TRAVELSHOP TURKEY - 10 DAYS LUXURY GOLD ANZAC TOUR TURKEY

10 DAYS LUXURY GOLD ANZAC TOUR TURKEY ITINERARY:

Day 1 - Istanbul Arrival Day - Saturday, 21st April 2012
(Airport transfer from IST, welcome cocktail and ANZAC conference inclusive)
Welcome to Istanbul! We are waiting for you directly at the gate behind passport control / immigration at Ataturk International Airport (IST). Watch out for the TravelShop Turkey sign. Arrival airport transfer from Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) can be arranged at additional expenses. Transfer to your five star hotel, you will be given your room key and the rest of the day is yours to explore Istanbul until 6:00pm

At 6:00pm we will start our conference about ANZAC Dawn Service and Turkey (Duration approx 1 hour). The conference is held by ANZAC experts from Australia and New Zealand and by our professional Turkish ANZAC tour guides. Welcome cocktail, coffee, tea and snacks are included. You will meet your fellow ANZAC Day Gallipoli tour members and the TravelShop Turkey staff. We recommend you to arrange your international flights, to be at Ataturk airport in time and check-in your hotel prior our ANZAC conference starts.

An optional activity to the Traditional 1001 Turkish Night Show departs from your hotel lobby at 8:00pm The show includes all meals, two local drinks, belly dancers, Anatolian Folklore groups, featuring popular instruments and Turkish singers. Return transfer to your hotel around midnight. Overnight at Central Palace hotel in Istanbul.

Day 2 - Istanbul City Tour - Sunday, 22nd April 2012
(Breakfast inclusive)
We depart from the hotel after breakfast at 8:30am for your guided Istanbul city tour.

Topkapi Palace: Beginning from the Mehmed the Conqueror, the Topkapi Palace which was the official residential of the Ottoman Sultans until the Sultan Abdulmecid the thirty-first Sultan's time has been used as a center for the state administration, education and art of the Empire approximately 400 years. The palace is full of examples of Ottoman architecture and also contains large collections of porcelain, robes, weapons, shields, armor, Ottoman miniatures, Islamic calligraphic manuscripts and murals, as well as a display of Ottoman treasure and jewelry.

Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque: The mosque, built between 1609 and 1616, is popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior. With its six minarets and a great cascade of domes, the mosque is a worthy sibling to Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia). Pope Benedict XVI visited the Sultan Ahmed Mosque on 30th November 2006 during his visit to Turkey. It marks only the second papal visit in history to a Muslim place of worship.

Hippodrome: Today the area is officially called Sultan Ahmet Square, and is carefully maintained by the Turkish authorities. The course of the old racetrack has been indicated with paving, although the actual track is some 2 m below the present surface. The surviving monuments of the Spina, the two obelisks and the Serpentine Column, now sit in holes in a landscaped garden. The German Fountain, an octagonal domed fountain in neo-Byzantine style, which was constructed by the German government in 1900 to mark the German Emperor Wilhelm II's visit to Istanbul in 1898, is located at the northern entrance to the Hippodrome area, right in front of the Blue Mosque.

Spice Bazaar: The Spice Bazaar, or Egyptian Bazaar is one of the oldest bazaars in the city. Located in Eminonu, it is the second largest covered shopping complex after the Grand Bazaar. The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice.

After your Istanbul city tour there is an option to experience a Bosphorus boat cruise, enjoy the magnificent views of the Bosphorus straight which is connecting Asia to Europe, the best way of seeing the Bosphorus in all its beauty. With the shores rising to heights up to 200m, lined with palaces, ruins, villages, and gardens, this is one of the most beautiful stretches of scenery in Turkey. Overnight at Central Palace hotel in Istanbul.

Day 3 - Gallipoli Tour - Monday, 23rd April 2012
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner inclusive)
We depart for Gallipoli at 7:00am (4.5 hours distance). On the way we will watch the latest documentaries about the Gallipoli campaign. We arrive in Gallipoli for lunch on the coast of Gabatepe. After lunch we start our tour of the Gallipoli peninsula. Visit Kabatepe War Museum, ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Australias Memorial and Cemetery, Quinns Post, Turkish 57th Regiment Cemetery, the Nek, Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial and Cemetery. Overnight at Club Hotel Albena in Assos.

Day 4 - Troy Tour & ANZAC Cove - Tuesday, 24th April 2012
(Breakfast and buffet dinner inclusive)
The governments of Australia and New Zealand have announced that the Gallipoli peninsula will be closed on 24th April 2012 for safety and security purposes, cemeteries and memorials cannot be visited as in previous years. Therefore, we have visited the Gallipoli peninsula and done our guided Gallipoli tour yesterday already.

Today we will visit the Trojan horse and the ancient city of Troy, located on the other side of the Dardanelles (approx. 1.5 hours distance including ferry).

Troy is one of the most famous cities in the history, remembering us Hector, Achilles and Achaean Greeks, the sake of Helen, Paris, Agamemnon and Priam. Your guide will explain the mythology surrounding Troy, the Trojan Horse and Helen of Troy.

If you wish to buy snacks for the overnight camp, today is best time to do it. There are also some food and drink stalls available at ANZAC Cove. Tonight at 5:30pm we will meet at the hotel for our buffet dinner before heading to ANZAC Cove for the Dawn Service. Overnight at ANZAC Cove.

If you dont wish to stay outside at the ANZAC Commemorative Site overnight, we provide optional hotel accommodation at our beachfront club hotel in Assos. This option is not available after your arrival in Turkey, pre-booking is required.

Please note: In 2012 the ANZAC Commemorative Site will open later than it has in previous years. The new opening time will be 1800hrs (6:00pm) on 24th April, the ANZAC Commemorative Site will not open before the designated opening time.

Day 5 - ANZAC Dawn Service at Commemorative Site Gallipoli
Wednesday, 25th April 2012
(Dinner inclusive)
Don't forget your warm clothes, sleeping bags, wet weather gear, torches, hat, sunscreen and good walking shoes because Gallipoli is still as cold and dark as it was 97 years ago! Optional we provide sleepings bags, please let us know at time of booking.

05:30-06:15 Dawn Service, ANZAC Commemorative Site, North Beach
10:00-10:45 Australian Memorial Service, Lone Pine
11:15-12:00 Turkish 57th Regiment Memorial Service
12:30-13:15 New Zealand Memorial Service, Chunuk Bair

After attending the ANZAC services, at approx. 3:00pm we will travel back to your hotel in Canakkale. The night is yours to relax, dinner will be served at the hotel. Overnight at Club Hotel Albena in Assos.

Day 6 - Bergama Tour - Kusadasi - Thursday, 26th April 2012
(Breakfast and dinner inclusive)
Drive to Pergamon (2 hours distance) - see Asklepion, Zeus's alter, the Red Bassilcia etc. Bergama is the site of the Hellenistic - and later Roman city of Pergamon, ruled for several centuries by a powerful local dynasty. Its foremost attraction is the Red Basilica, a huge edifice on the river not far from the acropolis, originally built as a temple to the Egyptian god Osiris and converted to a basilica by the early Christians, when it was one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor addressed by St John in the book of Revelation - though sadly it's now a crumbling ruin with a mosque in one of its towers. After our guided Pergamon tour we continue towards Kusadasi. On the way, we will visit a place which continues to perform one of the oldest arts of Turkey; a carpet weaving centre, followed by an optional Turkish Bath. After a good scrub down we will check-in your hotel in time for dinner. Overnight at Adakule Deluxe hotel in Kusadasi.

Day 7 - Ephesus & Kusadasi - Friday, 27th April 2012
(Breakfast and dinner inclusive)
At 8:30am departure to Ephesus (20 minutes distance) - once the commercial centre of the ancient world - is a highlight of any visit to Turkey. Ephesus, whose wealth and patronage supported its splendid architectural program, was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Her enormous temple, considered one of the Seven Wonders, dates in its latest form from the third century B.C. The guided Ephesus tour also includes a theatre, gymnasium, agora and baths, as well as the Library of Celsus. After lunch, we will make a shopping tour in which you will be aware of the ancient arts of Turkey like jewellery and leather manufacturing. On this guided tour, you will avoid the constant nagging and sometimes bullying that is well known in the markets of Turkey. Enabling you to enjoy the shopping experience whilst gaining the knowledge of the ancient craftsmen. Overnight at Adakule Deluxe hotel in Kusadasi.

Day 8 - Pamukkale & Hierapolis Tour - Saturday, 28th April 2012
(Breakfast and dinner inclusive)
At 8:30 we leave Kusadasi for Pamukkale (2.5 hours distance). We visit the Cotton Castle calcium terraces of Pamukkale and ancient Hierapolis, walking around this natural phenomenon gives you the option of lying in the waters of the natural springs that flow down the calcium terraces. Check-in your hotel in time for dinner and the rest of the evening is yours to explore the small village or relax around the swimming pool. Overnight at Polat thermal hotel in Pamukkale.

Day 9 - Pamukkale & Istanbul - Sunday, 29th April 2012
(Breakfast inclusive)
After breakfast, you can enjoy the thermal pool and sun until 10:00am, then we depart to Istanbul. (8.5 hours distance). The night is yours in Istanbul. Overnight at Central Palace hotel in Istanbul.

Day 10 - Istanbul - ANZAC Tour End - Monday, 30th April 2012
(Breakfast inclusive)
After breakfast, check out from your hotel before 11:00am. Please make your own arrangements for departure transfers or simply ask TravelShop Turkey staff.

We hope you had a memorable ANZAC day tour and we look forward to seeing you in the future on another TravelShop Turkey Tour. Have a safe trip back home and thanks for choosing TravelShop Turkey.

10 DAYS LUXURY GOLD ANZAC TOUR TURKEY INCLUDES:

Arrival airport transfer between 8:00am and 11:00pm (every two hours)
Welcome Cocktail
ANZAC Conference in Istanbul
A range of Gallipoli documentaries
8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 6 dinners
3 nights at Central Palace hotel in Istanbul
2 nights at Club Albena in Assos
2 nights at Adakule Deluxe hotel in Kusadasi
1 night at Polat thermal hotel in Pamukkale
Guided Istanbul City Tour
Guided Gallipoli Tour
Guided Troy Tour
Guided Pergamon Tour
Guided Ephesus tour
Guided Pamukkale Tour
Dawn and National Services (Australian & New Zealand)
Professional English-speaking tour guides
Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking coach
All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
Travel insurance according to TURSAB law 1618

NEW: Due to a change in the law no 1618 regulation of Turkish Travel Agencies Association, a travel insurance became obligatory. When you book your ANZAC Day tour, your insurance will be arranged and send to you via email. Please note that this insurance is different from the one you have in your country and we advise you to arrange your own travel insurance additionally.

10 DAYS ANZAC TOUR INFORMATION
Bus size for this tour:	46 seats
Group size maximum:	25 people
Average age range:	30+ years

Visitors should register their intention to visit at www.gallipoliregistration.com to assist with advance planning for the commemorations and to receive updates should there be any changes to the arrangements for the commemorations.

10 DAYS LUXURY GOLD ANZAC TOUR TURKEY PRICES IN EURO:

Per Person	Shared Double	Single
5 Star Hotel	€ 919.00	€ 1,189.00