The 10-day Gallipoli 2015 Epic Cruise organized by the Australian Geographic Society and Fairy Chimneys Travel follows the historic journey of the ANZAC troops from Athens to Gallipoli and Istanbul. Passengers will visit significant WWI sites including Anzac Cove, attend dawn services at Gallipoli, and hear talks from experts. The cruise aboard the Azamara Journey culminates in Istanbul and offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign in a moving way.

1. Join the AG Society on the Gallipoli-2015
Epic Cruise and experience this special event
where the Anzac legend was born 100 years ago.
W
ITNESSING an
Anzac Dawn
service in Gallipoli
is a transformative
experience in any year, but the 2015
centenary will be an even more
emotionally charged event. The
calm before sunrise will offer a
fleeting moment to reflect on those
adventurous spirits that, 100 years
earlier, were lost half a world away
from their homes in Australia.
Turkey is the site of many other
legends and this special AGS expedi-
tion cruise also sets out to explore the
relics of great empires and encounter
vivid cultures. The trip culminates
in a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to
experience Gallipoli. If you’re lucky
enough to win a place at the onshore
dawn service, you’ll also have the
chance to bear witness to the remem-
brance ceremony (see page 105 for
information on the ballot system for
places at the official services).
The Gallipoli 2015 Epic Cruise
begins in Athens, Greece’s capital and
the birthplace of western democracy.
It’s a fitting starting point for a cente-
nary, which also reminds us that
Australia’s nationhood was forged on
the battlefield of Gallipoli. A short
cruise away, across the southern
Aegean Sea, is Kusadasi, gateway to
Ephesus. Here you’ll come face to face
with life as the ancient Greeks and
Romans lived it. You will visit their
terraced homes, stroll around the
2000-year-old marble-paved streets
and enjoy both the Library of the Cel-
sus and the nearby Temple of Artemis.
Lemnos is the next port of call,
where, legend says, the Greek deity
Dionysus took sanctuary. The harbour
at Moudros was where the Anzac con-
tingent sailed for Gallipoli, and during
the campaign was a hive of ­activity,
with the constant movement of
troops, supplies and casualties. It was
also to Lemnos that the battle-weary
Anzacs were evacuated when, at last,
the call came to withdraw.
On the cruise, we’ll follow the
historic journey from Lemnos to
mission of
RemembRance
The shadow of war. Fifty-one
men of the Australian Imperial
Force who were killed in action
on 25 April 1915 are buried in
Lone Pine Cemetery.
Australian Geographic Society
upcoming expedition
Democracy’s cradle. Athens with its famous
Parthenon marks the start of this poignant
journey, which will end at Istanbul in Turkey.
imagescourtesyfairychimneystravel
destinations
102 Au s t r a l i a n G e o g r a p h i c

2. Gallipoli, a pilgrimage enhanced by
commentary and insightful mili-
tary narrative. A renowned panel of
­experts will be on hand to elaborate
on views of this seminal conflict, while
both familiar and lesser known stories
will unfold during visits to the Aus-
tralian, New Zealand, British, French
and Turkish areas. A more rounded
picture of Gallipoli will emerge as the
voyage progresses.
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s poignant
Anzac tribute is set in stone at Anzac
Cove and modern Turkey’s found-
ing father also established a national
day for the children of Turkey. On
23 April, Children’s Day will make a
welcome break from the solemnity
and offer the chance for participants
to enjoy a colourful Turkish welcome
in the pretty coastal town of Canak-
kale, which hosts this vibrant annual
festival of traditional costume, dance,
food and festivities.
Our ship, the Azamara Journey, will
dock at Canakkale, throughout the
Anzac Centenary event, facilitating
easy transfers for those attending
shore-based events.
At Troy, our next port of call,
­historian Dr Carol Scott will relate
the history of the ancient kingdom,
as well as its folklore and archaeolog-
ical significance. Located just a short
distance from Gallipoli, this city and
its legends inspired one of the greatest
armadas since Homer’s Iliad, and gave
rise to the Dardanelles campaign.
Attending the Gallipoli centenary
dawn ­service will be a rare privilege
to honour those who answered the
call. To stand where they stood as day
breaks over land and sea will be an
experience rich in history.
On that ­fateful morning in 1915, a
fleet carrying 20,000 men gathered
off the Gallipoli shore. As 1500 An-
zacs fell upon the beach, others waited
on deck for the call. In 2015, cruise
ships will be able to join the spectacu-
lar flotilla edging close to Anzac Cove
– an integral part of the commemora-
tion. The voice of renowned soprano
Dame Malvina Major will ring out
aboard our ship as part of a dignified
shipboard service along with a live
broadcast from the Cove.
When, in 1915, the Anzac troops
landed on the shores, an Australian
submarine, the HMAS AE2, ran the
gauntlet of mines, Turkish guns and
enemy ships as it negotiated the
Narrows, and miraculously made it
through to the Sea of Marmara. It
harassed enemy shipping for five
days before being hit by a Turkish
To stand where they stood as day breaks over
land and sea will be an experience rich in history.
torpedo. The AE2 was scuttled by her
crew and went to the bottom, 73m
down, where it lay until rediscovered in
1998. Further research was undertaken
in 2007 by a team sponsored by the AG
Society (AG 89). Our ship will divert
there to leave a floral tribute. Dr John
V. Basarin, the RSL 2010 Anzac Peace
Prize recipient, will share stories from
this daring feat as we sail through the
Sea of Marmara towards Istanbul.
Colourful, exotic and fragrant, old
Istanbul’s cobbled streets, architectur-
al marvels and monuments are there
to be explored, before the cruise is
brought to a close with a black-tie ball.
Fairy Chimneys Travel, organisers
of the Gallipoli-2015 Epic Cruise will
make a donation to the Australian
Geographic Society for every AGS
member who books a berth aboard the
Azamara Journey. By embarking on this
once-in-a-lifetime experience, you’ll
also be helping to fund the Society’s
important work.
Anne Macindoe
Australian Geographic Society
upcoming expedition
AEGEAN
SEA
BLACK SEA
GREECE
TURKEY
Troy
Athens
Lemnos
Canakkale
Gallipoli
Istanbul
Kusadasi
Ephesus
Pireaus
HMAS
AE2
United in grief. The flags of
Turkey, New Zealand and
Australia are raised at the
Turkish Memorial, Gallipoli.
Paying tribute. There will be opportunities to
pay respects to the fallen, even if passengers
don’t hold passes to the Anzac Day services.
The AG Society and Fairy Chimneys
Travel have partnered to present an
unforgettable remembrance tour.
Join us
in 2015
The Azamara Journey will lead you on a voyage of discovery as you to travel to Gallipoli
and nearby sites, such as as the seaside town of Canakkale.
Gallipoli 2015 Epic Cruise
Expedition: Gallipoli 2015
Epic Cruise
Duration: 10 days
Visits: Athens, Ephesus,
Lemnos, Canakkale,
Gallipoli Battlefields,
Anzac Cove, Lone Pine,
Chunuk Bair, Troy, AE2
submarine site, Istanbul
Vessel: Azamara Journey
Onboard: Dame Malvina Major
Dr John V. Basarin
Dr Kevin Fewster
Dr Carol Scott
Major General
(Ret'd) Jim Molan
Cost: From $6990pp ex Athens
Bookings: 1300 766 595 or info@
gallipoli-2015.com.au
Full Refund?
Places at the official Gallipoli dawn
services on the 25 April 2015 are strictly
limited, and will be allocated as the
result of a public ballot, which closed
on 31 January 2014. Applicants will be
notified of the ballot outcome prior to
Anzac Day 2014. If you’ve registered in
the ballot and don’t get tickets, we’ll
refund your deposit in full – just confirm
your Epic Cruise booking by 31 March
2014. For terms, visit:
www.gallipoli-2015.com.au/refund
destinations
102 Au s t r a l i a n G e o g r a p h i c M a r c h – A p r i l 2 0 1 4 105104 Au s t r a l i a n G e o g r a p h i c