Learn about Turkey’s diverse history and natural landscape in Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus over 4 incredible and unforgettable days! – 4 Days / 3 Nights
Highlights
◎ Cappadocia ◎Fairy Chimneys ◎Pamukkale ◎Thermal Spring Waters ◎Ephesus ◎Virgin Mary’s House
Itinerary
Day 1:
Walk through the “fairy chimneys” in Devrent Valley, Paşabağ (Monks’) Valley, and practice ancient techniques in pottery production in Avanos. Visit the Göreme, an open-air museum holding the earliest churches and chapels carved in fairy chimneys. We will also see Uçhisar Castle, the highest point in the region. Dinner at hotel and overnight.
Day 2:
Start the day with a panoramic view of the Hospital Monastery. Then walk into the wonderland of Kızılçukur (Red Valley) and the village of Çavuşin with rock-cut dwellings. Next visit the underground city of Kaymaklı, a rock-cut city beneath the earth where early Christians used to hide from Roman and Byzantine persecution. Take some time to explore the rock formations in Çatalkaya before treating yourself to a fantastic overview of the fairy chimneys from Esentepe. Lastly, we will visit Pigeon Valley, home to the greatest collection of pigeon nests in the world. We will then take a night bus to Pamukkale.
Day 3:
We will arrive early in the morning to Pamukkale “the Cotton Castle”, a beautiful and spectacular natural wonder near Denizli. You’ ll have a brief break at the hotel where you will have some time to take shower, freshen up and rest. Then we will visit thermal spring waters that have been used since the time of the Romans. These waters are well known for their therapeutic powers and for the fantastic formations of stalactites that have been carved by the springs. The thermal center with its motels, thermal pools, an archaeological museum. Dinner at hotel and overnight.
Day 4:
Drive to Ephesus, one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League during the classical Greek period. Visit this old Greco-Roman city and see it’s Marble Street, Odeon, Bouleterion, Temple of Hadrian and Serapis, Agora, Library of Celsus, Great Theatre, Double Church, Arcadian Way and Gate of Magnesia. We will then visit the Last Abode of Virgin Mary at Mount Solmissos before having lunch at Selçuk. In the afternoon, we will visit the İsabey Mosque, one of the oldest and most impressive works of architectural art remaining from the Anatolian Beyliks. Learn more about the history with a visit to the Ephesus Archaeological Museum and the Temple of Artemis, one of the “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World”.
We will end the day with an evening bus from Kuşadası to Istanbul.
