2015 Gallipoli Ballot - 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landings

[vetrade]

Have just confirmed flights to Paris this morning so that Mrs V. and I can attend the Anzac Day commemoration at Villers Bretonneux next year. Didn't want to do an organised tour as we will have a hire car but it seems that they have reserved most hotel rooms in Amiens even at this early stage. Will keep monitoring hotelscombined and tripadvisor but are there any previous attendees who can relate their experiences in regard to snaffling a reasonable quality hotel room without joining a tour?

 

[Katie]

Have just confirmed flights to Paris this morning so that Mrs V. and I can attend the Anzac Day commemoration at Villers Bretonneux next year. Didn't want to do an organised tour as we will have a hire car but it seems that they have reserved most hotel rooms in Amiens even at this early stage. Will keep monitoring hotelscombined and tripadvisor but are there any previous attendees who can relate their experiences in regard to snaffling a reasonable quality hotel room without joining a tour?

Have never done a tour for Villers-Bretonneux, but we attended the Anzac day service there in 2008 and 2011 (and Remembrance day in 2003).
We have stayed at the Novotel Amiens Est, quite close to V-B, with a large Hypermarket shopping centre nearby. Out of the town centre, so very industrial location. In 2008, it was filled with school choir kids and their families, as well as other attendees of the service. There are cheaper options nearby; we were in a Formule 1 style hotel for 4 nights, but moved out after the first night into the Novotel (it was only completely booked out on the night of the 24th). We had our then 18mth old with us, otherwise the basic Eur40/night accommodation would have been fine.
We stayed in a more B&B style in 2011 - Hotel Victor Hugo - due to availability. Close to the cathedral, damned hard to get to in the car due to all the one-way streets. Fine, but stairs which weren't fun for suitcases.

Without a tour (unnecessary to me), you will need a car, which will also help you get around during the days to other sights, cemeteries, memorials. Mr Katie normally plans this part of our trips.

 

[Atleastonce]

Small World....tour 1?

I was amazed when she told me the numbers that have already confirmed. If we go this way we'd probably do the 7 day Discover Turkey extension tour.

I've made some enquires with private tour operators and will wait until I've got some detail/pricing before committing.

Amaroo, I spoke to battlefield tours yesterday to pay the next installment, and questioned them about the numbers on the tours. I was told each coach had its own guide and historian, and no more than 40 people on each coach. They will put more coaches on depending upon demand.

 

[amaroo]

Amaroo, I spoke to battlefield tours yesterday to pay the next installment, and questioned them about the numbers on the tours. I was told each coach had its own guide and historian, and no more than 40 people on each coach. They will put more coaches on depending upon demand.

Have received a price from a local operator which looks ok.....Istanbul is at the Four Seasons rather than the Hilton. TBH - I haven't got a clue on which way to go - never been this indecisive!

FWIW here is the local option.....

Basic line up for the required itinerary
18 - Arrive to İstanbul
19 - İstanbul Tour (on land) (Private)
20 - İstanbul Tour (on boat) (Regular)
21 – Cape Helles – Anzac Sector Tours (Private)
22 – Suvla Bay – Ancient city of Troy Tours (Private)
23 – Free Morning – Boat Cruise to Anzac Cove (Regular)
24 – Dawn Service Programe
25 – Dawn Service Programe Transfer to Istanbul (Private)​

​

 

[Sprucegoose]

Have the ballot places been decided yet?

 

[serfty]

Have the ballot places been decided yet?

Yes ... Early April ... Look up thread from post #9.

 

[Atleastonce]

Flights from BNE to LHR booked for 1 April 2015, J reward with Etihad. Going to look at train from London to Istanbul then return from to Brisbane from Istanbul.

Have received a price from a local operator which looks ok.....Istanbul is at the Four Seasons rather than the Hilton. TBH - I haven't got a clue on which way to go - never been this indecisive!

FWIW here is the local option.....

Basic line up for the required itinerary
18 - Arrive to İstanbul
19 - İstanbul Tour (on land) (Private)
20 - İstanbul Tour (on boat) (Regular)
21 – Cape Helles – Anzac Sector Tours (Private)
22 – Suvla Bay – Ancient city of Troy Tours (Private)
23 – Free Morning – Boat Cruise to Anzac Cove (Regular)
24 – Dawn Service Programe
25 – Dawn Service Programe Transfer to Istanbul (Private)​

​

I am happy with our choice, may be slightly more costly, but like the idea of an Australian war historian as the guide.

 

[amaroo]

Flights from BNE to LHR booked for 1 April 2015, J reward with Etihad. Going to look at train from London to Istanbul then return from to Brisbane from Istanbul.

Train looks interesting - would make a great TR :idea: Check out this site if you haven't already How to travel by train from London to Istanbul (Turkey)

Our progress....

Flights are booked SYD-LHR-SYD FASA with QF....LHR-IST-LHR with BA to christen our BAEC membership - adios QFF and hello BA avios

Have decided to go all indie with our time in Turkey. We've only got 2+ weeks and want to see more of Turkey.

This article in the SMH serves as a warning Tour operators accused ot misleading travellers over Anzac Gallipoli tours I know a couple of AFFers booked on one of the mentioned cruises - hope they knew in advance!

"The Australian and Turkish governments have accused tour operators of misleading travellers by continuing to advertise cruises that offer access to the Gallipoli Peninsula for the Anzac Day dawn service next year, marking the 100th anniversary of the landings.

The Turkish government said no cruise ships will be able to anchor within sight of the Anzac battlefields, despite claims from some operators their passengers will be able to watch the service from just off the beach.

However, the Turkish embassy in Canberra said the only anchorage points would be at Samos Bay, about 40 kilometres north of Anzac Cove, and at Karanlik Koy".

 

[Pushka]

Apparently a lot of the Gallipoli cruises must moor at least 40 kms in the Bay. Some disgruntled people indeed.

 

[amaroo]

Apparently a lot of the Gallipoli cruises must moor at least 40 kms in the Bay. Some disgruntled people indeed.

According to the SMH article (posted above) all cruises will be parked at least 40 kms away. Feel sorry for anyone that paid big $$$ thinking they would have a portside view....

 

[Atleastonce]

Train looks interesting - would make a great TR :idea: Check out this site if you haven't already How to travel by train from London to Istanbul (Turkey)

Our progress....

Flights are booked SYD-LHR-SYD FASA with QF....LHR-IST-LHR with BA to christen our BAEC membership - adios QFF and hello BA avios

Have decided to go all indie with our time in Turkey. We've only got 2+ weeks and want to see more of Turkey.

This article in the SMH serves as a warning Tour operators accused ot misleading travellers over Anzac Gallipoli tours I know a couple of AFFers booked on one of the mentioned cruises - hope they knew in advance!

"The Australian and Turkish governments have accused tour operators of misleading travellers by continuing to advertise cruises that offer access to the Gallipoli Peninsula for the Anzac Day dawn service next year, marking the 100th anniversary of the landings.

The Turkish government said no cruise ships will be able to anchor within sight of the Anzac battlefields, despite claims from some operators their passengers will be able to watch the service from just off the beach.

However, the Turkish embassy in Canberra said the only anchorage points would be at Samos Bay, about 40 kilometres north of Anzac Cove, and at Karanlik Koy".

Tonight, just booked our IST-AUH F reward with Etihad then a few nights in AUH then AUH-BNE J reward with Etihad. All my VA points used and my first F flight.

 

[amaroo]

A warning for those leaving bookings for later....

Booked our Istanbul hotel this evening. Should've booked last week - price has increased 150 euros (per night) :shock:

 

[amaroo]

Just made some changes to our IST hotel booking. I think I've worked out where all the Top Brass, VIPs & General Freeloaders will be dropping their taxpayer funded bags....

 

[amaroo]

LOL - good to see the local operators taking full advantage of a once in a hundred year opportunity :shock: I suppose it is a 2 star establishment.....

Limani Hotel

1 room(s) available for 2 Adult(s) from Wed 22 April 2015 to Sat 25 April 2015 (3 night(s))

Bed and Breakfast	Persons					Wed	Thu	Fri	Itinerary Cost	Total Booking Cost
Double Sea View		AUD 1454.9	AUD 1454.9	AUD 1454.9	AUD 4364.7	AUD 4364.7

Bed and Breakfast	Persons					Wed	Thu	Fri	Itinerary Cost	Total Booking Cost
Double Land View		AUD 1454.9	AUD 1454.9	AUD 1454.9	AUD 4364.7	AUD 4364.7

 

[Atleastonce]

Outrageous. I am not to concerned that I spent too much ($8k) for our tour now.

 

[amaroo]

It's booked A totally spontaneous experience due to a ballot win....

Flying - BNE-SYD-LHR-ATH-IST-LHR-SYD-BNE

Staying - 3 nights Athens, 5 nights Istanbul, 3 nights Gallipoli, 3 nights London

Anzac Day - 4 day tour with RSL Tours

Pretty excited!!!!

 

[Flying mermaid]

Train looks interesting - would make a great TR :idea: Check out this site if you haven't already How to travel by train from London to Istanbul (Turkey)

Our progress....

Flights are booked SYD-LHR-SYD FASA with QF....LHR-IST-LHR with BA to christen our BAEC membership - adios QFF and hello BA avios

Have decided to go all indie with our time in Turkey. We've only got 2+ weeks and want to see more of Turkey.

This article in the SMH serves as a warning Tour operators accused ot misleading travellers over Anzac Gallipoli tours I know a couple of AFFers booked on one of the mentioned cruises - hope they knew in advance!

"The Australian and Turkish governments have accused tour operators of misleading travellers by continuing to advertise cruises that offer access to the Gallipoli Peninsula for the Anzac Day dawn service next year, marking the 100th anniversary of the landings.

The Turkish government said no cruise ships will be able to anchor within sight of the Anzac battlefields, despite claims from some operators their passengers will be able to watch the service from just off the beach.

However, the Turkish embassy in Canberra said the only anchorage points would be at Samos Bay, about 40 kilometres north of Anzac Cove, and at Karanlik Koy".

Well it will be interesting - we are booked (and have been for 5 years) on the Military History tour. I actually have total faith in them as they have been keeping us informed all the way through the ballot saga (and for years before it happened) and everyone was given the option of cancelling free of any charges. They have a confirmed berth at Cannakale and have had long before the other cruise operators decided to go for the 100 year celebration! They have been taking tours to Gallipoli since the 80s so I think know what they are doing, but we will see They are also running a commemorative surf boat race. About 18 months ago they decided to hold their own dawn service just outside the exclusion zone - we view that as a positive - no boring pollies grabbing the limelight. The simulated landing which they are organising which was going to be part of the official ceremony is now at the "other" one. We are not that fussed about the dawn service - just being there on Anzac Day will be good and going to the battlefields in the preceding days. They are running a trip to Troy on the 24th. We have been to Turkey before and went to a wonderful city called Termessos in the hills around Antalya. This time we will go to Ephesus Permukkle and Cappadocia before heading to the Lakes District then New York for a show and then Yosemite and Yellowstone. I keep adding bits but will have to stop as our dogs will never forgive me if we stay away more than 2 months!

 

[Atleastonce]

Amaroo, I got an email confirmation today to say my acceptance has been noted. (Sent you a private message but your inbox is full)

 

[amaroo]

Amaroo, I got an email confirmation today to say my acceptance has been noted. (Sent you a private message but your inbox is full)

Good stuff. Interesting to see what comes back my way....

Have cleared my PMs.

 

[amaroo]

Well it will be interesting - we are booked (and have been for 5 years) on the Military History tour. I actually have total faith in them as they have been keeping us informed all the way through the ballot saga (and for years before it happened) and everyone was given the option of cancelling free of any charges. They have a confirmed berth at Cannakale and have had long before the other cruise operators decided to go for the 100 year celebration! They have been taking tours to Gallipoli since the 80s so I think know what they are doing, but we will see They are also running a commemorative surf boat race. About 18 months ago they decided to hold their own dawn service just outside the exclusion zone - we view that as a positive - no boring pollies grabbing the limelight. The simulated landing which they are organising which was going to be part of the official ceremony is now at the "other" one. We are not that fussed about the dawn service - just being there on Anzac Day will be good and going to the battlefields in the preceding days. They are running a trip to Troy on the 24th. We have been to Turkey before and went to a wonderful city called Termessos in the hills around Antalya. This time we will go to Ephesus Permukkle and Cappadocia before heading to the Lakes District then New York for a show and then Yosemite and Yellowstone. I keep adding bits but will have to stop as our dogs will never forgive me if we stay away more than 2 months!

Hope it all goes well - sounds very much like it will.

Might be a case of mischief making from SMH slagging News Corp - wouldn't be the first time!