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GALLIPOLI/TURKEY & WESTERN FRONT TOUR

This special battlefields tour is organized for members of the Order of Australia Association and their guests only. It provides a rare opportunity to visit WWI locations that Australians are deeply associated with from Gallipoli to the Western Front. On the occasion of the centenary of the end of WWI, this tour provides an opportunity to visit the sites of historic events that did so much to shape our new nation. The tour will be in two parts; Gallipoli/Turkey and the Western Front. Each segment can be undertaken on its own or combined to cover both theatres of war. Both of the tours have added on visits to locations that are of cultural or historical interest to ensure that there is an enriched experience for the participants. Below itineraries for the two parts are outlined in detail, initially beginning with Gallipoli/Turkey where it all began 103 years ago.

1. GALLIPOLI/TURKEY TOUR ITINERARY

Enjoy ten days of discovering Gallipoli battlefields, ancient and famous cities of Troy, Pergamum, Ephesus and Istanbul, the only city straddling two continents. This tour experience will be further enhanced as it will be accompanied by the dedicated tour leader Dr John Basarin OAM, and Mrs Hatice Basarin, a husband and wife team, both experts on Turkey as well as being authors and historians. The tour includes all accommodation in 3-4 star hotels, coach travel, all breakfasts and lunches and dinners as listed, tour guide, entry to museums and the world-renowned Turkish hospitality.

The Gallipoli campaign which began with a surprise attack in the early hours of 25 April 1915, ended in the early hours of 20 December 1915 with a surprise withdrawal. British and French on the other hand landed after a massive naval bombardment on the same day and left on 9 th of January 1919 with the full knowledge of the Turks. During this period, there was a staggering loss of life; 8709 Australians, 2701 New Zealanders, 28000 British, 10000 French and 86000 Turkish troops. A tragedy in any language.

As former Prime Minister Julia Gillard AC, said at a recent ceremony at the Shrine of Remembrance to commemorate the coming of peace at Gallipoli:

‘On the morning of 20 December 1915, the guns fell silent on the ANZAC Sector at Gallipoli.The Turkish Forces farewelled the fighting and welcomed the quietness on their shores. Our troops, no longer young and raw but hardened and worn, sailed home to a different future and a new kind of hope. At the start of those 240 days of hell, they were called the Australian Imperial Force.By the time peace returned to Gallipoli, they owned a new and immortal name - the Anzacs.Unlike their French and British comrades, who held aloft battle honours like Austerlitz and Waterloo, the Anzacs had no tradition to rely on or defend.They did something greater - they created one.A new story for a new nation.’

The current Australian-Turkish friendly relationship born out of the tragic Gallipoli campaign was anchored in the words of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the legendary commander who stopped Anzacs at Gallipoli, then, led Turkish people to win their sovereignty, later becoming the inaugural President of

OAA Battlefields Tour-2018

the Republic of Turkey. Ataturk's compassionate words in 1934, meant for mothers of Anzacs fallen at Gallipoli, laid the foundation stone for the friendship and respect that exists between the peoples of Turkey and Australia today.

Quote‘Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives … you are now living in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours. You, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries, wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace, after having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.’

Ataturk, 1934

Tour Highlights ▪ 10 day tour

▪ Expert tour leaders and local guides

▪ Air conditioned coach

▪ Gallipoli battlefields visit in depth

▪ Visit Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy Pergamum, Ephesus.

Tour Summary Discover Gallipoli and Turkey; her vibrant modern cities, ancient Greek and Roman ruins and historic battlefields.

This tour begins in Istanbul, the gateway to two continents - Europe and Asia - where east meets west. Walk to an Ottoman fort, visit the renowned first major church of Christianity Hagia Sophia built in the 6th century, cruise the Bosphorus Strait and explore the massive Topkapi Palace.

COSTING

PriceTwin share (ex Istanbul)

Per person: A$ $2499.00

Single supplement: A$ $313.00

A deposit of $500 is required to secure your booking. Deposit is non-refundable.

Balance payable 90 days prior to departure.

Group size

Minimum: 20 guests

Maximum: 30 guests

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Accommodation (hotels below or similar)Istanbul: Armada Hotel [https://www.armadahotel.com.tr/pg_en/]Gallipoli: Hotel Kum [http://www.hotelkum.com/english.html]Canakkale: Buyuk Truva Hotel [http://www.truvaotel.com/]Bergama: Berksoy Hotel [http://www.berksoyhotel.com]Kusadasi: Marina Hotel [http://www.marinahotelsuites.com/en]

Tour Inclusions▪ Tour Leaders

▪ 10 nights’ accommodation

▪ All breakfasts and meals as per itinerary

▪ Coach

▪ Day tours as per itinerary

▪ Entry fees to all museums in the itinerary

▪ National Park entry & guiding fees

▪ Arrival & Departure airport transfers (Meet & Greet)

▪ Izmir to Paris airfare if joining the Western Front Tour

▪ Professional local guides.

Exclusions▪ International Airfares

▪ Izmir-Istanbul airfare if not joining the Western Front Tour

▪ Travel Insurance

▪ Single room surcharge

▪ Meals and beverages where not mentioned

▪ Personal expenses, eg: drinks, laundry, telephone and similar.

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Thursday 13 June 2019

In Istanbul the tour participants will be staying at Hotel Armada, with amazing view of the old city. This evening, members meet the tour leader and the rest of the group in the hotel lobby at 6:00pm for a short briefing and a welcome dinner. Istanbul, historically also known as Byzantium and Constantinople, is the largest city of Turkey and is located in the north-west of the country (within the Marmara Region). During its long history, Istanbul has served as the capital of the Roman Empire (330–395), the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire (395–1204 and 1261–1453), the Latin Empire (1204–1261), and the Ottoman

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Empire (1453–1922). Istanbul was one of the major centres of the Art Nouveau movement in the late-19th and early-20th centuries, with renowned architects building palaces and mansions in this style across the city, reflecting the various peoples and empires that have ruled the area. Overnight at Armada Hotel in Istanbul.

Meals: D

Day 2 – Friday 14 June 2019

A full day tour to explore exciting Istanbul with your guide. This fascinating destination is the only city on earth to straddle Europe and Asia, and was the third and last Capital of the Ottomans. We begin the day with a visit to World Heritage listed Hagia Sophia site (built in 537 AD and an architectural marvel to this day). Hagia Sophia was built as a basilica, converted to a mosque and is now a museum. The nearby Hippodrome was where political, cultural, and sports activities took place during the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman times. Also nearby is the Yerebatan Cistern built in the 6th Century AD to ensure water supply to the city. On the schedule is a visit to the famous Topkapi Palace where the Sultans ruled the Empire for centuries. The amazing Grand Bazaar which has over 4000 shops to confuse and delight you is the last stop. Overnight at Armada Hotel in Istanbul.

Meals: B

Day 3 – Saturday 15 June 2019

The day will start with a visit to the Blue Mosque (renowned for its six slender minarets and the beautiful Iznik tiles with dominant shade of blue that gives the mosque its name) built in the early 17h Century. No stay in Istanbul would be complete without visiting the Spice Market or taking an unforgettable Bosphorus Cruise. The Bosphorus Strait is 32 km long and joins the Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea, separating the continents of Europe and Asia. It has been a waterway of great importance since ancient times. The English name is derived from a Greek legend: Zeus had an affair with a beautiful women, named Io. When Hera, his wife, discovered his infidelity, she turned Io into a cow and created a horsefly to sting her on the rump. Io jumped clear across the strait. Thus bous = cow, and poros = crossing-place: Bosphorus = "crossing-place of the cow." This evening, a seminar is planned at your hotel where the tour leaders will be presenting to the group the history of Turkey. Overnight at Armada Hotel in Istanbul.

Meals: B

Day 4 – Sunday 16 June 2019

Leaving remarkable Istanbul behind, your tour travels via coach to Gallipoli. Check in to Hotel Kum on the Aegean Sea before visiting the new Kabatepe Museum. An evening talk will be held to introduce the activities on the Gallipoli Peninsula and details of the Gallipoli campaign. Overnight at Kum Hotel.

Meals: B, D

Day 5 – Monday 17 June 2019

Today the tour will be visiting Gallipoli Battlefields. Starting point is the legendary Anzac Cove where at 4:30am, 103 years ago, ANZACs landed at Gallipoli - a defining moment in Australian history. Anzac Cove is followed by visits to Ari Burnu, Shrapnel Gully, Lone Pine, Shell Green, Walker’s Ridge, The Nek,

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Turkish 57th Regiment Memorial and Chunuk Bair. Some walking is involved for those who wish to do so. This evening a Q & A session will be held with tour leaders as the panel. Overnight at Kum Hotel.

Meals: B, D

Day 6 – Tuesday 18 June 2019

Today the focus is Helles where the British and the French troops have battled Turks for nine months without success. We will visit the Turkish, French and British Memorials in the Southern part of the Peninsula. A special highlight will be visiting the Krithia battlefield where there are assumed to be over 200 ANZACs buried in known mass graves, awaiting their destiny. Overnight at Kum Hotel.

Meals: B, D

Day 7 – Wednesday 19 June 2019

The tour moves across the Dardanelles to Asia to the local major town of Canakkale. Check in at Hotel Grand Truva on the Dardanelles. Different aspects of Gallipoli are experienced today; including the Naval Museum where an AE2 plaque is located. In the afternoon a visit to the legendary city of Troy will remind us the complicated historical past of the region. Overnight at Grand Truva Hotel in Canakkale. Meals: B, D

Day 8 – Thursday 20 June 2019

This morning the tour travels to Bergama, not far from the Aegean Sea. We visit Pergamum, an ancient city that became the capital of the Kingdom of Pergamon during the Hellenistic period, during the Attalid dynasty, 281-133 BC. You will visit Acropolis, Sanctuary of Asclepius and the Serapis Temple in this magnificent ancient city. Overnight at Berksoy Hotel in Bergama.

Meals: B, D

Day 9 – Friday 21 June 2019

The tour travels to Kusadasi via Izmir, the third largest city and second largest harbour of Turkey. Free afternoon in Kusadasi, a delightful port town very popular with international tourists and cruise ships. Overnight at Marina Hotel in Kusadasi.

Meals: B, D

Day 10 – Saturday 22 June 2019

Today the tour takes an opportunity to visit Ephesus. This important city of antiquity was visited by St Paul. You will enjoy a 2 hour guided walking tour of Ephesus, viewing some of the world’s best preserved highlights such as the Celsius Library, Agora, Amphitheatre, Curettes Road and various temples of the ancient era. Your coach drives up the mountain for a visit to the House of Virgin Mary visited by Popes Benedict XVI, Paul VI and John Paul II. Overnight at Marina Hotel in Kusadasi.

Meals: B, D.

Day 11 – Sunday 23 June 2019

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The tour travels to Izmir airport for an early morning flight to Paris via Istanbul. If you are not joining the Western Front Tour, then we bid you farewell in Kusadasi if you wish or at the Izmir airport.

Meals: B

2. WESTERN FRONT TOUR ITINERARY

The Anzac legend was born on the beaches and ridges of Gallipoli then consolidated in the Middle East and in the trenches of the Western Front. After the failure of the Gallipoli campaign, the A.I.F. reorganised and moved to France for three more years of desperate fighting, often in appalling conditions. As the war dragged on the Australians built a reputation as courageous and aggressive fighters and in July 1918, after the Australian success in the Battle of Hamel, French Prime Minister George Clemenceau made the following speech, “When the Australians came to France, the French people expected a great deal of you... We knew that you would fight a real fight, but we did not know that from the very beginning you would astonish the whole continent... I shall go back tomorrow and say to my countrymen, I have seen the Australians, I have looked in their faces, I know that these men will fight alongside of us again until the cause for which we are all fighting is safe for us and for our children.”Our tour will take us to all of the major Australian battle sites, and to most of the major memorials to our Diggers, under the leadership of Garry Snowden. Garry has led many Gallipoli and Western Front tours, has written a book about soldiers from the Ballarat district and was the driving force behind the creation of the Garden of the Grieving Mother adjacent to Ballarat’s Arch of Victory. His interest in following in the footsteps of Anzacs has also led him to twice walk the Kokoda Track. Garry will be assisted by his Belgian friend and professional battlefield guide Rene Degryse. Rene grew up on the battlefields but now specialises in researching the stories of Australian soldiers and guiding Australians seeking to make family connections with the battlefields and cemeteries.

Tour Highlights ▪ 9 day tour

▪ Expert tour leaders and local guides

▪ Air conditioned coach

▪ Western Front battlefields visit in depth

▪ Visit Bruge, one of the most interesting medieval towns in Belgium.

Tour Summary Discover Western Front battlefields in Belgium and France, visit Australian, Canadian, British, German and French cemeteries and contemplate the end of the war at Compiegne where the armistice was signed on a train wagon on 11 November 1918.

This tour begins and finishes in Paris, the capital of France.

COSTING

PriceTwin share (ex Paris)


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Group size

Minimum: 20 guests

Maximum: 30 guests

Accommodation (hotels below or similar)Amiens: Mercure Amiens Cathedrale Hotel [https://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-7076-mercure-amiens-cathedrale-hotel/index.shtml]Ieper: Albion Hotel [http://www.albionhotel.be/]Paris: Hotel Lumen [https://hotel-lumenparis.com/en/]

Tour Inclusions▪ Tour Leaders

▪ 9 nights’ accommodation

▪ Breakfasts and meals as per itinerary

▪ Coach

▪ Day tours as per itinerary

▪ Entry fees to all museums in the itinerary

▪ National Park entry & guiding fees

▪ Professional local guides.

Exclusions▪ International Airfares▪ Travel Insurance▪ Single room surcharge▪ Meals and beverages where not mentioned▪ Personal expenses, eg: drinks, laundry, telephone and similar.

ITINERARY

Day 1 –Sunday 23 June 2019

Those flying in from Turkey will be met on arrival at Charles De Gaulle Airport and transported to the Mercure Cathedrale Hotel in Amiens to meet those just doing the Western Front tour.

Day 2 –Monday 24 June 2019

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Our focus today will be Villers-Bretonneux with visits to the Australian National Memorial and Cemetery, the Sir John Monash Centre and the Victoria School. We will also visit Adelaide Cemetery from which Australia’s ‘unknown soldier’ was exhumed in 1993, the Australian memorial at Le Hamel and Heath Cemetery.

Meals: B

Day 3 –Tuesday 25 June 2019

Charles Bean described Pozieres as ‘a ridge more densely sown with Australian sacrifice than any other place on earth’. We visit Pozieres, The Windmill site and Mouquet Farm. There will be a special lunch at the Tommy Café and we will also visit Monash’s headquarters at Bertangles Chateau, the painted (Australian themed) bridge at Dernancourt and the Albert Basilica.

Meals: B, L

Day 4 –Wednesday 26 June 2019

We check out of our hotel at Amiens and head north via the Wellington Caves at Arras, the Canadian Memorial at Vimy Ridge, Neuville St. Vaast German Cemetery and the Ring of Memory and French Cemetery at Notre Dame La Lorette. Before reaching Ieper we will visit the Christmas Truce site, ‘Plugstreet Wood’ and a special Australian cemetery. Check in to the Albion Hotel in Ieper (Ypres during WW1).

Meals: B

Day 5 –Thursday 27 June 2019

We take a break from visiting battlefields and cemeteries with a one hour drive for a free day in the beautiful city of Bruges. From around 10.00am till 4.00pm your time will be your own.

Meals: B

Day 6 –Friday 28 June 2019

Today is our ‘Flanders Fields’ tour taking in Hellfire Corner, Hill 60, Caterpillar Wood Crater, Menin Road and Polygon Wood. Lunch will be at the Anzac’s Rest Café. We also visit Tyne Cot cemetery, Passchendaele and the very special Pond Farm Museum. This evening we will attend the Last Post Service at the Menin Gate and lay a wreath on behalf of the OAA.

Meals: B, L

Day 7 –Saturday 29 June 2019

Our ‘Flanders Fields’ tour continues with visits to Lijssenthoek Cemetery and Visitor Centre, Essex Farm where the poem “In Flanders Fields” was written, Vancouver Corner and the Brooding Soldier statue. You will then have a couple of hours free time for strolling in Ieper before we visit the Flanders Fields Museum.

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Meals: B

Day 8 –Sunday 30 June 2019

Today we return to Paris via two places of immense significance to Australians, Fromelles and Bullecourt. At Fromelles we will visit the new Pheasant Wood Military Cemetery and Museum, VC Corner and the Cobbers Memorial. After a picnic lunch at Fromelles we will stop at the Digger Memorial Park and the Slouch Hat Memorial at Bullecourt before our final run into Paris.

Meals: B, L

Day 9 –Monday 1 July 2019Free day in Paris. O/N Paris

Day 10 –Tuesday 2 July 2019Tour ends after breakfast. Safe onwards travels!

Notes:● The above itinerary lists the major features to be visited, but we will try to accommodate,

where reasonably possible, special requests for visits to particular cemeteries or memorials.● Weather conditions or local events might require us to change the day or order of some visits.● The itinerary includes all breakfasts, several lunches and two group dinners.

COMBINED TOUR COSTING

PriceTwin share (starts in Istanbul and finishes in Paris- including the flight from Turkey to Paris)





Please note: Itineraries and other details are as per the above separate sections for Gallipoli/Turkey and Western Front.

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quote · web viewin istanbul the tour participants will be staying at hotel armada, with amazing...

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