Anzac Day Special – Option D

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for a guided tour of some of the best sites of Istanbul, the city where east meets west. Originally founded as Byzantium, then known as Constantinople after Constantine the Great, Istanbul is home to many fascinating sites. The first stop on your tour is Topkapi Palace, once the main residence of the Ottoman Sultans and now a fascinating museum. Next, a visit to the incredible St. Sophia. Originally built in 537ad, this marvel of engineering is famed for the giant dome – an incredible feat for the time period. Later, visit Blue Mosque and finally have a visit to the Grand Bazaar – one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. For centuries this marketplace has been the centre of trade in the city which has been a confluence of many civilisations. With over 60 streets and 4000 shops, there is a bargain to be found for everyone here.

Tonight optional dinner with belly dancing.

After breakfast depart Istanbul for a special day for New Zealand and Australian travellers with the beginning of your Gallipoli experience. On arrival, visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery and Chunuk Bair, places sacred to the psyche of New Zealanders.

The doomed assault on Gallipoli by New Zealand and Australian forces, in their own contingents for the first time in foreign service, is considered by many to have been the birth of national consciousness for these two countries. For the Turks, then part of the Ottoman Empire, the hard-fought victory is regarded as the defining moment in the birth of the Turkish nation, with independence following just 8 years later.

The mutual respect earned and shown by all three countries has ensured a firm and lasting friendship between these nations.

Toward the end of the day, cross the Dardanelles for dinner and overnight at your hotel.

The ancient history of this region is brought to life after breakfast this morning as you step into the pages of history with a visit to Troy. This famed city was the scene of heroic deeds from such legends as Achilles, Paris, Ulysses, Priam, and the incomparably beautiful Helen – “the face that launched a thousand ships.” Immortalised by Homer in his epic The Iliad, Troy was thought to be entirely fictitious until it was discovered by pioneering archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann in the 1870’s. The replica wooden horse adds further depth to the experience.

Late this evening depart for the Gallipoli Peninsula to secure your spot for the Dawn Service.

The itinerary is very much subject to the final timings at the Gallipoli Peninsula. You will be updated on Tuesday 23 April as to your programme for today.

Note: There is no accommodation tonight. Entertainment and activities are provided to entertain the crowd throughout the night in the lead up to dawn. It is strongly advised to prepare for all weather possibilities as you spend the night in an open air environment and it can become cold.

A reminder to ensure you have Turkish cash for any extras prior to your departure.

A special day for all today as the all-night activities build toward the moving remembrance ceremonies commemorating all those who sacrificed so much.

April 25th marks the day that thousands of young soldiers stormed the beaches of the Gallipoli Peninsula in a heroic yet doomed attempt to control the sea route from Europe to Russia. By the conclusion of the campaign more than 130,000 men had died, including close to a sixth of all New Zealanders who had landed on the peninsula.

Winston Churchill, then the First Lord of the Admiralty who had championed the campaign, was removed from his post and enlisted as an infantry officer on the front lines of the Western Front. Although haunted by the failed Gallipoli campaign for decades, when he took office during the Second World War he wrote: “All my past life had been a preparation for this hour and for this trial.” That included his Gallipoli failure.

Attendance at the New Zealand service at Chunuk Bair will follow other commemorations and, for many New Zealanders, is an unforgettable culmination of this pilgrimage of respect for those who gave so much.

A simple boxed breakfast is included today.

At the conclusion of the days activities you will be transported back to Istanbul.

Notes on the Anzac Commemorations: 
Today’s itinerary is very much subject to the final timings at the Gallipoli Peninsula. You will be updated on 23 April as to your programme for today.

There is no accommodation tonight. A reminder to ensure you have Turkish cash for any extras prior to your departure. We suggest you carry your passport at all times on this day for security reasons. A simple boxed breakfast is included today for tomorrow’s breakfast

You will pass through various security measures before attending the official ANZAC commemorations. Please bring water bottle, snacks, sun hat and sunscreen, and also cold weather gear for the open-air overnight. Please prepare to be patient during the security procedures.

There is at least a 7km walk to Chunuk Bair from the Main Dawn Service to the New Zealand Commemorations.

Your ANZAC experience ends after breakfast with a departure transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

• A/C transportation
• Accommodation in listed first class hotels (or similar)
• Meals & sightseeing as per itinerary – daily breakfast and 2 dinners
• Professional English-speaking guides
• Local taxes and charges
• Turkey Travel Notes – issued by Innovative Travel

• Departure & airport taxes
• Visa fees
• Personal insurance
• Tips & personal expenses
• Optional tours
• Any service not clearly mentioned in the programme

Transfers

Airport transfers are only included on days of the tour ex Istanbul Ataturk (IST) Airport – a surcharge will apply for transfers to/from Sabiha Gocken (SAW) airport.
If you are arriving or departing Istanbul on any days other than the arrival and departure days of the tour transfers will not be included in the price of the coach tour.

Porterage for one suitcase is included in the tour price. Due to limited coach capacity the single bag should not exceed the dimensions of 30”x18”x10” and not weigh more than 50lbs (23kg). A charge of US $4 per travelling day is collected by the tour director for each additional piece of baggage or if the suitcase exceeds established weight and/or dimension limitations.

On the night prior to the Dawn Service the time for departure will be confirmed when you are in Istanbul. Please ensure you take a hat, gloves, warm socks, scarf, warm coat etc as it will be cold on the Peninsula. It is also advisable to take a torch, rug, notebook, and energy snacks for the day. It is advisable to take a lightweight day pack to take food boxes, water bottle, snacks etc – so don’t forget these! Due to security measures there will be a long walk to the dawn service so please ensure you have good walking shoes. Toilet facilities on the Peninsula will be basic (port-a-loo style).

**DOUBLE BEDS**
Please note we have requested a double bedded room but cannot guarantee one will be available. In Turkey double rooms are very limited. Please ask on check-in with the hotel to see what is available.

Rooms on the tour are run-of-house and room sizes/styles may vary.
The hotel selection may change – please use this as a guideline only.