21st April to 6th May in Boutique Hotels
Istanbul - Gallipoli - Anzac Day - Canakkale- Pergamum - Troy –
Ephesus - Pamukkale - Antalya - Konya - Cappadocia - Ankara
Tour includes
- 4 stars accommodation.
- Sleeping bag (for Gallipoli Dawn Service)
- Farewell Dinner in Istanbul
- All transportation in Turkey by private a/c tour coach
- All entrance fees to the sites and to the museums mentioned on the above program
- Meals mentioned on the itinerary
- Private arrival and departure airport transfers
- English speaking professional guide throughout
Day 1 : 21st April : Istanbul Arrival
Welcome to Istanbul. You will be welcomed at the airport by our representatives and transferred to your hotel. Tonight, info meeting with your guide and the rest of your group. Overnight Istanbul.
Day 2 : 22nd April : Istanbul full day tour ( Breakfast )
Full day tour of Istanbul. Visit St. Sophia, one of the greatest marvels of architecture constructed as a basilica in 536 by Emperor Justinian; Blue Mosque, facing Hagia Sophia, famous with its more than 20,000 blue Iznik tiles and unique with its 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet in the 17th century, one of the best examples of classical Turkish art; Hippodrome, the scene of Byzantine chariot races, athletic events, victory celebrations, and political activities of the old city where one can also see today the “Obelisk of Theodosius” from Egypt, “Serpentine Column” from Delphi, the “German Fountain of Wilhelm II” and the “Colossus”. Topkapi Palace - Harem section is excluded - built in 1468 by Mehmet the Conqueror, the imperial residence of Ottoman sultans housing the souvenirs of 600 years and exhibiting imperial treasury, Chinese porcelain, weapons, calligraphy section, etc. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3 : 23rd April : Istanbul half day tour - Anzac Cove - Canakkale ( Breakfast & Dinner )
08.30 transfer to Eminonu port for BOSPHORUS CRUISE for a traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion you will pass the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace, and further along the parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace. Free time in Grand Bazaar, which is one of the most attractive shopping centres in the world with nearly 4000 shops built in 16th century. Drive to Canakkale. Visit Anzac Cove before drive and check into our hotel and overnight in Canakkale.
Day 4 : 24th April : Full day in Gallipoli - Anzac Cove ( Breakfast & Dinner )
07.30 a.m. After breakfast we drive to the World War I Battlefield of Gallipoli . We will spend all day and visit the Kabatepe War Museum, Anzac Cove, Hell Spit Cemetery, Lone Pine, The Nek, and Chunuk Bair War Memorial. Drive back to our hotel at 16.00 to relax before dinner. 21.00 drive to Anzac Cove to prepare for Dawn Service.
Day 5 : 25th April ANZAC Day- ( Breakfast Box & Dinner )
Just prior to sunrise and the ANZAC Dawn Service, we become aware of the almost deafening silence as we commemorate our fallen forefathers on this special day.
- 04:30 Dawn Service
- 10:30 Australian National Service
- 13:00 New Zealand National Service
Following the New Zealand Service you will be picked up from either Lone Pine or Chunuk Bair. Drive to our hotel in Canakkale for dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 6 : 26th April : Troy - Pergamum - Kusadasi ( Breakfast & Dinner )
After breakfast drive to “Homer's Troy”, and the site of King Priam's Treasures. Probably the most famous city of classical times - who doesn't know the story of the Trojan Horse. We drive to Pergamum, actually called Bergama. It is one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11;2:12]. Here we explore the impressive Acropolis, the steepest theatre in the world, the Asklepieon, famous medical centre of classical times, see the Altar of Zeus which is mentioned as the «Throne of Satan» in the book of Revelation, the marble columns of theTemple of Trajan and the Library which was foremost in the world and was long a rival of the equally famous Library of Alexandria in Egypt. Its wealth of volumes was estimated at over 200,000. It inspired the invention of parchment. Continue to Kusadasi for dinner and overnight.
Day 7 : 27th April : Kusadasi- Ephesus ( Breakfast & Dinner )
Breakfastat the hotel. Today we enjoy a visit to the ancient city of Ephesus. The Apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians and lived here for three years. This church also received an epistle from him. We tour the spectacular ruins where excavations still continue in this once great and important city, which was founded in the 10th century BC. Walk through history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, among them the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and the Theatre, and he Temple of Diana of the Ephesians. We visit the Ephesus archaeological museum. Lunch at a selected restaurant. Afternoon visit The House of Virgin Mary. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 8 : 28th April : Pamukkale (B,D)
Drive through fertile valleys to Pamukkale (white lime cascades), visit Hierapolis and enjoy the thermal pools of our hotel.
Day 9 : 29th April :Pamukkale - Perge - Antalya (B,D)
Morning drive to Antalya, arrival at midday, pay a visit to the ancient city of Perge - a relaxing afternoon by the Mediterranean coast.
Day 10 : 30th April : Antalya (B,D)
Today is a free day with choices of optional tours of Phaselis, a coastal ancient cith or a lazy yacht cruise along the turquoise coast of the Mediterranean.
Day 11 : 01st May : Antalya - Aspendos - Konya (B,D)
After breakfast depart for Konya - enroute visit the famous theatre in Aspendos. Visit Mevlana Mausoleum and Karatay Koran School, then overnight in Konya . Tonight Optional: Whirling Dervishes performance.
Day 12 : 02nd May : Konya - Cappadocia (B,D)
Morning departure for Cappadocia, on the way visit 13th century Agzikarahan caravansary and the land of Fairy Chimneys. We pay a visit to the famous underground city of Kaymakli. Before we check into our hotel, we will taste Cappadocian wine in a cave winery. Local dinner in a restaurant and overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 13 : 03rd May : Cappadocia (B,D)
Early Morning Optional: Balloon Tour. Experience of floating through volcanic valleys, fairy chimneys and caves with the sunrise of Cappadocia. After breakfast, visit Goreme, Avanos, Pasabagi, Red Valley, and experience a brief regional pottery workshop in a cave.
Day 14 : 04th May : Cappadocia - Ankara (B,D)
Morning departure for Ankara, afternoon tour of the Ataturk Mausoleum and Anatolian Civilisations Museum.
Day 15 : 05th May Day : Istanbul (B,D)
After breakfast drive to Istanbul. Afternoon free in Istanbul for last minute shopping. Tonight farewell dinner.
Day 16 : 06th May : Istanbul - Return (B)
Transfer to airport.
