16 DAY ANZAC TOUR

The sixteen day Anzac tour is the ideal way to see a a lot of what Turkey has to offer as well as being part of the yearly pilgrimage to Gallipoli. This tour will take you to most of Turkey’s famous sights such as Istanbul (Blue Mosque, Hagia (St.) Sophia etc.) Gallipoli (fully guided tour), Ephesus, Köycegiz Boat Cruise, Fethiye, Ölüdeniz, Olympos, Konya, Egirdir, Antalya, Ankara, Cappadocia.
 

Start Date: 21/04/2010 - Wednesday
Finish Date: 06/05/2010 - Thursday
Starts: Istanbul
Finish: Istanbul
Places Visited: Istanbul – Gallipoli – Pergamon – Kusadasi – Selcuk - Ephesus – Sirince - Dalyan - Koycegiz – Oludeniz – Olympos - Antalya - Egirdir - Konya - Cappadocia - Ankara
Duration: 16 Days – 15 Nights
Price: Double/Twin/Triple : £549.00 – Single : £699.00
If you are travelling alone and would prefer to pay the lower rate then we can match you up with someone of the same gender to share a twin/triple room (Subject to Availability).
 

Includes all entrance fees,
Transportation in a fully Air-Conditioned, Non-Smoking new model Luxury Coach,
Fluent English speaking professional tour guide for the duration of the tour,
FREE T-Shirt,
A range of Gallipoli documentaries & movies to watch during bus journeys,

Anzac Day memorial services at Gallipoli,

All accommodation as per itinerary in 3 & 4 star hotels,

We have Turkish, Australian and New Zealand staff who have good knowledge of Gallipoli and Turkey,

Private Security,
No camping! No hidden extra costs. Don't wake up to Nightmares,
We have been running Anzac tours for many years and know what Anzac day in Gallipoli is all about.
 

Day One: Wednesday 21st April - Arrival in Istanbul
Welcome to Turkey and the beginning of your Anzac tour!
Once you have checked into your hotel (Please note check in times vary between hotels but are normally no earlier than noon) you have the rest of the day free to explore Istanbul and you will meet your guide later that evening who will give you information about the tour and answer any questions you might have. Following this meeting we have a welcome drink for all tours starting on the 21st April and a chance for you to meet everyone.

If you arrive into Ataturk International Airport on the 21st April then your tour includes an airport transfer to your hotel and you will be met at the airport by the Sammys Travel team. Paid airport transfers from Sabiha Gokcen Airport in Istanbul on the 21st April are also available at certain times (Please see FAQs) and if arriving by alternative means then you will be provided details of your hotel in April by email so you can make your own way there.
Overnight: Istanbul

Day Two: Thursday 22nd April - Istanbul City Tour
This morning we partake in a fully guided tour of the only city to span two continents. We will visit the Hagia (St.) Sophia, one of the greatest marvels of architecture, constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian. Blue Mosque, facing Hagia Sophia, famous with its blue Iznik tiles and unique with 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet. Hippodrome, center of sportive (chariot races, athletics) events and political activities of the old city. Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpentine Column, German Fountain of Wilhelm II are the monuments decorating Hippodrome. Topkapi Palace The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. The rest of the day is yours free to explore in Istanbul or you can join us on the optional Bosphorus Cruise and Gala Evening.
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast

Day Three: Friday 23rd April - Istanbul to Gallipoli - Guided Tour of Gallipoli
After an early breakfast we drive to the World War I Battlefield of Gallipoli stopping along the way to pick up refreshments for lunch. You will also have an opportunity to watch a movie about Gallipoli so you get a feel for the type of people who fought in this war and to help you picture conditions 95 years ago. This afternoon on a fully guided tour, you will visit the Kabatepe War Museum, Anzac Cove, Hell Spit Cemetery, Lone Pine, The Nek, and Chunuk Bair War memorial.  Your guide will reveal stories of battle woes and will bring alive the legend of the Anzac's. By visiting the peninsula on the 23rd April we get to spend more time exploring without the crowds from other tours that arrive on the 24th. This evening we will travel to our luxurious accommodation, where an all-you-can-eat buffet dinner awaits.
Overnight: Edremit
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day Four: Saturday 24th April - Relax at Resort Hotel
Sleep till late and rise to a full breakfast. Then the day is yours to partake in number of the many activities offered at this resort. Activities include; bathing in the waters of the outdoor pool, relaxing at the beach. Play football, tennis, basketball, volleyball or just strolling around the gardens and parks. Make sure you get plenty of rest because ANZAC day will be a long busy day. A buffet dinner will be served so you can fill up before departing for Gallipoli late afternoon.  We arrive at Gallipoli on the evening of the 24th to ensure we get a good spot for the dawn service. Don't forget your sleeping bags, warm clothes, wet weather gear and torches because Gallipoli is still as dark and cold tonight as it was 95 years ago when your ancestors landed.
Overnight: Anzac Cove
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Please Note: We recommend bringing a small day pack with you to carry things around during the overnight stay and also during the day on the 25th April.  You will leave your main luggage in your room in Edremit so will not have access to it until the evening of the 25th when we return there.

Day Five: Sunday 25th April - ANZAC Day (Gallipoli to Edremit)
At first light the day begins with the Dawn Service held at the ANZAC Commemorative Site, which will be followed by the Australian and New Zealand memorial services held at Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair respectively. Today is the reason you came to Turkey, to commemorate the sacrifice your forefathers have made. Emotions run high and this evening you will travel back to your hotel, arriving there in the late evening.
Overnight: Edremit
Meals: Lunchbox & Dinner

Day Six: Monday 26th April - Edremit to Kusadasi via Bergama
After waking feeling recharged we depart for Bergama where your guide will show you around the Acropolis Ruins of the ancient Greek City of Pergamon.  There will be time for a lunch break before we continue on the way to the seaside town of Kusadasi.  As this area boasts a reputation as one of the most important carpet weaving regions we will stop at Selçuk for a demonstration of this ancient and traditional craft. After you have checked in to your Kusadasi hotel you may have an optional traditional Turkish bath to be washed and massaged by a pair of expert hands and the rest of the day is yours to relax.
Overnight: Kusadasi
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Turkish Bath - 26th April Kusadasi Enjoy a Traditional Turkish Bath Relax on the 'Belly Stone' and be washed and massaged by expert hands. Only £15.00 pp

Day Seven: Tuesday 27th April - Visit to Ephesus Ruins & Village of Sirince
Today we will visit one of the best-preserved ruins in the world....Ephesus. First we will visit the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world where your guide will explain to you the significance of this important site. Following this we will make our way to Ephesus which was one of the most important cultural centers of the ancient word. We will visit the Ephesus ruins, Odeon, Celcus Library and the Theatre which is still in use today for concerts and has an amazing capacity of 25,000. As we walk through this ancient site you will notice the streets paved with marble which gives a hint to this city's great wealth many years ago. Then we will drive to the scenic mountain side Village of Sirince and we will visit the Antique Church, Mosque and Typical Turkish Houses. Þirince is very popular for its style of building, streets and hand made fruit wines and is a nice relaxing way to finish your day. After the tour, we will stop at Selçuk for a fashion parade and information on Turkey's famous leather production.
Overnight: Kusadasi
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day Eight: Wednesday 28th April - Dalyan & Koycegiz Boat Cruise
Today after breakfast we drive for Dalyan. Once there we board a boat and we will have numerous opportunities to swim. We visit mud-baths to cover ourselves in MUCK, before jumping in to the natural thermal springs. We head for Turtle Beach for a swim where the Aegean and Mediterranean seas meet. We also have the chance to see the amazing 4th century BC rock tombs located on the rock cliffs.   
Overnight: Dalyan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day Nine: Thursday 29th April – Fethiye
Today is a free day in Fethiye and we will arrange a shuttle service to Ölüdeniz beach where there are many optional activities available such as Paragliding or you can just laze on the beach.
Overnight: Fethiye
Meals: Breakfast

Day Ten: Friday 30th April - Fethiye to Olympos
Today we drive for the Saklikent Gorge, a mountain split formed several years ago.  We trek up a short distance and stop for lunch at the Saklikent River Bar and Cafe. Don’t forget to bring your bathers with you today because as we drive along the turquoise coast for Olympos Valley we will stop for a swim on the way.  After dinner at our night spot at the treehouses we shall be visiting Yanartas (Optional), which is located on the slopes of Çirali beach at the north end of Olympos and at an altitude of 300 meters with the legends of flying horse Pegasus.
Overnight: Olympos
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day Eleven: Saturday 1st May - Olympos - Egirdir
After a lazy morning in Olympos, we will drive to Antalya and you will have a chance to visit the old part of Antalya (Kaleici).  We will then drive over the Taurus mountains to get to the town of Egirdir by the turkuaz coloured lake of the same name. 
Overnight: Egirdir
Meals: Breakfast

Day Twelve: Sunday 2nd May - Cappadocia Tour
We will drive to Konya where we have a chance to visit the Museum of Sufi Leader of Mevlana and look around this well known religious city. After that we will drive for Cappadocia and will visit the Derinkuyu Underground City. The Christians hid from the armies of Rome and the raids of hostile tribes in these self sufficient cities in which there were halls for stocks of crop, barns, rooms, kitchens & ventilation channels. Later that night, you will have the option of going to a Traditional Turkish Folklore Evening, which should definitely not be missed.  If you are interested in going Hot Air Ballooning early the following morning then please let your guide know and they will make arrangements for you.
Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast

Day Thirteen: Monday 3rd May - Cappadocia Tour
Early this morning you can join an optional Hot Air Ballooning experience over the amazing landscape of Cappadocia.  Today we will marvel at the phallic-like structures in this one of a kind region.  Your guide will lead you around Goreme Open Air Museum, Cavusin, Pasabag, Uchisar Castle and the pottery Village of Avanos. Cappadocia is the country of fairy tales.  The beautiful horse country "Katpatuka," (as the Persians called her) is an unbelievable strip of land; enchanting and mysterious.
Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast

Day Fourteen: Tuesday 4th May - Ankara
This morning we will drive for Ankara and on the way we will visit the religious house of Haci Bektas-i Veli. Once we arrive in Ankara we will visit one of the best museums in the World, The Ancient Civilization Museum Of Anatolia. From Ankara we take an over night train to Istanbul.
Overnight: Train
Meals: Breakfast

Day Fifteen: Wednesday 5th May - Istanbul
We arrive in Istanbul early in the morning and we will drive to Camlica Hill exposing a panoramic view of Istanbul and Bosphorus from the best point in Istanbul. We will cross the Bosphorus Bridge for a unique chance to step from one continent (Europe) to another (Asia) in 2 minutes. Check into our hotel and the rest of the day is a free day in Istanbul.
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast

Day Sixteen: Thursday 6th May - Istanbul
After breakfast our tour finishes and we bid farewell to our new-found friends.  Wherever you are heading to next, undoubtedly you will take with you unforgettable memories and a new understanding of the country that plays such an important part in your history.
Meals: Breakfast

Tour Includes:
Arrival Airport Transfers
Arrival airport transfers are free for customers arriving at Ataturk International Airport between 8am and midnight on the 21st April. For full details on how our airport transfers work and getting to your hotel on the first day of the tour then please see the FAQ section.

IMPORTANT:  It is essential that customers who wish to use our transfer service send us full flight details including airline name, flight number, terminal number, arrival time.  It is your responsibility to ensure we have this information before 7th April 2010 otherwise we cannot guarantee that a transfer will be available.

Accommodation: 3 X Night Istanbul (3 Star), 3 X Night Edremit (4 Star), 2 X Night Kusadasi (3 Star), 1 X Night Köycegiz (3 Star), 1 X Night Fethiye (3 Star), 1 X Night Olympos Bungalow, 1 X Night Egirdir, 2 X Night Cappadocia (3 Star), Overnight Train
Meals: 14 X Breakfasts, 7 X Dinners, 1 X Lunch, 1 X Lunchbox
Transport: Air Conditioned (Non Smoking) Coach
All Entrance Fees
Professional English speaking Guide
Istanbul City Tour
Gallipoli Tour
Pergamon Acropolis Tour
Ephesus Tour (including Sirince Village and Temple of Artemis)
Köycegiz Tour and Boat Trip
Antalya Kaleici Tour
Konya Mevlana Museum
Cappadocia Tours (2)
Ankara Tour
Anzac Day Memorial Services

Tour Excludes:
Meals unless stated
Drinks
Flight Tickets
Personal Expenses
Tips for guides and drivers
Departure Transfers

Important Information:
If you wish to arrive in Istanbul earlier than the 21st or stay longer than the 6th May then we can arrange pre & post tour accommodation for you although we have limited availability of this.  The cost of this is per person £30 for a Double/Twin/Triple or £40 for a single room.  Please indicate that you require this when making your booking.
 
If you are travelling alone and would prefer to pay the lower rate then we can match you up with someone of the same gender to share a twin/triple room (Subject to Availability).