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Monument at Gallipoli

Gallipoli Tour Itinerary

9 DAYS/8 NIGHTS - 20 APRIL TO 27 APRIL 2008 – GROUP TOUR

Tried and tested, this tour is a perfect balance of free time, comprehensive sightseeing and extra inclusions. You’ll take in all the great sites of Istanbul as well as spending a total of 4 nights – perfectly located in Canakkale - the heart of the Gallipoli region.

Day 1 – 20 APRIL ISTANBUL

Welcome to Istanbul, an exotic city brimming with fine monuments and artefacts of the Byzantine and Ottoman era. Those arriving into Istanbul airport today will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Early this afternoon we have included a cruise on the Bosphorus, the winding strait that separates Europe and Asia. Its shores offer a delightful mixture of past and present, grand splendour and simple beauty. Modern hotels stand next to shore front wooden villas, marble palaces abut rustic stone fortresses, and elegant compounds neighbour small fishing villages.

This evening get acquainted with your tour companions and tour guide over a welcome drink and an information night and introduction by an Australian War Historian.

Istanbul Hotel: Akgun Hotel

Day 2 - 21 APRIL ISTANBUL

Like a lost and forgotten kingdom, Istanbul is waiting to be discovered again. A day of sightseeing is planned today including a visit to the Blue Mosque, one of the world’s great religious sites, and one of the most splendid and greatest mosques in Istanbul; the Byzantine Hippodrome, known as the Sultanahmet Square and the nearby Yerabatan Cisterns, built in the fourth century, these underground cisterns riddle the foundations of the city. They have been extensively excavated and renovated and are worth exploring. The piped classical music heightens this unique experience.

Your tour of Istanbul would not be complete without a visit to Topkapi Palace, (formerly the Sultan’s Palace) home to the treasures of the Ottoman empire and one of the most important historical sites in Istanbul.

Day 3 - 22 APRIL GALLIPOLI

We depart Istanbul (around 8.00am) for the 5 hour drive to the Gallipoli Peninsula, where our Gallipoli Campaign begins. Today you will spend time at The ANZAC Commemorative site, Anzac Cove, Shrapnel Valley and Beach Cemetery - home to one of Australia’s most legendary soldiers, Private John Simpson.

Our last stop on the Gallipoli Peninsula will be the Kapatebe War Museum with its collection of war relics, before catching the ferry across the Dardanelles to Canakkale. We stay here for the next 4 nights so we can have a full, uninterrupted day on the Gallipoli Peninsula tomorrow. This will allow us to properly immerse ourselves into the conflict and tragedy that evolved over 90 years ago before the masses and crowds that later descend on the peninsula. Canakkale town, guarding the entrance to the Narrows of the Darannelles, is the perfect base for our stay and is a bustling port that comes alive in these days before the ANZAC Commemorations.

Day 4 - 23 APRIL GALLIPOLI

A full day is planned. The peninsula today is filled with cemeteries, a war museum and many memorials to the tragic events of 1915. As you enter this almost barren land, you can still sense the war and heartache that once dominated the landscape, breaking the silent air.

You will visit the Anzac Memorials at Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, Walker’s Ridge, the Nek and the surrounding trenches.

Day 5 - 24 APRIL GALLIPOLI

Today the choice is yours! You can either spend the morning relaxing in Canakkale charging your batteries ready for the early Commemorations tomorrow or return with us to the Gallipoli Battlefields.

Perhaps visit Cimenlik Castle where, in 1452 Sultan Memhet II built Cimenlik Castle and in March 1915 this fort contained heavy artillery, which engaged allied warships in the strait. Beside the fort today is the Turkish navy’s minelayer, Nusrat, whose undetected mine laying activities led to the sinking of Allied warships on 18 March 1915. This afternoon we have also included an excursion to the ancient city of Troy, site of the mythological battle Homer immortalized in The Illiad, which dates back to 3,000 BC.

Day 6 - 25 APRIL GALLIPOLI - ANZAC DAY

Departure from your hotel is scheduled before midnight to ensure we arrive at the ANZAC Commemorative site in ample time for the Dawn Service at 5.30am (and to allow for road closures and traffic hold-ups caused by the huge numbers making their way to North Beach to be a part of the Anniversary Commemorations).

As the dawn breaks, witness the truly international gathering of people who have travelled across the globe to help commemorate the tragic events of the 25th April 1915. Following the Dawn Service you will have a choice of attending either the Australian or New Zealand National Services at Lone Pine or Chunuk Bair. Later we re-cross the Dardanelles and return to your hotel for dinner and a welcome rest. Breakfast and lunch packs have been included today.

Day 7 - 26 APRIL ISTANBUL

Reflect on your Anzac experience as we make our journey back to Istanbul this morning. On arrival we will visit the famous Grand Bazaar, a maze of 65 winding, covered streets and arguably the most famous ‘covered market’ in the world. Its multitude of shops offer Turkish carpets, glazed tiles and pottery, copper and brassware, apparel made of leather, cotton, wool and many other treasures. Your Istanbul Hotel: Akgun Hotel

Day 8 - 27 APRIL ISTANBUL

This afternoon visit (included) to the Military Museum in Harbiye which holds artefacts from 700 years of colourful Selcuk and Ottoman history and some quite striking treasures including the Sultans jewel encrusted ‘sayeban’ (pavilion).

We will also take in a performance of the Mehter – the world’s oldest military band. Tonight we dine out in a local restaurant and enjoy a farewell dinner of authentic Turkish food.

Day 9 – 28 APRIL ISTANBUL

Sadly your tour ends this morning after breakfast. We have included transfers to the airport this day.

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