Starts April 23rd and ends May 4th  

Istanbul – Gallipoli/Canakkale – Troy - Ayvalik – Pergamum – Ephesus – Kusadasi - Pamukkale – Koycegiz - Olympos – Konya – Cappadocia – Ankara – Istanbul

Day 1
Merhaba – welcome to Turkey! Our ground staff will escort you to your arrival transfer for a 30minute journey to your 3 star hotel in the old town of Sultanahmet. Today is a free day for you to explore Istanbul and our team can advise you on the best value authentic places in town – whether you want to bathe in a Turkish bath (hamam), buy a Turkish rug, experience the hubble bubble pipe or make arrangements to explore the local cuisine or nightlife. If you are into clubbing, we are sure you will find something that suits your taste in Taksim Square. But don’t party too hard…you have an early start the next morning. 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
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 Ecebeat 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 3
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.

Day 4
Today we head for Pergamum – the carpet capital of Turkey. 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 amiptheatre, with a magnificent view of the surrounding area.
Having built up an appetite in Pergamum, we drive to Selcuk for 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.
In the afternoon we head 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 5
Today’s first destination is the ‘white cotton castles’ of Pamukkale - 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-travertine’s filled the ancient waters. In the afternoon you too will have a chance to relax and bathe in the thermal springs.
Next stop is picturesque village of Koycegiz, a popular place with tourists. Tonight you will stay at the Tango pension - which has become a favourite with Antipodeans and recently the winner of a Backpacker’s award.
After dinner, you will be taken on an evening boat tour in the Dalyan – where the lake meets the sea. You will have the opportunity to swim under the moonlight 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 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 this truly relaxing evening we head back to Tango for the bonfire and late evening entertainment. Overnight in Koycegiz.

Day 6
Today we head to the world famous tree houses of Olympos. Along the way we travel through the seaside Mediterranean towns of Fethiye and Kas where we stop for lunch.
Arriving in Olympos in the early evening, we check in to the tree house ‘hut’ accommodation, where you will feel like a cub-scout for one night! We treat you to a wholesome dinner in authentic Turkish surrounds, where you have the chance to meet and mingle with loads of other guests. You then have the option of taking a short night trek to the eternal flames of Chimera – not to be missed.  Head back to the Tree houses for loads of fun and songs round the bonfire. Its loads of fun. Overnight in Olympos.

Day 7
You have time this morning for a sleep in, a hearty breakfast and even spare time to visit the beaches and/or a quick trek of the local area. We depart Olympos in the afternoon stopping along the way at the steep Duden Waterfalls for some pictures and apple tea. There’s time to relax and joke on the bus as we head to our night stop, the charming town of Side (pomegranate in Turkish) on the Mediterranean peninsula, said to be a favourite amongst artists. Overnight in Side.

Day 8
Today we commence our journey to the region of Cappadocia, travelling via Konya, home of the Whirling Dervishes. The most famous building in Konya is the Green Mausoleum of the great Turkish philosopher and poet, Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, said to be the founder of the Whirling Dervishes, who are renowned for the "Sema", a dance performed by men dressed in white robes, whirling and rotating around the floor in the belief that through the dance, the dancer with the great love of God can attain divine unity. 
In the early evening we arrive in Cappadocia, boasting one of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes formed over millions of years of erosion. Tonight you have the option of indulging at one of the best hamam’s (Turkish bath) in the region for a soak and full body message. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 9
Today you will explore Cappadocia - which dates back to 3000 BC. We begin with the Goreme open air museum followed by lunch. In the afternoon we visit the Pasabag fairy chimneys and explore the amazing underground city, which can extend to 8 floors below ground level.
This evening you have the option of attending the popular “Turkish Night” in the heart of the cultural Cappadocian region. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample the mezes and authentic local cuisine, live belly and folk dancing and unlimited spirits and soft drink. Overnight in  Cappadocia.

Day 10
This morning you have the option of taking an early morning balloon ride of Cappadocia, for an unforgettable view of the fairy chimneys and the landscape that served as the backdrop for well known movies including Star Wars.
After breakfast, we visit the Ilhara Valley and river in south-western Cappadocia. The scenery is once again super with a number of well preserved churches with beautiful frescoes. This afternoon we change pace to give you the opportunity to develop your own local handicraft skills as you a attend rug making class and get ‘hands on’ at a local pottery factory.
This evening you will have the option of sampling the local wine as we go wine tasting, including cosy and authentic surrounds nibbles and great live entertainment.  Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 11
This morning we depart Cappadocia bound for Istanbul. You won’t be disappointed as you drive through the region, stopping for lunch in the capital city of Ankara. Despite its long history, the city which has been inhabited continuously since the Bronze Age, is now distinguished by its wide avenues, green parks, elegant shops, embassies and government buildings. After lunch we will visit Ataturk's Mausoleum which is visible from most highpoints within the city.
We arrive back in Istanbul late in the evening – which is yours to rest or explore the nightlife. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 12
After breakfast 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 Grand and Spice Bazaar True Blue Tours, or you can take our fully guided Istanbul Classic Tour or Double Decker Bus Open Air tour of Istanbul available to you at an unbeatable cost price.
Please note – Istanbul Classic Tour includes – Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Underground Cistern.

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)
• Marmara Coast
• Ecebeat, Tekirdag and Cannakale
• Gallipoli Peninsula and War Memorials
• Commemorative Dawn Service and National Services
• Troy
• Ayvalik
• Pergamum
• Ephesus
• Pamukkale
• Koycegiz and the Dalyan Mud baths
• Olympos, the tree houses and the Chimera flames
• Duden Waterfalls
• Side
• Fethiye and Kas
• Konya
• Carpet and Pottery Making
• Cappadocia – Goreme, Fairy Chimneys, Ihlara Valley (Optional Cultural Evening – Belly Dancing, Whirling Dervishes, Wine Tasting, Hamam)
• Ankara and Ataturk’s Mausoleum
• Bosphorus Cruise

What you will get (what’s included)

• Personal Travel Insurance
• Airport Arrival Transfer to hotel
• 10 Nights Accommodation in 3 and 4 star hotels + 10 Hotel Breakfasts
• Personal Travel Insurance in Turkey
• Hotel pick up at the start of the tour
• Hotel drop off when you return from Gallipoli
• Return coach transport to and from all additional cultural activities marked ‘optional’
• Hotel pick up and drop 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 soft 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