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ANZAC Day 2013 Silver 16 days itinerary
>>>BOOK THIS TOUR<<< Tour Description: Experience the must see places of Turkey including Istanbul, Gallipoli Battlefields and the ANZAC Service, Troy, Asklepion and Red Basilica, and the roman city of Pergamum, the ancient ruins of Ephesus, the hot springs of Pamukkale, Dalyan mudbaths, and the amazing city of Cappadocia view first hand the historical arts traditions and mysteries of Turkey. The Mediterranean views of Antalya, and visit the capital of Turkey, Ankara. Settle in and enjoy yourselves while on your flights to Turkey as a wonderful 16 day trip awaits you when you land on Turkish soil. We will take you on an enchanting tour of all the major Turkish attractions including such famous sights as historic Istanbul, the natural mineral hot springs of Pamukkale, the beautiful beaches of Bodrum , the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus as well as a visit to see and enjoy the festivities of the ANZAC Day activities to honor the valiant soldiers who died for their countries during WW1. The tour also includes a optional ANZAC BBQ buffet dinner on the ANZAC Peninsula, all entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary, 3 and 4 star hotel accommodation, professional English speaking tour guides, accommodation in the authentic cave hotels of Cappadocia. This tour will ensure you leave Turkey with many great memories and will entice you to return for many more visits. All you need to do is book with us and we will take care of all your travel needs! Please note: We are not a ticket selling website, you are talking directly to the tour operator. |
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 Tour Itinerary
Day 1 - Istanbul - Friday, 22nd April 2013
(Airport transfer from IST, welcome cocktail and ANZAC conference included) Meet at the Ataturk international airport, transfer to your 4 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 - 07:00pm 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 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. Overnight 4 star hotel in Istanbul. Day 2 - Istanbul City Tour - Saturday, 23rd April 2013 (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 Izniktiles. 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 4 star hotel in Istanbul. For those in a party mood we have an optional ANZAC party scheduled for tonight. Party information, prices and details can be found here >>> Day 3 - Gallipoli Tour - Sunday, 24th April 2013 (Breakfast included - BBQ buffet dinner optional) 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. A stop will be provided on the way down for supplies. We start our tour of the Gallipoli Peninsula a little after midday. We will visit Kabatepe War Museum, ANZAC Cove, Ari Burnu, Beach Cemetery, Unknown Soldier Monument, Lone Pine Australia’s Memorial and Cemetery, Quinns Post, Turkish 57th Regiment Memorial, The Nek, the original tunnels and trenches at Johnston Jolly (Turkish and Allied), and Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial and Cemetery. After the tour we drive to the coast of Gabatepe for our big ANZAC BBQ and buffet dinner (optional). At approx 09:30pm we will depart for the ANZAC 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 4 - Gallipoli Dawn Service - Monday, 25th April 2013 (Buffet 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 96 years ago when our ancestors landed. Please bring your hat, sunscreen and good walking shoes! Optional we provide sleepings bags, please let us know at time of booking.
04:30am Dawn Service at ANZAC Cove More info: ANZAC Commemorative Site 10:30am Australian National Service 11:45am Turkish National Service 01:00pm New Zealand National Service After the services with time permitting we will depart for the ancient city of Troy (about an hour drive). Your guide will explain the mythology surrounding Troy, the Trojan Horse and Helen of Troy. After Troy, we drive to our hotel (3 hours drive) 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 2013 (Breakfast and dinner included) Drive to Pergamum (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 Pergamon 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 Kusadasi. Overnight 4 star hotel in Kusadasi. Day 6 - Ephesus & Kusadasi - Wednesday, 27th April 2013 (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 4 star hotel in Kusadasi. Day 7 - Pamukkale Tour - Thursday, 28th April 2013 (Breakfast and dinner included) At 08:30am 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 4 star hotel in Pamukkale. Day 8 - Pamukkale / Bodrum - Friday, 29th April 2013 (Breakfast 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. Overnight 4 star hotel in Bodrum. Day 9 - Relax Day in Bodrum - Saturday, 30th April 2013 (Breakfast included) The day is yours. You do not have to wake up early, enjoy the sunshine and take in the views and natural magnificent beach & crystal clear sea and explore the city, shop in the local markets, relax on the beach or enjoy one of the many day trips you have to choose from. These include Aqua Park, scuba diving, fishing tour and many more. Overnight 4 star hotel in Bodrum. Day 10 - Koycegiz Dalyan Mud Bath - Fethiye Oludeniz - Sunday, 1st May 2013 (Breakfast included) At 08:30am we depart for Koycegiz. There we board a boat and cruise across Lake Koycegiz where we will have numerous opportunities to swim. We head for Turtle Beach, where the Aegean and Mediterranean meet and have a traditional Turkish lunch. On our return journey back to Koycegiz we visit the mud-bath to cover ourselves in MUCK, before jumping in the natural thermal springs. After the cruise we take a short bus trip to our night stop in Oludeniz. Day 11 - Blue Lagoon Oludeniz - Antalya - Monday, 2nd May 2013 (Breakfast included) After breakfast depart to Antalya (5 hours drive). On the way we shall see one of the best panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea. Lunch break on the way. We will be passing from ancient Likya and you will have the chance to take photos of breath taking scenes. In ancient times it covered all Pamphylia that means "the land of all tribes". Attalia, the ancient name of Antalya, is derived from that of the Pergamon king Attalos II Philadelphus, who founded the city on the Pamphylian seacoast around 150 BC. It is know that it was visited by St. Paul by way of Perge in 46 A.D., that it was an important trading centre in the 2nd century A.D. and that the Emperor Hadrian's visit in 130 A.D. was commemorated with new monuments. Check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to discover Antalya. Overnight 4 star hotel in Antalya. Day 12 - Antalya Perge Aspendos Tour - Tuesday, 3rd May 2013 (Breakfast lunch and dinner included) PERGE : According to the geographer Strabon, Perge has been founded by Akhas who came down here after the Trojan wars. Perge was first mentioned in 334 BC when Alexander the Great passed through here. In the following years, Perge went under the control of Pergamon when the Kingdom of Pergamon became a part of the Roman city. Especially in the first and the second centuries BC, Perge became one of the richest towns in Pamphylia. Therefore it is not a surprising that St. Paul started his campaign in Anatolia from Perge in 46 AD. The people of Perge loved and respected their Artemis to such an extent that Christianity had to wait for another 400 years to enter here. In the Byzantine period, Perge was the seat of the bishop. Even though Arabs raided Perge in the 7th century AD, when Seljuk Turks settled the area, records show the existence of an older race living here. After the tour, departure for Aspendos. Lunch break on the way. ASPENDOS: The eastern land of Antalya was called Pamphylia in ancient times. The Toros Daglari (Taurus Mountains) forms a beautiful back drop to the fertile coast, rich with fields of cotton and vegetables. Aspendos (Belkis) lies 47 km east of Antalya in the Pamphylian plain. In 486 BC, Greeks and Persians had a great battle here (the Greeks won, they didn't stay in the area for long). During the reign of he Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-80 AD) Aspendos got its theatre, which is the best preserved of all. It was built by Romans and maintained by Byzantines and Seljuks. The ruins of the ancient city are extensive and include a stadium, an agora, and a basilica. Overnight 4 star hotel in Antalya. Day 13 - Antalya - Cappadocia - Wednesday, 4th May 2013 (Breakfast included) Early morning we have a long drive to Cappadocia (8 hours drive). Check in to your hotel. After having some rest, you will have the chance to go to the famous traditional Turkish Night, you will enjoy Whirling Dervishes, Belly Dancing & Traditional Turkish Folklore accompanied by traditional Turkish food. We recommend it should not be missed. Overnight cave hotel in Cappadocia. Day 14 - Cappadocia Tour - Thursday, 5th May 2013 (Breakfast included) Today we will get to know the Cappadocia region, a volcanic area in which the geological formation started 10 million years ago. As a result of these formations phallic like pillars have come to life. The beautiful horse country "Katpatuka," (as the Persians called her) is an unbelievable strip of land, enchanting and mysterious. Our guided tour will start at 09:30am and cover Avcilar, Pigeon Valley, Goreme Open Air Museum Dervent Valley, Uchisar Castle and the pottery village of Avanos. If you want to join our optional activity of Hot Air Ballooning, please contact with your guide and register because it will take place early the next morning. Dinner at your hotel. Overnight 4 star hotel in cave hotel Cappadocia. Day 15 - Cappadocia & Ankara City Tour - Friday, 6th May 2013 (Breakfast included) We depart at 09:00am for Ankara during the trip (4 hours drive). Visit Ataturk Museum at the Ataturk Mausoleum. (Ataturk is the founder of the modern Turkey) Lunch break. After the break, we will have city tour of Ankara which is the 2nd biggest city and the capital of Turkey. Then depart for Istanbul (5 hours drive). Overnight 4 star hotel in Istanbul. Day 16 - Istanbul / End of Tour - Saturday, 7th May 2013 (Breakfast included) After breakfast, please check out from your room before 11:00am, as your ANZAC day tour ends today. Please make your own arrangements for departure or simply ask us. We hope you had a memorable 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. 16 DAYS SILVER ANZAC TOUR INCLUDES:
Euro: 889.00 per person (double, twin or triple share) Euro: 1,109.00 per person (single room)
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