Anzac Cobber - 14 days

Starts: 13th April. Enjoy the best of Turkey exploring Cappadocia with its underground cities, the Mediterranean Coast, Pamukkale, Roman Ruins and Troy. Then take your place at Gallipoli for the ANZAC Day.

Day 1: 13 April - Istanbul
Tuesday 13 April 2010. Welcome to Turkey and the start of your awesome ANZAC experience! Choice of shuttle transfers to hotel. Rest of the day free in Istanbul – a city that straddles both Europe and Asia! Overnight - Istanbul
Day 2: Istanbul old city
Good morning Istanbul! Officially founded by Emperor Constantine in AD326, the city formally known as Constantinople remained capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires up until 1923. It’s illustrious past leaves a rich legacy of churches, mosques, palaces and museums, complemented by the behemoth Grand Bazaar and colourful street life. The Blue Mosque which faces the Hagia Sofia is famed for it’s blue Iznik tiles and unique 6 minarets, whilst Hagia Sofia, constructed as a grand basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian reigned as the grandest church in Christendom until the conquest of Constantinople in 1453.

Enjoy our classic city tour taking in the Hippodrome area, the stunning Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, underground cistern, Topkapi Palace and Harem Residence and more. This afternoon offers free time to explore. Perhaps visit the Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Spice Market! Overnight - Istanbul (B)
Anzac Cobber - 14 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
The beautiful Blue Mosque in Sultanahmet, Istanbul
Day 3: Cappadocia
Driving to the nation’s capital, Ankara, where we visit mausoleum of Atatürk - the founding father of modern Turkey. Continuing east Cappadocia - one of Turkey’s finest attractions. The isolated region is famed for its troglodyte villages, subterranean churches and fortresses hewn from the soft, eroded volcanic rock. Late afternoon hotel check in. Overnight - Cappadocia (D)
Day 4: Cappadocia
Today we enjoy a guided tour of the World Heritage listed Göreme Valley to view the stunning rock cut Byzantine churches, chapels and temples carved by the Christians facing persecution in the 1st - 10th centuries AD. We also tour Zelve with its phallic-like eroded landscape of so-called ‘fairy chimneys’ and other notable rock formations within the region. Tonight we offer our optional 'Cappadoccia by Night' folklore evening. With a 3 course dinner, beer, wine, folklore show, belly dancer and entertainment, it's a top night out. Tickets can only be purchased before arriving in Turkey. Overnight - Cappadocia (B)
A hot air balloon over the 'fairy chimneys' of Cappadocia
Day 5: Antalya
Heading south along an ancient Silk Road, we visit an old caravanserai in Sultanhani. In pious Konya, we tour the mystic Mevlana Whirling Dervish Museum before continuing to the Mediterranean coast. Overnight - Antalya (B, D)
Day 6: Perge & Aspendos
Today we visits to the Roman ruins of Perge and Aspendos. Perge boasts a great theatre, stadium, colonnaded street and impressive baths. Free time to relax. Overnight - Antalya (B, D)
An on the go group having fun, 'tubing' at Saklikent Gorge
Day 7: Saklikent Gorge
Antalya - Fethiye. Following the stunning Mediterranean coast, we visit Saklikent Gorge - a natural wonder of breathtaking beauty, where we can perhaps enjoy an invigorating dip in the ice cold waters that cut a swathe through the fissure. En route to Fethiye - a seaside town on the Turquoise coast, we also stop at a carpet dyeing, weaving and manufacturing house. Overnight - Fethiye (B, D)
Day 8: Fethiye
A free day to relax, swim, take a boat trip and shop. Fethiye also boasts great pubs, clubs and nightlife. Overnight - Fethiye (B, D)
Traditional gulets on the Mediterranean coast near Fethiye
Days 9 - 10: Pamukkale & Ephesus
Fethiye - Pamukkale - Kusadasi. Today, we drive north to Pamukkale. On day 10, we visit the ancient town of Hierapolis and the magnificent white calcium terraces of Pamukkale. You can walk barefoot along the terraces allowing the mineral rich waters to wash over your feet or opt for a dip in the hot springs reknown for its therapeutic powers since roman times. Onward to Ephesus - positively the best-preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean. Rumoured to have been founded in the 13th century BC, Ephesus became the Roman capital of Asia Minor. It revelled in prosperity from commerce and visiting pilgrims who came to see the its great Temple of Artemis - one of the Seven Ancient Wonders. Exploring all things Roman, our tour takes us to the Great Theatre once capable of seating 25,000 spectators at one time, Curetes Way (one of the main thoroughfares) the Temple of Serapis and the awesome Library of Celsus. Off Curetes Way, are ancient public toilets, a brothel, remains of fountains and various temples. After a short stop at a leather factory, we continue to coastal Kusadasi. Overnight - Pamukkale (1) Kusadasi (1) (B:2, D:1)
Day 11: Aegean Coast
Kusadasi - Ayvalik. Today we explore the ruins of Pergamum with it’s steep hillside amphitheatre (good photo call) and neighbouring asclepion (ancient medical centre). Continue to Ayvalik on the Aegean coast with free time to relax and enjoy a real beach. Overnight - Ayvalik (B, D)
People waiting for the ANZAC Dawn Service at Gallipoli
Day 12: Gallipoli
Ayvalik - Gallipoli. Departing very early, if open we will enjoy a short visit to Homer’s Troy - famed for its Trojan wooden horse. Continuing to the Gallipoli Peninsular we enjoy a guided tour 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 (subject to timing and traffic conditions). This afternoon we relax at our exclusive catered ANZAC Eve Turkish BBQ before later grabbing some space at the atmospheric ANZAC Eve vigil. Overnight - Dawn Service site (ANZAC Cove) (B, D)
Day 13: ANZAC day
Gallipoli - Istanbul. First light heralds the Dawn Service, then you’ll have loads of time to independently explore the many trenches and memorial sites as you make your way up to Lone Pine or Chunuk Bair for the Australian or New Zealand National services. The service at Chunuk Bair usually starts about an hour after the Australian service at Lone Pine. If you’re a Kiwi, head straight to Chunuk Bair. This afternoon, we return to Istanbul, arriving very late in the evening. Hotel check in and a earn a well- deserved rest after an emotion-filled day at Gallipoli. (Timing on 25 April subject to coach traffic) Overnight - Istanbul
Day 14: 26 April - Istanbul
Monday 26th April 2010. After breakfast - approx 09:00, your welcome to join us for a relaxing 2 hour cruise along the Bosphorus - the strait that divides European from Asian Istanbul. Returning to the hotel before 12noon and hotel check-out. This marks the end of a memorable ANZAC experience. (B)

Heading to Egypt?
Check out our 6 day Pharaohs Adventure or 10 day Egypt Unplugged tours, both perfectly timed to start Tue 4th May 2010, 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.