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2 NIGHT CAPPADOCIA ADD ON
Day 1, ISTANBUL / CAPPADOCIA
Meet your guide and transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Kayseri with Turkish Airlines. Arrive in Kayseri and drive 45 minutes to reach Cappadocia, the jewel of Central Anatolia that is home to a bewitching landscape of spectacularly eroded tuff (hardened volcanic ash). First, you will visit Zelve. The village was built to exploit the natural configuration of the plain, surrounded by masses of rocks opening out into two converging valleys. The first valley contains a rock-cut mosque, the only one of its kind, and a spectacular monastery complex cut out of a cliff face. Next, you will drive to Avanos famous for its Red River and pottery artisans.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant, where you can taste the village-style cuisine from the region. After lunch visit to Pasabag Valley where the formation of "fairy chimneys" can be best observed. Drive down into the small town of Urgup, where you will see the blending of beautiful landscapes and village houses.
At the end of your day, you will arrive to your hotel to enjoy a wine and cheese tasting. Dinner will be served at your hotel.
Overnight and Dinner at Anatolian Houses, a luxury cave hotel in Cappadocia. (L/D)
Day 2, CAPPADOCIA
Rise early this morning for your magical hot air ballooning experience. You will enjoy a bird's eye view of the fantastic lunar-like landscapes and gently float among the contours of the valleys - if you are lucky you may be able to pick fresh fruit from the basket as you float over small orchards! This is a truly unforgettable experience. (OPTIONAL)
After breakfast meet your guide for a full-day tour. First, visit the Goreme Open Air Museum which contains beautifully frescoed rock-cut churches, monasteries and nunnery. Some of the wonderful and primitive churches in the area date back to the 6th Century. The 11th Century represented the "golden age" of religious art in Goreme, and you can see the impressive frescoes in the Dark Church, Church of the Serpent, Apple Church and Buckle Church.
Lunch will be served in a local restaurant. Taste delicious kebabs that have been slow cooked in a seamless terracotta pot, which is broken in front of you upon serving.
After lunch descend beneath the earth's surface to explore an Underground City. The softness of the tuff made it easy to excavate and create dwellings; whole cities were constructed underground to avoid raiding armies, the residents where quite ingenious taking their livestock with them and even producing wine underground. Next visit the quaint village of Uchisar, full of stone houses typical of this area. If you are feeling energetic you can climb Uchisar's rock-hewn castle for great views over the surrounding valleys.
At the end of the day, you will return to your hotel. Dinner is suggested in a local village restaurant where you can enjoy panoramic views of the countryside.
Overnight at Anatolian Houses, a luxury cave hotel in Cappadocia. (B/L)
Day 3, CAPPADOCIA / ISTANBUL
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival in Istanbul transfer to the port or continue to the international terminal to connect with your international flight. (B)
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
- 2 nights accommodation at Anatolian Houses, a luxury cave hotel in Cappadocia.
- Daily breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner and a wine and cheese sampling.
- Unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic local beverages during lunches and dinners.
- All arrival and departure transfers and baggage handling.
- 2 days of sightseeing in a deluxe air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver.
- Licensed professional tour guide in English/Spanish/Portuguese language.
- Entrance fees to all museums, parks, and historic sites as marked on the itinerary
- Domestic flights Istanbul / Kayseri / Istanbul.
- Bottled water provided throughout the tour.
- 18% VAT taxes
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:
- International airfare
- Gratuities to driver and guide
- Meals that are not indicated on the itinerary.
- Optional hot air ballooning experience in Cappadocia.
- Items of a personal nature.
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