Starts April 22nd and ends May 1st

Istanbul – Cannakale/Gallipoli – Troy - Ayvalik – Pergamum – Ephesus – Kusadasi –Samos(Greece) – Koycegiz – Fethiye - Pamukkale - Istanbul

Day 1
Merhaba and welcome to Turkey!  Your arrival transfer will take you to your hotel which is in close vicinity to some of Turkey’s most famous landmarks. Today you are free to explore Istanbul and we welcome you to visit our office in Sultanahmet to arrange optional Istanbul tour extras. Indulge in a Turkish bath (hamam), buy a Turkish rug, experience the hubble bubble pipe or make arrangements to explore the local cuisine or nightlife; our staff will advise you of the most authentic places in town. Overnight in Istanbul.
Tonight you have the option of attending the Turkish Cultural Extravaganza – with local cuisine, belly dancers and folk entertainment at a price that can’t be beaten. (If you would like to take this offer please let us know when booking or else contact us on the ground in Istanbul).

Day 2
After breakfast you will experience a fully guided tour of Istanbul’s most famous Ottoman landmarks – taking you to the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Underground Cistern.
Tonight you have the option of attending the Turkish Cultural Extravaganza – with local cuisine, belly dancers and folk entertainment or Turkish Hamam at a price that can’t be beaten. (If you would like to take this offer please let us know when booking or else contact us on the ground in Istanbul).

Day 3
Gunaydin. After breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel at 7am, when you will meet your guide, load your luggage onto the bus and head out of Istanbul. Travel via the scenic Marmara Coast
to Ecebat for lunch, followed by a fully guided tour of the Gallipoli Peninsular memorial sites, where you will have time to pay your respects as you visit Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, the Turkish Memorial Sites, the trenches, the battlefields, the ‘Neck’ and the ANZAC Museum.
We head back to Ecebat in the early evening and join with the other True Blue Tours for the ANZAC Eve BBQ. At 11pm we depart for ANZAC Cove. Your guide will be with you through the night, helping you to find the best vantage point in the expected 20,000 strong crowd as you sit and wait for daylight to break. Overnight - Anzac Cove.

Day 4
As daylight breaks, you will be awakened by the shrill of ‘last call’ and the commencement of the Dawn Service, an experience you will never forget. After the dawn service you will attend the national services at Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair. When the services have ended we say goodbye to Gallipoli and embark on the rest of our journey.
We continue to Troy where you will see the world famous Trojan Horse, with a fully guided tour of the ruins dating back to 3000 BC where the battle of Troy took place.
Next stop is Ayvalik known for its magnificent sandy beaches and the best fresh seafood in Turkey. You will fall in love with its winding streets and wooden houses. Visit the Devil’s Table (Seytan Sofrasi) to get the most spectacular view of Ayvalik bay and the Aegean sunset. Tonight we rest at our seafront resort in Ayvalik, with loads of cultural activities available to suit your taste. Overnight in Ayvalik.

Day 5
After our seaside breakfast, we have full day boat tour on Aegean Sea with Lunch included. Today is an unstructured day, giving you the opportunity to visit the many beaches.  There will be optional island tours available for those wanting to know and see more. Head back to Ayvalik in the early evening. Overnight in Ayvalik.

Day 6
Pergamum – the carpet capital of Turkey - is today’s first stop. Dating back to the prehistoric age, the city was ruled by Alexander the Great in 334 BC and by the end of the golden age became a Roman cultural centre on par with Alexandria. In Pergamum you will see the ruins of the Acropolis, the remnants of the open-air theatre, temple and altar dedicated to Zeus. In Pergamum you will also climb the world’s steepest open-air amphitheatre.
Having built up an appetite in Pergamum, we drive to Selcuk for a lunch of local pancakes called ‘gozleme’. Nearby there is an opportunity to take a look at cave of the 7-sleepers and Mother Mary’s Grotto.
This afternoon we journey to the ancient Roman city of Ephesus, where you will marvel at one of the best preserved historical sites in the world. Home of the first known public library and brothel (!), Ephesus was once home to philosophers, senators, gladiators, magicians, merchants and off course, immortals, we are sure you will agree that the ruins provide the visitor with an impressive view of life in ancient times. Ephesus was also the home of some of Christianity’s most significant figureheads, St John, St Paul and the Virgin Mary.  
Next stop is the sea side Aegean town of Kusadasi, famous among travellers for its nightlife and bars.
Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 7
After breakfast we catch the ferry to the beautiful Greek island of Samos. During ancient times, Samos was an important island that traded with the rest of Greece, the Persians and Phoenicians. According to Greek mythology, Hera - the goddess of fertility, Poseidon - god of the sea and
Dionysus - god of wine, were born in Samos and the ruins of temples built in their honour can still be seen. Also once a prominent intellectual centre, Samos is also the birthplace of mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras, who gave the world pythagoras theory in maths.
Because of its past, Samos has many places of interest and it is a very good idea to rent a car or scooter to explore the island for yourself. For those just wanting to relax and get into the local water sports – don’t forget your surfboard, as Samos boasts great surfing conditions, as well as options for snorkelling and fishing. The port of Vathi is the best place to find a cool bar or restaurant, so we recommend you take a look around.
In the evening we head back to Kusadasi for another night at Bar Street. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 8
Today we head to the picturesque village of Koycegiz, a popular place with tourists, staying at the Tango pension - which has become a favourite with Antipodeans and recently the winner of a Backpacker’s award.
In the afternoon you will be taken on a boat tour in the Dalyan – where the lake meets the sea. You will have the opportunity to swim at dusk and see the tombs of Caunos carved into the rock side, formerly bordering the ancient cities of Lycia and Caria, whose people were known for their yellowish skin.  You will also have the chance to experience the mud baths and hot springs - said to be a remedy for rheumatism as well as a cleanser for the skin. 
After a truly relaxing cruise, we head back to Tango for the bonfire and evening entertainment. Overnight in Koycegiz.

 Day 9
After breakfast drive trough countryside we arrive to Fethiye and visit the rock tombs to see how they have made eternal homes on the side of the high hills.Lunch is in Kayakoy which is the old Greek village deserted due to extradition. Next stop are the ‘white cotton castles’ of Pammukale - said to have existed for over 2,500 years.  Resembling a huge snow-covered mountain-side, your guide will take you on a tour of the basin like-travertines filled the ancient waters. Nearby you can visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, home to the biggest necropolis (graveyard) in front Asia, which became the final resting place of the thousands of aged pilgrims who moved the region over many centuries seeking a cure in the thermal waters. 
This evening we head back to Istanbul on the True Blue Tour 2004 version of the Orient Express! Travelling overnight with your guide and tour group, you will have a chance to have a few drinks in the bar before retiring to the sleeper car for a good night’s rest - arriving back in Istanbul the next morning. Overnight  Train – Sleeper Car.

Day 10
Today you will experience the Golden Horn of Istanbul on the farewell Bosphorus cruise. This fully guided tour will take you along some of the most spectacular waterways of Istanbul, where you will experience the awesome feeling of cruising between two continents – Europe and Asia.
This tour officially finishes at the end of the Bosphorus cruise. Though, we encourage you to check your luggage with the hotel concierge and spend the rest of the afternoon visiting the bustling Grand Bazaar True Blue Tour and Spice Bazaar True Blue Tour, for great shopping experience.

Why not spend a few more days on the Blue Cruise?

What you will see and experience

• Istanbul (+ optional Turkish Cultural Extravaganza at low extra cost)
• Bosphorus Cruise
• Istanbul Classic Tour
• Gallipoli Peninsula and War Memorials
• Commemorative Dawn Service and National Services
• Marmara Coast
• Ecebeat, Tekirdag and Cannakale
• Troy
• Ayvalik
• Boat Tour on Aegean Sea
• Pergamum
• Ephesus
• Samos (Greece)
• Koycegiz – Dalyan and Mudbaths
• Fethiye
• Pamukkale

What you will get (what’s included)

• Personal Travel Insurance
• Airport Arrival Transfer to hotel
• 8 Nights Accommodation in 3 and 4 star hotels + 8 Hotel Breakfasts
• Hotel pick up at the start of the tour
• Hotel drop off when you return from Gallipoli
• Return ferry ride from Ayvalik to Lesbos
• Return ferry ride from Kusadasi to Samos
• Boat tour in Koycegiz.
• Return coach transport to and from all additional cultural activities marked ‘optional’
• Hotel pick and drop off for the Bosphorus Cruise
• Extra optional pre/post tour accommodation at cost price
• Fully guided tour with the services of an experienced and qualified professional tour guide
• Luxury non-smoking air-conditioned coach
• ANZAC Day Program and map
• On ground support and access to True Blue Tour Istanbul offices should you require any further assistance
• One ANZAC Day Breakfast Pack with Soft Drink
• One ANZAC Day Lunch Pack with Drink
• One ANZAC Day Dinner Pack with Soft Drink
• Only with True Blue Tour – if you have ancestors buried in Gallipoli let us know when you book your trip and we will locate their gravesite for you to visit with your guide.

What you don’t get (what’s not included)

• Entrance fees to museums and historical sites
• No accommodation in Gallipoli
• No sleeping bag or woollies to keep you warm on ANZAC Eve
• Note – items marked as ‘optional’ are not included in the price of the tour, but are available to you at low cost price.
• Personal expenses, drinks and tips