Tour Details - 7 Day Anzac Dawn Service 2012

Day 1. Arrive Istanbul
On arrival in Istanbul, be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. This evening meet your travelling companions and Tour Director at a Welcome Reception.

Day 2. Istanbul Sightseeing
This morning, enjoy a tour of majestic Istanbul. Drive by Taksim Square, the hippodrome and Galata Tower, then visit the famous Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. This afternoon enjoy a cruise along the stunning Bosphorus, a narrow strait forming a boundary between Europe and Asia and connecting the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara. This evening, take part in a cooking class. Learn some of the traditional methods used to create exotic Turkish dishes, then sample the results of your efforts at dinner.

Day 3. Istanbul, Freedom of Choice Touring, Çanakkale
This morning, select your touring activity in Istanbul. You may choose to embark on a tour of Topkapi Palace, the official residence of the Ottoman Sultans from 1465 to 1853. Alternatively, relax with a traditional Turkish bath experience and massage. Or you may like to visit the impressive Rüstem Pasha Mosque then wander around the Spice Bazaar, before lunch at the well-known Orient Express railway restaurant. This afternoon depart Istanbul and travel to Çanakkale on the Gallipoli Peninsula. Settle in to your hotel on arrival.

Day 4. Gallipoli National Park
This morning travel to the Gallipoli National Park for a guided sightseeing tour of the war memorials, including Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair and the 57th cemetery. This afternoon return to your hotel to relax and refresh yourself before returning to Anzac Cove to settle in for the Dawn Service. Here, you will be accommodated in a secure outdoor area featuring entertainment such as live broadcasting from Australia and New Zealand, interviews and musical performances. Our experienced guides will accompany you throughout the evening.

Day 5. Anzac Day Dawn Service, Anzac Cove, Gallipoli Peninsula
As the sun breaks the skyline at Anzac Cove, take part in the sombre occasion of the traditional Anzac Day Dawn Service and commemorate our fallen ancestors at 5.30 am. For those who wish, take the opportunity to walk to Lone Pine for the Australian service. Please note that this can be a challenging 2.5 kilometre walk (approximately one hour) on both flat and uphill pathways. You will also be able to view the Australian service from your position in Anzac Cove via the telecast on the big screen. Then, you may like to attend the New Zealand service at Chunuk Bair.

Day 6. Troy, Gelibolu, Istanbul
This morning after breakfast, travel to Troy, a place of mythology and legend. Join a guided tour of this famed city, centre of the Trojan War as described in Homer’s epic poem, The Iliad. Continue to Gelibolu for lunch and a visit to the war museum, before returning to Istanbul by coach for a special dinner, accompanied by an entertaining Belly Dancing Performance.

Day 7. Depart Istanbul
Today, transfer to the airport for your onward flight.