An extensive tour, taking in the most historic ancient and modern cities in Turkey. Countless UNESCO world heritage sites, wonderful cuisine, friendly people, fabulous weather, and every day was a school day. Educational and entertaining, I’d recommend this tour to any traveler.
Cappadocia Holidays
Holidays to Cappadocia
Top 5 Things to Do in Cappadocia
Hot air balloon ride over the fairy chimneys: The fairy chimneys are among the most iconic sights in Cappadocia. Rising from the landscape like fairytale dwellings, these surreal rock formations are the result of millennia-old volcanic eruptions, which were then sculpted into cave dwellings by the Cappadocians. This World Heritage Site is a dreamlike landscape where you’ll also find spectacular chapels dating back to the 11th century. To float above the fairy chimneys in a hot air balloon is a unique experience that needs to be on every traveller’s bucket list.
Watch the sunrise over Red Valley: Right at the very heart of Goreme National Park, Red Valley is a breathtaking landscape made up of surreal rock formations. Their reddish-pink hue formed by the tuff rocks gives the valley its name and it has become a much-loved place to visit in Cappadocia. As the sun rises over the valley, it creates an ethereal ambience, making this a phenomenal natural wonder that must be seen on our Cappadocia holidays. As you stroll along the valley floor, you’re swept into a time gone by and you can delve into the history of the area at the many churches.
Visit the Goreme Open-Air Museum: Home to a stunning collection of ancient churches, chapels and monasteries, the UNESCO-listed Goreme Open Air Museum is a must-see site in Cappadocia. There are over 600 churches peppering the landscape where visitors can come and delve into the history of Christianity. Inside these Byzantine buildings in the Goreme Valley, you’ll find the most intricate frescoes adorning the walls and ceilings. Many of the paintings are red patterns and animals that date back to the 11th and 12th centuries. Two of the churches that display the most beautiful frescoes are Dark Church and Buckle Church.
Watch a Whirling Dervishes Ritual: Embedded deep into the Turkish culture, the Whirling Dervishes is a unique spectacle of a spiritual Sema Ritual that is performed in the form of music, chanting and dance. The ceremony takes place in the well-preserved 13th century Saruhan Caravanserai, an ancient location once used along the Silk Road, which is just as impressive as the ceremony itself. The performance is utterly mesmerising and often has a profound effect on its audience.
Take a Turkish bath: No trip to Turkey would be complete without experiencing a traditional Turkish bath, also known as a hammam. These types of steam baths have been around since the 16th century and are an important part of Turkish culture. For centuries, the hammam has been used by the Turks for religious and spiritual purification. In later years, it also became a place where they could go to entertain and socialise. Nowadays, people from all over the world use Turkish baths for relaxation and health benefits.
Paul Daly Highlights of Turkey
Caitlin Overend Highlights of TurkeyTurkey is a beautiful country with so many different regions all with their own unique culture and landscapes. This trip is an excellent way to get a taste of each region while visiting all of the highlights you picture when you think of Turkey (and some you’ve probably never heard of!). We absolutely loved every minute and learned so much more than we ever have on any other trip.
Yolanda Harris Walking in Cappadocia6 days of walking. After the first 3 valleys they start to look the same (how many pigeon holes do you need to see?) but the group was great, and the guide was enthusiastic and patient, managing the fast walkers at the front, and the ones at the back who took lots of photos. He was very good at finding different places to eat, and it was great that food was all included so you just paid for extra drinks. Water was always available on the minibus so plastic waste much reduced. If you are vegetarian expect a lot of vegetable stew and eggplant! There are some lovely churches to visit in the rocks (as in small places of worship with the remains of old frescoes dating back several hundred years, not churches as tend to be build here)
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