ANZAC AND ANCIENT CIVILISATIONS TOUR

11 day tour including Gallipoli, Troy and Istanbul

Departs: 19 April 2010
Price:  On Application

ANZAC AND ANCIENT CIVILISATIONS

11 DAYS – 19 APRIL to 29 APRIL 2010


DAY 1 – 19 APRIL BRISBANE – SINGAPORE - ISTANBUL

Depart Brisbane on your mid afternoon flight to Singapore. On arrival into Singapore transfer to your onward flight to Istanbul.
INFLIGHT MEALS

DAY 2 - 20 APRIL ISTANBUL

Arrive Istanbul early morning. On arrival clear the group will clear customs and Immigration before being transferred to your hotel for commencement of your tour.  As your arrival is early in the morning arrangements will be made to store your luggage until check in time around 2pm. A late breakfast has been included this morning. 
BREAKFAST INCLUDED
 

Straddling 2 continents – Europe and Asia – Istanbul dates back thousands of years and its grand monuments bear testament to ancient empires and the Byzantine and Ottoman eras. One of the truly magnificent cities of the world! Early this afternoon we have included a traditional and unforgettable cruise on the Bosphorus, the winding strait that separates Europe and Asia. 

DAY 3 - 21 APRIL ISTANBUL

A day of sightseeing is planned today including visits to the Blue Mosque, one of the world’s greatest religious sites, and the Byzantine Hippodrome, known as Sultanahmet Square. Highlight of the day will be your tour inside St Sophia’s Basilica. Dating back over 1,000 years, this former cathedral is one of the classic sights of Istanbul. The last part of your afternoon will be spent in the famous Grand Bazaar. 
BREAKFAST INCLUDED

DAY 4 - 22 APRIL GALLIPOLI

Today your journey takes you out of the hustle and bustle of Istanbul to the gentle country side as you are transported by coach down to the Gallipoli Peninsula.  From the moment you arrive your group will be overwhelmed by the white stones littered across the hills. This will be your first glimpse of Anzac Cove, and the many memorials to the tragic events of 1915. Your journey continues with a short ferry across the famous Dardanelles to Canakkale where accommodation will be arranged for the next 4 nights.  Time to settle in for the evening. 
BREAKFAST AND DINNER INCLUDED

DAY 5 - 23 APRIL GALLIPOLI

Today spend time at the Anzac Commemorative site, Anzac Cove, Shrapnel Valley and Beach Cemetery - home to one of Australia's most legendary soldiers, Private John Simpson. Later you visit the Anzac Memorials at Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, Walker’s Ridge, the Nek and the surrounding trenches. Our last stop on the Gallipoli Peninsula will be the Kabatepe War Museum with its collection of war relics. 
BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER INCLUDED

DAY 6 - 24 APRIL GALLIPOLI

Today the choice is yours! You can either spend the morning relaxing in Canakkale re-charging your batteries ready for the early Commemorations tomorrow or return with us to the Gallipoli Battlefields. This afternoon we have also included an excursion to the ancient city of Troy, site of the mythological battle Homer immortalized in The Illiad, which dates back to 3,000 BC. 
BREAKFAST AND DINNER INCLUDED


DAY 7 - 25 APRIL GALLIPOLI - ANZAC DAY

Departure from your hotel is scheduled before midnight to ensure we arrive at the ANZAC Commemorative site in ample time for the Dawn Service at 5.30am (and to allow for road closures and traffic hold-ups caused by the huge numbers making their way to North Beach to be a part of the ANZAC Commemorations). As the dawn breaks, witness the truly international gathering of people who have travelled across the globe to help commemorate the tragic events of the 25th April 1915. Following the Dawn Service you will have a choice of attending either the Australian or New Zealand National Services at Lone Pine or Chunuk Bair. Later we recross the Dardanelles and return to your hotel for dinner and a welcome rest. Breakfast and lunch packs have been included today. 
BREAKFAST, LUNCH PACKS AND DINNER INCLUDED

DAY 8 - 26 APRIL KUSADASI

Travelling south down the beautiful mountainous coastline of Turkey our first stop will be at the ancient Acropolis of Pergamum, famous for its wealth of archaeological ruins. From the temple of Trajan, you will take in the stunning views of the surrounding countryside. We then continue along the West Coast before arriving at the popular port of Kusadasi, in ancient times a resort town for the wealthy citizens of Ephesus, and a well-known commercial port under the Ottoman rule. We stay here 2 nights. 
BREAKFAST AND DINNER INCLUDED

DAY 9 - 27 APRIL KUSADASI

The highlight of today will be a visit to one of the ancient wonders of the world, the inspiring ruins of Ephesus. Rated one of the world’s best archaeological sites, you will walk along the 2,000 year old marble streets, visit the Temple of Hadrian and the famous Library of Celsus. Your tour is made complete with a visit to the nearby House of the Virgin Mary nestled high in the hills overlooking the city of Ephesus. This afternoon you will return to your hotel where the rest of your day is at leisure. The perfect opportunity to explore this lively Turkish port. 
BREAKFAST AND DINNER INCLUDED


DAY 10 - 28 APRIL KUSADASI -ISTANBUL - SINGAPORE

Sadly your tour finishes this morning after breakfast. We have included a transfer to Izmir Airport to connect with the 10am flight to Istanbul. On arrival in Istanbul transfer to your international flight to Singapore.
 BREAKFAST AND INFLIGHT MEALS

DAY 11 – 29 APRIL SINGAPORE – BRISBANE

On arrival in Singapore transit on to your connecting Brisbane flight. Arrive into Brisbane in the evening.


Please note:
This itinerary has been prepared based on the 2009 Itinerary. Before submitting deposits and registration forms please be aware that sightseeing activities may vary slightly, and pricing will be subject to the Euro currency movements until paid in full. 

TOUR INCLUSIONS

  • Return economy class air travel
  • Tranfers & sightseeing as per itinerary
  • Arrival and Departure transfers as per itinerary
  • 3-4 Star hotel Accommodation with facilities
  • All Meals as stated in the itinerary
  • Half day local tour Istanbul
  • Cruise on the Bosphorus
  • Accommodation share Twin
  • Tips Driver and Guide 
  • Extensive touring of the Gallipoli Battlefields
  • Anzac Day Dawn Service at Gallipoli
  • Australian Anzac memorial service at Lone Pine
  • Travel by modern coaches in Turkey
  • Anzac commemorative Souvenir
  • Services of local guides
  • Entrance fees, services, local taxes at Gallipoli

NOT INCLUDED

  • Travel insurance (ask about special school rate)
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Arrival Tax Istanbul (USD20)  courier charges
  • File administration $40

COSTING

Group Size                  Price per Person
20 – 24                         Price on Application
25 – 29                         Price on Application
30 – 34                         Price on Application

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel insurance is required for your protection, particularly for overseas travel. The policy needs to included adequate cover for events such as cancellations, delays, loss of baggage and personal effects, injuries requiring medical and hospital assistance and repatriation. Often, travel insurance provides the only compensation for these events. Group insurance rates are available on application.

DEPOSITS:

A non refundable deposit of $250.00 per person is required at time of registration and a further $250 July, 01, 2009.  Tour balance is due 56 days prior to departure however airfares payments and conditions may vary where we may secure cheaper airfare options.  Diploma travel will monitor this.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

• After 7 days from confirmation and 56 days or more prior to departure - Loss of deposit
• 56 - 49 days prior to departure             - 25%
• 48 – 29 days prior to departure            - 35%
• 28 – 0 days                                       - 100%

This itinerary should be read in conjunction with the Diploma World Travel Service Terms of Trade & Booking Conditions

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