Day One:  Tuesday 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 Sammy's 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: Wednesday 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: Thursday 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 94 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: Friday 24th April - Relax and Prepare for Anzac Day at Gallipoli
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 Anzac Cove 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 94 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: Saturday 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 in Edremit, arriving there in the late evening.
Overnight: Edremit
Meals: Lunchbox & Dinner

Day Six: Sunday 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
 

Day Seven: Monday 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. This evening we will return to Istanbul overnight.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day Eight: Tuesday 28th April - End of Tour
You will arrive in Istanbul early in the morning and the tour will finish in the Sultanahmet area which has easy connections to the Bus Station and Airport or accommodation options if you wish to extend your stay in Istanbul.  If you want Sammys Travel to organise accommodation for you then please let us know at time of booking.

Tour Includes:
Arrival Airport Transfers
Arrival airport transfers are free for customers arriving at Ataturk International Airport between 8am and midnight on the 21^st 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 2009 otherwise we cannot guarantee that a transfer will be available.

Accommodation: 2 X Night Istanbul (3 Star), 3 X Night Edremit (4 Star) + Anzac Cove, 1 X Night Kusadasi (3 Star)
Meals: 6 X Breakfasts, 5 X Dinners, 1 X Lunchbox
Transport: Air Conditioned (Non Smoking) Coach
All Entrance Fees
Professional English speaking Guide
Gallipoli Tour
Istanbul City Tour
Pergamon Acropolis Tour
Ephesus Tour (including Sirince Village and Temple of Artemis)
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 21^st or stay longer than the 28^th then we can arrange pre & post tour accommodation for you although we have limited availability of this.  The cost of this is £20 for a Double/Twin/Triple or £30 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).