Istanbul & Gallipoli

Welcome to Turkey! Arrive at Istanbul Airport and transfer to hotel in Sultanahmet. Consider arriving a day or two earlier or perhaps stay a day or two longer to take maximum advantage of a stay in Istanbul! Rest of day free.

This morning, we enjoy a guided tour of Istanbul's old city. Our tour includes visits to the stunning Blue Mosque famed for it’s blue Iznik tiles and unique 6 minarets, and the ruinous Hippodrome – now a small park of sorts and once scene of chariot races and political activities in Byzantine times. We will explore the exterior of the Hagia Sophia - constructed as a Basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian, Topkapi Palace and the Underground Cistern – an ancient underground water tank - replete with carved and fluted Corinthian columns and a puzzling head of Medusa.

Please note that some sites are closed on certain days in Istanbul. Hagia Sofia - closed on Mondays, Topkapi Palace closed on Tuesdays and Grand Bazaar - closed on Sundays. So only external viewing will be possible on these days.

Istanbul – Gallipoli/Canakkale. This morning, we drive to the Gallipoli Peninsular. On 25 April 1915, Allied soldiers including Australian and New Zealand troops (who famously became known as the ANZACs - an acronym for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) landed at what has since become known as ANZAC Cove to commence the Allied offensive against the Turks with the intention of capturing the Ottoman capital and the road to Eastern Europe during WW1. Some half a million lost their lives in ferocious combat. A lasting legacy of this fateful campaign are the many poignant war memorials including the national memorials of Australia and New Zealand - Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair, along with numerous carefully tended cemeteries, the remains of crudely dug trenches (most often the only form of protection for troops on both sides) and of course ANZAC Cove. Our brave men are remembered annually at the commemorative Dawn Service.

However, Gallipoli is a region that can be visited year-round, affording you the chance to pay your respects, perhaps place a flower on the grave of one of our brave troops and learn about the history of the men who came to be known as the ANZACs on our guided tour of the area.

Gallipoli –Troy - Istanbul. Early this morning we continue to Troy. If you’ve seen the movie - ‘Troy’ based on poet Homer’s ‘The Iliad’ you’ll be familiar with Paris, his prized Helen and Hector on the Trojan side and Agamemnon and Achilles on the Aechaean (Greek) side. The legend of the lost city of Troy and Homer’s poetry was brought alive by it’s rediscovery in 1863. Subsequent excavations revealed 9 ancient cities, one on top of the other, dating back to 3000BC! We enjoy a tour of the ruins and see a replica of the Trojan wooden horse that helped sack Troy. The tour of Troy finishes in late morning and the rest of the day is spent at leisure in Cannakale until 6pm when you are transferred back to Istanbul with a late evening arrival.

Our Mini stay concludes after breakfast. If you wish to extend your stay to explore the sights in Istanbul and Turkey then please speak to one of our expert staff who can arrange extra nights accommodation and excursions for you.