24 APRIL 2012-  ISTANBUL TO GALLIPOLI 

We will meet in the morning at 10:00 in front of the True Blue Tour office in the Sultanahmet old city district of Istanbul. This is the heart of tourism in Istanbul where many hotels and hostels are located. We will board our new model air conditioned coach and head towards Eceabat, stopping along the way to pick up supplies for lunch and the overnight stay at Gallipoli.

Traveling along the scenic Marmara Coast and with plenty of time for photo opportunities, we will take a short break in Tekirdag before we reach Eceabat, the port town of Gallipoli and the closest point to the memorial site. Once we arrive in Gallipoli we will drive to the Anzac cove in the early evening in order to get the best spots and pass the night waiting for the Dawn Service to begin. There will be documentary movies about the Gallipoli war campaign on big screens throughout the night.

*Please note that this year we have decided not to depart too early, as we may not be allowed to make a battlefield tour on the 24th due to security restrictions.

25 APRIL 2012-  ANZAC DAY COMMEMORATIONS AND RETURN TO ISTANBUL  (Box Breakfast, Box Lunch)

At first light we will witness the Dawn Service, which is always an emotional and moving experience for everyone present at the observance. You will hear tributes to and recollections about the brave ANZAC troops, after which all those gathered will join together in a procession to Gallipoli. We will remember the fallen with commemorations for the Australian Service at Lone Pine and the New Zealand service at Chunuk Bair. After the services have concluded, your guide will round you up from either Lone Pine or Chunuk Bair and we will board our coach for departure to Eceabat. We will make a short break in Eceabat to drop off those who will not be returning to Istanbul. You have the option to leave our tour and take a ferry to Canakkale from where you may continue your travels around Turkey. Our coach will then depart for Istanbul. We will arrive in the evening and you will be dropped off at your hotel in Istanbul. (B,L)

*Please note that your Istanbul hotel accommodations are not included in the price of this tour; although, we will be happy to arrange accommodations for you if you request this service.

Please make note of the following:

• After we have loaded your travel luggage in the cargo space of the coach on the morning of 24 April before we depart Istanbul, it will be securely locked away and you will not have the chance to get to it again until arriving in either Eceabat or Istanbul the following evening after ANZAC DAY commemorations. Therefore, it is important for you to bring a day pack loaded with things you may need or want during our overnight vigil at Anzac Cove and throughout the commemoration services the next day in Gallipoli.
• You will need warm clothing and perhaps a blanket for our night at Anzac cove.
• You have the option for True Blue Tour to book your hotel accommodations and to provide airport transfers
• You have the option to add days to this itinerary.

• New model non-smoking air conditioned and heated transportation Istanbul-Gallipoli-Istanbul
• ANZAC Day program and map
• Professional English speaking tour guide who is licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Tourism
• Meals as indicated in the above itinerary
• Luggage handling during transfers
• Hotel drop off when you return from Gallipoli
• On ground support and access to TRUE BLUE TOUR Istanbul offices should you require any further assistance
• Personal travel insurance

• International flights to and from Istanbul
• Arrival and departure transfers in Turkey
• Istanbul hotel accommodations
• Accommodation in Gallipoli
• Entrance fees to museums and ruins
• Sleeping bags or woollies to keep you warm at Anzac Cove 
• Personal expenses, drinks and tips