Highlights of Cappadocia

Day 1 – Cappadocia
We fly one hour to Kayseri, or Nevsehir the center of Anatolia, where life dates back to 6500 BCE. The earliest known reference to Cappadocia is provided by the historian Herodotus from 500 BCE. From the mid. 600 BCE to 334 BCE, Cappadocia was one of the Persian satrapies in Anatolia. Its people appear to have been greatly influenced by the religion of their rulers, merging some of its dogmas with beliefs inherited from their Hittite ancestors. After a pleasant drive of 45 minutes we arrive at our hotel in the region of Cappadocia. Lunch is in an old village house, prepared by the inhabitants. We will visit Uchisar Castle, with its panoramic views of the region, showing the moon-surface landscape and fairy chimneys. We will explore a few of the unique valleys, with an optional walk in one of them. Return to your hotel and overnight.

Day 2 – Cappadocia
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we further explore Cappadocia. This is surely one of the most beautiful and unusual spots in the world, with a moon-like landscape boasting a variety of weird but interesting natural formations, including pyramid-shaped rocks and sensuously carved fertile valleys that are volcanic in origin. We will take a short drive to one of the underground cities carved from the volcanic tufa to a depth of eight to ten stories (some of these cities were once populated by as many as 2,500 people). After lunch we visit the Goreme Valley, an area of pointed rock formations known as the Fairy Chimneys, and the Open Air Museum and its most interesting churches including the best preserved “Dark Church” for being high up and with a single window. It holds the most beautiful Frescoes of Apocrypha Bibles. (Note – By request and if space is available, we can arrange a hot-air balloon ride for you at the additional cost) Return to your hotel and overnight.