Tour itinerary :
Day One: 21- April 2006 ISTANBUL (D)
Welcome to Turkey, arrival into Istanbul. Transfer from airport & check in to your hotel. Tonight we have a WELCOME DINNER & you will meet our friendly crew and other travellers while enjoying your traditional Turkish Food including Turkish Kebab, and enjoy the mystical atmosphere of Ä°stanbul at night.
Day Two: 22- April 2006 ISTANBUL (B)
We depart at 09:00 for the Istanbul city tour. We will begin with ancient Hippodrome, which was the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. We will then continue with Sultanahmet Mosque across from St. Sophia built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet. It is also known as the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles we then arrive to our last stop which is the famous Hagia Sophia. This ancient basilica, built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, is one of the architectural marvels of all time. After the tour you have the option to experience The Bosphorus Cruise. You will have the chance to enjoy magnificient views of Bosphorus which is connecting Asia to Europe. The rest of the evening is your to enjoy Istanbul.
23- April ISTANBUL - GALLIPOLI (B + LB + D):
We depart for Gallipoli at 07:00. On the way we will have the chance to watch the latest documentary on the Gallipoli Campaign. We arrive in Gallipoli for lunch. We then drive to The Gallipoli Peninsula visit Kabatepe War Museum, Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Australian Memorial and Cemetery, Quinns Post, Turkish 57th Regiment Cemetery, The Nek, Chunuk-Bair New Zealand Memorial and Cemetery. We then drive to our hotel 45 minutes from Çanakkale where we will have an open buffet dinner.
24- April TROY - GALLIPOLI (B + D):
After breakfast we depart for the ancient city of Troy. Your guide will explain the mythology surrounding Troy, the Trojan Horse and Helen of Troy, as well as the history and discoveries of the archeological diggings from its discovery by Heinrich Schliemann in the 1870's to the present day and on going. Nine cities have been discovered built one on top of the other dating back to 3500 B.C. After Troy, return to our hotel where we will have dinner. We depart for Anzac Cove at 20:30 to ensure we are in good position for the Dawn Service we will spend the night at the Anzac Cove. Don't forget your sleeping bags, warm clothes, wet weather gear and torches because Gallipoli is still as dark and cold today as it was 91 years ago when your ancestors landed.
25 - April ANZAC DAY - ISTANBUL ( LB ):
05:00 Dawn Service. After Dawn Service our coaches will take us up to Chunuck Bair and Lone pine for National Ceromonies.
10:30 Australian National service,
11.30 Turkish National Service 12:30 New Zealand National service. After the ceremonies, we will depart for Kusadasi, late arrival into Kusadasi.
Day Six: 26- April – 2006 Kuşadası (B + D)
We depart at 10:00 and we 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). After the tour we will visit a carpet-weaving centre, which belongs to the national arts of Turkey. In the evening, as being one of our optional activities, you will have the chance to experience the traditional Turkish bath.
Day Seven: 27 April Kuşadası-Pamukkale (B +D)
At 08:30 we depart for Pamukkale. On the way we will visit one of the famous leather production centers of the region. We then arrive at Pamukkale for lunch. Afterwards we shall visit the calcium terraces of Pamukkale (cotton castle) and the ruins of Hierapolis, then walk around this natural phenomenon and have the option of lying in the waters of the natural springs.
Day Eight: 28 April Pamukkale-Köyceğiz (Mud Bath)-Fethiye (Ölüdeniz) (B+L+D)
At 08:30 we depart for Köyceğiz. There we board a boat and cruise across Lake Köycegiz where we will have numerous opportunities to swim. We head for Turtle Beach, where the Aegean and Mediterranean meet and have a traditional Turkish lunch. On our return journey back to Köycegiz we visit the mud-bath to cover ourselves in MUCK, before jumping in the natural thermal springs. After the cruise we take a short bus trip to our night stop in Ölüdeniz.
Day Nine: 29 April Fethiye (Ölüdeniz) (B+D)
The day is yours you don’t have to wake up early. Ölüdeniz is famous throughout the world for it’s natural magnificent beach, crystal clear sea and paragliding activities. If you want to have a good fun, you can choose one of our optional activities like jeep safari and paragliding.
Day Ten: 30 April Fethiye - Olympos (B+D)
We depart for Olympos at 10:00. On the way we shall see one of the best panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea. We will be passing from ancient Likya and you will have the chance to take photos of breath taking scenes. Don’t forget your swimming suits because we can stop for a swim in the turquoise waters on the way. When we arrive at Olympos, you can have the choice of staying either in famous tree houses or in bungalows. We will then relax and enjoy a barbeque party.
Day Eleven: 1 May Olympos-Cappadocia (B+D)
Early morning we have a long drive to Cappadocia. After having some rest and then dinner, you will have the chance to go to the famous traditional Turkish Night, you will enjoy Whirling Dervishes, Belly Dancing & Traditional Turkish Folklore. We recommend it should not be missed.
Day Twelve: 2 May Cappadocia (B+D)
Today we will get to know the Cappadocia region, a volcanic area in which the geological formation started 10 million years ago. As a result of these formations phallic like pillars have come to life. The beautiful horse country "Katpatuka," (as the Persians called her) is an unbelievable strip of land, enchanting and mysterious. Our guided tour will start at 09:30 and cover Avcılar, Pigeon Valley, Göreme Open Air Museum, Dervent Valley, Uçhisar Castle and the pottery village of Avanos. If you want to join our optional activity of Ballooning, please contact with your guide and register because it will take place early the next morning.
Day Thirteen: 3 May Cappadocia-Ä°stanbul (B)
We depart at 09:30 for one of the most interesting sites of Cappadocia: Derinkuyu Underground City. The Christians hid from the armies of Rome and the raids of hostile tribes in these self sufficient cities in which there were halls for stocks of crop, barns, rooms, kitchens & ventilation channels. This afternoon we will depart for Istanbul on the way we will stop for lunch.
Day Fourteen: 4 May Ä°stanbul (B)
Today you don’t have to wake up early. At 10:30 we will start a different city tour of İstanbul. We will visit the Spice (Egyptian) Bazaar, Taksim District, which is the heart of the night and intellectual life of İstanbul. It has nice bars, restaurants, café, cinemas a street in which is the centre of the Turkish Film Industry.
Day Fifteen: 5 May End of the tour (B):
After breakfast check out from the hotel. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we look forward to seeing you in the future on another Kalender Tour. See below for free airport transfers.