'Lost' producer Glasgow's new film reflects on Gallipoli

A new movie focusing on the Gallipoli War will be shot in Turkey by Ra’uf Glasgow, the producer of the “Lost” TV series. Glasgow held a press meeting at Sofa Hotel in Istanbul to announce the movie, which concerns two soldiers meeting after the war. Glasgow will be shooting the film with Reynolds Entertainment Company’s founder and producer, Kelley Reynolds, and American producer Benjamin Belladi.

Gallipoli tourism boost

Next year, 2014, marks the beginning of a cycle of anniversaries set to last until the end of 2018, as countries across Europe, North America and beyond commemorate the centenary of the First World War. Turkey is looking to combine the expected spike in interest in historic events with a concerted drive to boost tourism revenue.

For Turkey, this cycle will kick into top gear in 2015, with the focus being on and around Gallipoli, some 350 km south of Istanbul. The peninsula and the waters of the Dardanelles – the strait leading to the inland Sea of Marmara – were the scene of heavy fighting in 1915, when the Allies tried to fight their way through to Istanbul and knock Turkey out of the war. By thwarting the British-led offensive in the year-long campaign, the Turks won a major victory, one that is commemorated to this day.

Each year, between 2m and 2.5m Turks tour the national park where the battlefields are located, making it one of the most visited sites in Turkey. Many visitors come on organised tours, while hundreds of thousands of school students visit as part of their education.

Gallipoli places limited to 2000

New balloting rules will mean 2000 New Zealanders get the chance to go to Gallipoli in 2015 for the 100th anniversary of the battles, compared with 8000 Australians - a split based on the number of soldiers each country lost in the campaign.

Veterans Affairs Minister Michael Woodhouse said the Turkish Government had put a cap of 10,500 people on the site which has become a pilgrimage for Anzac Day for both New Zealanders and Australians.

Gallipoli service set at 10,500 attendees

The decision comes after complaints from tour companies that had taken bookings for the centenary dawn service in 2015, but could not guarantee their customers would be able to attend.

Veterans Affairs Minister Warren Snowdon says the three governments considered an independent report on the crowd capacity of the football field-sized commemorative site and agreed on the 10,500 limit.

"In addition to safety, the capacity also considers the geographic challenges of the site," he said in a statement.

"Surrounded by thick scrub, steep terrain, bounded by the Aegean Sea and protected by heritage and conservation measures ... the site cannot be expanded."

Only 8000 Aussies at Gallipoli

JUST 8000 Australians will be able to attend the 100th anniversary Anzac Day dawn service at Gallipoli in 2015, with the Gillard government agreeing to cap attendance at the event at 10,500 people despite some assessments the site could accommodate more spectators.

Veterans Affairs Minister Warren Snowdon yesterday announced the governments of Turkey, Australia and New Zealand had agreed the safe capacity of the Anzac Commemorative Site was 10,500 people, 5000 fewer than previously assessed.

"To ensure the safety of visitors, extensive investigations have been conducted and the capacity is based on a rigorous independent analysis," he said. Mr Snowdown said 8000 places would be open to Australians who wanted to pay their respects to the Diggers who lost their lives at Gallipoli.

Daily Gallipoli Tour

Daily Gallipoli Tour Itinerary:
12.30pm ~ Tour departs from TJs Hostel.
From here you’ll drive to the ANZAC Battlefield area to start an emotional & memorable tour.
On tour you’ll visit:

• Kabatepe War Museum
• Beach Cemetery (John Simpson’s Grave)
• ANZAC Cove
• Ari Burnu (First ANZAC landing place)
• Lone Pine Cemetery (Australian memorial)
• Johnston’s Jolly (Walk in the ANZAC trenches)
• View Shrapnel Valley
• Turkish Memorial
• The Nek(Light Horse scene depicted in the Gallipoli movie) &Walker’s Ridge
• Chunuk Bair (Main New Zealand memorial)
• Please tell us before tour if you would like us to research or locate an ANZAC grave.
• There are no registers out on the peninsula.

Daily Gallipoli Tour

Gallipoli Ottoman Era

After the devastating 1354 earthquake, the Greek city of Gallipoli was almost abandoned, but swiftly reoccupied by Turks from Anatolia, the Asiatic side of the straits, making Gallipoli the first Ottoman position in Europe, and the staging area for their expansion across the Balkans.

The peninsula, a part of the Byzantine Empire, was gradually conquered by the Ottoman Empire from 13th century to the 15th century. The Greeks living there were allowed to continue their everyday life. In the 19th century, Gallipoli (Turkish: Gelibolu) was a district (kaymakamlik) in the Vilayet of Adrianople, with about thirty thousand inhabitants: comprising Greeks, Turks, Armenians and Jews.

Anzac Day Dawn Service & Ceremonies Program

Program Code: AND13
Date - Duration: 24 / 25 April 2013 - 2 days / 1 night at the Commemorative Site
Meeting Point & Time: Istanbul Hagia Sophia Square at 09.30 lt

At 09.00 we meet in front of the Haghia Sophia and depart for Eceabat ( closest town to the Gallipoli Battlefiels )

The drive by coach takes appr. 5 hours with a short break for 20 min. on Halfway

By arrival we have a Barbeque Party
Takes appr. 1,5 hours - Drinks during the Barbeque are extra

Daily Gallipoli Tour from Eceabat

12.00 Arrive in Eceabat. Lunch on the roof of Grand Eceabat Hotel
12.45 Depart for fully guided Gallipoli Tour

On tour you will visit:

• Brighton Beach
• Beach Cemetery
• ANZAC Cove
• Ariburnu Cemetery
• ANZAC Commemorative Site
• Shell Green Cemetery
• Respect to Mehmetcik Statue
• Lone Pine Australian Memorial
• Johnston's Jolly (Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels)
• Turkish 57. Infantry Regiment Cemetery
• The Nek
• Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial

2 Day / 1 Night Gallipoli & Snorkeling Tour from Istanbul

Day 1
06.00 Pick up from hotel in Taksim
06.30-07:00 Pick up from hotel in Sultanahmet( Old City)
08.30 Have a stop for open buffet breakfast
12.00 Arrive in Eceabat. Lunch on the roof of Grand Eceabat Hotel
12.45 Depart for fully guided Gallipoli Tour

1 Day / 1 Night Gallipoli Tour from Istanbul

06.00 Pick up from hotel in Taksim
06.30-07:00 Pick up from hotel in Sultanahmet( Old City)
08.30 Have a stop for open buffet breakfast
12.00 Arrive in Eceabat. Lunch on the roof of Grand Eceabat Hotel
12.45 Depart for fully guided Gallipoli Tour

2 Days / 1 Night Troy & Full Day Gallipoli Tour from Istanbul

Troy ancient city and Gallipoli Battlefield Tours are the two  most popular touristical destinations of the area but however the guests who visit theese sides only offer one of theese tours ; Troy or Gallipoli. By organising this package we firstly paln to take you to troy where the first big battle of Dardanelles took place and then the next day to Gallipoli where the last big battle of the Dardanelles took place.

Day 1
06.00 Pick up from hotel in Taksim
06.30-07:00 Pick up from hotel in Sultanahmet( Old City)
08.30 Have a stop for open buffet breakfast
12.00 Arrive in Eceabat
12.45 Depart for fully guided Troy Tour

Day Trip Gallipoli Anzac Tour from Istanbul

06.00 Pick up from hotel in Taksim
06.30-07:00 Pick up from hotel in Sultanahmet( Old City)
08.30 Have a stop for open buffet breakfast
12.00 Arrive in Eceabat. Lunch on the roof of Grand Eceabat Hotel
12.45 Depart for fully guided Gallipoli Tours
On tour you will visit:

• Brighton Beach
• Beach Cemetery
• ANZAC Cove
• Ariburnu Cemetery
• ANZAC Commemorative Site
• Shell Green Cemetery
• Respect to Mehmetcik Statue
• Lone Pine Australian Memorial
• Johnston's Jolly (Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels)
• Turkish 57. Infantry Regiment Cemetery
• The Nek
• Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial