News & Promos

Jun13

Troy Day Tour Tour (Guaranteed Departure Everyday)

Tjs tours WELCOMES YOU TO AN EXPERIENCE

                                                 YOU WILL NEVER FORGET!                                                   

REF. NO. 5

Troy is a complex site. It has its own excavations team that returns every year to unravel the mystery that is Troy. This makes it an ongoing site where every year a piece of the puzzle is uncovered and history is made known!

DID THE TROJAN HORSE WAR ACTUALLY HAPPEN?

IS THERE ANYTHING LEFT OF THE TROJAN WAR CITY?

WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL THE TREASURES UNCOVERED FROM THIS SITE?

FIND OUT THE ANSWERS TO THESE MYTHIC QUESTIONS ON OUR TOUR!

TROY DAY TOUR ITINERARY:

Tour departs at 07.30am or 13.00 pm, depending on season and other daily tour schedules.

Tour departs from TJs Hotel in Eceabat, where you will cross the famous Dardanelle waters and proceed to the ancient site of Troy, 36km south of Çanakkale.

Our local, English-speaking guide will tour you around the 9 city ruins on the site of Troy, explaining the people from the era, their houses and culture, and the reason for the final destruction of each city.

The commentary is filled with mythical stories of the site and surrounding areas, while filling you in on the history of the excavations, the excavators and their findings.

At the site you’ll be shown around:

A replica of the wooden horse that you can climb into for a photo.
Excavation information centre which holds exhibits from the work underway.
The fortification walls of Troy Vl with its tower and gateway entrance.
Temple of Athena – the focal point of a great annual festival in honour of the goddess Athena.
Schliemann’s trench – the discoverer of Troy?
The entrance ramp to Troy ll.
The sanctuary – an important religious centre of its time.
The odeon – intended for the presentation of musical performances.
Current excavations in progress.
Return to TJs TOURS Agency & Hotel in Eceabat.

PLEASE NOTE
Times change according to the season & weather conditions.

The post Troy Day Tour (Guaranteed Departure Everyday) first appeared on Anzac Gallipoli Tours.

Jun13

Daily Snorkelling A WW1 Landing Craft (Guaranteed Departure Everyday)

REF. NO.10                       

Itinerary:

09:00    Depart from TJs Hotel

 

Snorkel a WW1 landing craft & relax on the beach.

A good chance to search for relics along the shoreline.

12:00    Return to TJs Hotel

Trip includes:

Transport to and from TJs Hotel.

Snorkel equipment : mask, finns and snorkel.

English speaking activity leader.

Effort required:

The craft is a 150m swim from the shore.

PLEASE NOTE
Times change according to the season & weather conditions.

The post Daily Snorkelling A WW1 Landing Craft (Guaranteed Departure Everyday) first appeared on Anzac Gallipoli Tours.

Jun13

Commemoration

In Australia & New Zealand, ANZAC DAY commemoration features solemn ‘dawn services’, a tradition started in Albany, Western Australia on 25 April 1923 & now held at war memorials around both countries, accompanied by thoughts of those lost at war to the ceremonial sounds of the Last Post on the bugle. The fourth stanza of Laurence Binyon’s poem For the Fallen (known as the Ode of Remembrance) is often recited.

 

REF. NO.18

4 Days 3 Nights …

Cruise Summary

Day 1:

09.00 am Depart TJs Hotel and Office for Cruise tour to the Kapatepe Harbour

Cruise to Anzac Cove
Snorkelling to the WW1 Wrecks
Lunch at North Beach ( View Sphinx and Commonrative Site)
Cruise to Suvla Bay
Swimming at Suvla Bay and walk around Solt Lake ( if we lucky we might see pelicans)
Dinner
Overnight at Suvla Bay

Day 2:

After Breakfast, Cruise to Gokceada (Imroz Island)
Kaskaval Cape ( View of the Peynir Kayaliklari – The Cheese Rock) at Kuzulimani
Mud bath at Aydincik Beach
Lunch at Aydincik Beach
Swimming at Aydincik Beach (Wind Surfing – Optional)
Dinner
Overnight at Gokceada (Imroz Island)

Day 3:

After Breakfast, Cruise to Bozcaada (Tenedos Island)
Docking to the Bozcaada (Tenedos Island) Port
Greek Church
Fortress
Vineyards
Stop at the shop to taste vine
Lunch on the Bozcaada (Tenedos Island)
After the Island trip back to Yatch
Cruise to Ayazma Beach and Swimming
Dinner
Wine Party on the Yatch
Overnight Bozcaada (Tenedos Island)

Day 4:

After Breakfast, Cruise to Cape Helles
Swimming at Morto Bay (S Beach)
Lunch at Morto Bay
Cruise to V (Swimming), W, X , Y Beachs
Cruise to Kapatepe Harbour
Bus Back to Eceabat and check in to the hotel or transfer to Istanbul.

End of the Cruise

Includes:

All transportation, non-smoking vehicle
All entrance fees
Fully guided tours
English-speaking guide.
4 Breakfasts
4 Lunches
3 Dinners
3 Nights Accommodation on the Yatch
Snorkelling

Excluded:

Wind Surfing
Scuba Diving
Drinks & meals which are not listed in the itinerary
Tips to captain & crew are made at the travellers discretion

Departure Dates

            June         July          August       September     October

            1 – 4          1 – 4           1 – 4                 1 – 4                 1 – 4

            5 – 8         5 – 8           5 – 8                 5 – 8               5 – 8

          9 – 12        9 – 12         9 – 12                9 – 12             9 – 12

        13 – 16     13 – 16       13 – 16               13 – 16            13 – 16

        17 – 20    17 – 20       17 – 20             17 – 20             17 – 20

        21 – 24    21 – 24       21 – 24             21 – 24            21 – 24

       25 – 29    25 – 29       25 – 29            25 – 29            25 – 29

Note:

In case of poor weather and/or sea conditions, this program is subject to change without notice.

WARNING!!

There are very few toilets in the battlefield area. Go before tour!
There are also very few bins so please collect your rubbish & put it back on the bus so we can dispose of it responsibly later on.
Take your bathers/togs/cossies/swimmers for a swim at lunchtime when & if time & weather permits.
There are no shops at the battlefields, so remember to buy water & nibblies before you leave Eceabat.
Remember to take sunscreen & a hat if you’re not fond of direct sunlight as there is minimal shade available. Shorts are fine to wear on the peninsula but remember to wear sensible shoes as you will be walking on uneven ground at times & there are snakes in the area.

PLEASE NOTE
Times change according to the season & weather conditions.

The post Gallipoli & Turkish Islands Cruise first appeared on Anzac Gallipoli Tours.

Jun13

REF No. 3

ANZAC, CAPE HELLES AND TROY EXPERIENCE

Commemoration
In Australia & New Zealand, ANZAC DAY commemoration features solemn ‘dawn services’, a tradition started in Albany, Western Australia on 25 April 1923 & now held at war memorials around both countries, accompanied by thoughts of those lost at war to the ceremonial sounds of the Last Post on the bugle. The fourth stanza of Laurence Binyon’s poem For the Fallen (known as the Ode of Remembrance) is often recited.

Tjs tours WELCOMES YOU TO AN EXPERIENCE

YOU WILL NEVER FORGET!

Day 1 : Istanbul – Eceabat

06:00  Transfer vehicle will begin the circuit around the hotels for pickups. We ask that

customers be ready at reception of hotel for transfer to Eceabat.

Pickups between 6.30 & 7am, depending on number of customers from each hotel..

07:00   Transfer to Eceabat by TJS TOUR bus.

Morning & night showings of Gallipoli documentary, “The Fatal Shore” & the movie “Gallipoli” on the bus.

12.00   Arrive in Eceabat where you will be met by the staff of TJs TOURS.

Lunch in Eceabat

13.00   Depart  from here you’ll drive to the ANZAC Battlefield area to start an emotional & memorable tour.

On tour you’ll visit:

Kabatepe Epic Promotion Centre (War Museum)
Beach Cemetery (John Simpson’s Grave)
ANZAC Cove
Ari Burnu (First ANZAC landing place)
Lone Pine Cemetery (Australian memorial)
Johnston’s Jolly (Walk in the ANZAC trenches) – view Shrapnel Valley
Turkish Memorial
The Nek(Light Horse scene depicted in the Gallipoli movie) &Walker’s Ridge
Chunuk Bair (Main New Zealand memorial)

Return to TJs TOURS Agency & Hotel in Eceabat.

Overnight in Eceabat or Canakkale

Day 2 : CAPE HELLES & TROY

After breakfast, drive to the village of Kilitbahir, 5kms south of Eceabat, where you will visit :

Turkish WW1 ammunition storage area
Ottoman Castle

Then further south to Cape Helles visiting:

Turkish, French and English memorials
Lunch
Troy is a complex site. It has its own excavations team that returns every year to unravel the mystery that is Troy. This makes it an ongoing site where every year a piece of the puzzle is uncovered and history is made known!

DID THE TROJAN HORSE WAR ACTUALLY HAPPEN?

IS THERE ANYTHING LEFT OF THE TROJAN WAR CITY?

WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL THE TREASURES UNCOVERED FROM THIS SITE?

FIND OUT THE ANSWERS TO THESE MYTHIC QUESTIONS ON OUR TOUR!

TROY TOUR ITINERARY:

Tour departs at 07.30am OR 1pm, depending on season and other daily tour schedules.

Tour departs from TJs Hotel in Eceabat, where you will cross the famous Dardanelle waters and proceed to the ancient site of Troy, 36km south of Çanakkale.

Our local, English-speaking guide will tour you around the 9 city ruins on the site of Troy, explaining the people from the era, their houses and culture, and the reason for the final destruction of each city.

The commentary is filled with mythical stories of the site and surrounding areas, while filling you in on the history of the excavations, the excavators and their findings.

At the site you’ll be shown around:

A replica of the wooden horse that you can climb into for a photo.
Excavation information centre which holds exhibits from the work underway.
The fortification walls of Troy Vl with its tower and gateway entrance.
Temple of Athena – the focal point of a great annual festival in honour of the goddess Athena.
Schliemann’s trench – the discoverer of Troy?
The entrance ramp to Troy ll.
The sanctuary – an important religious centre of its time.
The odeon – intended for the presentation of musical performances.
Current excavations in progress.

Tour includes:

Fully guided tours with local, Professional English speaking guide.
All transportation in private ‘Non Smoking’ bus.
1 Night Accommodation (BB)
2 Lunches.
Entrance and ferry fees included.

WARNING!!

There are very few toilets in the battlefield area. Go before tour!
There are also very few bins so please collect your rubbish & put it back on the bus so we can dispose of it responsibly later on.
Take your bathers/togs/cossies/swimmers for a swim at lunchtime when & if time & weather permits.
There are no shops at the battlefields, so remember to buy water & nibblies before you leave Eceabat.
Remember to take sunscreen & a hat if you’re not fond of direct sunlight as there is minimal shade available. Shorts are fine to wear on the peninsula but remember to wear sensible shoes as you will be walking on uneven ground at times & there are snakes in the area.

PLEASE NOTE

Times change according to the season & weather conditions.

The post Anzac, Cape Helles And Troy Experience first appeared on Anzac Gallipoli Tours.

Jun13

Tjs Tours WELCOMES YOU TO AN EXPERIENCE

YOU WILL NEVER FORGET!

REF No. 2      

Itinerary:                                            

Istanbul – Eceabat

06:00Transfer vehicle will begin the circuit around the hotels for pickups. We ask that

customers be ready at reception of hotel for transfer to Eceabat.

Pickups between 6.30& 7am, depending on number of customers from each hotel..

07:00   Transfer to Eceabat by TJS TOUR bus.

12.00   Arrive in Eceabat where you will be met by the staff of TJs TOURS.

Lunch in Eceabat

13.00   Depart  from here you’ll drive to the ANZAC Battlefield area to start an emotional & memorable tour.

On tour you’ll visit:

Gallipoli – Kabatepe War Museum & Simulation Centre
Beach Cemetery (John Simpson’s Grave)
ANZAC Cove
Ari Burnu (First ANZAC landing place)
Lone Pine Cemetery (Australian memorial)
Johnston’s Jolly (Walk in the ANZAC trenches) – view Shrapnel Valley
Turkish Memorial
The Nek(Light Horse scene depicted in the Gallipoli movie) &Walker’s Ridge
Chunuk Bair (Main New Zealand memorial)

Return to TJs TOURS Agency & Hotel in Eceabat.

17:30 pm. Depart Eceabat for Istanbul with TJS TOURS bus.

Note : Departure time may very according to conclusion time of the Gallipoli Tour.

Dinner is not included, but the driver will stop on request if the customer wishes to buy food at a roadside restaurant

Tour includes:

Fully guided 4/5hr Gallipoli tour with local, Professional English speaking guide.
All transportation in private ‘Non Smoking’ bus.
Entrance fee.

TJs TOURS is the only agency with a set of registers for the Gallipoli Peninsula on the premises.

The register books were given to TJ and B in recognition of their work for the Commonwealth War Graves in providing information for tourists on the Gallipoli Peninsula. With these books, we can locate the burial site of any Commonwealth soldier who fell in the Gallipoli campaign.

We invite you to make use of this service free of charge.

The post Gallipoli Experience Tour (Guaranteed Departure Everyday) first appeared on Anzac Gallipoli Tours.

Jun13

Main Info

REF No. 1

Commemoration
In Australia & New Zealand, ANZAC DAY commemoration features solemn ‘dawn services’, a tradition started in Albany, Western Australia on 25 April 1923 & now held at war memorials around both countries, accompanied by thoughts of those lost at war to the ceremonial sounds of the Last Post on the bugle. The fourth stanza of Laurence Binyon’s poem For the Fallen (known as the Ode of Remembrance) is often recited.

Tjs tours WELCOMES YOU TO AN EXPERIENCE

YOU WILL NEVER FORGET!

TOUR ITINERARY

Morning & night showings of Gallipoli documentary“The Fatal Shore” & the movie “Gallipoli”.

12.00am ~ Tour departs from TJs TOURS Agency & Hotel .

Lunch in Eceabat

From here you’ll drive to the ANZAC Battlefield area to start an emotional & memorable tour.

On tour you’ll visit:

Gallipoli – Kabatepe War Museum & Simulation Centre
Beach Cemetery (John Simpson’s Grave)
ANZAC Cove
Ari Burnu (First ANZAC landing place)
Lone Pine Cemetery (Australian memorial)
Johnston’s Jolly (Walk in the ANZAC trenches)
View Shrapnel Valley
Turkish Memorial
The Nek(Light Horse scene depicted in the Gallipoli movie) &Walker’s Ridge
Chunuk Bair (Main New Zealand memorial)
Return to TJs TOURS Agency & Hotel in Eceabat.

Please tell us before tour if you would like us to research or locate an ANZAC  grave. There are no registers out on the peninsula.

There are no registers out on the peninsula.

TJs TOURS is the only agency with a set of registers for the Gallipoli Peninsula on the premises.
The register books were given to TJ  in recognition of his work for the Commonwealth War Graves in providing information for tourists on the Gallipoli Peninsula. With these books, we can locate the burial site of any Commonwealth soldier who fell in the Gallipoli campaign.

We invite you to make use of this service free of charge.

Tour Includes
• Fully guided 4/5hr Gallipoli tour with local, Professional English speaking guide.
• All transportation in private ‘Non Smoking’ bus.
• Lunch.
• Museum entrance fee.

WARNING!!
There are very few toilets in the battlefield area. Go before tour!
There are also very few bins so please collect your rubbish & put it back on the bus so we can dispose of it responsibly later on.
Take your bathers/togs/cossies/swimmers for a swim at lunchtime when & if time & weather permits.
There are no shops at the battlefields, so remember to buy water & nibblies before you leave Eceabat.
Remember to take sunscreen & a hat if you’re not fond of direct sunlight as there is minimal shade available. Shorts are fine to wear on the peninsula but remember to wear sensible shoes as you will be walking on uneven ground at times & there are snakes in the area.

PLEASE NOTE
Times change according to the season & weather conditions.

The post Gallipoli Day Tour (Guaranteed Departure Everyday) first appeared on Anzac Gallipoli Tours.

Jun13

REF. NO. 6

Troy Ancient City
Fought over for thousands of years & included now on UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage list, Troy continues to inspire us with its history. Over the millennia the Dardanelles strait has been the scene of countless wars owing to its strategic position between two continents (Europe & Asia) & two seas (the Mediterranean & the Black Sea). From the Trojan War, thought to have taken place in 1180 B.C. & chronicled by the Anatolian epic poet Homer in his immortal Iliad, to the Battle of Gallipoli in the First World War, the purpose has always been the same: to rule East & West by controlling the Dardanelles.

TOUR ITINERARY

06:00 Transfer vehicle will begin the circuit around the hotels for pickups. We ask that customers be ready at reception of hotel for transfer to Eceabat.
Pickups between 6 & 7am, depending on number of customers from each hotel..
07:00 Transfer to Eceabat by TJS TOUR bus.
12.00 Arrive in Eceabat where you will be met by the staff of TJs TOURS.

Lunch in Eceabat

Tour departs at 12.30 am from TJs Hotel in Eceabat where you will cross the famous Dardanelle waters and proceed to the ancient site of Troy, 36km south of Çanakkale.

Our local english speaking guide will tour you around the 9 city ruins on the site of Troy explaining the people from the era, their houses and culture and the reason for the final destruction of each city.

The commentary is filled with mythical stories of the site and surrounding areas while filling you in on the history of the excavations, the excavators and their findings.

At the site you’ll be shown around:

A replica of the wooden horse that you can climb into for a photo.
Excavation information centre which holds exhibits from the work underway.
The fortification walls of Troy Vl with its tower and gateway entrance.
Temple of Athena – the focal point of a great annual festival in honour of the goddess Athena.
Schliemann’s trench – the discoverer of Troy?
The entrance ramp to Troy ll.
The sanctuary – an important religious centre of its time.
The odeon – intended for the presentation of musical performances.
Current excavations in progress.

Transfer back to Istanbul by TJs Tours bus.

Tour Includes:

Professional English speaking guide.
All transportation including ferry ride and private bus.
Entrance fee.
1 Lunch

PLEASE NOTE
Times change according to the season & weather conditions.

The post Troy Experience first appeared on Anzac Gallipoli Tours.

Jun13

Turkey ANZAC Day commemorations 2022 Gallipoli.
We are sure that your visit to the Gallipoli Peninsula will be a memorable one. However, it is important for visitors to understand that limited facilities are available at the commemorative sites. The memorial sites are located in a national park with no permanent infrastructure or any kind of shelter…

All seating, lighting & toilet facilities must be brought in from outside the park. The Anzac Commemorative Site is very small. Grassed space at the Anzac Commemorative Site is limited & fills up very quickly after the site opens. Security at the site is managed by the Turkish authorities. Visitors can expect delays entering the site for security screening (airport type screening).

The weather at Gallipoli can get very cold overnight (below freezing) & there may be rain. Visitors must come prepared for these conditions as there is no shelter at the Commemorative sites. This website will be updated as current information changes. Due to changes that occur in the international travel environment, potential travellers to Turkey should refer to the latest travel advice on the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade “Smart Traveller” website. See travel hints & a consular information card for Australians travelling to Turkey to attend the 2020 ANZAC Day commemorations. Please also register here to receive updates should circumstances change or vital information needs to be sent to visitors.

Anzac Day commemorations 2022
Anzac Day services on the Gallipoli Peninsula are conducted by Turkey, Australia, New Zealand, Britain & France. In 2022 services will be held on Wednesday 24th & Thursday 25th April. The service times listed below are based on 2011 start times & may change closer to the service period.

Friday, 24 April 2022
09:00 – 10:50 Turkish International Service, Mehmetcik Abidesi
11:15 – 11:40 French Memorial Service, Morto Bay
12:00 – 12:25 Commonwealth Memorial Service, Cape Helles

Saturday, 25 April 2022
05:30 – 06:15 Dawn Service, Anzac Commemorative Site, North Beach
09:30 – 10:00 Australian Memorial Service, Lone Pine
10:30 – 11:00 Turkish 57th Regiment Memorial Service, Turkish 57th Regiment Memorial
11:30 – 12:00 New Zealand Memorial Service, Chunuk Bair

The Anzac Commemorative Site is expected to be closed to visitor entry from approximately late morning to early evening on Wednesday 24 April. The road leading to the Anzac Commemorative Site will be closed from 3am on Thursday 25 April until the start of the Dawn Service.

Preparing to attend Anzac Day commemorations
You should have a moderate level of fitness if you plan to attend the Anzac Day commemorations. To attend the services you can expect to walk up to 8 kms on uneven surfaces. The walk from the Dawn Service to Lone Pine where the Australian service is held is approximately 3 kms & includes a section of 1.5 kms of uneven dirt surface with a very steep incline. The walk from Lone Pine to Chunuk Bair where the New Zealand service is held is 3.2kms up a steep bitumen surfaced road.

What to expect
-All commemorative services are held in a National Park.
-All commemorative services are open to the public however seating is not reserved nor guaranteed.
-You will arrive in the early evening or at night when it may be extremely cold & windy, & it may rain.
-The weather during the day may be warm & windy.
-You will need to pass through security at Anzac Commemorative Site & again at Lone Pine. -Considerable delays can be expected due to the large numbers of people attending.
-You can expect to be on site exposed to the elements for between 12 & 30 hours.
-There is no shelter at any of the commemorative sites or within the Anzac area.
-Temporary tiered seating is installed at the Anzac Commemorative site, Lone Pine & Chunuk -Bair for the Anzac Day Services. In addition to the tiered seating, the grassed areas within the site also provide seating areas. As many visitors attend services seating is neither reserved nor guaranteed.
-The site is likely to be crowded & as the grassed areas fill quickly there may not be room to stretch out & fall asleep.
-Warm & wet weather protective clothing, as well as a hat/cap & sunscreen are necessary to ensure your wellbeing & comfort at the ceremonies.
-You will walk considerable distances from the time of your arrival to attend the services until your departure from the Anzac area – these walks are uphill including on very steep, graded dirt surfaces. You must have a moderate level of fitness & mobility to walk these distances.
-Food & refreshments are available for purchase from the Turkish food sellers on site. You may bring in your own food. Alcohol is NOT allowed at the commemorations & will be confiscated.
-Limited basic facilities including toilets, lighting & non-drinking water are brought in to the commemorative sites for the Anzac Day commemorations on 24 & 25 April.
-Swimming in the waters off the Anzac area is prohibited.

Packing
Bring:
Wet weather jacket & pants, Warm, thermal clothing, jacket, beanie, hat or cap, gloves, scarf
Warm blanket, Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes, Prescription medications (if necessary), Food/snacks, Drinking water (opened bottles will not be permitted), Sunscreen, Torch, Camera, A small day pack may be useful to carry these items.

What NOT to bring
The following items are prohibited in the commemorative areas: large backpacks (eg luggage sized), camping equipment, opened bottles of liquids, alcohol*, flammable liquids, weapons or sharp objects, *Intoxicated persons will be refused entry. These items MUST be left on your coach/minibus. All visitors to the commemorative services are screened on entry to the sites, & all bags are searched.

Arriving at the commemorations
People generally travel to the Gallipoli Peninsula by coach or minibus as part of a tour group. People may travel to the commemorations in private motor vehicles. However, depending on the location of the parking area designated by Turkish authorities, visitors travelling by private vehicle may have to walk several kilometres along unlit or poorly lit roads before reaching the Anzac Commemorative Site.

Private vehicles are prohibited from travelling to the Lone Pine, 57th Regiment Memorial or Chunuk Bair commemorative sites.
Several kilometres from the Anzac Commemorative Site, coaches & their passengers are welcomed by a member of the visitor services team & issued with coach identification information – a Coach Identification Number & individual tags for each passenger with their coach number on it. This will help visitors to identify their coach at the end of the day.

Coaches set down their passengers at Beach Cemetery, which is about one kilometre (15 minutes walk on a graded dirt road) from the Anzac Commemorative Site where the Dawn Service is held. All visitors will pass through a security screening point before entering the site, then walk approximately half a kilometre to the ceremonial area.

When you disembark from your coach you must ensure that you have everything you will need during the evening & next day, including medication. To assist with security screening we suggest that keys, phones & coins are placed in your day pack or bag. You will not be able to go back to your coach if you forget anything or to return items that are prohibited on site. Coaches will depart the set down area after they have disembarked passengers & will not return to collect passengers until after all commemorative services are completed on the afternoon of 25 April.

Seating at the commemorative sites is available on grassed areas & in stands. Seating cannot be reserved. Once open on 24 April, the Anzac Commemorative Site fills quickly. People may end up sitting very close to each other &, if the site reaches capacity, people will be asked to stand. Large groups who arrive later may not be able to find room to be seated as a group & should be prepared to split up & stand if there are no seats available.

Weather
The weather in April can be warm during the day & extremely cold overnight (temperatures may be below 0 degrees celsius). Rain & very cold winds are possible. Visitors should ensure they are adequately equipped for these extremes by ensuring that they take appropriate warm & protective clothing. There is no shelter at any of the commemorative sites & visitors will be exposed to the weather for the entire period they are on site, which can be up to 24 hours. Large crowds, limited public utilities, & traffic & security arrangements can result in long waiting periods.

Getting about on the day
Each of the commemorative services is open to the public. Those attending the Dawn Service at the Anzac Commemorative Site may go on to attend the Australian Service at Lone Pine, the Turkish 57th Regiment Service at the Turkish 57th Regiment Memorial or the New Zealand Service at Chunuk Bair. However, due to the walking distances & terrain between the commemorative sites & the number of visitors walking to each service it may not be possible to attend all four services.

Dawn Service to Lone Pine
From approximately 6:30am (after completion of the Dawn Service) visitors walk along the Anzac Cove Road & up Artillery Road to Lone Pine Cemetery for the 09:30am Australian Memorial Service. This 3.1km walk takes visitors past the Ari Burnu, Shrapnel Valley & Beach Cemeteries. Shortly after Beach Cemetery, the route follows Artillery Road inland as it slopes uphill past Shell Green Cemetery to Lone Pine. Artillery Road is a dirt road & is very steep & uneven in places. The road can be extremely difficult to walk. The route is well signposted. A moderate level of fitness is required. The walk to Lone Pine can be challenging & is very steep. ACS to Lone Pine is approximately 3km. Artillery road is 1.42km long, with a height gain of 118 meters. From Lone Pine to Chunuk Bair is another 3.3km uphill. If you are elderly or have a disability which may prevent you being able to make this climb you may be eligible for special needs assistance.

Lone Pine to Turkish 57th Regiment Memorial
After the conclusion of the service at Lone Pine at 10:00am, there is little time to walk from Lone Pine to the Turkish 57th Regiment Memorial service, a distance of 1.2kms along an uphill bitumen road. The Turkish service starts at 10:00am, thirty minutes after the conclusion of the Lone Pine service.

Lone Pine to Chunuk Bair
The New Zealand Service at Chunuk Bair commences at 11:30pm. The route slopes uphill past the Turkish 57th Regiment Memorial & is approximately 3.3kms. As you walk to Chunuk Bair, please respect the Turkish service in progress at the Turkish 57th Regiment Memorial. The walking time between Lone Pine & Chunuk Bair is approximately one hour & fifteen minutes.

Toilets
Permanent toilets are only available at the Kabatepe Museum, which is some distance from the commemorative sites. Temporary chemical toilets & hand washing facilities are available on 24 & 25 April at the Anzac Commemorative Site, Lone Pine & Chunuk Bair. The water at these locations is not potable & must not be used as drinking water.

Water & Power
There is no running water, power or lighting except for that in use for the services. Bottled water is available for purchase from Turkish vendors at each of the commemorative sites, but we do encourage you to bring your own. Opened bottles of liquid will not be allowed onto the site, including open water bottles.

Refreshments
Local Turkish food & drink vendors sell limited quantities of their products within the Gallipoli Park. Consuming alcohol within the National Park is not permitted. The ban on alcohol is strictly enforced – alcohol brought on site will be confiscated & intoxicated people will be denied entry.

Rubbish
Rubbish disposal facilities are provided & visitors are asked to dispose of rubbish thoughtfully or, where possible, take rubbish with them. All visitors to the Dawn Service are provided with a biodegradable rubbish bag (as part of an information kit). Additional rubbish bags are available from commemorative services staff.

Lost Property
If you lose or find property during the commemorations, please take it to the information tent & notify event staff. Following the commemorations, lost property enquiries can be directed to gallipoli@dva.gov.au. Property is only retained for a month & is held in Turkey. Arrangements for & costs of shipping are the responsibility of individuals claiming lost items.

Safety & security
The Australian & New Zealand Embassies in Ankara & the Australian Consulate in Canakkale work closely with Turkish authorities who are responsible for security for the commemorations. Security & crowd management measures include a ban on lighting fires, restrictions on entry points, individual searches & site security. Crowd control barriers are used as a means of directing public access & protecting the surrounding environment. You should follow instructions issued by Turkish security personnel. Allow sufficient time to travel between the commemorative sites including time to pass through each site’s security checkpoint. Visitors will most likely be separated into male & female lines to go through the security check-points for cultural & religious reasons. On passing the security check-point at the Anzac Commemorative Site, all visitors will be given a security wristband. This wristband MUST be worn on the wrist until you leave the Gallipoli Historical National Park at the conclusion of the services. Visitors will be screened again on entering the Lone Pine site for the Australian Service & Chunuk Bair for the New Zealand service. Security measures may be in place several days in advance of the services. Certain areas of the Anzac Commemorative Site (including the beach & ceremonial area) will be inaccessible to members the public for extended periods on 24 April & 25 April.

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Jun13

The Dardanelles gets regular winds. This is why all parts of the Strait but especially Guzelyali are suitable for windsurfing lovers. Bozcaada, with its clean & shallow waters, is an alternative destination for windsurfing. Be sure to spend plenty of time experiencing the outdoor activities of the region…

Diving
The Dardanelles, the Gulf of Saroz, Bozcaada & Gokceada are home to many wrecks that divers would be interested in. At the southern or Aegean mouth of the Dardanelles there is the wreck of the Kaptan Franko, while the Lundy lies in 30 metres off of Kemikli point in the Gulf of Saroz. Both wrecks can be dived on. At Gokceada’s Kuzu Port there are the remains of wreck dating from WW1. Kuzu Port & its surrounded have been declared an Underwater National Park & present a great alternative for divers. In the region between the Mermer Lighthouse & the Anatolian side you across giant anchors & ship wrecks. Around Esek island between Orfoz & Karayer islands there is a diving point where you can see all types of life forms. In Bozcaada the south coastline of Mermer Point & the Tuz Point are suitable for free diving.

Handcrafts & shopping
Working clay In the recent years Canakkale’s traditional handcrafted pottery work has been regenerated & clay vases, pots, jars, carafes, cups slat shakers & etc are being made. These are marketed as souvenirs. Handcraft souvenirs made of ceramics that symbolise the Trojan horse & so forth are sold in shops around the Canakkale wharf & the shops at historical sites. In the villages of Ezine, Bayramic & Ayvacik among the yoruks (nomads) the weaving of carpets & rugs is common. The carpets with traditional Anatolian motives are made from % 100 wool. The main colours used in carpets here are red, yellow, green & blue. The red & blue is applied in large design patterns & in the background of the carpet while green & yellow is applied in the design or bordering pattern. The products generally are in the sizes of a praying mat & have intricate designs. In co-operatives formed here great importance is given to preserving the traditional carpets of the region. Other woven products; In the villages of Bayramic & Biga strong coarse wool cloth & thin wool material is made & in the villages of the Eceabat district macramé & female baggy trousers from local wool are woven. Throughout the region traditional socks & bath flannel material is common.

Trekking & jeep safari in Mount Ida
Some parts of Mount Ida are a national park & you need permission to enter this zone. Personal request are not approved. This is necessary both for the safety of the mountain & the person. The best solution is to take a tour from the one of the big cities or from the local agencies.

Jeep safaris
For the trekking there are numerous routes. The degree of hardness of the route varies. Some are tours that go up to the summit & set up tents there & some are soft daily tours. There are also tours where you are take a tractor trailer to a certain point & then walk up to the peak. During these tours lighting fires is forbidden so meals are served cold. Due to its very rich fauna & flora there used to be herb collecting tours in the past. There are 26 species endemic to Mount Ida & 15 types of vegetation that only grow on Mount Ida in Turkey that are not endemic. This vegetation is a part of the world heritage. These tours were not allowed anymore by the threat of having these plantations uprooted intentionally or not. Tours in the company of a guide are allowed. Photographing, filming or watching of the vegetation is allowed. Mount Ida is rich in terms of plants used for healing & as part of the local culture, many plants are used in various ways to cure diseases. Here it is necessary to lend your ears to the experts. The plants were being used for treatment purposes from very ancient times. Today, most of the modern drugs are made by using plants but in the region one should be careful about other plants than those used in cooking that are used by treatment. Even very common & well known herb teas when taken too much can pose problems. In the mythological it said that Zeus turned into an eagle & brought the handsome Ganymedes to Mount Olympus & the handsome boy ate ambrossia & drank the nectar just like gods. The story goes that he became immortal but one should remember that it is worth leaving the last say to medicine.

The post Activities first appeared on Anzac Gallipoli Tours.

Jun13

Istanbul is truly a world city, an enchanting blend of Eastern & Western culture, a vibrant, modern city, with a unique identity. Its rich past coexists alongside its youthful exuberance. Although no longer the capital of Turkey, Istanbul still remains the country’s cultural & business centre…

Edirne
Edirne’s former name is Adrianople (Hadrianoupolis) “City of Hadrianus”, named after the Roman emperor who founded the city on the site of Thracian village of Uskudama. Between 1700 & 1750, Edirne was the 4th biggest city in Europe, with an estimated population of about 350,000 people. Although it is quite a lively city, especially compared to other Turkish cities of this size, however all you see today is just a fraction of its former glory. Selimiye Mosque which dominates the skyline of the city, is considered the zenith of Ottoman architecture.

Tekridag
Tekirdag is a city of 108,000 in European Turkey, on the northern shoreline of the Sea of Marmara & is 132 km west of Istanbul. First founded by Thracians, its actual location is what is now Barbaros, a village 9 km southwest of Tekirdag. It was then colonised by Greeks from the Aegean island of Samos. Tekirdag since 1923 is a part of the Republic of Turkey. The city is surrounded by the Sea of Marmara on one side & by sunflower & grain fields on the other. On the hillsides to the southwest, viniculture is an important activity.

Troy
Immortalized by the writings of Homer, the legendary city of Troy invites the wanderlust with its picturesque settings & historical ruins. While on vacation in Turkey, an excursion to this ancient city will give you the opportunity to savor the striking scenery & wealth of archaeological sites of a long lost kingdom. If mythology is what intrigues you or if you are an avid literature lover, Troy is the perfect choice for a day tour. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site & has recently been declared a national park.

Assos
Assos, also known as Behramkale (or, rarely, as Behram, as it appears on some old maps), is a village in northern Aegean Region, Turkey. It’s located on the northern coast of Gulf of Edremit, just opposite the northern coast of the Greek island of Lesvos. This is a village that is consisted of two parts: the ‘real’ village on the top of a hill overlooking the sea & a coastal part right down by the shore (which was the harbour of the village in the past). Both parts are equally old & full of stone buildings with traditional Mediterranean architecture.

Gokceada
Gokceada is the largest island of Turkey with a surface of 279 square kilometers. The island is very mountainous. Cape Avlaka, near Ugurlu, is the westernmost point of the island, and of Turkey as well. In ancient times, it was believed that Greek sea god Poseidon rested his horses in the deep sea between Gokceada and the Greek island of Samothrace, which is to the north of Gokceada. The former name of the island, İmroz, which derived from its Greek name (Imvros), was officially changed to Gokceada.

Bursa
Bursa lies in the northwestern part of Turkey near the Sea of Marmara, about 20 km inland. Bursa was the first capital of the Ottomans, who started as a small emirate in the countryside just east of Bursa & within 2 centuries had set foot on3 continents. Today, with a population of more than 2,500,000, Bursa is the fourth largest city in Turkey after Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. It is famous for its peach, chestnut & silk, although lately, heavy industry located in the outskirts of the city has surpassed these traditional industries.

Ayvalik
Ayvalik was an important trade centre during Ottoman times, it had an autonomous status & even many European powers set up consulates. The city then was almost completely inhabited by Greeks, who were exchanged with Turks from Crete when a population swap was mandated between governments of Turkey & Greece in 1923. The fusion of local Greek & Cretan cultures formes the character of today’s Ayvalik. While most of the physical historical heritage is clearly Greek, the everyday culture alive on the streets is mainly Cretan.

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