This is a unique add-on to our Taste of Tradition Turkey tour in October 2024,* though it is certainly something you can do at any time, or add on to any other tour.
We start in Istanbul for our flight to Cappadocia. This magical region is famous for its unique landscape, which is made up of towering rock formations, underground cities, and cave dwellings. The region's natural beauty and rich history make it a popular destination.
The rock formations, known as fairy chimneys, are the most iconic feature of Cappadocia. These tall and slender formations were formed millions of years ago through volcanic activity and erosion. Many of them have been hollowed out to create homes, churches, and even entire underground cities. Exploring these cave dwellings is like stepping back in time and provides a glimpse into Cappadocia's ancient past.
OCTOBER 20/DAY 1: ADD-ON OR ARRIVAL TO ISTANBUL
Istanbul, where the locals are welcoming and many speak English.
From our add-on tour, we take a domestic flight to Kayseri in Cappadocia. Upon arrival, meet at the airport and drive to Soğanlı Valley, an open-air museum near a charming Cappadocian village. Explore the valley's unique rock-cut churches and frescoes. Visit Keşlik Monastery, known for its hidden frescoes.
Enjoy a delicious lunch in the ancient Greek town of Mustafapaşa. Afterward, take a scenic walk through Red Valley, known for its striking volcanic rock formations and well-preserved hermit churches. Appreciate the tranquility and beauty of this off-the-beaten-path destination.
Then check into our 5-star boutique cave hotel.
For dinner, we shall delight in the culinary expertise of KEYİF GÖREME. This traditional Turkish restaurant in Cappadocia offers pottery kebabs. This cuisine is served by cooking the kebab in an oven-like pot surrounded by coals. The pottery kebab is slowly cooked, making it especially juicy and flavor-rich. Keyif prides itself on the homemade, fresh ingredients they use to create the unique flavor of the pottery kebab, and its menu also features a selection of Turkish-style mezze appetizers and other signature dishes made from local ingredients.
Overnight in Cappadocia Hotel
We start in Istanbul for our flight to Cappadocia. This magical region is famous for its unique landscape, which is made up of towering rock formations, underground cities, and cave dwellings. The region's natural beauty and rich history make it a popular destination.
The rock formations, known as fairy chimneys, are the most iconic feature of Cappadocia. These tall and slender formations were formed millions of years ago through volcanic activity and erosion. Many of them have been hollowed out to create homes, churches, and even entire underground cities. Exploring these cave dwellings is like stepping back in time and provides a glimpse into Cappadocia's ancient past.
OCTOBER 20/DAY 1: ADD-ON OR ARRIVAL TO ISTANBUL
Istanbul, where the locals are welcoming and many speak English.
From our add-on tour, we take a domestic flight to Kayseri in Cappadocia. Upon arrival, meet at the airport and drive to Soğanlı Valley, an open-air museum near a charming Cappadocian village. Explore the valley's unique rock-cut churches and frescoes. Visit Keşlik Monastery, known for its hidden frescoes.
Enjoy a delicious lunch in the ancient Greek town of Mustafapaşa. Afterward, take a scenic walk through Red Valley, known for its striking volcanic rock formations and well-preserved hermit churches. Appreciate the tranquility and beauty of this off-the-beaten-path destination.
Then check into our 5-star boutique cave hotel.
For dinner, we shall delight in the culinary expertise of KEYİF GÖREME. This traditional Turkish restaurant in Cappadocia offers pottery kebabs. This cuisine is served by cooking the kebab in an oven-like pot surrounded by coals. The pottery kebab is slowly cooked, making it especially juicy and flavor-rich. Keyif prides itself on the homemade, fresh ingredients they use to create the unique flavor of the pottery kebab, and its menu also features a selection of Turkish-style mezze appetizers and other signature dishes made from local ingredients.
Overnight in Cappadocia Hotel
OCTOBER 21/DAY 2: CAPPADOCIA
Experience the thrill of a hot air balloon ride with our early morning tour. From our hotel around 4:00 am for a breathtaking journey. You will be amazed to get up close and personal with the giant balloons as they fire up and eventually take off. Plus experience a sunrise like no other while soaring through the air. After the ride, we return to the hotel for breakfast and have free time until our departure for a private tour at 10:30 am.
Experience the culture of Cappadocia through the secrets of its cuisine. A cooking class in a local’s house offers the perfect opportunity to explore this cuisine and learn the secrets of Turkish cooking. The class will start with an introduction to the ingredients and dishes that are specific to Cappadocia. Then, the instructor will guide us step-by-step through how to prepare a traditional Cappadocian dish. Afterwards, the class will culminate with a delicious and authentic meal shared together.
In the afternoon, we experience our first real encounter with Cappadocia’s almost Martian landscape is in the Dervent valley, where the rock formations are amazing. A walk through the Zelve Open Air Museum is a journey into the past, with its troglodyte houses. This is one of the earliest inhabited and latest abandoned monastic settlements in Cappadocia. After Zelve, we visit Pasabag’s “fairy chimneys,” where the voice of the wind harmonizes with the songs of the fairies. Finally we will visit Avanos, a center of terracotta art since 3,000 BC, for a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop.
Dinner at hotel/overnight in Cappadocia
OCTOBER 22/DAY 3: CAPPADOCIA TO ISTANBUL - DEPARTURE
Enjoy airport transfer and flight back to Istanbul to continue your journeys of flight home.
*Group rate for October 20 - 22, 2024, add-on tour is $1328 per person (double) or $1868 (single).
This trip includes:
The trip doesn’t include:
Experience the thrill of a hot air balloon ride with our early morning tour. From our hotel around 4:00 am for a breathtaking journey. You will be amazed to get up close and personal with the giant balloons as they fire up and eventually take off. Plus experience a sunrise like no other while soaring through the air. After the ride, we return to the hotel for breakfast and have free time until our departure for a private tour at 10:30 am.
Experience the culture of Cappadocia through the secrets of its cuisine. A cooking class in a local’s house offers the perfect opportunity to explore this cuisine and learn the secrets of Turkish cooking. The class will start with an introduction to the ingredients and dishes that are specific to Cappadocia. Then, the instructor will guide us step-by-step through how to prepare a traditional Cappadocian dish. Afterwards, the class will culminate with a delicious and authentic meal shared together.
In the afternoon, we experience our first real encounter with Cappadocia’s almost Martian landscape is in the Dervent valley, where the rock formations are amazing. A walk through the Zelve Open Air Museum is a journey into the past, with its troglodyte houses. This is one of the earliest inhabited and latest abandoned monastic settlements in Cappadocia. After Zelve, we visit Pasabag’s “fairy chimneys,” where the voice of the wind harmonizes with the songs of the fairies. Finally we will visit Avanos, a center of terracotta art since 3,000 BC, for a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop.
Dinner at hotel/overnight in Cappadocia
OCTOBER 22/DAY 3: CAPPADOCIA TO ISTANBUL - DEPARTURE
Enjoy airport transfer and flight back to Istanbul to continue your journeys of flight home.
*Group rate for October 20 - 22, 2024, add-on tour is $1328 per person (double) or $1868 (single).
This trip includes:
- Economy flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia
- 2 nights at 5* Hotel with Breakfast Daily
- Roundtrip transfer to/from hotel
- Experiences mentioned above
- Professional licensed guide
- Chauffeur driven luxury minivan
- Economy flight from Cappadocia to Istanbul
- All taxes
The trip doesn’t include:
- Travel insurance
- Meals and beverages not indicated in “This trip includes”
- Tips/Gratuity
- Personal expenses
- International Airfare
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