Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Efes culture tour 8 days

Itinerary 8 days:

Day 1 : Kayseri – Cappadocia

Meet the group at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Drive to Cappadocia. Overnight hotel in Cappadocia

Day  2 Visit to Uchisar –  Goreme Open-air Museum – Kaymaklı Underground City

We spend most of the day visiting the major points of historical and topographical interest, including Uchisar and Goreme. Goreme lies at the foot of three extinct volcanoes. Centuries ago, volcanic eruptions covered the Goreme valley with mud, ash and sometimes with blocks of hard rock. Over the ages this volcanic tufa was sculpted by erosion into strange and improbable shapes; cones, needles of stone, pyramids of soft stone – some 30m high. Into this remote spot came the Byzantine hermits, who carved churches, houses, fortresses and even complete underground cities into the cones. Entire troglodite villages and subterranean churches are hewn out of the soft volcanic rock and make the whole place a spectacular sight to behold. We shall wonder at the ‘fairy chimneys’ – tall needles of stone with rocks perched on top, caused by erosion, which fill entire valleys. Goreme contains the area’s largest concentration of rock carved churches. We will also visit the underground city at Kaymakli, built by Christians escaping Arab oppression. More of this incredible underground maze of catacombs is being discovered every year.

Day 3 : Cappadocia -Avanos- Zelve- Kizilcukur valley- Cavusin

In the morning transfer to the airport and fly to Kayseri. Meet the group at Kayseri airport and drive to Anavos town, on the banks of the Kizilirmak river, displays attractive local architecture and is known for its handicrafts. Pottery is the most popular handicraft and  rug weaving and knotting is also making a come-back. We drive to Zelve, It was an important religious centre during the Iconoclastic Period with its monasteries and churches. Continue to Kizilcukur Sometimes known as the ‘’red hole’’ Kızılcukur is probably the hottest valley in region. Hidden in its array of fairy chimneys is The church with grapes where there are frescos depicting viniculture and fruit growing. Watching the sunset is very famous from this valley. We pass trough Cavusin village of a collapsed section of early Christian  cave city. This was caused by a huge rockslide, which together wit earthquakes and natural erosion has caused a split in the plateau. The atrium of the church at cavusin hac cascaded down, exposing some of the frescoes. Overnight hotel.

Day 4 : Cappadocia – Ihlara valley – Konya ( Whirling Devishes)

In the morning we drive to Ihlara valley , was once the favourite retreat of Byzantine monks. This valley was formed by primeval earthquakes and the was once rushing river is now a quiet stream.  There are many rock-cut churches is with well preserved frescos dating from the 9^th century. Wosmanse drive to visit 13^th century Agzikarahan caravanserai , The gate is a fine example of Selcuk architecture and is a reminder that we are travelling one of the ancient caravan routes linking Asia to Europe. We continue the transfer to Konya was capital of Seljuk empire from 12^th to 13^th centuries. Konya is a city for its works of Seljuk art and architecture  and for its tomb of 13^th century poet and philosopher Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi , founded a Sufi order known in the west as the Whirling Dervishes. After visiting of Mevlana we can visit Alaeddin Mosque was built the great Seljuk sultan Alaeddin Keykubat. Overnight at hotel

Day 5 : Konya – Pamukkale (Cotton Casstle)

In the morning we will drive to Pamukkale that known ancient Hierapolis. We visit Pamukkale travertines that the formations look almost unreal. The rich calcium content of the mineral water from the nearby thermal springs. In other words, the lime residue, after the carbon gas evaporates, create the visual miracles, the travertines and the pools on the top of  each other. We may walk on the travertine with barefoot. Overnight hotel

Day 6 : Pamukkale – Aphrodisias – Ephese

In the morning we visit Aphrodisiacs that developed during the period of the Romans. Aphrodisias is unquestionably one of the most impressing ancient cities of Anatolia with its well-preserved buildings and numbers of magnificent sculptures from the Roman period. Being built near a marble quarry, the city was also an important center in the past with its famous sculpture school and for being one of the several cities that was dedicated to Aphrodite, the goddess of love.. Overnight hotel.

Day 7: Ephese

In the morning we visit Ephese was an important port city until with passing of time and erosion. The city, whose wealth and patronage supported its splendid architectural program, was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. The ruins also  include a theatre, gymnasium, agora and baths, as well as the Library of Celsus. We also visit house of Mary (meryem ana evi), we know that St. John spent the last years of his life in Epheus and wrote his Gospel here. Jesus left his mother with John, therefore, it is believed that Mother Mary came to Epheus and lived here until the end of her life.Overnight hotel

Day 8 : Izmir – home

In the morning transfer to the airport and fly home.

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