Treasures of Turkey - Anzac Day Dawn Service 2024

Fly to Istanbul and transfer to your hotel in the heart of the city.

Explore Istanbul’s landmark sites. Visit the remains of the once mighty Hippodrome and marvel at the Blue Mosque’s 2,500 stained glass windows before continuing to Hagia Sophia, the crowning achievement of the Byzantine Empire. Discover the mesmeric beauty of Topkapi Palace and its extraordinary treasures, then immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world.

This morning, uncover Istanbul's hidden gems in the UNESCO-listed Fener and Balat districts. Walk through the colourful, labyrinth-like streets of these historical neighbourhoods. This afternoon, enjoy a private cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, the waterway that divides Europe and Asia, to witness the city’s minaret-studded skyline and its most famous sites from the water, including the dramatic Rumeli Fortress, Dolmabahce Palace and the sultan's former summer residence - Beylerbeyi Palace.

Pay your respects to the fallen soldiers of the ill-fated Gallipoli campaign at the Cape Helles Memorial. A defining moment in the history of Australia and New Zealand, the tragic events that unfolded in Anzac Cove, Shrapnel Valley and Lone Pine marked the birth of the Anzac spirit of courage, loyalty and friendship that continues today. Later cross the strategic Dardanelle Straits to Canakkale, on the Asian shore.

Discover the fabled UNESCO World Heritage site of Troy, with its multi-layered history and wonderful legends. See the legendary walls of Troy and the replica of the wooden Trojan Horse. The afternoon will be yours to enjoy free at leisure, returning for dinner at your hotel in Canakkale. Later in the evening, you will be transferred to the Anzac Commemorative Site in preparation for tomorrow's Dawn Service.

Treasure the once-in-a-lifetime experience of an Anzac Day Dawn Service on the shores of Gallipoli. The Dawn Service is followed by the Australian Memorial Service at Lone Pine. Later make your way to Chunuk Bair, after which you'll be transferred back to your hotel in Canakkale to relax and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Explore the Greco-Roman city of Pergamon, perched on its acropolis, with far-reaching views of the plains all around. Visit the Altar of Zeus, the temples of Trajan, Dionysus and marvel at the magnificent 10,000 seat theatre at the Temple of Athena. Continue to Bergama to enjoy a special lunch at a typical village house - a chance to try Turkish home cuisine and meet your hosts in their homes.

Spend the morning exploring one of the ancient world’s most famous cities. Remarkably well preserved, Ephesus is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its roads, pavements, facades and enormous theatre paint a vivid picture of what everyday life in the ancient city might have been like. After lunch, explore the beautiful nearby village of Sirince. Taste some locally produced wine, relax in the tranquil Turkish countryside and learn about the age-old art of Turkish rugmaking.

Today travel to the ancient city of Magnesia. On an exclusive guided tour, you’ll learn about the city’s fascinating history from experts and visit archaeological sites that are not usually open to the public. Later continue by road to Pamukkale and enjoy a dip in the thermal waters.

Explore the ancient spa city of Hierapolis, where you can marvel at the spectacular terraces of calcium pools cascading down the hillside. Founded during the Hellenistic period, the city later became a centre of worship for the Romans. Drive to Antalya in the afternoon, on Turkey’s south coast.

Drive to the ancient Greek city of Aspendos, home to the best-preserved Roman theatre in the Mediterranean. In the afternoon relax and unwind on a private boat tour lasting up to 2 hours, from Antalya along the attractive Mediterranean shoreline.

This morning you'll drive inland onto the Anatolian Plateau to the traditional town of Konya, famous as the burial place of the Islamic mystic and poet Rumi, founder of the Order of the Whirling Dervishes. Visit the striking Mevlana Museum, home to the mausoleum of Rumi himself.

Depart Konya for Sultanhani Caravanserai, a former resting point for the caravans that once travelled the famous Silk Road. This is the largest and best-preserved caravanserai in Turkey and one of the best examples of Anatolian Seljuk architecture. Continue to Cappadocia and later in the evening take in a spectacular Whirling Dervish performance at the historical Saruhan Caravanserai.

Experience Cappadocia's fantastical topography and long history on a full day tour of the region. Admire the preserved rock-hewn churches of Goreme, then at Pasabag Valley marvel at the unusual rock formations. Take in the magnificent view from the top of the Uchisar citadel and observe potters at Avanos creating masterpieces from clay sourced from the shores of the Halys River.

This morning, visit the Greek-built village of Mustafapasa, then continue for a walk through the beautiful Soganli Valley, home to early Christian churches dating from the 9th to 13th centuries. Lunch today will be in a traditional Cappadocia village home, decorated with textiles and local flatweave carpets. Your hosts will welcome you, then prepare and serve a variety of traditional dishes - a unique experience. Then continue to Kaymakli Underground City, a subterranean settlement that provided refuge for some of the world's earliest Christian communities.

After breakfast, travel to Turkey’s capital city, Ankara. Explore the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, renowned for its staggering collection of artefacts from every era of Turkey’s complex history. And finally, visit the colossal Mausoleum of Ataturk, resting place of the founder of modern Turkey.

After breakfast set off to drive back to Istanbul (5 to 6 hours) where we have lunch at a waterside restaurant on the Asian shore, close to Beylerbeyi Palace. From here we have fine views of the Bosporus and over to the famous skyline of the old city. Check into your hotel then enjoy the rest of the afternoon in one of the world’s great cities. You can either explore independently, do some souvenir shopping or indulge in the refined art of the Turkish Bath at the 16th century Hurrem Sultan Hammam, one of the very best and most traditional hammams in the city. Indulge in a deep cleanse and relaxing massage, your reward for the action-packed days you’ve just spent enjoying the best of western and central Turkey! Please allow AUD$200.00pp for the traditional Turkish Bath and massage. On your final evening eat at the atmospheric Cicek Pasaji (Flower Passage) which is a small, covered street of traditional restaurants that serve typical Turkish meze, grilled meats and Turkey's national drink of choice: raki.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your return flight home.