Anzac Day Tours 2009 Turkey

 

Bosphorus Cruise		Turkish Gala Evening
22nd April 2:30pm		22nd April 7:30pm
See Istanbul from the Bosphorus. Relax on the water and hear information about the history of Istanbul Free Drink Included		A great night out in Istanbul with Sammy's Travel Turkish Food & Traditional Hospitality & Entertainment Free Drink Included
Only £20.00pp Limited Places		Only £30.00pp Limited Places

Day One: Thursday 23rd April - Arrival in Istanbul
Welcome to Turkey and the beginning of your Anzac tour!
Once you have checked into your hotel (Please note check in times vary between hotels but are normally no earlier than noon) you have the rest of the day free to explore Istanbul and you will meet your guide later that evening who will give you information about the tour and answer any questions you might have. 


If you arrive into Ataturk International Airport on the 23rd April then your tour includes an airport transfer to your hotel and you will be met at the airport by the Sammy's Travel team.  Paid airport transfers from Sabiha Gokcen Airport in Istanbul on the 23rd April are also available at certain times (Please see FAQs) and if arriving by alternative means then you will be provided details of your hotel in April by email so you can make your own way there to start your tour.
Overnight: Istanbul


Day Two: Friday 24th April - Istanbul to Gallipoli
After breakfast we will take in this amazing city through a guided tour which will include the following:


- Golden Horn
- Saray Burnu for Panoramic views of Istanbul
- Visiting Hagia (St.) Sophia
- Visiting the Blue Mosque & Hippodrome


After the city tour you will have a lunch break before departing for Gallipoli and on the way your guide will give you some information about the Gallipoli region and the battles that took place so when you visit the various sites on Anzac Day you will understand their importance.
You will also have an opportunity to watch a documentary or movie about the Gallipoli campaign so you get a feel for the type of people who fought in this war and to help you picture conditions 94 years ago. Upon arriving near Gallipoli there will be time for a dinner break before we make our way to Anzac Cove for the overnight stay at the cove. 
Overnight: Anzac Cove
Meals Included: Breakfast


Important: Please bring a day pack for carrying things with you overnight at Anzac Cove and the next day in Gallipoli as once you put your main luggage on the coach on the morning of the 24th in Istanbul you will not have chance to access it again until arriving back in Istanbul on the evening of the 25th.  Your main luggage will be securely locked away in the coach overnight. Please also note that the weather in Anzac Cove overnight can get very cold so we suggest you bring sleeping bags, blankets and warm clothing for this stay and even a wet weather jacket in the event that it rains.


Day Three: Saturday 25th April - ANZAC Day (Gallipoli to Istanbul)
At first light you will experience the Dawn Service, a truly moving experience for everyone.  You will hear tributes and tales of your fellow countrymen and join the many thousands who make the pilgrimage to Gallipoli to remember the fallen.  After the Dawn Service you will make your way to the various sites for the different commemorations.  First is the Australian Service at Lone Pine and then the New Zealand service at Chunuk Bair.  After the New Zealand service we will board the bus (either at Lone Pine or Chunuk Bair) and head to Eceabat where we will have a short break for something to eat and refreshments.  After this short break we will continue to Istanbul arriving in the late evening. 
Overnight: Istanbul


Important: Those who wish to leave the tour early to carry on their own travels around Turkey and not return to Istanbul can do so in Eceabat where they can catch a ferry to Canakkale on the main land.  Please note that this is a personal choice and no part of the tour will be refunded or discounted if you wish to do so.


Day Four: Sunday 26th April - Tour Finishes
After breakfast the tour finishes and we bid farewell to our new found friends and exchange e-mails. 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. 
Meals Included: Breakfast


Tour Includes:
Arrival Airport Transfers
Arrival airport transfers are free for customers arriving at Ataturk International Airport between 8am and midnight on the 23^rd April. For full details on how our airport transfers work and getting to your hotel on the first day of the tour then please see the FAQ section.


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 before 7th April 2009 otherwise we cannot guarantee that a transfer will be available.


Accommodation: 2 X Istanbul (3 Star), 1 X Night Anzac Cove
Meals: 2 X Breakfast
Transport: Air Conditioned (Non Smoking) Coach
All Entrance Fees
Professional English speaking Guide
Istanbul City Tour (included entrance fee)
Anzac Day Memorial Services


Tour Excludes:
Meals unless stated
Departure Airport Transfers
Drinks
Flight Tickets
Personal Expenses
Tips for the guides and drivers


Important Information:
If you wish to arrive in Istanbul earlier than the 23^rd or stay longer than the 26th then we can arrange pre & post tour accommodation for you although we have limited availability of this.  The cost of this is £20 for a Double/Twin/Triple or £30 for a single room.  Please indicate that you require this when making your booking.
 
 If you are travelling alone and would prefer to pay the lower rate then we can match you up with someone of the same gender to share a twin/triple room (Subject to Availability).


Important Information:
If you wish to arrive in Istanbul earlier than the 23^rd or stay longer than the 26th then we can arrange pre & post tour accommodation for you although we have limited availability of this.  The cost of this is £20 for a Double/Twin/Triple or £30 for a single room.  Please indicate that you require this when making your booking.


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


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 2009 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.