9 DAY ANZAC TOUR

The nine day tour gives you a great overview of what Turkey has to offer and concludes with the Anzac Day Commemorations in Gallipoli before heading to Istanbul.

Start Date: 18/04/2010 - Sunday
Finish Date: 26/04/2010 - Monday
Starts: Istanbul
Finish: Istanbul
Places Visited: Istanbul – Pamukkale - Kusadasi - Selcuk - Ephesus - Sirince - Bergama - Edremit - Troy - Gallipoli
Duration: 9 Days – 8 Nights
Price: Double/Twin/Triple : £359.00 - Single: £439.00
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:  Sunday 18th April - Arrival in Istanbul
Welcome to Turkey and the beginning of your Anzac tour!
Once you have checked into your hotel (Please note that 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.

If you arrive into Ataturk International Airport on the 18th 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 18th 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: Monday 19th April - Istanbul City Tour
This morning we partake in a fully guided tour of the only city to span two continents. First we will visit the "Sultan Ahmet Center", the heart of the "Old City" from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled. Blue Mosque, facing Hagia Sophia, famous with its blue Iznik tiles and unique with 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet. Today Hagia Sophia is closed but you will make a quick stop in front of Hagia Sophia to have some information by your tour guide and to take a photo. 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.  Grand Covered Bazaar, Most attractive shopping center and biggest "souk" in the world with nearly 4000 shops selling antiques, jewellery, gold, souvenirs and much more... The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore around Istanbul further on your own. 
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast

Day Three: Tuesday 20th April - Istanbul to Pamukkale
Today we will make our way to Pamukkale and part of this journey will be carried out by ferry across the Sea of Marmara which is a great relaxing way to travel.  Once we arrive in Pamukkale we will check in to our hotel and the rest of the night is yours to enjoy and relax.
Overnight: Pamukkale
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day Four: Wednesday 21st April - Tour of Calcium Terraces & Hierapolis
Today we wake up early and after breakfast we will look around the Calcium Terraces of Pamukkale and visit the ruins of Hierapolis.  We will then drive to the seaside town of Kusadasi and check into your hotel.  Later that day you have the option of a relaxing traditional Turkish Bath.
Overnight: Kusadasi
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Turkish Bath - 21st 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 Five: Thursday 22nd 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 near Selcuk for shopping facilities and a demonstration of the textile production which is famous in this region.
Overnight: Kusadasi
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day Six: Friday 23rd April - Kusadasi to Edremit via Bergama
After breakfast 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 Edremit where we will check in to our hotel in this well known holiday spot for a bit of 'R & R'.
Overnight: Edremit
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day Seven: Saturday 24th April - Troy & Gallipoli Tour - Dawn Service
After breakfast we will travel to the ancient city of Troy, the famous archaeological and mythological site which is home of the “Trojan Horse” and “Helen of Troy”.  We will then make our way via Canakkale and cross the Dardenelles by ferry to the Gallipoli Peninsula and you will have a fully guided tour including a visit to 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.

At the conclusion of this tour we will make our way to Anzac Cove where you can settle in for the afternoon and evening wait for the Dawn Service early on the 25th.
Overnight: Anzac Cove
Meals: Breakfast

Day Eight: Sunday 25th April - ANZAC Day (Gallipoli to Istanbul)
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 afternoon you will travel back to Istanbul, arriving there in the late evening.
Overnight: Istanbul

Day Nine: Monday 26th April - Tour Ends
After breakfast the tour finishes and we bid farewell to our new found friends and exchange e-mails. Wherever you are heading to next you will take unforgettable memories and a new understanding of this 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 12 noon and midnight on the 18th 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), 1 X Night Pamukkale (3 Star), 2 X Night Kusadasi (3 Star)  1 X Night Edremit (4 Star) 1 X Night Anzac Cove.
Meals: 7 X Breakfasts, 4 X Dinners
Transport: Air Conditioned (Non Smoking) Coach
All Entrance Fees
Professional English speaking Guide
Istanbul City Tour
Pamukkale Tour
Ephesus Tour (including Sirince Village and Temple of Artemis)
Pergamon Acropolis Tour
Troy Tour
Gallipoli Tour
Anzac Day Memorial Services

Tour Excludes:
Meals unless stated
Departure Airport Transfers
Drinks
Flight Tickets
Personal Expenses
Tips for Guides and Drivers

Important Information:
If you wish to arrive in Istanbul earlier than the 18th or stay longer than the 26th then we can arrange pre and 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).