9 DAYS SILVER ANZAC GALLIPOLI TOUR

ANZAC Tour Start Date:   22.04.2011		ANZAC Tour End Date:   30.04.2011
TravelShop Turkey ANZAC Day Gallipoli Tour Prices - Per Person
Double / Twin / Triple:   Euro 529.00		Single Room:   Euro 659.00
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9 DAYS SILVER ANZAC GALLIPOLI TOUR ITINERARY:

Day 1 - Istanbul Arrival Day - Friday, 22nd April 2011
(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 four star hotel, you will be given your room key and the rest of the day is yours to explore Istanbul until 6:00 p.m.
Between 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. we will have a conference about ANZAC Dawn Service and Turkey. 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.

Traditional 1001 Turkish nights departs optional from hotel lobby at 8:00 p.m. 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 4 star hotel in Istanbul.

Day 2 - Istanbul City Tour - Saturday, 23rd April 2011
(Breakfast inclusive)
We depart from the hotel after breakfast at 8:30 a.m. 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 4 star hotel in Istanbul.

For those in a party mood we have an optional ANZAC party scheduled for tonight.

Day 3 - Gallipoli Tour - Sunday, 24th April 2011
(Breakfast inclusive - BBQ buffet dinner optional)
We depart for Gallipoli at 7:00 a.m. (4.5 hours distance). On the way we will watch the latest documentaries about the Gallipoli campaign. A stop will be provided on the way down for supplies. We start our tour of the Gallipoli Peninsula a little after midday. The Gallipoli tour includes the Kabatepe War Museum, ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine (Australias Memorial and Cemetery), Quinns Post, Turkish 57th Regiment Cemetery, The Nek and Chunuk Bair (New Zealand's Memorial and Cemetery).

After your guided Gallipoli tour we drive to the coast of Gabatepe for our optional ANZAC BBQ and buffet dinner. At approx 9:30 p.m. we depart to ANZAC Cove to get a good spot for the ANZAC Dawn Service. Overnight at ANZAC Cove Commemorative Site. If you do not wish to stay outside at the ANZAC Commemorative Site overnight, we provide optional hotel accomodation at Gallipoli. This option is not available after your arrival in Turkey, pre-booking is required.

Day 4 - Dawn Service at Commemorative Site Gallipoli - Monday, 25th April 2011
(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 96 years ago! Optional we provide sleepings bags, please let us know at time of booking.

04:30 a.m. ANZAC Day Dawn Service at Commemorative Site
10:30 a.m. Australian National Service at Lone Pine Memorial
11.45 a.m. Turkish National Service
01:00 p.m. New Zealand National Service at Chunuk Bair Memorial

After attending the ANZAC services, with time permitting we will depart for the ancient city of Troy (about an hour drive). 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. After Troy, we drive to our hotel (3 hours distance) in Ayvalik where we will have dinner at the fantastic beach front hotel and a comfy bed to rest your weary bodies. Overnight 4 star hotel in Ayvalik.

Day 5 - Bergama Tour & Kusadasi - Tuesday, 26th April 2011
(Breakfast and dinner inclusive)
Drive to Pergamum (45 minutes 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 Pergamum 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 Kusadasi. Overnight 4 star hotel in Kusadasi.

Day 6 - Ephesus & Kusadasi - Wednesday, 27th April 2011
(Breakfast and dinner inclusive)
At 8:30 a.m. 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 4 star hotel in Kusadasi.

Day 7 - Pamukkale & Hierapolis Tour - Thursday, 28th April 2011
(Breakfast and dinner inclusive)
At 8:30 a.m. 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. After our days activities we will 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 4 star hotel in Pamukkale.

Day 8 - Pamukkale & Istanbul - Friday, 29th April 2011
(Breakfast inclusive)
After breakfast, you can enjoy the thermal pool and sun until 10.00 a.m.. At which time we departure for our long return drive to Istanbul. (8.5 hours distance). Once checked into your hotel you final evening is yours to enjoy. Overnight 4 star hotel in Istanbul.

Day 9 - Istanbul Tour The End - Saturday, 30th April 2011
(Breakfast inclusive) 
After breakfast, check-out from your hotel before 11:00 a.m.. 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.


9 DAYS SILVER ANZAC GALLIPOLI TOUR INCLUDES:

• Arrival airport transfer between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. (every two hours)
• Welcome Cocktail
• ANZAC Conference in Istanbul
• A range of Gallipoli documentaries
• 7 breakfasts, 4 dinners
• 3 nights at 4 star hotel in Istanbul
• 1 night at 4 star beach hotel in Ayvalik
• 2 nights at 4 star hotel in Kusadasi
• 1 night 4 star hotel in Pamukkale
• Fully guided Istanbul City Tour
• Fully guided Gallipoli Tour
• Fully guided Troy Tour
• Fully guided Pergamon Tour
• Fully guided Ephesus Tour
• Fully 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
• FREE ANZAC Tour T-Shirt

Per Person	Shared Double	Single
4 Star Hotel	€ 529.00	€ 659.00