Anzac Bonzer - 11 days
Starts: 22nd April. Commemorate the brave ANZAC's and embrace history at Gallipoli. Then check out amazing Turkey taking in Roman ruins of Ephesus, Perge and Aspendos; the stunning Mediterranean and spectacular Cappadocia.
Day 1: 22 April - Istanbul
Sunday 22nd April 2012. 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: Istanbul - the old city
Today we enjoy a guided tour of the old city, taking in the stunning Iznik tiled Blue Mosque, Hippodrome area, Topkapi Palace, the 6th century Hagia Sofia (exterior only) 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)
Anzac Bonzer - 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: 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, 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 4: 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 5: 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 6: 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 7: 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 8: 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 9: 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 10: 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 11: 2 May - Istanbul
Wednesday 2nd May 2012. Tour ends after breakfast and hotel check out at 12noon. Maybe check out the Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Spice Market for some last minute souvenir shopping before departing for the airport.
(B)
Heading 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.
Check out our 6 day Pharaohs Adventure or 10 day Egypt Unplugged tours, both perfectly timed to start Wednesday 2nd of May 2012, giving you a day to travel from Turkey to Egypt before your Egyptian Adventure begins. |
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.
Tour Details
- Starts in: Istanbul / Ends in: Istanbul
- Departs: 22nd April 2012
- No local payment required
- Breakfast:9, Lunch: 1, Dinner: 5
- Hotel Rating: 4 star & Special Class
- Tour Guide: Yes
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