STORY OF CHARMING AEGEAN

DAY 1             WW1 BATTLEFIELDS OF GALLIPOLI
Historical journey through the Gallipoli Naval (19 February–18 March 1915) and Land (25 April 1915 – 9 January 1916) Campaigns in modern-day Turkey, where the last ‘gentleman’s war’ took place during World War I. Anglo-French operation against Ottoman Empire, intended to force the 38-mile- (61-km-) long Dardanelles channel and to occupy Constantinople. Many in Britain, notably the First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill, the campaign was conceived as a way to break the bloody stalemate on the Western Front, knock the Ottoman Empire out of the war, and open a sea line of communication to the Russian Empire. The invasion failed to achieve any of these goals and was instead blunted by determined Ottoman resistance under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Mustafa Kemal, taking a predominantly Australian and New Zealander point of view.

Pick up from your centrally located accommodation in Istanbul and begin our 4.5 hours scenic drive down to Eceabat, 310km/193miles west, along the Sea of Marmara which the British, French and Anzac troops were intended to take over during the WW1 in Gallipoli campaign. Two-hours after leaving Istanbul behind, we’ll stop for a bite if you haven’t eaten breakfast and stretch our legs. Enjoy a delicious meal at a local restaurant in the town of Eceabat.

Our guided tour of the region will take in sights such as Beach Cemetery, also known as ‘Hell Spit’, where over 390 Commonwealth service men are now buried. One km farther downhill is Brighton Beach, favourite swimming spot for Anzac troops and rumoured to be the first intended landing site. Then, we go to Anzac Cove in the north of Kabatepe. The initial landing site on the ill-fated morning of 25 April 1915. At the water’s edge lies an Australian engineer (Sapper Fred Reynolds attached to the 8th Battalion), the first to fall during the war. Today, ANZAC Cove is quiet, with the occasional fishing boat passing along offshore. A grassy field at the foot of Plugge’s Plateau has been designated as the ANZAC Cove Commemorative Site and Ariburnu Cemetery, with a parking lot for the buses that bring visitors here on ANZAC Day. A monument at the cove bears the words of Lieutenant Colonel Mustafa Kemal, was instrumental in the success of the Ottoman defense of Gallipoli. Although the Allied troops won the crucial first night, they were unable to advance further into the mainland and hills except for the Lone Pine, where Turkish defenders managed to push troops to recapture the hill after a Turkish counter-attack.

Stunningly situated Lone Pine Australian Memorial is the most affecting of all the Anzac cemeteries, and the epitaphs on the tombstones are very moving. Savage hand-to-hand fighting took place on the battlefield where the cemetery was established. Seven Victoria crosses distributed after the Battle of Lone Pine. Australians enter this cemetery with their heads held high, because Lone Pine embodies the spirit, character, and courage of their sons. Just up from Lone Pine is the Respect to Mehmetcik Statue dedicated to ‘Mehmetcik’ (Little Mehmet, the Turkish ‘tommy’ or ‘digger’), who carried a Kiwi soldier to safety. Johnston’s Jolly, where unidentified soldiers were buried after the Armistice and with the lines of Allied and Turkish trenches still clear on either side.

You will also have the chance to visit the Turkish 57th Infantry Regiment Cemetery, where lieutenant-colonel Mustafa Kemal told his poorly equipped troops: “I am not ordering you to attack, I am ordering you to die.” 300 meters more brings us to a road heading west to The Nek, where the Australian Light Horse Brigade suffered heavily in August offensives, this episode was immortalised in Peter Weir’s 1981 film Gallipoli, starring Mel Gibson and Mark Lee. Before tour’s end, Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial. In August a new assault was launched north of Anzac Cove against the hills around Chunuk Bair.

Evening at leisure. Maybe you would prefer to visit the vibrant harbour town with a multicultural past that can be found in its compact old quarter, and a busy seafront that’s home to a replica of the Trojan horse used in the 2004 film Troy. Movie of Troy features an ensemble cast that includes Brad Pitt, Eric Bana and Orlando Bloom. Overnight Canakkale. (L)

DAY 2            THE MYSTERIES OF 9 ANCIENT CITIES OF TROY
If you’ve seen the movie – ‘Troy’ or read the poet Homer’s – ‘The Iliad’ you’ll be familiar with Paris – Prince of Troy, his prized Helen and Hector – Prince of Troy on the Trojan side and Agamemnon and Achilles (he of the heel) on the Aechaean (Greek) side. The legend of the lost city of Troy and Homer’s poetry was bought alive by it’s rediscovery in 1863 by German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann.Subsequent excavations revealed 9 ancient cities, one on top of the other, dating back to 3000 BC!

This morning we enjoy a guided tour of Troy! Discover epic stories and 5,000 years of history in the ruins of Troy. Land of myths, legends, heroes, and Gods, in the footsteps of Achilles, Hector, and the beautiful Helen, where the mythical Trojan War took place. Drop by the remains of many of its architectural marvels, such as the Odeon, a stage where poetry recitals and musical performances took place; the ruins of the Temple of Athena and the Bouleuterion, where political affairs were discussed. You’ll get to witness excavations currently in progress as well as a towering replica of the Trojan Horse.

Coastal drive with fantastic views of fishing villages, olive groves, apple and peach orchards to the modern town of Bergama – ancient Greek city in Mysia and the capital of the Kingdom of Pergamon, situated 125 miles further north from Ephesus. Once the residence of the royal families, aristocrats, scientists and philosophers. Kingdom of Pergamon was founded in the 3rd century BC by Philetarios, one of Alexander the Great’s generals. Julius Caesar himself once visited too, it was here that Caesar imprisoned and executed the very pirates who had kidnapped him in 75 BC after he hunted them down following his release.

Finest example of Turkey’s ties to Greco-Roman history, Acropolis is full of temples dedicated to the gods and goddesses of Greek and Roman Pantheon and other structures make up the historic site such as Temple of Trajan, the Temple of Athena (goddess of wisdom, war and the crafts), the Temple of Dionysos (god of wine, ecstasy, fertility, theatre and revelry), the Hellenistic Theater, the baths and the library of 200,000 volumes, second only to the great library of Alexandria, Egypt. Out of jealousy, the Egyptians banned the export of papyrus, inspiring the invention of the new writing material. Though you must work some to find the clues. In addition, visiting the Great Altar of Zeus with its richly decorated frieze, a masterpiece of Hellenistic art. A part of the altar and its surviving reliefs, restored and mounted, now controversially stands in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin. Learn the history of Galenos from your guide, who was the first private doctor for the emperor and was the father of all the pharmacists of the world. Perhaps the world’s first celebrity diet doctor before setting up clinic as physician to Pergamum’s gladiators.

Evening transfer to the airport and late night return flight back to Istanbul. Tour ends where we began with an airport to hotel transfer. Opportunity to finish up your sightseeing or get in some last minute shopping at your own pace. Our tour draws to a close and we say goodbye to our new friends:

Please note that check-out time from the hotel is normally noon, but luggage storage facilities are available. We are able to organise extra post-trip accommodation and day tours/activities if you wish to extend your stay. Happy travels! (B, L)