8 Day Anzac
Tour
The eight day
Anzac
tour is ideal for those people who wish to attend
the Anzac Day commemorations but also have plans for
onward travel around Turkey or wish to visit the
Greek Islands. The tour includes Istanbul and
Gallipoli and finishes in Kusadasi.
Start Date:
21/04/09
Finish Date:
28/04/09
Starts:
Istanbul
Finish:
Kusadasi
Places Visited:
Istanbul – Gallipoli – Edremit - Selcuk– Kusadasi -
Ephesus
Duration:
8 Days – 7 Nights
Price: Double/Twin/Triple :
£289.00
- Single: £359.00
Our tours have a range of inclusions
for
“Your peace of mind”
and Enjoyment
·
Includes all entrance fees,
·
Free Arrival Transfer to Ataturk International
Airport (certain days only – see below)
· Transportation
in a fully Air-Conditioned, Non-Smoking new model
Luxury Coach,
· Fluent
English speaking professional tour guide for the
duration of the tour,
· FREE
Anzac T-Shirt,
· A
range of Gallipoli documentaries & movies to watch
during bus journeys,
· FREE
Souvenir,
·
FREE Flashlight for the dark night at the Dawn
Service and to take home with you,
·
FREE Documentary CD to watch after your tour has
finished
· Anzac
Day memorial services at Gallipoli,
· All
accommodation as per itinerary in 3 & 4 star hotels
including Thermal Resort and Holiday Village
· EARLY
ARRIVAL TO THE DAWN SERVICE,
· We
have Turkish, Australian and New Zealand staff who
have good knowledge of Gallipoli and Turkey,
· Private
Security and we have Doctor traveling with us,
· No
camping! No hidden extra costs. Don't wake up to
Nightmares,
· GET
A GOOD SPOT AT DAWN SERVICE,
·
We have been running Anzac tours for many years and
know what Anzac day in Gallipoli is all about.
Day One: Tuesday 21st April - Arrival in Istanbul
Welcome to Turkey! You will be greeted with
hospitality at the Atatürk International Airport by
a Samyeli Travel representative and driven into the
heart of the old city where you can rest and relax
for the remainder of the day. Tonight at ‘Welcome
Drinks’ in your hotel you can meet the rest of your
tour group.
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 heodosius, Serpentine
Column, German Fountain of Wilhelm II are the
monuments decorating Hippodrome.
Underground Cistern (Yerebatan Sarayý)
In this historical place one discovers the grandiose
nature of the past when touring through Istanbul's
largest and most magnificent underground Cistern.
Built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century to
supply water to the near-by palace complex, the
cistern has a total of 336 decorated columns.
Today you may also wish to view the wonders of
Istanbul from the water on an optional Bosphorus
Cruise (2:30pm). Also tonight you have the
option of attending a special Turkish Gala
Evening
(7:30pm) where you will enjoy amazing Turkish food
and world famous Turkish entertainment.
Overnight:
Istanbul
Meals:
Breakfast
|
Samyeli Travel Turkish Gala Evening – Istanbul - 22nd
April 7:30pm
*
Available to
5
Day, 6 Day, 8 Day, 10 Day, 15 Day Tours
*
A chance to meet and share a drink with your tour group and
other passengers
*
Authentic Turkish Food and Entertainment including, singing, belly dancing and much more!
At only £20.00 pp this is not to be missed!
(Simply select ‘Gala Dinner’ at time of booking) |
Day Three: Thursday 23rd April - Istanbul to 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 “Gallipoli” the movie 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 at Artemis Resort Hotel
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. You will have the
chance to swim in the nearby thermal water pool at Adramis Thermal
Hotel. 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
Day Five: Saturday 25th April - Anzac Day at Gallipoli
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, arriving there in the
late evening.
Overnight:
Edremit
Meals:
Lunchbox & Dinner
Day Six: Sunday 26th
April - Edremit to Kusadasi
After waking feeling recharged we depart for 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.
Overnight:
Kusadasi
Meals:
Breakfast & Dinner
Day Seven:
Monday
27th April -
Ephesus Tour
Today we will visit one of the best-preserved ruins in the
world....Ephesus. We tour this amazing site and wonder at the people
who built and walked through this ancient city. We will also visit
the House of Virgin Mary, (supposedly where St. John brought her to
live out her final days), Temple of Artemis (one of the 7 wonders of
the ancient world). After the tour, we will stop at Selçuk for a
fashion parade and information on Turkey's famous leather
production.
Overnight:
Kusadasi
Meals:
Breakfast & Dinner
Day Eight: Tuesday 28th
April -
End of Tour
After breakfast our tour finishes and we bid farewell to our new
found friends. 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. If you would like us
to arrange your onward travel from Kusadasi or return bus/flight
ticket to Istanbul we can do this for you.
Meals:
Breakfast
Tour Includes:
Arrival Airport Transfers
Arrival airport transfers are free for customers arriving at Ataturk
International Airport between 6am on the 21st April and
midnight on the 22nd April.
For customers arriving at Sabiha Gokcen - SAW on Easyjet
flights on the 21st April from London then we are able to
provide an arrival transfer from this airport for £15 per person.
This airport is located a significant distance from the Istanbul
city center therefore we have to charge customers for this service.
If arriving at Ataturk International Airport outside of the above
times then please contact us at time of booking to discuss your
arrival transfer requirements. In addition if arriving at
Sabiha Gokcen on airlines other than Easy Jet then also contact us
to discuss your requirements.
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 otherwise we
cannot guarantee that a transfer will be available.
The check in time at your hotel on day of arrival is 12 noon
so if arriving earlier than this time please be aware that you will
not be able to check in immediately when getting to the hotel but
luggage storage is available and you can relax in the hotel lobby.
Accommodation: 2 X Night Istanbul (3 Star), 3 X Night Edremit (4
Star), 2 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
Ephesus Tour (including Virgin Mary’s House and Temple of Artemis)
Anzac Day Memorial Services
Tour Excludes:
Meals unless stated
Drinks
Flight Tickets
Personal Expenses
Tips for Guides and Drivers
Important Information:
If you wish to arrive in Istanbul earlier than the
21st
then Samyeli Travel can arrange accommodation for
you. The cost of this is £18 for a double or
£24 for a single room and please indicate this when
making your booking under the ‘Optional Activities’
section.
Optional Activities that may be of interest with
this tour:
1. Bosphorus Boat Cruise
(Includes one free beer): £20.00 (22nd
April start 2:30pm)
2. Turkish Gala Evening (Includes meal and one
free drink): £20.00 (22nd April
start 7:30pm)
3. Turkish Bath (Kusadasi): £15.00 (26th April)
Time availability for optional activities may depend
on your arrival and departure times. Please
check at time of booking that you have sufficient
time available.
If you are travelling alone and would prefer to pay
the double rate then we can match you up with
someone of the same gender to share a twin/twin
room.
General Travel Information:
When booking an Anzac tour it is important to ensure
that your tour operator is a member of TURSAB which
is the Turkish regulatory body of tourist
activities. It is illegal for non-members to
operate tours in Turkey without a TURSAB license and
membership number. Samyeli Travel is a member
of TURSAB (License No:1714).
Notice:
Before you book with any agency, it is most
important that you check all the details of the
services offered. Low budget offers usually don't
cover many services, such as: entrance fees,
standard of the coaches, accommodation in Gallipoli,
professional lecture about Gallipoli, private
security, professional guide (not an escort
or offsider), references of the agency and
background.
Australian Govt. Announcement access Gallipoli ANZAC
Day 2009 The Australian Dept of Veteran Affairs is
making special arrangements for those with special
needs in an effort to assist aged and infirm
visitors.
Read more about this at:
http://www.dva.gov.au/commem/anzac/gallipoli01.htm#assistance
Also note from their website : "Travel by passenger
car to these services is not allowed and on
completion of the Dawn Service, official coaches
will depart before public coach departures to meet
Turkish protocol requirements."
Please,
Read the notice from Australian Embassy
:
A brief
warning from the Australian Embassy web site:
"Accommodation in the Gallipoli area, particularly
for the night of 24 April, is very heavily booked
well in advance of ANZAC Day. Intending travellers
will need to make bookings as early as possible to
secure accommodation.