt tour and 16 day Pharaoh's & ANZAC tour. |
Note: Istanbul sites are closed on the following days, this in NO WAY affects your touring program: Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Spice Market - closed Sunday, Hagia Sofia - closed Monday, Topkapi Palace closed on Tuesday.
Prices & Departure Dates
Prices shown are per person travelling. 'Twin/Double' prices per person apply when there are 2 people travelling, sharing a room. Due to capacity restraints we do not offer single rooms on our ANZAC tours and therefore there is no single supplement to pay. We will match up all single travelers with another fellow passenger of the same sex.
Please note that if booking pre or post tour accommodation, single travellers will need to pay the single supplement for nights booked.
Anzac Smoko - 8 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
Experiences
If you are interesting in trips with similar experiences to this one, then check out some of the ones we've listed below.
| Want to see how the other half live? Then take a look at our selection of tours that visit all the best palaces and forts around the world. Many of the wonderfully ornate edifices that we visit are now historical museums and sites of interest allowing you to have a good old look around. And when you've had your fill of sightseeing, it's time to live like a king and stay in one of the many hotels that have been converted from a palace or fort! |
| Nothing beats a little rest and relaxation by the sea - wind down from an action packed tour with a few days lazing on golden sands or spend your entire holiday soaking up the sun. From the coral rich Red Sea and the azure Aegean and Mediterranean to the crystal clear waters of the Indian ocean, choose from a wide range of idyllic destinations. |
What You See and What You Get
Below is a list of key highlights and what is included on this tour. Further, where appropriate, we have listed the items that are not included in the tour price.
Trip Highlights
- Istanbul - old city, Hippodrome area, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the underground cistern
- Pamukkale thermal pools and Roman Hierapolis
- Troy (subject to time and if open)
- Gallipoli Peninsular - ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine memorial, Chunik Bair memorial, trenches and battlefields
- National Services of Australia or New Zealand
| - Bosphorus Strait Cruise - views of the city skyline, Ottoman architecture and waterside palaces
- Roman ruins of Pergamum and Ephesus
- Aegean coast
- ANZAC Dawn Service
- Carpet dyeing, weaving demonstration
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What's Included
- 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch (our ANZAC afternoon Turkish BBQ) and 3 dinners
- Airport arrival transfer on day 1 from Ataturk International Airport at any time of day or from Sabiha Gokcen Airport at 2.30pm and 8pm.
- Morning Bosphorus Cruise – Istanbul
- All relevant transfers and transport
- Commemorative ANZAC hoodie/ jumper
| - 6 nights 4 star and special class hotels
- Guided sightseeing - Istanbul, Pamukkale and Hierapolis, Roman ruins of Ephesus and Pergamum and Gallipoli (subject to site opening times set by the Anzac Day Organising Committee).
- English speaking, qualified Turkish tour guide tour
- Modern air-conditioned coach
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What's Not Included
- International flights & visa
- Entrance Fees: $80-100 USD
| - Tip for your tour guide and driver. We recommend you allow $3 - 5 USD per day, per traveller to cover tips for these mentioned above. Tipping your tour guide and driver is an entirely personal gesture
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Hotels
We have listed below the accommodation most likely to be used on this tour. Please note that while we cannot guarantee that these will be the exact properties that you will stay at, any alternatives we use will be of a similar standard with similar facilities. 'Our Rating' indicates how we feel each property rates according to normal Western hotel standards. 'Local Rating' indicates how the property is categorised/rated locally.
Novotel Istanbul - Istanbul
Spacious, modern, contemporary in design and adaptable, Novotel guest rooms make for a very enjoyable stay. Wake up each morning to a top full buffet breakfast.
| Our Rating: Superior —
Local Rating: 4 Star Hotel
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Lycus River is a beautiful spa hotel located in Pamukkale. Guest rooms are modern and the indoor pool, thermal facilities and spa therapies offer a nice treat.
| Our Rating: Superior —
Local Rating: 4 Star Hotel
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Tatlises Hotel - Kusadasi
Located 700m from town & 1km from Palm Beach, this resort style property offers views over the Aegean, spacious modern rooms & a large, inviting swimming pool.
| Our Rating: Superior —
Local Rating: 4 Star Hotel
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Located on the Aegean waterfront this resort style hotel offers comfortable rooms, 2 swimming pools, wellness centre, restaurant and bar with the beach at your doorstep.
| Our Rating: Superior —
Local Rating: 4 Star Hotel
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Postcards
Here's what some of our past travellers have written in to us and said about their experiences on this trip.
Our tour director was Huseyin Salikoglu. He is Turkish, but his English was amazing and very easy to understand. Huseyin was very knowledgable about his country and could tell us so much about all the sites we visted. He was always there when you needed him and easily grabbed the attention of everyone. We were always on time if not early and we put that down to him having control and understanding of the group. He also organised for the bus to take people to the airport at the end of the tour (at our own cost but cheaper than a taxi). Turkey was such an amazing country and thanks to our tour guide and bus driver we had a great time and learnt so much. Would definately recommend On The Go.
Matt and Steph, Oct 2011
Well what can I say other than it was absolutely awesome!!! I honestly couldn't fault anything. Our tour guide (Huseyin Salikoglu) was absolutely amazing - he was so knowledgeable and provided some much great information, but still with a great sense of humour (and he is a brilliant singer and dancer!!!). In particular though, his management of our trip to Galipoli was above and beyond. He arranged it so we were the first bus in and first ones in the gate at Galipoli meaning we had the prime position on the grass right near the stage (I literally had the media just in front of me) and we were able to sleep overnight. And then he arranged so that we were the first bus to leave the sight after all the services and we went off down the hill looking at a queue of hundreds of buses as we were well on the road back to Istanbul. It was absolutley brilliant and I know everyone on the tour was super impressed.
The hotels were all fantastic and the service in terms of having luggage delivered to our rooms everywhere was something I certainly didn't expect. And all the breakfasts and dinners were all great (although not a huge fan of the Turkish food myself). And all the sightseeing was just perfect.
Brendan Lawlor, May 2011
This tour was fantastic. I had a brilliant time and met some really great people. I was a little nervous as it was my first tour and I was doing this by myself but was made to feel welcome from the minute I landed!
Thanks OnTheGo!
Ms Nicole Small, Jan 2011
Wow! what an experience!
Pamukkale is mind blowing! I just couldn't believe my eyes! Could have spent there more time though.
Big thank you to the guide who looked after us all the time and got us the best spot at the Dawn Service.
Catherine Reely, Apr 2009
Turkey is amazing!
The only thing I regeret is that I didn't stay there longer. I will definitely go back to explore this magnificent country.
Istanbul was definitely the highlight with beautiful Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sofia. The tour was very intense bringing new exciting surprises every day!
Anzac services were touching and memorable.
Everything was well over my expectations.
Thank you On the Go
Michael Brody, Apr 2009
The guide was very knowledgeable, helpful and caring, and most of all very patient with us.
His organizational skills were very impressive, especially when it came to getting all the group together for ANZAC Day services.
Well done!
Hannah, Apr 2009
Great bunch of people to share this experience with, awesome tour guide who really made the trip and an amazing country to visit, cheers!
Ben Norman, Apr 2009
The bus driver did a brilliant job, he drives very well + gained the utmost confidence in his ability. He considered us + the bus with his smooth comfortable driving. Our guide was warm + friendly + very helpful. The highlight for me was the amazing countryside + ruins + the friendly people.
Tony Breen, Apr 2009
