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.

After visiting Gallipoli 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 travel to our luxurious accommodation, where an all-you-can-eat buffet dinner awaits.
Overnight: Edremit
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day Four: Friday 24th April - Rural Village Visit and Prepare for Anzac Day
Today you have the opportunity to see and enjoy the rural side of Turkey. You don’t need to wake up early in the morning as we will leave after breakfast for Tahtakuslar. Here you can observe the ideal Turkish village life of nomads as you look around the only village museum in Turkey (awarded by Unesco).  In this museum there are objects about the fauna & flora of Turkey and all the handcrafted nomadic arts are displayed. Turkish people are Nomadic in origin but today most of them have settled on the top of mountains. There are more than 40,000 nomadic villages and tribes in Turkey and one of them is the picturesque Village of Çamlibel which is on the skirts of mythological Olympos Mountain (today’s Mount Ida).  They are waiting for you here to show you the famous Turkish hospitality and friendship. A guest is a king in Turkey therefore you will be made welcome with food and drink while you relax.  In the afternoon we head back to the hotel to enjoy the rest of the day. 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 as you will not be able to access your main luggage from when you leave Edremit until you arrive in Istanbul on the night of the 25th.  Your main luggage will be securely locked away in the coach overnight.

Day Five: Saturday 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
Meals: Lunchbox

Day Six: Monday 27th April - The end of the tour
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 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: 3 X Night Istanbul (3 Star), 2 X Night Edremit (4 Star) + Anzac Cove
Meals: 4 X Breakfasts, 2 X Dinners, 1 X Lunchbox
Transport: Air Conditioned (Non Smoking) Coach
All Entrance Fees
Professional English speaking Guide
Gallipoli Tour
Nomadic Village Visit
Istanbul City Tour
Troy 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 21^st or stay longer than the 26^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).