Tour Itinerary
Day 1: 20 April - Istanbul
Welcome to Istanbul, an exotic city brimming with fine monuments and artefacts of the Byzantine and Ottoman era. On arrival at Istanbul Ataturk airport today you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend the morning exploring the many strange and beautiful attractions of one of the truly magnificent cities of the world, the only city on earth that embraces two continents - both Europe and Asia. You may wish to visit the Egyptian Bazaar, a historical world-famous shopping centre from the 17th century selling different kind of spices and healing herbs. At 1pm this afternoon we have included a cruise on the Bosphorus, the winding strait that separates Europe and Asia. Its shores offer a delightful mixture of past and present, grand splendour and simple beauty. Modern hotels stand next to shore front wooden villas, marble palaces abut rustic stone fortresses, and elegant compounds neighbour small fishing villages. Early this evening join your fellow travellers for an information night and introduction by our expert Australian War Historian.
Your central Istanbul hotel: Nippon Hotel
Day 2: 21 April - Istanbul
Like a long lost kingdom, Istanbul is waiting to be discovered again. A day of sightseeing is planned today including visits to the Blue Mosque, one of the world’s greatest religious sites; the Byzantine Hippodrome, known as Sultanahmet Square and the nearby Yerabatan Cisterns. Built in the fourth century, these underground cisterns riddle the foundations of the city. They have been extensively excavated and renovated and are worth exploring. We also visit St Sophia’s Basilica. Dating back over 1,000 years, this former cathedral is one of the classic sights of Istanbul. Another highlight of the day will be your fascinating tour through one of the most important historical sites in Istanbul, Topkapi Palace - formerly the Sultan’s Palace and home to the treasures of the Ottoman Empire.
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Day 3: 22 April - Gallipoli
We depart Istanbul at 8am for the five hour drive to the Gallipoli Peninsula. After time at leisure for lunch in Gelibolu (Gallipoli town) we journey to the remote tip of the Gallipoli peninsula. This is Cape Helles where you will discover some of the most important memorials and sites on the whole peninsula. Here, at the most south-easterly corner of Europe, is the British Commonwealth’s main monument to the whole Gallipoli campaign – the Helles Memorial. All Australian & New Zealand units which fought on the peninsula between April and December 1915 are commemorated here. On the outside walls of the memorial, along with thousands of other Allied servicemen, are the names of hundreds of Australian and New Zealand infantrymen who died in battle on this, the Helles Front, and ‘have no known grave’. Theirs is a forgotten story of the ANZAC struggle at Gallipoli. From the heights of the spectacular Turkish Memorial – the Çanakkale Martyrs Memorial – we view the mouth of the Straits of the Dardanelles, that great waterway which was the primary Allied objective of the Gallipoli campaign. We then catch the ferry across the Dardanelles to Canakkale. We stay here for the next four nights so we can have a full, uninterrupted day on the Gallipoli Peninsula tomorrow. This will allow us to properly immerse ourselves into the conflict and tragedy that evolved over 90 years ago, before the enormous crowds descend on the peninsula.
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Your Gallipoli Hotel: Truva Hotel, Canakkale
Day 4: 23 April - Gallipoli
A full day is planned. The peninsula today 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. Today you will spend time at the Anzac Commemorative site, Anzac Cove, Shrapnel Valley and Beach Cemetery - home to one of Australia's most legendary soldiers, Private John Simpson. We also visit the Kabatepe War Museum with its collection of war relics. This afternoon spend time at the Anzac Memorials at Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, Walker’s Ridge, the Nek and the surrounding trenches. The presence of our War Historians will make this a very special day! A buffet lunch has been included.
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Day 5: 24 April - Gallipoli
Your day begins with a visit to Cimenlik Castle, built to protect the Narrows of the Dardenelles by the Ottoman Sultan in 1462 and now home to a Turkish war museum. On 18 March 1915, this fort was one of a number of heavy gun batteries which engaged Allied warships in the straits. Beside the fort is the Turkish navy's minelayer, Nusrat, whose undetected activities led to the crippling of three Allied warships on 18 March. The failure of this naval attempt to get through the Dardanelles led to the landing on Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. We have also included an excursion to the ancient city of Troy, site of the mythological battle Homer immortalized in The Illiad, which dates back to 3,000 BC. Your afternoon is at leisure in Canakkale re-charging your batteries ready for the early Commemorations tomorrow.
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Day 6: 25 April - Gallipoli - ANZAC Day
Departure from your hotel is scheduled before midnight to ensure we arrive at the Anzac Commemorative site in ample time for the Dawn Service at 5.30am (and to allow for road closures and traffic hold-ups caused by the huge numbers making their way to North Beach to be a part of the ANZAC Commemorations). As the dawn breaks, witness the truly international gathering of people who have travelled across the globe to help commemorate the tragic events of the 25th April 1915. Following the Dawn Service you will have a choice of attending either the Australian or New Zealand National Services at Lone Pine or Chunuk Bair. Later we re-cross the Dardanelles and return to your hotel for dinner and a welcome rest. A breakfast pack has been included today.
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Day 7: 26 April - Istanbul
We retrace our steps back to Istanbul. Your afternoon is spent in the 65 winding, covered streets of the world famous Grand Bazaar. Tonight we dine out in a traditional local restaurant to enjoy a farewell dinner of authentic Turkish food.
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Your central Istanbul hotel: Nippon Hotel
Day 8: 27 April - Istanbul
Sadly your tour ends this morning after breakfast. We have included transfers to Istanbul Ataturk airport today.
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Why not join us after this tour on our All Quiet on the Western Front Tour as we retrace the steps of the diggers through the Somme and Flanders.
