Pre-Conference Tours

TOUR 2: TURKEY 22 - 30 May 2009

This tour provides a taste of Turkey, but with significant emphasis on the battlefield of Gallipoli tracing events that have shaped Australia, under the expert knowledge of Dr Ross Bastiaan.
This tour is strictly limited to 42 participants, so is limited to registered delegates and accompanying person only and early booking is strongly advised to avoid disappointment.

DAY 1 Friday 22 May
Istanbul

Participants arriving on SQ490 in Istanbul will be met at the airport and transferred to the Erskin Crown Hotel, which is a 5 star centrally located boutique hotel with its own private museum. After checking in there is the opportunity to rest or just freshen up and go exploring. Delegates coming in on other flights will need to make their own way to the hotel. Early evening delegates will meet up in the hotel foyer and go out to enjoy a welcome dinner at Hamdi Restaurant.

DAY 2 Saturday 23 May
Istanbul

After breakfast at the hotel depart for a full day touring the sites of Istanbul. Visits will include the Hippodrome, used in Byzantine times for Chariot racing, the beautiful Blue Mosque, St Sophia and the fragrant Spice Markets. After a restaurant lunch, the tour will head to the Pera and Nisantasi district to explore this area which is home to a many consuls, churches, and historic subway system. There will also be time to shop or a coffee. Dinner at Giritli Restaurant and overnight at Erskin Crown Hotel.

DAY 3 Sunday 24 May
Istanbul

Enjoy a relaxed start to the morning and some time to explore before meeting the group after lunch for an afternoon cruise of the Boshorus, which is the natural border between Europe and Asia. See the seaside mansions, mosques, palaces and beaches along its shores. Back in Istanbul visit the Sakip Sabanci Museum to view the exhibits of this private fine arts museum, before dinner at the magical Sarnic Restaurant, a renovated 14th century Byzantine water cistern. Overnight at Erskin Crown Hotel.

DAY 4 Monday 25 May
Istanbul

After breakfast at the hotel depart for another full day touring the sites of Istanbul. Starting in the heart of the Sultanahmet district visiting an underground chamber created by the Emperor Justinian in 532 AD and then the magnificent Topkapi Palace, formerly official residence of the Ottoman Sultans and now is home to an impressive collection of tapestries, porcelain and the world's 7th largest diamond. After lunch within the palace grounds at Konyali Restaurant, it is off to the Grand Bazaar to both experience one of the city's fascinating attractions with thousands of shops, fountains and small mosques to try your bargaining techniques. The afternoon is completed by a Turkish bath experience at the Cagaloglu Baths. A seafood dinner at Kumkapi completes the day. Overnight at Erskin Crown Hotel.

DAY 5 Tuesday 26 May
Istanbul- Canakkale

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and depart for the four hour drive to the Gallipoli Peninsula. After a lunch stop enroute in Tekirdag visit Gelibolu the hotel to check-in. Late afternoon visit the Military Museum in Cannakale. Dinner and overnight at Akol Hotel.

DAY 6 Wednesday 27 May
Gallipoli and Canakkale

After breakfast depart to catch the early ferry to the Gallipoli Peninsula. On arrival the first stop is Kaba Tepe Museum enroute to Anzac Cove where there will be the opportunity to walk on the beach and visit the Ari Burnu Cemetery. For those up to a climb there is also the opportunity to visit Plugges Plateau Cemetery some 300 metres above Anzac Cove. Then driving to North Beach where the first Australian troops landed and where ANZAC day celebrations now occur for a picnic lunch prior to driving to Simpson's Grave, Shrapnel Valley Cemetery before walking to Lone Pine and Shell Green. Drive to The Nek and Walkers Ridge, then Cunik Bair, site of NZ National Memorial and Ataturk Memorial before proceeding back to the Akol Hotel for Dinner and Overnight.

DAY 7 Thursday 28 May
Gallipoli and Canakkale

After breakfast again proceed towards the Gallipoli Peninsula crossing the Dardanelles and heading south to Cape Helles and sites of British and French sectors of the Gallipoli Campaign. View the battlefields from Achi Baba, before proceeding to Seddulbahir, British landing site and the French National Memorial. After lunch at a nearby hotel visit V beach and its cemetery before visiting the British Memorial and other sites related to battles in May 1915 and Gully Ravine before returning to Canakkale. Dinner and overnight at Akol Hotel

DAY 8 Friday 29 May
Canakkale - Gallipoli- Troy - Assos

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and depart to Gallipoli this time to remote Suvla Bay, before proceeding to catch the ferry at Eceabat and Troy lunching en-route. Visit the legendary UNESCO World Heritage listed city and home of the Trojan Wars before proceeding to the small picturesque town of Assos. Dinner and overnight at Nazlihan Boutique Hotel.

DAY 9 Saturday 30 May
Troy - Pergamum - Kusadasi - Samos

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and depart for Kusadasi with a visit to the ancient city of Pergamum en-route. This archaeological site with its Acropolis, was a healing centre with treatments including mud baths, massages and herbal remedies. Lunch in a local restaurant on the way to Kusadasi arriving in time to catch the ferry to Samos, where a transfer to the Doryssa Seaside Resort will meet the group at the port in Samos town.

Cost: Single $4400, Twin Share $3800 pp

Above prices include: Transfer from Flight SQ490 22/5/09 to hotel, private air-conditioned buses, Gallipoli guiding by Dr Ross Bastian and professional English speaking guide and entrance fees for all sights described. 8 night's superior accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, lunches on days 2,4,5,6,7,8 & 9. Dinner on all 8 nights, ferry Kusadasi-Samos, transfers to conference hotel in Samos.

Drinks, entry visas to Turkey and personal expenses are not included. Note: Order of tour may change.