Itinerary:
Day 1: Fly to Istanbul - 3 nights
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Day 2:
The morning begins with a boat trip on the Bosphorus, where Europe
meets Asia and a walk along the Black Sea coast to Genevize
Castle, with lunch at a village restaurant. |
Day 3:
Enjoy a full day walking tour of Istanbul. We'll
stroll to the great square, once the Byzantine Hippodrome and now
bordered by the Blue Mosque and the huge Basilica Cistern. Our
tour is crowned by a visit to the Topkapi Palace, an assemblage
of museums containing the collections amassed by the Sultans over
almost five centuries. No trip to Istanbul would be complete
without a visit to the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest covered
markets in the world, parts of which date from 1464.
Day 4:
Cappadocia - 6 nights
A short flight to Nevsehir in Cappadocia where we follow
routes designed to bring us into close contact with the natural and
man-made features of this unsual region. Walk up to 'Uchisar Castle'
for magnificent views of Göreme Valley and a trail through 'Pigeon
Valley' to Maccan.
Day 5:
Göreme World Heritage Site
After a visit to the fascinating Göreme World Heritage Site,
a pilgrimage centre where rock churches were carved by Christians in
the 4th century, we continue to Zelve Pasabag and the Devrent Valley,
where we we find the most interesting fairy chimneys.
Day 6:
Derinkuyu Underground City
Our focus today combines the remarkable Derinkuyu Underground
City, dating originally from 2000 BC, with a walk in the fascinating
Ihlara Valley, a deep canyon with churches cut from the rock,
resplendent with frescoes.
Day 7:
Free day
A free day to relax or enjoy activities such as hot air
ballooning, wine tasting or horse riding.
Day 8:
Soganli Valley
A few of Cappadocia's cave villages are as steeped in history
as much as Mustafapasa. Later we'll walk in the Soganli valleys, and
visit their beautiful churches which contain frescoes dating from the
9th to the 13th century. We have the opportunity to witness sunset and
saple delicious local wines with a visit to Kizilçukur.
Day 9:
Enjoy a half day walk through the charming traditional
villages of Zindan, Onu and Cavusin, with the chance to taste some
traditional local food.
Day 10:
Departure day
Transfer to Istanbul for our return flight home.
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