Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Istanbul
You will be met at Istanbul airport and transferred to your hotel. This evening join your fellow travelling companions and Turkish Guide for a traditional Turkish kebab dinner in a local restaurant.
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Your Istanbul Hotel – Senator Hotel
The Hotel Best Western Senator is located at the historical peninsula of Sehzadebasi and is located within walking distance of the major sites.
Day 2: Istanbul
Straddling 2 continents – Europe and Asia – Istanbul dates back thousands of years and its grand monuments bear testament to ancient empires and the Byzantine and Ottoman eras. Your day of sightseeing will include a visit to one of the world’s great religious sites - the magnificent Blue Mosque and the Byzantine Hippodrome, known as Sultanahmet Square. We also visit St Sophia’s Basilica. Dating back over 1,000 years, this former cathedral is one of the classic sights of Istanbul. The highlight of your day will be a tour of Topkapi Palace (formerly the Sultan’s Palace), home to the treasures of the Ottoman Empire. Your tour of Istanbul would not be complete without the exotic experience of having Turkish Tea at the Caferaga Medresesi (originally a 16th century Ottoman school of culture, paintings and ceramics). Here you will be able to sample varieties of Turkish coffee, traditional apple tea and, if you wish, try a ‘Shisha’ (waterpipe). Your evening is at leisure.
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Day 3: Gallipoli
Departing Istanbul we drive south west to the Gallipoli peninsula and catch a ferry across the Dardanelles to spend the afternoon in the vibrant town of Canakkale. You will visit Cimenlik Castle which Sultan Memhet II built in 1452. The fort today contains a fascinating military museum and beside it is the Turkish navy's minelayer, Nusrat, whose undetected mine laying activities led to the sinking of Allied warships in 1915. We then check into our central Canakkale hotel, where we stay the next three nights. This evening a local historian will meet with us and give an interesting overview of the Gallipoli Campaign from the Turkish perspective.
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Your Canakkale Hotel – The Truva Hotel
Ideally located on the Canakkale town foreshore, the superior tourist class Truva Hotel has a large shady outside café terrace overlooking the narrows of the Dardanelles.
Day 4: Gallipoli
Our Gallipoli Campaign begins today. The peninsula is filled with cemeteries, a war museum and many memorials to the tragic events of 1915. As you enter this almost barren land, you can still sense the war and heartache that once dominated the landscape, breaking the silent air. Our expert guides have handled numerous special ANZAC Day commemorative tours and worked closely with our team of War Historians. Their intimate background knowledge separates fact from fiction and provides numerous fascinating insights into the lifestyle and living conditions of the infamous ‘ANZAC Diggers’. Our first visits will be to Anzac Cove and Beach Cemetery - home to one of Australia's most legendary soldiers, Private John Simpson. We will then trace the steps of the ANZACs up into the rugged hills to visit the ANZAC Memorials at Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair. Amongst the numerous sights also visited will be Shrapnel Valley, Walker’s Ridge, the Nek and the surrounding trenches. Our last stop on the Gallipoli Peninsula will be the Kabatepe War Museum with its absorbing collection of war relics and memorabilia. We have included lunch at a nearby hotel.
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Day 5: Gallipoli
A special day has been planned. Departing early we will cross the Dardanelles and gather under the early morning sun for a private wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the tragic events of 25th April 1915. Each member of our small group will be welcome to say a few words and express their thoughts. It will be your own personal tribute. Maybe a simple ‘thanks’, a personal poem or a minute of silence. The choice is entirely yours. Mid morning we will return to our hotel for a late breakfast and then visit the nearby ruins of the ancient city of Troy, the site of the mythological battle Homer immortalized in his Illiad. Archaeologists have proved that there had been nine separate periods of settlement here dating back to 3,000 BC. A late lunch has been included in a traditional local restaurant where you will be able to taste the different and delicious flavours of Turkish regional cuisine. This afternoon we will also visit the fascinating Archaeological Museum, with numerous antique pieces and artefacts from Troy and Pergamum.
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Day 6: Kusadasi
Travelling south down the mountainous coastline of Turkey our first stop will be at the ancient Acropolis of Pergamum, famous for its wealth of archaeological ruins where, from the Temple of Trajan, you will take in the stunning views of the surrounding countryside. We then continue down the West Coast to the popular port of Kusadasi, in ancient times a resort town for the wealthy citizens of Ephesus.
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Your Kusadasi Hotel – Hotel Tatlises
Located near the city centre, this comfortable hotel has a resort feel with its large outdoor pool area.
Day 7: Kusadasi
The highlight of today will be a visit to one of the ancient wonders of the world, the inspiring ruins of Ephesus. Rated one of the world’s best archaeological sites, you will walk along the 2,000 year old marble streets, visit the Temple of Hadrian and the famous Library of Celsus. We also visit the nearby House of the Virgin Mary, nestled high in the hills overlooking the city of Ephesus. The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure in the old town of Kusadasi.
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Day 8: Pamukkale
Heading past Aydin we reach Aphrodisias, one of Turkey's most important archaeological discoveries of recent decades. These marvellous ruins rival Ephesus and include the Temple of Aphrodite with its dazzling white marble and a vast, virtually intact amphitheatre. Later we drive to the petrified white lime cascades of Pamukkale. At nearby Hierapolis we will see the ancient theatre and take a fascinating stroll through the tombs of the Necropolis. Before dinner take time to relax in the thermal pool or spa at your hotel.
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Your Pamukkale Hotel - Hotel Tripolis Thermal
Tripolis Thermal Hotel is located in Pamukkale. It has comfortable rooms, an indoor and outdoor pool, Turkish bath and spa.
Day 9: Antalya
This morning we drive through the Taurus Mountains to arrive at Antalya on the Turquoise Coast in the early afternoon. Here we visit the renowned Archaeological Museum before checking into our hotel where we stay the next two nights. The rest of your afternoon is free in this delightful old historic town with its narrow, cobbled streets, bars, cafes and shops.
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Your Antalya Hotel – Best Western Khan Hotel
Located in the heart of Antalya's city centre, the Best Western Khan Hotel is within easy walking distance of the Old Town and Marina.
Day 10: Antalya
Today we will visit Perge, one of the most important cities in the ancient region of Pamphylia, and once credited as being one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Here we visit the stadium, Hellenstic gateway and Agora. Later we continue to the Roman hilltop city of Aspendos which has the best preserved Roman amphitheatre in Turkey. On the way back to Antalya we will make a last stop at the Duden Waterfalls to see the gentle river cascade off a cliff directly into the Mediterranean Sea. The remainder of your afternoon is free in delightful Antalya.
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Day 11: Konya
We drive to Konya and arrive early afternoon. Known as Iconium in Hellenistic and Roman times, Konya became the capital of the Seljuks, the first Turkish kingdom of Anatolia. We have included a visit to the greatly revered Mevlana’s Masoleum. This is the holiest shrine of the mystical Muslim sect of “whirling dervishes”.
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Your Konya Hotel – Hotel Özkaymak
Day 12: Cappadocia
Crossing the Anatolian Plain we stop en route to visit the Caravanserai Sultanhan on the Silk Road. Entering Cappadocia our first stop will be a visit to the Bronze Age ‘Pottery Village’of Avanos. Cappadocia is located south of Mount Erciyes, and is a volcanic region known for its curious 'fairy chimneys’, cones and strange rock formations that have been sculpted by wind and rain. Over many centuries people seeking shelter from the conquerors and marauding armies of the Central Anatolian Plateau settled here, burrowing whole subterranean towns. We will stay two nights in this remarkable place.
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Your Cappadocia Hotel - Dedeman Hotel
The Dedeman Hotel offers comfortable and well equipped accommodation, restaurants, bars, indoor and outdoor swimming pool, Turkish bath and gym.
Day 13: Cappadocia
Enjoy a full day touring the moon-like landscape of Cappadocia. The unique scenery of Goreme Valley (one of the oldest settlements of the region) with the rock chapels, carved by early Christians, is an unforgettable experience. We see Uchisar Castle and later we visit the ‘underground city’ of Kaymakli. It is thought that the Hittites originally constructed this city over 3,000 years ago. These chambers were later expanded into an extensive troglodytic complex by Christians escaping the Arab invasions of the 7th and 8th centuries.
During your time here you can take the exciting opportunity to go hot air ballooning across the dramatic Cappadocian ‘moonscape’countryside. Please note this flight is NOT included. It is optional. Whilst Albatross Travel always endeavours to include all excursions up front and we are firmly against hidden touring extras, we feel riding in a hot air balloon is a very personal decision and cannot be included in your tour price. Thank you for your understanding.
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Day 14: Ankara
Travelling north-west we arrive in Ankara, Turkey’s capital and second largest city. Our first stop will be the fascinating Museum of Anatolian Civilisations (The Hittite Museum) with its display of treasures and artefacts from the Assyrian trade colonies, the mighty Hittite Empire, and the Phyrgian and Urartu civilisations. We also visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk. This magnificent tomb is in memory of Kemal Ataturk, commander of the Army for National Independence and the founder of the modern Republic of Turkey. You will be absorbed by the fascinating, life size depiction of life in the trenches, from the Turkish perspective, during the Gallipoli War.
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Your Ankara Hotel - Radisson SAS Hotel
Radisson SAS Hotel is located in the heart of the city and benefits from great city views of the well-known theme park, Ataturk's Mausoleum (he died in Istanbul in Dolmabahce Palace) and Ankara Castle.
Day 15: Istanbul
On arrival back in Istanbul we will visit the famous Grand Bazaar, a maze of 65 winding, covered streets and arguably the most famous ‘covered market’ in the world. In its 4,000 shops you’ll find Turkish carpets, glazed tiles and pottery, copper and brassware, leather clothes and many other treasures. Tonight we have included a farewell dinner in a local restaurant.
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Your Istanbul Hotel - Senator Hotel
Day 16: Istanbul
Sadly your tour finishes this morning after breakfast with a transfer to the airport.
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The Albatross Travel Difference
When Australians and New Zealanders think of travelling to Turkey there are three essential ‘must see’ elements that come to mind - Istanbul, Gallipoli and the amazing sights of regional Turkey. With Albatross Travel you will see them all properly.
Would it surprise you to know that most mainstream scheduled Turkey tours you come across are sold worldwide to people from many nations with little or no understanding or concept of the ANZACs and the significance of the Gallipoli campaign. As such, those ‘general’ tours barely touch on the peninsula and may have only one or perhaps two hours of possible commemorative sightseeing. Is that enough for you?
Albatross Travel design and control all aspects of our own tours. We operate them solely for Australian and New Zealand travellers. With Albatross Travel you spend three nights in the Gallipoli region and enjoy a full, uninterrupted day sensitively exploring the sites. In addition we have our own private commemoration and, by having visited Troy on one of these days, we also make the day travelling via Pergamum to Kusadasi so much easier.
That makes so much more sense!
It is all about planning a tour to achieve a careful balance of those elements you really want to see. It is unlikely you will travel back there so it is essential you ‘do it right’. Be it enjoying a Turkish Tea House, or having the genuine time to reflect on the sorrow and heartache at Gallipoli.
Albatross Travel delivers a fuller and more rewarding experience.
