ANZAC Day & Turkey

[nikon]

G'day fellow Tpunks,

A mate and I are heading over to Europe next April for 3 months (probably be longer :D) of backpacking - we thinking of starting off our trip doing the ANZAC Day thing in Turkey on the day itself (26th April).

We are wanting to know if anyone has done this b4?!? If so what tour company did u do it through , what was it like, how long, etc. and anything else u can think of.

Cheers in advance.

ps. this site is awesome, sooo sooo helpful!!

[worldwidemike]

ANZAC Day in Turkey? What do they line you guys up and have you charge machine guns? Sorry, just kidding...little Gallipoli move reference.

I loved Turkey and would definitely go back in a heartbeat! Have fun...

worldwidemike

[nikon]

yeah i sooooo looking forward to seeing Turkey (travel pics i've seen around look great) & the rest of the EU of course.

anyone else got any ideas/suggestions?!?

[worldwidemike]

Well, unfortunately, all I was able to do was Istanbul (...Constantinople, Istanbul...), which was pretty amazing. However, I've read that the region in the interior called Cappodocia is supposed to have some amazing scenery. And if you're into Ancient ruins, Ephesus is supposed to be cool. They'll be LOTS of tourists at Ephesus, though, as it is on the cruise ship route.

Lots of stuff to do in Turkey...it is just packed with antiquities.

worldwidemike

[theDOC]

So no one has actually gone to Turkey for Anzac day then?

come on, there has to be someone!!

[Aisha]

Yep, I did it this year. All I can say is, do it, definately definately do it. Probably the most amazing experience of my last 14 months of travelling. I cannot possibly put into words how incredible it is to be there for the dawn service. Go!
Anyways, I guess you want useful information, rather than me raving on, so... I went with EKOL travel, and was perfectly happy with them. They meet you at the airport (no matter what time you arrive), and the tour I chose had 2 nights in Istanbul, fully guided, a boat cruise, transport to and accomodation in Gallipoli (including a great aussie-NZ style BBQ with lotsa beer the night before the service) and transport around the memorial sites (i.e. gallipoli cove, Aussie cemetary, Kiwi cemetary, war museum), and then another night and day in Istanbul. I liked it cos there was always a guide there if you wanted to ask questions (and our guy definately knew his stuff) but you were free to wander off and meet back up with the group later if you chose to.
I guess the main reason I chose EKOL was cos I went by myself and they don't charge extra for single travellers, but if you're travelling with a friend then I guess this isn't important. Lots of other solo travellers chose EKOL too, so I met heaps of people, still in touch with a few of them.
Just put 'anzac day tours' or 'gallipoli tours' into google and you'll find heaps of companies, everything from single day tours which are basically just transport to Galliopli from Istanbul, to 3weeks-long tours that include the ANZAC service but cover a lot of other places in Turkey too. Which, by the way, i'd reccomend if you've got the time and money, its an absolutely beautiful country, amazingly friendly people, i really didn't want to leave and I'll definately be back!
Just read the details of what the different packages offer, some seemed like a bit of a rip off to me- lotta money for a coupla bus rides and a few nights in a dodgy hotel.
So yeah, that's my (hopefully mildly helpful) advice. But really, trust in the internet, all the info is there it's just a matter of researching and choosing what suits you.
I really hope you do make it to ANZAC day, you will NOT regret it. Let us know how the plans are coming along.

[Aisha]

oh, and I forgot to add- Turkey is damn cheap! So spending a bit of time there would help to offset the time you're bound to spend in more expensive places like Paris, Rome and (the most expensive of the lot) London later in your trip. Really, I'm just trying to encourage you to stay longer cos I loved it so much!
Make sure u check out the Grand Bazzar in Istanbul. The biggest market I have ever seen in my life, great for unusual presents/souveneirs to take send home. Ooh, and have a Turkish bath too. Its definately an interesting experience!

[nikon]

Cheers Aisha for all your helpful advice on the tour, etc. and yeah turkey sounds like a great place and sooo many different little areas to visit - gezzz sounds like the whole trip could just been spent there.

cheers again all!

[theDOC]

I reckon spending a little time in Turkey is going to be a good idea. Even if our Australian government has it listed on the federal website as a "to dangerous to go to" place.