ANZAC Day - Useful Tips

Here's a few tips to help you get the most out of your visit to Gallipoli and Turkey over ANZAC day::

• En route to the Gallipoli Peninsular from Istanbul, we stop at a hypermarket, giving you the chance to pick up a few supplies such as snacks and drinks. Sure, there are usually local food stalls at Gallipoli, but prices are relatively high and the portions get smaller as time drags on!

• Buy a foam cushion for the time you’ll spend sitting in the grandstand or on the grass at ANZAC Cove and the National Services.

• Your main luggage will be stored securely in the coach hold.

• Evening temperatures are low at this time of year. Pack very warm clothes! Fill a small day pack with everything you’ll need for the evening. Consider - a torch, snacks and water, hat/beanie, scarf, gloves, comfortable walking shoes, WC paper, wet wipes, camera and any prescribed medication and a sleeping bag. Camping equipment is a no go, all you really need is a good sleeping bag.

• Alcohol is not permitted in the Dawn Service Site. We ask all passengers to respect this.

• Toilet facilities are provided at the Dawn service site, and in 2009 they were clean and plentiful. However, be patient!

• Last year over 12000 people attended the Dawn service Ceremony. The site is situated south of ANZAC Cove overlooking the Aegean coastline. It has a small grassed area seating approx 1500 and the remainder of the attendees enjoy views from the tiered grandstand. Although the grandstand can be a little uncomfortable, as dawn breaks the advantage is clear as you enjoy spectacular views across the coast and uninterrupted views as the ceremonies take place.

• As soon as the Dawn Service concludes, start making your way to the Shell Beach turn-off to make the sometimes steep walk up to Lone Pine (Aust.). Chunuk Bair (NZ) sits at the top of the service road that Lone Pine sits upon. Chunuk Bair is a further 60-70 mins uphill. You’ll only have time to attend one National service, so head to the service for your country and take your place in readiness.

• Don’t forget your coach letter - or you could be sleeping another night at ANZAC Cove!

• Imagine the detritus a crowd can leave behind. Don't add to it. Take all personal litter with you. Don't leave it at Gallipoli.

• Whilst drop-offs and pick ups at ANZAC Cove usually run smoothly, be PATIENT and be PREPARED for a long walk to ANZAC Cove, as coaches may be ordered to stop at any point along the road to the Cove.

• Security is always high during ANZAC commemoration at Gallipoli. The Turkish government works closely with the Australian and New Zealand governments to ensure that security is tight. Turkish Gendarmes are present in large numbers at the event. They are there to keep order, ensure traffic runs smoothly and carry out spot checks on persons and baggage being taken into the site.

And finally!

In order that we show the best of Turkey in a non-hurried fashion to you, it is imperative you are ready for departure each day. Please do not delay and inconvenience fellow travellers. It is your responsibility to be at the proposed meeting point for the group in time. We will depart at our specified times.

You''ll be guaranteed the best time travelling to Gallipoli on ANZAC day in 2010 with us!