Departs 7am April 24th and returns 10pm April 25th
Option A: Istanbul – Gallipoli – Istanbul
Option B: Istanbul – Gallipoli – Kusadasi
(Local Interstate Coach from Gallipoli to Kusadasi cost price is approximately £10)
Arrival
Merhaba! Although your arrival transfer is not included as part of this 2-day tour, True Blue Tour can offer you an easy airport transfer from our airport office at Ataturk Airport for only £6 (payment with equivalent local Turkish lira also welcome. Note that this is cheaper than getting a local cab). Please indicate when booking whether you would like to take this option, or else just present your voucher at the True Blue Tour airport office when you arrive.
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 1
Meet for departure at the True Blue Tour office in Istanbul at 6.30am (see map for location).
Your coach departs at 7am
Travel to Tekirdag for a short-break enroute to Ecebeat (port of Gallipoli and closest point to the memorial site) via the scenic Marmara Coast, with plenty of opportunity for photo breaks.
Lunch in Ecebeat followed by an afternoon fully guided tour of the Gallipoli Peninsular memorial sites, where you will have time to absorb the atmosphere pre-dawn service and pay your respects at Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, the Turkish Memorial Sites, the trenches, the ‘Neck’ and the ANZAC Museum, etc.
We depart for ANZAC Cove. Your guide will be with you through the night, helping you to find the best vantage point in the crowd. You will experience the ambience of the crowd – with an anticipated 20,000 people. Overnight & Dinner at ANZAC Cove.
Day 2
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 be picked up by your coach where you will receive your breakfast and lunch packs and then taken by your guide to the national services at Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair and the Turkish service at the 56th Regiment memorial.
When the services have ended (at approximately 3pm) you will head back to your coach for a relaxed return journey to Istanbul. We will stop for a traditional Turkish dinner of ‘kofte’ in Tekirdag before returning to Istanbul late in the evening.
Please note - For those going to Kusadasi to continue travelling along other routes, you will be dropped off at the Ecebeat quayside.
Farewell Cruise – value plus!
As a special thank you for booking your ANZAC Tour with us, True Blue Tour offers you – at no extra cost - entrance to the fully guided Bosphorus mid-morning Cruise, on April 26th. If you would like to come along, please let us know when booking your tour.
What you will see and experience
- Istanbul (+ optional Turkish Cultural Extravaganza at low extra cost)
- Gallipoli Peninsula and War Memorials
- Commemorative Dawn Service and National Services
- Marmara Coast
- Ecebeat and Tekirdag
- Bosphorus Cruise (Option A only)
- Kusadasi (Option B only)
What you will get (what’s included)
- Personal Travel Insurance
- Optional cost price airport arrival transfer
- 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
- Personal Travel Insurance in Turkey
- 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
- Bus drop off at TRUE BLUE TOUR office at the end of the tour or drop off at hotel (if you’ve booked your post tour accommodation with us)
- Hotel pick up and drop for the Bosphorus Cruise (if you’ve booked accommodation with us)
- 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)
- No Entrance fees for museums and ruins
- No accommodation in Gallipoli
- No sleeping bag or woollies to keep you warm on ANZAC Eve
- No breakfast provided for morning of April 24th
- Personal expenses, drinks and tips
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