Starts April 23rd and ends  April 30th

Istanbul – Gallipoli/Canakkale – Troy - Ayvalik– Pergamum – Ephesus – Kusadasi – Samos (Greece) – Afrodisias – Pamukkale – Bursa - Istanbul

Day 1
Welcome to Turkey. Your arrival transfer will take you to your hotel in Sultanahmet which is in close vicinity to some of Turkey’s most famous landmarks. Today you are free to explore Istanbul. 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, visit our office for advice on 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
Gunaydin. After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel. Expect your luxury coach to arrive from 7am, when you will meet your guide, load your luggage onto the bus and officially commence your tour.  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.

Lunch in Ecebat 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 as you visit Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, the Turkish Memorial Sites, the trenches, the battlefields, 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. Keep warm in your sleeping bag by the sea with the thousands of other Antipodeans waiting for the sun rise. Overnight & Dinner at 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 visit 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) we say goodbye to Gallipoli to embark on the rest of our journey.

We continue to Troy where you will see the world famous Trojan Horse and experience a fully guided tour of the ruins of Troy dating back to 3000 BC where the battle of Troy took place.

We drive to 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.

Day 4
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 5
Today we head for Pergamum – the carpet capital of Turkey and once the centre of the ancient kingdom and 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 climb the world’s steepest and well-preserved open-air amiptheatre, with a magnificent view of the surrounding area.

Having built up an appetite in Pergamum, we drive to Selcuk for local pancakes called ‘gozleme’. Nearby there is an opportunity to take a look at cave of the 7-sleepers and Mother Mary’s Grotto.

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 and St Paul and the Virgin Mary who, towards the end of her life, resided just outside the bustle of the town centre.

Next stop is the sea side town of Kusadasi, well known for its bars and nightlife.  Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 6
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 7

This morning we head to Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, referred to as Venus by the Romans. As you explore the site, it’s easy to imagine ancient fertility rites such as the belly dance being performed in her temple. With the coming of Christianity, her temple, (the site of who knows what rights performed in the worship of love) was converted into a chaste church!

Next stop are 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. 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.  In the afternoon you too will have a chance to relax and bathe in the thermal springs. Overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 8
After breakfast you will drive to Istanbul sightseeing and lunch in  Bursa – established in 1299 AD as the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. There you will see the magnificent Yesil ‘green’ Mosque and tomb. Also the silk centre of Turkey, you’ll visit the nearby silk market for some great bargains. Most famous of all – Bursa is known as the home of the ‘doner kebab’. We stop for lunch at Iskender ‘Alexander’ Kebab and we highly recommend you try the doner with yoghurt.
After sightseeing continue to Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 9
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)
• Ecebeat, Tekirdag and Cannakale
• Gallipoli Peninsula and War Memorials
• Commemorative Dawn Service and National Services
• Troy
• Ayvalik (antique city of Kydonia)
• Samos (Greece)
• Pamukkale
• Aphrodisias
• Pergamum
• Ephesus
• Bursa
• Golden Horn and Bosphoros Cruise

What you will get (what’s included)

• Personal Travel Insurance
• Arrival airport to hotel transfer
• 7 Hotel Breakfasts/7 nights 3 or 4 star hotel accommodation
  
• Return ferry ride from Kusadasi to Samos
• Personal Travel Insurance in Turkey
• Boat Tour in Ayvalık
• Hotel pick up at the start of the tour
• Hotel drop off when you return from Pamukkale (if accommodation is booked through True Blue Tour)
• Hotel pick up and drop for the Bosphorus Cruise
• Extra optional 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 or ruins
• No accommodation in Gallipoli
• Personal expenses, drinks and tips
• No sleeping bag or woollies to keep you warm on ANZAC Eve