Gallipoli: is it worth going? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**Canadian Bacon** · 05-26-2007, 06:19 PM

I have made yet another adjustment to my schedule... Actually I am considerating skipping Gallipoli to buy an extra day in Istanbul. (Right now I am spending 2.5 days in Istanbul)

So has anyone been there? is it really worth seeing... I mean I understand if you had relatives that have fought in the war, and its like the Vimy Ridge (battle where losta Canadians died in WWI) for ANZACs..

BUt if there's no emotional connection, it it really worth seeing?

**worldwidemike** · 05-27-2007, 03:11 AM

I haven't heard from anyone who's been there.

I spent 3 days in Istanbul, though. If you're into history, there's tons to do in old Constantinople. I assume that you half day of the 2.5 is your arrival day? And then you have two full days to see the sights? And leaving on the fourth day...that should be enough.

Are you getting to the Cappadocia region? Or Ephesus? I'd make it a point to hit those before Gallipoli, myself...

worldwidemike

**louse** · 05-27-2007, 11:25 AM

Yeah, I'd say it's more an aussie and new zealander thing to do, otherwise I don't see the point.
Kinda unrelatedly, but I met so many aussies heading up from the anzac day service there through Romania a couple of weeks ago. Which was fan-tastic. I'm pretty aussie deprived these days. Though at least I broke the 4 month stint

**DC_Jessica** · 05-27-2007, 12:38 PM

DISAGREE!! Jason, definitely go. Seriously. I did a thing where I stayed in Cannakale and went to Troy and Gallipoli, and Troy was a waste of my time compared to Gallipoli. I actually ended up doing my thesis on the ANZACs and I'm pretty much the only one I know who has been to a WWI battle site. It's pretty neat.

PLUS, there was this little old man who did our tour, and he made a big deal out of telling the one American (me) in the crowd that there was at least one American and some Canadians on the ANZAC side of the battle, so he called us "honorary ANZACs." It's a really neat part of history, and actually, quite a lush national park. The monuments there are awesome too.

But seriously, I promise you, all the Aussies and Kiwis will ask you why the hell you're there, but if you're into geeky history and exceptionalism, you'll truly appreciate having been one of the only one of us (N. Americans ) who takes an interest.

But I'm a big geek, so grain of salt. I bet you can do pretty much all of Istanbul that matters (unless you plan on living there for a month or two and basing your travels to the rest of Turkey out of it) in 3-4 days. If you have extra time, go to the "famous" hamam, but really, Gallipoli is cool.

**Canadian Bacon** · 05-27-2007, 01:38 PM

Hmmm... interesting mix of opinions. I'll have to think about this one, maybe after I watch that Mel Gibson movie 'gallipoli', which I just rented this afternoon =)

Nice pic Jess.. is that one the entrace to the memorial park? (Isn't Gallipoli just one giant memorial?)

Well if I dont go to Cannakale (where I will be based for day trip to Gallipoli), then I'll have to find some other place between Bergama and Istanbul that is worth my seeing...

Mike - not going to Cappadocia region... its not in my plan this time, although maybe on a next trip....

**DC_Jessica** · 05-27-2007, 01:46 PM

It's the Turkish Memorial. The ANZAC Memorial is near Lone Pine. It's really a national park. Think Iwo Jima-y but on the Dardanelles. It's HUGE and lush and beautiful. There's a neato museum at the entrance too. There's a huge Ataturk statue too. If you don't go, I'll send you an email with all my Gallipoli pictures or the Snapfish link or something, so you can see what you've missed.

**Canadian Bacon** · 05-30-2007, 10:47 AM

hmm...just watched that movie Gallipoli.

Mel Gibson must be in his early 20s in that movie... but he still sounds exactly the same now.

Not a bad movie, although I thought I would see more of Turkey in it...

Well whatever, i guess i'll decide when I'm there if I'll go to Gallipoli or not.