Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1 - Istanbul - Wednesday 21st April 2010
(Welcome cocktail and ANZAC conference included)
Welcome to Turkey! Meet at the Ataturk international airport, transfer to your 5 star hotel. Transfers from Sabiha Gokcen airport can be arranged at extra cost. You will be given your room key and the rest of the day is yours to explore Istanbul til 06:00pm. Between 06:00pm - 7:00pm we will have a conference about ANZAC Dawn Service and Turkey. The conference will be given by ANZAC experts who will come from Australia and New Zealand and by our professional Turkish ANZAC guides. Welcome cocktail, tea, coffee and snacks are included. You will meet with the other ANZAC participants and TravelShop Turkey team. We recommend you to arrange your flights, to be at the hotel prior the conference starts.

Traditional Traditional 1001 Turkish nights departs optional from hotel lobby at 08:00pm. Includes Turkish dinner, drinks and entertainment. Enjoy the mystical atmosphere of Istanbul at night. Enjoy the mystical atmosphere of Istanbul at night. Overnight 5 star hotel in Istanbul.

Day 2

Day 2 - Istanbul City Tour - Thursday 22nd April 2010
(Breakfast included)
We depart from the hotel at 08:30am for the Istanbul city tour.

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.

SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE: Across from St. Sophia built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles.

HIPPODROME: Ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Lunch break and then we head to the SPICE BAZAAR (Egyptian Bazaar) The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice.

After the Istanbul city tour you have the option to experience a Bosphorus cruise, you will have the chance to enjoy magnificent views of the Bosphorus straigt which is connecting Asia to Europe. Overnight 5 star hotel in Istanbul.

Day 3

Day 3 - Gallipoli and Troy Tour - Friday 23rd April 2010
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
We depart for Gallipoli at 07:00am (4.5 hours drive). On the way we will have the chance to watch the latest documentary on 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. After the Gallipoli tour, we depart at for the ancient city of Troy (approx. 1.5 hours drive including ferry).

Your guide will explain the mythology surrounding Troy, the Trojan Horse and Helen of Troy. After Troy we drive to our boutique hotel in Assos (1 hour drive). Overnight at boutique hotel in Assos.

Day 4

Day 4 - Free Day in Assos / ANZAC Cove - Saturday 24th April 2010
(Breakfast and buffet dinner included)
The day is yours to enjoy, relax and have fun with your new friends, or get some sleep before the Dawn Service! There is also much to see in Assos. Your tour guide will provide you with ideas of where to visit. Luggage can be kept at your hotel as you will return to stay here tomorrow night again. 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 want 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 5

Day 5 - Gallipoli Dawn Service - Sunday 25th April 2010
(Dinner included)
Don't forget your sleeping bags, warm clothes, wet weather gear and torches because Gallipoli is still as dark and as cold today as it was 95 years ago when our ancestors landed. Please bring your hat, sunscreen and good walking shoes! Optional we provide sleepings bags for rent, please let us know at time of booking.

04:30am ANZAC Day Dawn Service
10:30am Australian National Service
11.45am Turkish National Service
01:00pm New Zealand National Service

After the services at approx 03:00pm we will drive back to our boutique hotel in Assos. The night is yours to relax, dinner will be served at the hotel.

Day 6

Day 6 - Pergamon Tour & Kusadasi - Monday 26th April 2010
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Drive to Pergamom (45 minutes drive) - 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 Kizil Avlu or "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 the city of 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 into our hotel in time for dinner. Overnight 5 star hotel in Kusadasi.

Day 7

Day 7 - Ephesus & Kusadasi - Tuesday 27th April 2010
(Breakfast and dinner included)
At 08:30am we depart for Ephesus (20 minutes drive) - once the commercial centre of the ancient world - is a highlight of any visit to Turkey. The city, whose wealth and patronage supported its splendid architectural program, was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Her enormous temple, once considered one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World and rebuilt several times, dates in its latest form from the third century B.C. The tour of the ruins 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 leather manufacturing and jewellery. As this will be a 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 5 star hotel in Kusadasi.

Day 8

Day 8 - Pamukkale Tour - Wednesday 28th April 2010
(Breakfast and dinner included)
At 08:30 we leave Kusadasi for Pamukkale (2.5 hours drive). In Pamukkale we shall visit the calcium terraces of Pamukkale (Cotton Castle) and the ruins of 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 into our hotel in time for dinner and the rest of the evening is yours to explore the small village or relax around the pool bar. Overnight 5 star hotel in Pamukkale.

Day 9

Day 9 - Pamukkale / Bodrum - Friday 29th April 2010
(Breakfast and dinner included)
At 08:30am we depart for Bodrum. Bodrum as a city is quickly becoming one of the most sort after destinations in Europe and with such a precedence, it offers some fantastic adventures for any age group. Visit the castle of St. Peter, the symbol of Bodrum. The Crusader castle was built by the knights of St. John between 1402 and 1409. After being defeated in Smyrna (The ancient name of Izmir), the knights came to Halikarnassos and began the construction of the castle.. 01:00pm Visit the ancient theater The theatre is located on the hillside overlooking Bodrum. The hillside theater that dates from the 4th century BC was built to seat 5.000 people. When rediscovered, it was not in very good condition and therefore has been recently restored. The view of the town from there is beautiful. After the Bodrum city tour depart for Bodrum Harbour for check in to yacht cruise to Turkish and Greek Island Tour. On the first day, our boat will be anchored at Bodrum port for dinner and overnight stay on the yacht.

Day 10

Day 10 - Yacht Cruise Cos (Kos) Greek Site - Saturday 30th April 2010
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
While you have breakfast, you will be informed about the cruise programme. After the paper work at customs is completed we will cruise to Kos Island. Asclepion, known to be the birth place of Hippocrates, 'the Father of Medical Sciences', is located here. All the East-Mediterrenean people with health problems were treated in Kos (Ä°stankoy). Kos; the second largest island of the 12 islands (Dodecanese islands) has a very mild climate and very fertile lands. The island houses a 560-year-old tree, a 211-year-old fountain and a 290 km long beach. Kos is one of the islands with the best night life. Nafklirou, a street full of bars, is always crowded, colourful, and full of life.

Day 11

Day 11 - Yacht Cruise Nisiros - Tilos Greek Site - Sunday 1st May 2010
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Early in the morning we will set sail to Nisiros. The volcano on Nisiros island- which means 'the place with figs'- in the Aegean Sea- erupted in 1422 and is still active. Nikea village located on the side of the crater is constituted with white streets and a mosaic-style square. You can take an optional bus tour to the crater which is still active and where you can see the gases coming from the underground. On the way back after, a short village tour and a lunch break; we will cruise to Tilos Island. For dinner and overnight stay, we will anchor in the port of this small tranquil island.

Day 12

Day 12 - Yacht Cruise Rhodes (Rhodos) Greek Site - Monday 2nd May 2010
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Cruising to Rhodes early in the morning. Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese Islands.
The island is a very popular holiday place as it has one of the best-protected and the largest European Medieval city and has warm weather 300 days of a year. Rhodes has been a home for many civilizations; starting with the knights of St.John in the Middle Ages, then Ottomans and Italians; thus the island has a unique historical harmony and beauty. The main port Rhodes is the Rhodes City which bears the same name with the island. The other very touristic areas of Rhodes island are; Lyndos and Kamiros. The city, which is still surrounded by 12 meter-thick city-walls, gives you the feeling of travelling back to Medieval times especially when you walk around its narrow, stone-paved roads. After dinner, our guests are highly recommended to enjoy a Rhodes night out.

Day 13

Day 13 - Yacht Cruise Simi (Symi) Greek Site - Tuesday 3rd May 2010
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
We will set sail for Simi Island early in the morning and arrive at the Monastry of Panormitis located in the southern part of Simi. It is possible to visit the Monastery and the Museum on this well-protected and peaceful bay. After having a swimming break on the eastern shores of the island, we will anchor at the port early in the evening. You can see the shore-side with its neo-classical houses and the peripheral districts. You are going to adore Simi for its pine and oak forests and unique bays.

Day 14

Day 14 - Yacht Cruise Datca - Knidos Greek Site - Wednesday 4th May 2010
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
We will get into Turkish waters from Datca. You can enjoy a short-walk on the shore while your captain deals with the customs procedures. We will sail to Knidos after lunch. Knidos was a developed city in science, art and architecture. Eudoxos, a very popular astronomer and maths professor; Dr. Euryphon; Polygontos, a poular painter; Skopas and Bryaksis of Faros, the most famous sculptors of the era; Sostrates, the architect of Alexandrian light house -one of the seven wonders of the World-and Ktesias the doctor who saved the life of a Presian king from a disaster lived on this island. Dr. Euryphon and his students founded the second largest medical sciences school in Knidos.The island also homes the largest sun clock of its time which was erected by Eudoksos. Knidos was the home for Aphrodite's monument and at those times the city was famous for brothels and became popular for sailors and Arabic tradesmen.

Day 15

Day 15 - Yacht Cruise Poyraz Turkish Site - Bodrum - Thursday 5th May 2010
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
We will anchoring in Karada Poyraz Bay and have the last swimming break in these beautiful blue waters. We will be sailing to Bodrum Port for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 16

Day 16 - Bodrum The End - Friday 6th May 2010
(Breakfast included)
After breakfast check out from the yacht cruise as your tour ends. From Bodrum we can arrange flights or coach transportation to anywhere in Turkey. If you choose to stay longer in Bodrum we can extend your accommodation and all so offer other options such as Jeep Safari, Aqua Park, scuba diving, fishing tour, Jeep Safari, Horse Safari, Turkish Night, Daily Trip to Kos, Turkish Bath and many more or you may like to hit the one Week Greek Islands? We can arrange the ferry tickets for you to go.

We hope your tour was a memorable one 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.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

# # Yacht cruise including: Full board double cabin share basis for a week in a yacht, welcome cocktail, breakfast, lunch, dinner & afternoon tea, cake service per day on board, use of sport equipment on board, diesel, using water, crew service, yacht insurance, yacht's laundry, harbor taxes and mooring expenses. # Yacht cruise excluding: Soft drinks, drinking water and alcoholic beverages are excluded, these can be purchased on board for reasonable prices.

Extras -

16 Days Gold ANZAC Day Tour Summary:

Welcome to Turkey! With more time on your hands you can experience our 16 Day Gold ANZAC Tour. This tour is visiting the most popular and beautiful sights in Turkey and the Greek Islands. Visit Istanbul, the Capital of European Culture 2010, Gallipoli and the ANZAC Dawn Service. Experience the Gallipoli battlefields and enjoy the cultural, touristic, and historical sights of Turkey. You will enjoy sea, sand and sun not to mention loads of fun. The tour covers Istanbul, Troy, Asklepion and Red Basilica, and the Roman city of Pergamum, the ancient ruins of Ephesus, the hot springs, Hierapolis and calcium terraces of Pamukkale and Bodrum. Would you like to sail on the water that connects Asia to Europe? We will start the yacht cruise from Turkey to Greece. We will visit the most beautiful islands and the bays around Turkey and Greece. This idyllic cruise means sailing with the wind, into coves and over the seas, becoming one with nature as well as taking a trip through the history of Turkey and Greek Islands. For lovers of an active life, sailing in the clear warm waters provides great opportunities for swimming, fishing, skiing, surfing and relaxing on beautiful Aegean beaches. Tour includes arrival transfer from Istanbul Ataturk airport, welcome cocktail, tea, coffee and snacks, luxury air-conditioned coach transport throughout, an ANZAC BBQ buffet dinner on the ANZAC Peninsula, all entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary, 5 star hotel accommodation and professional English speaking tour guides who have the insight, knowledge and experience to give you the best ANZAC tour money can buy. Conference about ANZAC Dawn Service and Turkey, given by ANZAC experts who will come from Australia and New Zealand, in cooperation with our professional Turkish ANZAC guides. We will make your trip a lifetime memory. All you need to do is book with us and we will take care of all your travel needs!


Please ask for our FREE ANZAC DVD and tour documentary at info@anzacbooking.com