BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 1 Istanbul, 21 April 2006 (D)
Welcome to Istanbul, the only city in the world connecting two continents: Asia and Europe. Meet our reps at the airport for the complimentary shuttle transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon our tour leader will brief us about the next days of our journey. In the evening we’ll join the “Anzac Welcome Dinner” and get to know our travel mates.

Day 2 Istanbul (B)
After breakfast we will start to discover the magnificent sights of Istanbul including the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia Museum. Today we’ll also join the Bosphorus cruise and spend memorable hours on the fascinating strait between Asia and Europe.

Day 3 Istanbul, Gallipoli, Ayvalik (B, D)
In the morning we will depart Istanbul for Gallipoli to visit all the important memorial sites in the region without the crowds ! Our guide will take us to Kabatepe War Museum, Anzac Cove, Chunuk Bair, Lone Pine and tell us all the stories about the legendary campaign. In the afternoon we’ll depart for Ayvalik, the charming Aegean sea resort. After refreshing ourselves in our 4 star hotel, we’ll join the “Anzac Eve Barbecue” in the evening.

Day 4 Ayvalik, Troy, Gallipoli (B)
Today we’ll first visit Cunda Island in Ayvalik before heading our way to the ancient city of Troy. After discovering this interesting sight, we’ll depart for Eceabat, the closest town to Anzac Cove. After spending some time here, we’ll depart for Anzac Cove and spend the night there to prepare ourselves for an unforgettable Dawn Service experience and commemorate the 91st anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign.

Day 5 Dawn Service, Ceremonies, Selcuk (BP, LP, D)
Early in the morning we’ll attend the Dawn Service and the national ceremonies. After the ceremonies we’ll continue our way down to Selcuk.

Day 6 Selcuk, Ephesus, Pamukkale (B, D)
After breakfast we’ll discover the best preserved ancient city in Turkey : Ephesus. We’ll also visit the House of Virgin Mary before heading our way to Pamukkale famous for its unusual and beautiful landscape.

Day 7 Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Cappadocia (B, D)
Today we will first visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, which was the cure centre founded about 160 BC by the king of Pergamum. Our day will continue with the discovery of the magnificent white calcium formations of Pamukkale. Then we’ll drive to Cappadocia, the fantasy land of rock formations : chimneys, cones, needles, pillars and pyramids.

Day 8 Cappadocia (B, D)
Cappadocia was the heart of the Hittite Empire and it hosted Cimmerian, Persian, Macedonian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman civilizations. Today we will explore the natural and historical beauties of Cappadocia including the Goreme Open Air Museum, Pigeon Valley and Uchisar. We’ll also visit local handicraft manufacturers and learn about the traditional art.

Day 9 Cappadocia, Istanbul (B)
After breakfast we’ll explore the impressive “rock-cut” underground city in the region. Before noon we’ll depart for Istanbul and arrive there late in the evening.

Day 10 Istanbul, 30 April 2006 (B)
Our journey will end after breakfast. Today you can shop for souvenirs in Istanbul, visit the Ottoman palaces or world famous mosques...