GALLIPOLI ART, WAR AND WINE

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Itinerary

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8 Day

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Included

Hotels, transfers, meals and more

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Group size:

Min.4 – Max. 15

N

Code: ABCD

Highlights

Over a hundred years ago a battle raged along the shores of the Aegean Sea. As wars have raged here for millenia. But as men and weapons come to wreak havoc on each other there is always a winner and it’s neither side…… it’s nature. The Gallipoli battlefield is one of the most isolated and interesting WW1 battlefields in the world. Most of it remains as part of a national park. A place of natural beauty that witnessed the sorrow and carnage of man-made war. Whether it was Achilles, Agamemnon, Mustafa Kemal or Ian Hamilton, they all came and went

In the 21st century nature is winning the war….. slowly it is reclaiming this place. Somehow this natural peace and quiet makes the cemeteries a much more serene place. A place that lends itself to the hands of an artist, or the artist inside us all.

This 8 day tour will take you through the ancient streets of one of histories most famous cities and then onto the Gallipoli Peninsula. We’ll visit the cemeteries and memorials, we’ll meet some of the colourful locals, and if you feel like it, you can paint the landscapes and vistas from the beaches, the heights, the gullies and the trenches in the footsteps of those who came before.

We’ll meet our colorful historian/artist ‘Roachie’, who will fill us in on the history of the campaign as well as the best place to sit and paint, or sample some great local wine. You don’t need to be an artist, or even a budding artist, you can just come along for the spectacular journey.

This is the first of a series of ‘art inspired’ collaborations between Craig Roach (Roachie) and Experta Tours and Events. It not only combines the historical in-depth information on the Gallipoli Campaign but also the time and opportunity to soak up the natural beauty of this place.

Included

7 nights accommodation. 3 to 4 Star in Istanbul, basic and clean in Gallipoli. Twin Share, Single Supplement applies
Arrival and Departure transfers.
Transport to and around the Gallipoli battlefield.
Full day walking tour of Istanbul’s Old City.
Meals as mentioned in itinerary as B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner.
Services of fully licensed TUREB guide and Gallipoli Historian.

Itinerary

DAY 1 – ISTANBUL

Arrive at your leisure in the great city that spans two continents. We can arrange a private transfer or make your own way to our hotel in the Old City, Sultanahmet. Tonight we’ll meet and discuss our wonderful adventure, then hit the streets for a local dinner. (D)

DAY 2 – ISTANBUL

Today we’ll take in the highlights of the Old City and we’ll gather some great artistic inspiration before we head south to Gallipoli. (BL)

DAY 3 – ISTANBUL – GALLIPOLI

Check out of our hotel and drive out of Istanbul towards the Gallipoli Peninsula. On the way we’ll stop for a unique experience at a new winery where we’ll enjoy a barrel-tasting with the winemaker, then enjoy a great lunch. We can stock up on much needed wine supplies for the next few days before heading for the sleepy, seaside hamlet of Eceabat. Tonight we can catch a ferry across to lively Canakkale, lot’s of great dinner options. (BL)

DAY 4 – GALLIPOLI

Today we’ll take a full tour of the battlefield, including the landing beaches, cemeteries and heroes of the 8 month campaign that helped to form the national psyches of three countries, Australia, Turkey, New Zealand and of course Australia. We’ll end the day wandering the pristine beaches of Suvla Bay. (B)

DAY 5 – GALLIPOLI

I know you’re biting-at-the-bit to hit the brushes so today we’ll work around the best light and create some of our own masterpieces. Nature is winning the war started in 1915 and to take in the best that nature has on offer……. Beaches, cemeteries, shipwrecks and old cannons. It’s also Spring so the area abounds with beautiful Wild Iris, brilliant Red Poppies, Rosemary and Wild Thyme. Gallipoli is full of local characters and not many larger than life than the owner of the world famous Boomerang Cafe. We end the day, finishing some paintings, chatting and enjoying a local barbeque with Mesut on the shores of the Dardanelles. (BD)

DAY 6 – GALLIPOLI

Today we’ll do a drive around the Cape Helles Sector of the battlefield. For a special treat we’ve invited along the seasoned and eccentric Ms Sera Sekitmen. We’ll walk down to Gully Beach and W Beach, where we can sketch or paint a shipwreck or two. Tonight can be spent at your leisure in Eceabat or across the waves in nearby Canakkale. (B)

DAY 7 – ISTANBUL

We’re pretty flexible today. We’ve got time to go back to any of your favourite haunts of the past few days before driving to Istanbul. We may have time to visit some post-war bunkers nestled in the vineyards of Gali Winery, and might even arrange a tasting of their famous Gallipoli Centenary Reserve….what a great collector’s item!
If time permits we’ll stop in on the family for a cup of tea in Tekirdag before our final night on the town in Istanbul. We can arrange some last minute options like a Bosphorus Cruise or Whirling Dervishes Show. (B)

DAY 8– ISTANBUL

Free time or last minute shopping etc before your private transfer to the airport. We can arrange onward travel arrangements if you want to continue your fantastic art inspired journey in Turkey.

Cappadocia Extension contact us about our fabulous extension following the tour to the geological and historical masterpiece, Cappadocia. Taste the food, walk in the valleys and fly above them in aa hot air balloon. Stay at the Sofa Hotel which is the home of one of Cappadocia’s finest artists, Muharrem Gurdal. Every room is his own work of art, check it out! http://sofa-hotel.com/en/