CAPPADOCIA

Πρόγραμμα

DAY 1 ATHENS – CAESAREA – PROKOPI
Flight via Istanbul to Caesarea, the capital of Cappadocia. Arrival and short tour of the city, dominated by the castle with its huge walls and towers. We continue by road to Prokopi (Urgup), in the heart of Cappadocia. We will explore the wider area with the carved stone monasteries and troglodyte dwellings. Check in at the hotel. Dinner, overnight stay.

DAY 2 PROKOPI – AVANOS – PASSABAG VALLEY – PROKOPI
Breakfast and departure for Avanos, built on the banks of the Red River, where it is famous for its elaborate ceramics. Tour followed by the Passabag valley, with its characteristic chimney-shaped rock-cones. For those who wish, we recommend a unique hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia. Return to the hotel. Dinner, overnight stay.

DAY 3 PROKOPI – GIOREME VALLEY – OUTSCHIZAR – PROKOPI
After breakfast, we will depart for the Goreme Valley and the town of the same name, with its troglodyte houses in the rocks and the volcanic valley (UNESCO). We continue to Uchhisar, built high on the rock, from whose castle we will admire the panoramic view of the area. Return to the hotel. Dinner and then we will enjoy the Dance of the Dervishes, who spin around themselves to the sounds of traditional religious music, in their attempt to unite with God. Overnight.
DAY 4 PROKOPI – SINASOS – MALAKOPI – ICHLARA VALLEY – KARVALI – AKSARAY – IKONIO
After breakfast we will depart for the town of Sinasos (Mustafa-pasha) with a strong Greek element, where we will visit the church of Constantine and Helen, the most well-preserved temple in the area. We continue with the underground state of Malakopi (Derinkougiou), which is excavated about 80m. under a hill with rooms, warehouses, chapels, etc. We will cross part of the Ikhlara valley with the famous carved churches. Next is the old Greek settlement of Karvali, home of Gregory of Nazianzus and Aksarai, a station town on the Silk Road. Arrival in Iconium, the capital of the Seljuk state from 1097 to 1243, with many mosques and particularly conservative residents. Check in at the hotel. Dinner, overnight stay.
DAY 5 IKONIO – HIERAPOLIS – PAMOUKALE
Breakfast and tour of Iconium. Then departure for Hierapolis, a city of ancient Phrygia, from which admirable monuments are preserved, such as the Theater, the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, the necropolis, etc. (UNESCO). Next is Pamukkale, the “cotton castle”, with its impressive natural shallow lakes, fed by the hot springs of the area, a unique phenomenon. Transfer and check-in at the hotel. Dinner, overnight stay.
DAY 6 HIERAPOLIS – EPHESOS – KIRKINDZE – KUSANTASI
Breakfast and departure for Ephesus (UNESCO). We will see the ruins of the Library of Celsus, the Ancient Theater, the Artemisium, etc. This is followed by a visit to the village of Şirince, the place where Dido Sotiriou was born. We continue to Kusadasi, which is opposite Samos. Arrival and check-in at the hotel. After dinner we will enjoy a walk in the city center. Overnight.
DAY 7 KUSANTASI – PRIINI – MILITOS – DIDIMA – KUSANTASI
After breakfast we will depart for Priini, where we will visit the archaeological site with the Temple of Athena, the Theater, the walls, etc. We continue to historic Miletos, one of the most ancient and powerful cities in Asia Minor, built near the mouth of the Maiandros River. We will see the famous theater, the baths and the Ionic Stoa. Last stop, Didyma, where we will admire the temple-oracle of Apollo. Return to Kusadasi in the afternoon and free time for sightseeing. Dinner, overnight stay.
DAY 8 KUSANTASI – SMYR – ATHENS
Breakfast and departure for Izmir, today’s Izmir. Arrival and guided tour, during which we will see the central square with the Clock Tower, a trademark of the city. Passing by the waterfront we will admire some preserved houses, which survived the devastating fire of 1922. Transfer to the airport and board the flight to Athens via Istanbul.