Gallipoli 2015 Luxury Bus Tour 15 days

Discover the wonders of central and western Turkey. From her vibrant modern cities to desolate volcanic landscapes, sparkling blue coastal coves, Roman ruins and historic battlefields. This luxury tour begins in Istanbul, the gateway to two continents where east meets west. Walk to an Ottoman fort, visit the renowned Hagia Sophia, cruise the Bosphorus and explore massive Topkapi Palace. In central Turkey, discover the volcanic landscape of Cappadocia. This curious and captivating vista has been steadily carved by nature and human inhabitants for millions of years. Your visit includes Goreme Open Air Museum and Derinkuyu, the largest of 36 underground cities. Day walks explore villages, canyons and hidden valleys. Hot Air Ballooning over the fairy-tale Cappadocia panorama for a birds’ eye view. Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire is the final destination before proceeding to Gallipoli for the Dawn Service and 100th anniversary commemorations. Tour Highlights • • • • • • •

Professional Tour Guides, especially trained in History and Battlefield Tours Business class coach comfort – max 30 seats, wi-fi, in-flight entertainment, business class seats 5 star accommodation on entire trip A rich variety of touring options to choose from: cruise, luxury or premium land tours Land excursions handled by our very own company in Turkey Visit to world famous sites and cities: Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamum, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Konya, Cappadocia, Ankara, Bursa, Dawn Service Staying in a luxury cave hotel

Guidepost 27042012

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Attending Dawn Service at Anzac Cove “on land” (subject to governmental approval) Proven record of “Turkey Tour Specialists” in Australia over a decade Complimentary “100 Years Gallipoli Memorabilia Medal” to every participant, something to keep for life and pass onto grandchildren Flights to and from with privately chartered aircrafts, best rates on all classes Complimentary limousine airport transfers in Australia and Turkey for all business and first class air travel Early bird booking benefits; one book from each expert collectively and a $250 voucher for use towards a trip with Fairy Chimneys Travel, worth $500 Complimentary hot air balloon in Cappadocia

Istanbul Day 1 Sunday 12 April, 2015 dinner On arrival into Istanbul, we will be met by the tour operator and transferred to our central hotel. This evening, we will meet our tour leader and the remainder of the group in the lobby of the hotel at 6:00pm for a tour briefing followed by a welcome dinner. Istanbul, historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople, is the largest city of Turkey and is located in northwestern Turkey within the Marmara Region. During its long history, Istanbul has served as the capital of the Roman Empire (330-395), the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire (395-1204 and 1261-1453), the Latin Empire (1204-1261), and the Ottoman Empire (1453-1922). Istanbul was one of the major centres of the Art Nouveau movement in the late-19th and early-20th centuries, with famous architects of this style building palaces and mansions in the city reflecting the various peoples and empires that have ruled its predecessors. Overnight in Istanbul.

Istanbul City Tour Day 2 Monday 13 April, 2015 breakfast & dinner A full day tour to explore exciting Istanbul with your guide. This fascinating destination is the only city on earth to bridge both Europe and Asia, becoming the third and last Capital of the Ottomans. You will visit the Blue Mosque, renowned for its six minarets and the beautiful Iznik tiles whose dominant shade of blue gives the mosque its name. The World Heritage Hagia Sophia site - built in 537CE and an architectural marvel to this day. Hagia Sophia was built as a basilica, converted to a

mosque and is now a museum. The nearby Hippodrome was where political, cultural, and sports activities took place during Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman times. The day ends with a visit to Topkapi Palace and the amazing Grand Bazaar where there over 4000 shops to confuse and delight you. Overnight in Istanbul.

Bosphorus Cruise Day 3 Tuesday 14 April, 2015 breakfast, lunch & dinner No stay in Istanbul would be complete without visiting the Spice Market or taking an unforgettable Bosphorus Cruise. The Bosphorus Strait is 32 km (20-mi) long and joins the Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea in Istanbul, separating the continents of Europe and Asia. It has been a waterway of great importance since ancient times. The English name is derived from Greek legend:?Zeus had an affair with a beautiful women, named Io. When Hera, his wife, discovered his infidelity, she turned Io into a cow and created a horsefly to sting her on the rump. Io jumped clear across the strait. Thus bous = cow, and poros = crossing-place: Bosphorus = 'crossing-place of the cow.' This afternoon, a seminar is planned at your hotel where the tour leader and Gallipoli Experts will be presenting to the group on the subject of Gallipoli. Overnight in Istanbul.

Gallipoli Day 4 Wednesday 15 April, 2015 breakfast, lunch & dinner Leaving remarkable Istanbul behind, your tour travels via luxury coach to Gallipoli. Today the tour spends the afternoon visiting Gallipoli Battlefields ahead of the big Anzac Day crowds. You will return to Anzac Cove for the centenary Dawn Service, but leave the area today by crossing the Dardanelles to reach your hotel in Canakkale. Overnight in Canakkale.

Troy, Pergamum Day 5 Thursday 16 April, 2015 breakfast, lunch & dinner This morning the tour visits Troy and makes a stop in Pergamum. Pergamum was an ancient Greek city that became the capital of the Kingdom of Pergamon during the Hellenistic period, during the Attalid dynasty, 281-133 BCE. You will visit Acropolis, Sanctuary of Asclepius and the Serapis Temple in this magnificent ancient city before continuing south to Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Ephesus, Kusadasi Day 6 Friday 17 April, 2015 breakfast, lunch & dinner Today the tour takes an opportunity to visit Ephesus. This important city of antiquity was visited by St Paul. You will enjoy a 2 hour walking tour of Ephesus, viewing some of the world's best preserved highlights such as Celsius Library, Agora, Amphitheatre, Curettes Road and various temples of the ancient era. Your luxury coach drives up the mountain for a visit to the House of Virgin Mary and the tour spends this afternoon in the most peaceful little village of Sirince. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Pamukkale, Hierapolis Day 7 Saturday 18 April, 2015 breakfast, lunch & dinner

Through beautiful countryside, you coach tours to Pamukkale, a unique natural site. Visit the 'Cotton Castle' formation where hot waters, leaving their limestone deposits, have created a surreal landscape of petrified waterfalls and basins. Hierapolis is an ancient Roman health spa whose well preserved necropolis is one of the largest in the ancient world. Pamukkale is a UNESCO World Heritage listed site. The Aegean coast of Turkey is an important Christian pilgrimage area. St John, St Paul, Mother Mary and St Philip all visited here. Indeed, seven churches in

the Book of Revelations (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea ) are located in Turkey's Aegean region. Visit Aphrodisias before reaching Pamukkale. Overnight in Pamukkale.

Konya Day 8 Sunday 19 April, 2015 breakfast, lunch & dinner Leaving Pamukkale the tour continues to Konya, home of Mevlana and the renowned whirling dervishes. Konya was the capital of the Suljuks, very spiritual people who occupied the area before the Ottomans. Your visit in Konya will include The Mevlana Mausoleum, Karatay Museum, and Iplikci Medrese. Overnight in Konya.

Sultanhan, Cappadocia Day 9 Monday 20 April, 2015 breakfast, lunch & dinner Departing early for Cappadocia where en route the tour first visits Sultanhan Caravanserai. In ancient times, these structures were used as 'camel stops' or 'motels' along the infamous Silk Road. Your tour takes in Ihlara Canyon, visiting Belisirma Village and other magical places in Cappadocia. Your accommodation here is a very special Cave Resort, overlooking into the best panorama in the region. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Cappadocia, Goreme Day 10 Tuesday 21 April, 2015 breakfast, lunch & dinner Complimentary balloon flight over the fairy chimneys in a hot air balloon, now officially in the list of 100 things you should do before you die. This morning your luxury coach tours the local valleys and the group explores this magnificent region on an easy walk, setting out in Red Valley and ending in the ancient rock village of Cavusin. After lunch a complementary presentation on Turkish rugs and pottery will help familiarise you with some traditional handcrafts. This afternoon there is the chance to visit the Goreme Open Air Museum. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Ankara Day 11 Wednesday 22 April, 2015 breakfast, lunch & dinner A leisurely drive from Cappadocia is Turkey's modern capital, Ankara. As of 2010, this is Turkey's second largest city with a population of 4.5 million. Centrally located, it is an important commercial and industrial city which is also the centre of Turkish Government. Ankara is famous for the Angora goat, Angora cat and Angora wool. It is a very old city with unique Hittite, Phrygian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman archaeological sites. Your tour visits the famous Anatolian Civilisations Museum upon arrival. The museum is situated at the entrance of Ankara Castle, an old 'bedesten' (covered bazaar) that has been beautifully restored. Today it houses a unique collection of Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Hatti, Hittite, Phrygian, Urartian, and Roman works, as well as a major section dedicated to Lydian treasures. Next is Anitkabir, where the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Republic of Turkey,

stands. Completed in 1953, it is an impressive building that has ancient and modern architectural style. An outstanding exhibit of photographs recording key moments in Ataturk's establishment of modern Turkey is displayed. A great way to see and understand Gallipoli from 'the Turkish Side'. Overnight in Ankara.

Gordium Day 12 Thursday 23 April, 2015 breakfast, lunch & dinner Leaving Ankara behind, the tour continues to Bursa, first capital city of The Ottomans. En route, you will visit Gordium. This site was excavated by Gustav and Alfred Körte in 1900 and later by the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. The site continues to be explored under the auspices of the University of Pennsylvania Museum with an international team. Gordium lies where the ancient road between Lydia and Assyria/Babylonia crossed the Sangarius river. We arrive in Bursa by late afternoon. Overnight in Bursa.

Bursa Day 13 Friday 24 April, 2015 breakfast, lunch & dinner Ahead of Anzac Day, today is mostly relaxation. A half day Bursa city tour take you into the early settlement years of the Ottoman Empire. Bursa was chosen as the capital to the newly established empire and the tour visits The Green Complex, Kozahan before returning to your hotel for rest. Guests should take as much rest as possible before an early dinner. The tour departs at 9:00pm for approx 4 hours driving to reach Anzac Cove.

Anzac Day at Gallipoli Day 14 Saturday 25 April, 2015 breakfast, lunch & dinner Legend has it the birth of nation occurred on this date. At 4:30am, 100 years ago the ANZACs landed at Gallipoli to create a defining moment in Australian history. Today you will participate in the Dawn and Lone Pine ceremonies to remember those valiantly spent young lives. The planning of this very important day has yet to be finalised by the Australian and Turkish governments. All confirmed tour members will be advised promptly as and when specific details come to hand. At this close of this highly emotive day, your bus will depart for overnight port in Istanbul.

Depart from Istanbul Day 15 Sunday 26 April, 2015 breakfast It is time to bid a fond farewell to friends and fellow travellers. Our departure is planned to coincide with other tour departures, for those joining a land tour or on-travelling to other destinations. What's included • • • • • •

14 nights accommodation Meals as per itinerary Business class coach Day tours as per itinerary Entry fees to all museums in the itinerary National Park entry & guiding fees

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Complimentary balloon flight in Cappadocia Arrival & Departure airport transfers (Meet & Greet) Professional local guides

Not included • • • • •

International Airfares Travel Insurance Single room surcharge Meals and beverages where not mentioned Personal expenses eg: tips inclusive guide/driver, drinks - incl water, laundry, telephone or optional excursions/tours

Luxury Coaches The ultimate in luxury coach travel. Hotels Istanbul

Ciragan Palace Kempinski

Canakkale Kolin Hotel Kusadasi Charisma De Luxe Hotel Pamukkale Colossae Thermal Hotel Konya Dedeman Konya Hotel and Convention Cappadocia CCR Hotel Deluxe Cave Hotel Ankara Swissotel Ankara Bursa

Almira Hotel

Tour Departures Early Bird - booked and paid in full by 3rd March 2013 Regular - A deposit of A$1000 is payable to confirm your booking. - Deposits become non-refundable from 3 Mar 2013.

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Price

Single Availability Supp

Early Bird 12 Apr 15 26 Apr 15 $7,145 $1,430 Limited Regular 12 Apr 15 26 Apr 15 $7,945 $1,430 Limited We'll take care of everything We'll probably get you the best rates on flights. You can also book pre & post tours and accommodation, airport transfers and travel insurance. We can also advise you on visa information. If you're not sure about which trip is best for you then talk to our friendly travel agents. Creating your ultimate Turkey travel experience is our passion.

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