Follow in boot steps of brave legends of war

Don’t despair if you missed a ticket to the historic Dawn Service at Gallipoli, writes Mercedes Maguire

Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux

YOU can still be a part of the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings in 2015 by paying your respects at dozens of locations around the world.

Check out these 10 specialty package tours for next year.

1. KOKODA TRAIL

Follow in the Diggers’ footsteps on an eight-day trek of the Kokoda Trail from $5355 a person, twin share. Travellers will visit the Kokoda Memorial and War Museum at Port Moresby before embarking on the track. Valid for sale until December 31 and valid for travel until June 30 next year.

pH 1300 939 414 or see flightcentre.com.au

2. TURKEY/FRANCE

Be a part of the centenary celebrations with a fully escorted cruise/tour to Gallipoli Cove aboard the MV Louis Cristal. This 14-day tour departs Sydney on April 15 next year and is priced from $6097 a person.

The package includes seven nights on board MV Louis Cristal sailing from Athens to Turkey and a shore excursion to Anzac Cove.

A highlight will be riding at anchor for the Dawn Service.

pH 0418 289 399 or email [e-mail]

3. VIETNAM

Visit the battlefields and memorial sites from the Demilitarised Zone to the Long Tan battlefield and the Cu Chi Tunnels on this tour priced from $2799 a person, twin share. The 11-day tour allows visitors to see the best of Vietnam, while reflecting on the country’s wartime past and Australia’s involvement.

The tour starts in Hanoi and visits Hue, Hoi An and Saigon and includes an overnight cruise of Halong Bay, a water puppet show and a tour of the network of Cu Chi Tunnels.

pH 1300 021 123 or see myadventurestore.com.au

4. ISTANBUL, TURKEY

Enjoy an eight-day tour of Istanbul timed to coincide with the centenary celebrations at Gallipoli. The guided tour departs on April 15 next year and is priced from £2195 a person, twin share ($A3925). You will see landmarks such as Topkapı Palace, Haghia Sofia and the Blue Mosque with an expert guide.

Email [e-mail] or visit petersommer.com

5. MYANMAR RAILWAY

Pay your respect to the Aussie soldiers who gave their lives during the construction of the Thai-Burma Railway on a tour timed to coincide with the Anzac Day centenary.

This 14-day tour is priced from $4699 a person, twin share, and departs from Yangon in Myanmar with stops at Mandalay, the Irrawaddy River and the Golden Rock.

The tour also visits the Taukkyan War Cemetery memorial. Valid for sale until October 30 for travel on April 14 next year.

pH 1800 019 130 or see travel-associates.com.au

6. DARWIN

Visit the sites in Darwin that were hit by air raids during World War II in a half-day tour priced from $109 a person.

You will also visit Charles Darwin National Park where historic bunkers are now housed, the Navy Base HMAS Coonawarra, the military precinct at East Point and Darwin Military Museum plus a cruise on Darwin Harbour.

Tour valid for sale until March 31 next year.

pH 1300 939 414 or see flightcentre.com.au

7. TURKEY & GREECE

Visit Turkey and Greece on a 22-day tour, set to coincide with centenary celebrations, from $6895 a person, twin share.

Guests without official tickets will take part in a service elsewhere in Turkey.

The trip includes tours in Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamon, Ephesus, Goreme, Athens and Argolis.

pH 1300 301 672 or see insightvacations.com

8. SINGAPORE

Experience Anzac Day at Kranji War Memorial and Cemetery where guests will be able to attend a commemorative service.

Priced from $1715, this four-day itinerary will also visit Labrador Battery, Alexandra Hospital, Mount Faber, Sentosa Island Fort and Museum and the Changi Museum and Chapel, where the Japanese interred POWs.

The price includes an Anzac Day service at Kranji War Memorial, accommodation in a 4-star hotel and tour guide.

Email [e-mail] or see battletours.com.au

9. GALLIPOLI

Learn about where theAnzac legend started with a nine-day Highlights of Turkey tour (from $1799 a person) or the 15-day Best of Turkey tour (from $2625 a person) — both including Anzac Day commemorations.

Also, visit famous landmarks throughout Istanbul such as the Blue Mosque and see the ancient ruins of Troy.

See trafalgar.com

10. WESTERN FRONT

Visit the Western Front in France and Belgium where 45,000 Australian soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice during World War I. The 10-day tour is priced from $3797.

Visit all the key Australian battlefield sites, as well as Paris, Champagne, Reims and Bruges.

A moving Anzac Day Dawn Service at Villers-Bretonneux will be a highlight of this package.

Book and pay a deposit by June 30 and get a $200 discount.

pH 1300 880 340 or see battlefields.com.au