AUSSIES HONOUR ANZACS
STRONG demand for ANZAC commemorative tours has prompted wholesalers to roll out additional itineraries, with demand outpacing supply well ahead of the centenary milestone. Tempo Holidays sold out all Anzac Day tours months ahead of schedule, and Greece and Mediterranean Travel Centre added several additional tours in December after its ANZAC sailings all sold out. Among the new capacity, the 13-day Centennial Diamonds covers Istanbul, Cappadocia, Limnos and Izmir before finishing in Gallipoli to visit ANZAC sites, while the 13-day Centennial Jewels tour cruises Istanbul, Ephesus and Pergamum before arriving in Gallipoli. Prices lead in from $3336 with departures scheduled for 13-18 April, 2015. Availability still exists on both departures. Greece and Mediterranean Travel Centre is also predicting strong bookings for the Battle of Lone Pine memorial in August ahead of its 12-day Classic Battle of Lone Pine itinerary. “Including ANZAC we’ve seen a 15% increase for 2015 and we believe that the introduction of events in August for Lone Pine may see a larger spike later in the year,” marketing manager Vanessa Morgan said. Departing from Istanbul on 28 July, the tour covers Cappadocia, Konya and Izmir before continuing to Gallipoli to visit the WWI open air museum, ANZAC Cove, and Lone Pine Cemetery. Accommodation, transfers and entrance fees are included from $1988.