Day 1, 22 April: Presentation on Gallipoli Campaign & Dinner

Arriving at Ataturk International Airport you will be transferred to the Avicenna Hotel located not far from the Byzantine Aya Sofia. After you settle in to your accommodation, Hugh will give a presentation on the Gallipoli Campaign on the rooftop terrace overlooking the Bospherous. In the evening we will conduct a welcome dinner at one of the many local restaurants excelling in mezze or gozlame. (D)

Day 2, 23 April: Transfer to Gallipoli Peninsula

We will take a bus around the northern shore of the Sea of Marmara from Istanbul to Kocadere, a small village located in the valley behind ANZAC Cove, stopping at a cafe to discuss the roles of submarines in the campaign, especially HMA Submarine AE2. We will then gain a strategic understanding of the peninsula with overviews of Suvla, ANZAC Cove and Cape Helles battlefields. We will check into the Kum Hotel. (B, D.)

Day 3, 24 April: The Naval Campaign & Denouement

This morning we will take the ferry across to Channakale. Here we will visit the Turkish military barracks and museum and board the Turkish minelayer Nusret, if she is accepting visitors. A drive along the coast will take us to The Narrows and the forts blocking entry to the allied navies. The geography of the Dardanelles will offer explanations on the narrative of the campaign. HMAS AE2 path will be pointed out, with the location of the minefields.

We then visit the Archaeology Museum before heading to the ancient city of Troy. Although not Gallipoli related, the ancient city of Troy is a must as we cast our imaginations even further in time and rediscover the mythology of the Trojan War as described in the Iliad. Lunch will be taken in the town and there is an opportunity for free time in the afternoon. We then return Kum Hotel to the preparation for tomorrow's Anzac Day Dawn Service. (B, L, D.)

Day 4, 25 April: Anzac Day Dawn Service & Official Commemorations

A very early rise this morning as we leave the hotel for ANZAC Cove. We will need to be in place by 2:30 am. At 5:00 am: Spirit of Place commences which is followed at 5:30 am by the Anzac Day Gallipoli Dawn Service. Following the service we will be provided with a takeaway breakfast which we will eat in place, before moving to Lone Pine where we will attend the 10:00 am Australian Memorial Service. Following the service we will return to the Kum Hotel for lunch. There will be activities in the town with the remainder of the day being at your leisure. (B, L.)

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Day 5, 26 April: The August Offensive

A gentle start today as we have a closure look at the sites of the August Offensive including the feint at Lone Pine and the ANZAC hook to the left, the attack on Hill 971 and Rhododendron Ridge. If we have the energy we may elect to follow Monash’s trail from the beach to the high ground, or we can take a shorter walk down steps from the ridgeline. We will walk the beach from Suvla Bay and Nibrunesi Point to the Chocolate Hills. (B, L, D.)

Day 6, 27 April: Cruise to Cape Helles & Y Beach followed by Z Beach (ANZAC Cove) immersion & Re-enactment of the landings.

After breakfast, we will board our awaiting boat before steaming down the Dardenelles past Morto Bay, where the French landed, then past Sedd El Bahr to Cape Helles where we will have a clear view of the landing beaches. We will also gain an insight into the difficulties encountered by the men stuffed into the holds of SS River Clyde. The Brits were not drinking tea on the beach; the Brits died in great numbers. Then we sail on past Y Beach and on past Gaba Tepe.

We then arrive at Z Beach (ANZAC Cove) where we will row ashore. We’ll climb Plugges and walk up Monash Valley. We’ll gain a Turkish perspective of the landing from Gaba Tepe, where we will whiz around the museum and its overt cinema graphic presentation (which we’ll debunk). After lunch under sycamore trees, a short bus ride up to the dominant heights. We’ll walk the right flank and follow a blow by blow account of the landing. We’ll walk the heart-shaped 400 foot plateau and find The Cup, where our covering force seized three German field artillery pieces.

If brave enough, we’ll slide on our bottoms to look down on Pope’s Trench. We then meet our bus and follow the disaster at Cape Helles s we make our way to the battlefields of Krithia and jump into the best preserved trenches from the Great War. (B, L, D.)

Day 7, 28 April: Istanbul

We’ll take the southern route along the Sea of Marmara to Istanbul. If we have the energy, we will stop at the Turkish military museum on our route back to the Avicenna Hotel. In the evening we will have a rooftop farewell dinner as we toast the memory of the original Anzacs. (B, D.)

Day 8, 29 April: Fly to London 

Early more start as we fly from Istanbul to London. On arrival we will transfer to the Victory Services Club (VSC), Marble Arch. We will have a small group dinner and presentation in the Allenby Room in the evening. Historian Hugh Dolan will give an overview of the Australian Imperial Force in their progression from Gallipoli to the Western Front. 

(B, L, D)

Day 9, 30 April: Depart for the Continent

After a full English breakfast at the VSC we will depart London on the Eurostar for Lille. Arriving at Lille we will be met by our local guide, Jeffery; then travel to Poperinge in West Flanders and check-in to Talbot House (Toc H), an original hostel from the Great War. This house was a respite for soldiers on leave. We will enjoy its tiny museum and original attic chapel. This afternoon Hugh will give a talk in the walled garden on July 1916. In the evening, as we are a small group, we will find a table in one of the many regional Belgian restaurants. Hugh will present a series of ANZAC orders for Fromelles & Pozières over dinner. (B)

Day 10, 1 May: Tour of the 1916 Battlefields

After breakfast we drive to Fromelles; starting at VC Corner we will walk across the battlefield as we bring to life the events of 19-20 July 1916 and 5 Division’ attack towards the Laies canal, and the brief occupation of the German front lines that resulted in over 5,500 casualties. We will then regroup at the Cobbers Statue and drive to the mass grave recently discovered at Pheasant Wood. We will then enter the Battle of Fromelles Museum before moving on to Pozières. This museum is particularly worthwhile with helpful map displays and original film.

We will have a basic lunch at Le Tommy Café and walk through a recreation trench which has original artefacts. Starting at the Australian 1 Division Memorial we will then retrace the battle as we move by foot towards the ANZAC objective: a windmill on the dominant ridgeline. In the field below the ruined windmill the AIF bore 23,000 casualties; it was described by the official historian as “more densely sown with Australian sacrifice than any other place on earth.' From this ridgeline we can recreate the movement of our attacking infantry, and in the distance see the Thiepval Memorial.

It is then a short drive to Mouquet Farm, a place of intense fighting across from the ridge. We will visit the Thiepval Memorial, a superb structure designed by Lutyens, dedicated to the missing from the Somme battles. We will also walk the Newfoundland Memorial Park to view well preserved trenches and to learn a little of the characteristics of trench warfare. We will then return to our accommodation at Toc H. We will meet in the evening for another dinner and a presentation of orders describing the 1917 battles. (B, L.)

Day 11, 2 May: Tour of the 1917 Battlefields

We will take a short drive to Messines, a ridgeline that dominated the Ypres Salient, where we will conduct a battlefield tour around the craters clustering Hill 60. After our tour we will then walk the approach to The Butte and the 5 Division memorial at Polygon Wood. The battlefield lies largely intact, but forested. We will have a simple lunch at Taverne de Dreve where we will be hosted by Johan Vandewelle. We will then visit the Zonnenbeke museum and Tyne Cot Cemetery. In the late afternoon we will travel to Ypres and the Menin Gate. 

We will walk the square including the Ramparts Cemetery. You will then have the opportunity to visit the In Flanders Museum in the Cloth Hall, enjoying one or two glasses of Leffe along the way. At 7pm the group will all meet at the Ypres Inn opposite the Menin Gate. Two within the group will be given the privilege to lay a wreath at tonight’s Last Post Ceremony on behalf of OMs who fell. After the ceremony we will choose a local restaurant and continue with our battlefield preparation.

(B, L.)

Day 12, 3 May: Tour of the 1917/18 Battlefields)

This morning we will make our way north to Bullecourt were we will identify the twin German trench lines of OG1 and OG2, which were occupied and defended at great cost by 3 Battalion. We will also walk the Sunken Road and visit the town’s small museum and church. Overall, 1 ANZAC suffered over 10,000 casualties in largely fruitless attempts to break the Hindenburg Line, finally succeeding and forcing a German withdrawal to their next supporting trench lines.  Leaving behind the 1917 battlefields we will drive to Le Hamel stopping on route at Albert Cathedral. 

In Le Hamel we will visit the Australian Corps Memorial and walk across the fields where Monash’s finest hour took place a year later. With an example of his detailed orders to hand we can, in a small way, gain some appreciation of his outstanding planning. We will follow the waddling movements of Mark V tanks, crest the ridge and enjoy coffee in the town. Following, we will visit the crash site of the Red Baron where Hugh will talk about the war in the air. We will then return back to the comforts of Toc H for our final night’s stay. By popular vote we will select our favourite estaminet. Once again, we will talk through the orders that frame the Australian Corps of April 1918. (B)

Day 13, 4 May: Sir John Monash Centre, return to UK

A very early start as we head towards Villers Bretonneux and visit Victoria School on Rue Melbourne. After walking through the town we will then walk up the rise to the Australian National Memorial and the Sir John Monash Centre. Hugh will deliver a talk on the famous battle of Villers Bretonneux which took place on 24/25 April 1918 from a tiny railway siding, that offers some indication of the ferocity of this night attack. You will have time to engage with the new memorial. We will then make one last stop at Adelaide Cemetery before heading back to Lille. Boarding the Eurostar we will return back to London and the VSC. 

(B)

Day 14, 5 May: London Tour

After breakfast we will visit the impressive Imperial War Museum before we head to the Royal Chelsea Hospital and the newly renovated Army Museum. This will be followed by a guided tour of the Houses of Parliament. This guided tour of London will also take in several other memorials and points of interest pertaining to the First World War. 

(B, D.)

Day 15, 6 May: Tour ends

Sadly, after breakfast, our tour ends. (B) 

• Experienced historians Hugh Dolan & David Howell;
• Welcome pack with copy of Hugh Dolan's bestselling book '36 Days";
• Local Guides and Support Staff;
• Public liability insurance
• All entrance fees to museums as indicated on the itinerary;
• All transfer from airports & train stations;
• 3 nights’ accommodation Avicenna Hotel, Istanbul
• 4 nights’ accommodation at Kum Hotel.
• 3 nights’, twin-share at the Victory Services Club (VSC);
• 4 nights’ accommodation at Talbot House or alternative;
• Meals as indicated B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner;
• One-way airfare (economy) Istanbul to London;
• Eurostar return tickets Lille, London;
• 10 Dinners, 7 lunches & 12 Breakfasts;
• Transport including boat and bus on Gallipoli & the Western Front. 

• Meals not indicated on itinerary;
• Return international airfare from/to Australia (we can arrange if desired);
• Single supplement;
• Personal travel insurance.

• Single Supplement Hotel Accommodation;
• Personal Travel Insurance;
 
• International Airfare.