Best places to visit at Gallipoli

ANZAC Cove

Anzac Cove is perhaps the most famous spot on the Gallipoli Peninsula. This small cove is 600m long and is famous for being the landing site of the ANZAC corps when they first landed here on 25 April 1915. ANZAC Cove was only a kilometer from the frontline of the fighting on the mountainous western side of the peninsula. It was within easy range of Turkish artillery, which inflicted massive casualties.

By 1st May 1915, more than 27,000 ANZAC's had landed at Gallipoli and ANZAC Cove became the main base for the Australian and New Zealand troops for the eight months of the Battle of Gallipoli.

The Dawn Service was traditionally held within the cove until 1999, when a larger capacity purpose built 'ANZAC Commemorative Site' was constructed on nearby North Beach.

Lone Pine Cemetery

Lone Pine was the site of one of the most famous battles of the Gallipoli campaign. From 6th - 9th August 1915, the maze of log covered trenches at Lone Pine became the scene of bloody, hand to hand combat, as the Australians attempted to take control of the Turkish line and divert the Turks attention from Chunuk Bair, which was the objective of the August offensive. The battle of Lone Pine was a rare success for the ANZACs, although victory came at a very high price; 2200 Australians and 6000 Turks were killed or wounded. The site gained its name after the Turks cut down all but one of the Aleppo pines, which the ANZACs called the lonesome pine. Today the Lone Pine cemetery covers part of the battlefield and one tree raised from the seed of a Gallipoli cone, stands at the site. Lone Pine is the largest Commonwealth War Grave Commission Cemetery on the Gallipoli peninsula and it is the site of the Australian memorial service on ANZAC Day.

Chunuk Bair

Chunuk Bair is the second highest peak of the Sari Bair mountain range, and the capture of this peak was one of the main objectives of the Allied August offensive. The New Zealanders managed to successfully take control of Chunuk Bair on 8th August 1915, but they were unable to hold the position whilst waiting for reinforcements, and the Turks regained control on the 10th. The loss of Chunuk Bair marked the end of the effort to reach the central hills of the Peninsula. The Chunuk Bair Cemetery was created after the armistice on the site and now 632 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War are buried here. In the cemetery a New Zealand National Memorial stands alongside the Ataturk Memorial. On ANZAC Day this site is where the New Zealand memorial service is held.

Shrapnel Valley

Shrapnel Valley (aka Shrapnel Gully) which leads to Monash Valley, was vital to the ANZAC campaign. Although always under heavy Turkish fire (hence the name), Shrapnel Valley was the main route for Allied troops with essential supplies, to reach the front line along the Second Ridge. Many ANZACs lost their lives here, including Private John Simpson Kirkpatrick who was shot on 19 May 1915. Simpson famously evacuated wounded men from the slopes of the valley using donkeys and he is buried at Beach Cemetery. Today Shrapnel Valley is the second largest cemetery on the peninsula. It is also one of the most beautiful memorial sites, with a distinctive Judas tree in the center.

North Beach

North Beach lies adjacent to ANZAC Cove, past the headland of Ari Burnu. A distinctive rocky outcrop nicknamed the "Sphinx' by the ANZACs, overlooks North Beach, which now plays host to the ANZAC Day Commemorative Service each year. On 25th April 1915, one of the first waves of the 11th Battalion from Western Australia landed on North Beach and desperately struggled upwards to reach the plateau, under Turkish fire. Reaching the top, a day long struggle ensued as they fired upon the Turks in an effort to move inland and gain ground, whilst the Turks were withdrawing towards the ridge line. One of the men to come ashore at North Beach was Private John Simpson Kirkpatrick of the 3rd Field Ambulance, known as the 'man with the donkey'. The 3rd Field Ambulance men set up an aid post at North Beach during the morning of 25th April, to search cliffs around the sphinx to find and care for the wounded.

Istanbul

Istanbul holds the unique record for being the only city in the world to span two continents. The two sides are split by the Bosphorus, a strait of water marking the border between Europe and Asia. A boat ride on this iconic body of water is a must for any visitor to Istanbul. Throw in famous attractions such as the jaw-dropping Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia and the gorgeous Topkapi Palace and you have a city ripe for exploring. Formerly known as Constantinople, Istanbul remains one of the world's oldest and most historic cities.

Cappadocia

You may not have even heard of Cappadocia, but the valley of rock formations and underground cities is undoubtedly the most incredible attraction in the whole of Turkey. Whole villages, subterranean churches and fortresses have been hewn from the soft, porous, eerily eroded rock. The World-Heritage listed Goreme is home to more than 30 magnificently frescoed Byzantine rock churches. Meanwhile, at Zelve is the famous phallic-like eroded landscape of so-called ‘fairy chimneys’. Sort of like entering a huge and complex chunk of Swiss cheese, with holes here and holes there, these underground cities are up to 8 levels deep. The complex system of apartments, public rooms and underground interconnecting streets, easily housed hundreds and hundreds of people in former times. Cappadocia is also an excellent region for the purchasing of carpets and for adventurous activities such as mountain biking and hiking. A hot air balloon ride over this magical landscape is highly recommended.

Ephesus

Undoubtedly the best-preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean, Ephesus was a vast Roman city with a population nearing 250,000. It gained great prosperity from commerce and travelling pilgrims, who travelled for miles to visit the legendary Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Ancient Wonders. Much of Ephesus has been carefully restored, and sights to see nowadays include the iconic Great Theater , Curetes Way (one of the main thoroughfares), the Temple of Serapis, the elegant façades of the Temple of Hadrian and the awesome Library of Celsus. Off Curetes Way are ancient public toilets, a brothel, remains of fountains and various temples.

Pamukkale

Long nicknamed the "Cotton Castles", Pamukkale is a collection of natural calcium shelves, pools and cliffs, formed when warm, calcium-rich water once ran over the cliff edges. Today there are natural thermal pools in the area, known as the Pamukkale Thermal.

Many believe that the natural pool once formed the center of the nearby ruined Roman spa town of Hierapolis. The marble ruins of the town are equally as impressive as Pamukkale, especially the partially restored Roman theatre, which would once have seated 12,000 spectators.

Fethiye

If you're after a relaxing Turkish break then look no further than Fethiye. Surrounded by the beautiful Taurus Mountains and with the turquoise coastline extending for miles, there are few more picturesque places for a holiday than Fethiye. The town itself offers bucket loads of cafes, bars and restaurants, with numerous pristine islands ripe for exploration off the coast. And of course, the beaches are excellent too.