July 18-22----------------> RECAP Lira Exchange Rate: .65 ($33 = 50 Lira)
PLANS:
ISTANBUL
CAPPADOCIA
19 July
Take the morning flight from Ataturk Airport in Istanbul
by Turkish airlines departure 10:00am. Arrival at Nevsehir airport and
meeting just outside the arrival's gate with a sign bearing your name
with your driver. Transfer to Cappadocia. Tour to Kaymaklı Underground
City, one of the most interesting underground settlements in
Cappadocia. Soğanlı Valley, an Open Air Museum in a wild natural
setting near a typical Cappadocian village with its different style
Rock-Cut churches and frescoes. Villages in the valleys, surrounded by
the "table top" mountains, are spectacular. Lunch and Visit to
Sahinefendi newly discovered (01 May 2002) mosaic houses &
Archaeological excavation site. Continue with Keslik Monastery near
Cemil, that hides its frescoes behind a very thin smoke layer which we
can only see by torch light. Our tour finishes with a visit to
Mustafapaşa (Sinasos), an old Greek town with its spectacular old Greek
houses; very fine examples of late Greek settlements and architecture.
Overnight Cappadocia - Gamirasu Cave Hotel (http://www.gamirasu.com )
20 July
In the morning, first meeting
with the lunar landscape of Cappadocia: rock formations beyond belief
in Devrent valley; a journey in the past with its troglodyte houses,
visit to Pasabag "fairy chimneys" where the voice of wind mixes with
the "songs of fairies" near Zelve . Lunch in Avanos, centre of terra
cotta work of art since 3000 BC. and a demonstration in a traditional
pottery workshop. Afternoon, visit the famous Goreme Open Air Museum
and see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia in rock-cut
churches with frescoes and paintings (10th to 13th century). Continue
to Uchisar Rock-Castle to have a panoramic view of the valleys of
Cappadocia. Overnight Cappadocia
21 July
Walking in Ihlara
Canyon, a "mirage" in the Steps of Anatolia up to Belisirma village,
the ancient Peristrema: "Valley of the Sky" along the Melendiz River.
Rock-cut churches, spread across a wild plantation, surprise you with
their successfully painted representations from the Bible. Lunch in
Belisirma a local restaurant by the river. Stop by Selime, a village
with cave houses at the end of the canyon and a "star wars" like
landscape. Transfer to Kayseri airport and the evening flight to
Ataturk airport in Istanbul and leave Cappadocia by Turkish airlines
departure 20:25p
