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Start Date: 21/04/08
Finish Date: 28/04/08
Starts: Istanbul
Finish: Kusadasi
Places Visited: Istanbul – Gallipoli – Edremit - Selcuk– Kusadasi - Ephesus
Duration: 8 Days – 7 Nights
Price:  Double/Twin/Triple : £289.00 - Single: £359.00
 

Our tours have a range of inclusions “Your peace of mind” and Enjoyment

·  Includes all entrance fees,
·  Free Arrival Transfer to Ataturk International Airport (certain days only – see below)
·  Transportation in a fully Air-Conditioned, Non-Smoking new model Luxury Coach, 
·  Fluent English speaking professional tour guide for the duration of the tour,
·  FREE T-Shirt,
·  A range of Gallipoli documentaries & movies to watch during bus journeys,
·  FREE Flashlight for the dark night at the Dawn Service and to take home with you,
· FREE Documentary CD to watch after your tour has finished
·  Anzac Day memorial services at Gallipoli,
·  All accommodation as per itinerary in 3 & 4 star hotels including Thermal Resort and Holiday Village
·  EARLY ARRIVAL TO THE DAWN SERVICE,
·  We have Turkish, Australian and New Zealand staff who have good knowledge of Gallipoli and Turkey,
·  Private Security and we have Doctor traveling with us,
·  No camping! No hidden extra costs. Don't wake up to Nightmares,
·  GET A GOOD SPOT AT DAWN SERVICE,
· We have been running Anzac tours for many years and know what Anzac day in Gallipoli is all about.
 

Day One:  Monday 21st April - Arrival in Istanbul
Welcome to Turkey! You will be greeted with hospitality at the Atatürk International Airport by a Damlacan Tourism representative and driven into the heart of the old city where you can rest and relax for the remainder of the day. Tonight at ‘Welcome Drinks’ in your hotel you can meet the rest of your tour group.
Overnight: Istanbul

Day Two: Tuesday 22nd April - Istanbul City Tour
This morning we partake in a fully guided tour of the only city to span two continents. We will visit the Hagia (St.) Sophia, one of the greatest marvels of architecture, constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian. Blue Mosque, facing Hagia Sophia, famous with its blue Iznik tiles and unique with 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet. Hippodrome, center of sportive (chariot races, athletics) events and political activities of the old city. Obelisk of heodosius, Serpentine Column, German Fountain of Wilhelm II are the monuments decorating Hippodrome. Underground Cistern (Yerebatan Sarayı) In this historical place one discovers the grandiose nature of the past when touring through Istanbul's largest and most magnificent underground Cistern. Built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century to supply water to the near-by palace complex, the cistern has a total of 336 decorated columns.

Today you may also wish to view the wonders of Istanbul from the water on an optional Bosphorus Cruise (2:30pm). Also tonight you have the option of attending a special Turkish Gala Evening (7:30pm) where you will enjoy amazing Turkish food and world famous Turkish entertainment.  
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast
 

Day Three: Wednesday 23rd April - Istanbul to Gallipoli
After an early breakfast we drive to the World War I Battlefield of Gallipoli stopping along the way to pick up refreshments for lunch. You will also have an opportunity to watch “Gallipoli” the movie so you get a feel for the type of people who fought in this war and to help you picture conditions 93 years ago. This afternoon on a fully guided tour, you will visit the Kabatepe War Museum, Anzac Cove, Hell Spit Cemetery, Lone Pine, The Nek, and Chunuk Bair War memorial.  Your guide will reveal stories of battle woes and will bring alive the legend of the Anzac's. By visiting the peninsula on the 23rd April we get to spend more time exploring without the crowds from other tours that arrive on the 24th. This evening we will travel to our luxurious accommodation, where an all-you-can-eat buffet dinner awaits.
Overnight: Edremit
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day Four: Thursday 24th April - Relax at Artemis Resort Hotel
Sleep till late and rise to a full breakfast. Then the day is yours to partake in number of the many activities offered at this resort. Activities include; bathing in the waters of the outdoor pool, relaxing at the beach. Play football, tennis, basketball, volleyball or just strolling around the gardens and parks. You will have the chance to swim in the nearby thermal water pool at Adramis Thermal Hotel. Make sure you get plenty of rest because ANZAC day will be a long busy day. A buffet dinner will be served so you can fill up before departing for Gallipoli late afternoon.

We arrive at Anzac Cove to ensure we get a good spot for the dawn service. Don't forget your sleeping bags, warm clothes, wet weather gear and torches because Gallipoli is still as dark and cold tonight as it was 93 years ago when your ancestors landed.
Overnight: Anzac Cove
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day Five: Friday 25th April - Anzac Day at Gallipoli
At first light the day begins with the Dawn Service held at the ANZAC Commemorative Site, which will be followed by the Australian and New Zealand memorial services held at Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair respectively. Today is the reason you came to Turkey, to commemorate the sacrifice your forefathers have made. Emotions run high and this evening you will travel back to your hotel, arriving there in the late evening.
Overnight: Edremit
Meals: Lunchbox & Dinner

Day Six: Saturday 26th April - Edremit to Kusadasi
After waking feeling recharged we depart for the seaside town of Kusadasi. As this area boasts a reputation as one of the most important carpet weaving regions we will stop at Selçuk for a demonstration of this ancient and traditional craft. After you have checked in to your Kusadasi hotel you may have an optional traditional Turkish bath to be washed and massaged by a pair of expert hands.
Overnight: Kusadasi
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day Seven: Sunday 27th April - Ephesus Tour
Today we will visit one of the best-preserved ruins in the world....Ephesus. We tour this amazing site and wonder at the people who built and walked through this ancient city. We will also visit the House of Virgin Mary, (supposedly where St. John brought her to live out her final days), Temple of Artemis (one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world). After the tour, we will stop at Selçuk for a fashion parade and information on Turkey's famous leather production.
Overnight: Kusadasi
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day Eight: Monday 28th April - End of Tour
After breakfast our tour finishes and we bid farewell to our new found friends. Wherever you are heading to next, you will take unforgettable memories and a new understanding of this country that plays such an important part in your history. If you would like us to arrange your onward travel from Kusadasi or return bus/flight ticket to Istanbul we can do this for you.
Meals: Breakfast

Tour Includes:

Arrival Airport Transfers
Arrival airport transfers are free for customers arriving at Ataturk International Airport between 6am on the 21^st April and midnight on the 22^nd April.

For customers arriving at Sabiha Gokcen - SAW on Easyjet flights on the 21^st April from London then we are able to provide an arrival transfer from this airport for £15 per person.  This airport is located a significant distance from the Istanbul city center therefore we have to charge customers for this service.

If arriving at Ataturk International Airport outside of the above times then please contact us at time of booking to discuss your arrival transfer requirements.  In addition if arriving at Sabiha Gokcen on airlines other than Easy Jet then also contact us to discuss your requirements.

IMPORTANT:  It is essential that customers who wish to use our transfer service send us full flight details including airline name, flight number, terminal number, arrival time.  It is your responsibility to ensure we have this information otherwise we cannot guarantee that a transfer will be available.

The check in time at your hotel on day of arrival is 12 noon so if arriving earlier than this time please be aware that you will not be able to check in immediately when getting to the hotel but luggage storage is available and you can relax in the hotel lobby.

Accommodation: 2 X Night Istanbul (3 Star), 3 X Night Edremit (4 Star), 2 X Night Kusadasi (3 Star)
Meals: 6 X Breakfasts, 5 X Dinners, 1 X Lunchbox
Transport: Air Conditioned (Non Smoking) Coach
All Entrance Fees
Professional English speaking Guide
Gallipoli Tour
Istanbul City Tour
Ephesus Tour (including Virgin Mary’s House and Temple of Artemis)
Anzac Day Memorial Services

Tour Excludes:
Meals unless stated
Drinks
Flight Tickets
Personal Expenses
Tips for Guides and Drivers

Important Information:
If you wish to arrive in Istanbul earlier than the 21^st then Damlacan Tourism can arrange accommodation for you.  The cost of this is £18 for a double or £24 for a single room and please indicate this when making your booking under the ‘Optional Activities’ section.

Optional Activities that may be of interest with this tour:
1. Bosphorus Boat Cruise (Includes one free beer): £20.00 (22^nd April start 2:30pm)
2. Turkish Gala Evening (Includes meal and one free drink): £20.00 (22^nd April  start 7:30pm)
3. Turkish Bath (Kusadasi): £15.00 (26^th April)

Time availability for optional activities may depend on your arrival and departure times.  Please check at time of booking that you have sufficient time available.

If you are travelling alone and would prefer to pay the double rate then we can match you up with someone of the same gender to share a twin/twin room.

General Travel Information:
When booking an Anzac tour it is important to ensure that your tour operator is a member of TURSAB which is the Turkish regulatory body of tourist activities.  It is illegal for non-members to operate tours in Turkey without a TURSAB license and membership number.  Damlacan Tourism is a member of TURSAB (License No:1714).

Notice: Before you book with any agency, it is most important that you check all the details of the services offered. Low budget offers usually don't cover many services, such as: entrance fees, standard of the coaches, accommodation in Gallipoli, professional lecture about Gallipoli, private security, doctor, professional guide (not an escort or offsider), references of the agency and background.

Australian Govt. Announcement access Gallipoli ANZAC Day 2008 The Australian Dept of Veteran Affairs is making special arrangements for those with special needs in an effort to assist aged and infirm visitors.
Read more about this at:
http://www.dva.gov.au/commem/anzac/gallipoli01.htm#assistance
Also note from their website : "Travel by passenger car to these services is not allowed and on completion of the Dawn Service, official coaches will depart before public coach departures to meet Turkish protocol  requirements." 

Please, Read the notice from Australian Embassy :
A brief warning from the Australian Embassy web site: "Accommodation in the Gallipoli area, particularly for the night of 24 April, is very heavily booked well in advance of ANZAC Day. Intending travellers will need to make bookings as early as possible to secure accommodation.