CAPPADOCIA: The region called Cappadocia in ancient times was a mountainous district of eastern Asia Minor falling roughly within a triangle formed by Nevsehir, Nigde and Kayseri. It is terminated on the east by Mountain Erciyes and on the south by Mountain Hasandag, both extinct volcanoes. The volcanic activity in this region continued at least until the Paleistocene and possibly later. The detruits forth by the volcanic activity formed tuff, a soft, porous rock that is easily eroded by the elements producing the marvelous fairy chimneys and other formations and permitting the elaborate tunneling for churches etc. that we see here today. Cappadocia is one of the unique regions of the world with its spectacular landscape of fairy chimneys, stone dwellings, rock chapels and monasteries. ‘Göreme alley’ features 365 pedestal chapels and churches all decorated with remarkable frescoes.

SHORT BREAK CAPPADOCIA (3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS)

DAY 1 ANKARA / CAPPADOCIA
Meet at Ankara Airport. In the morning visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (which is housed in a restored Caravanserai), and the Mausoleum of Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey. After lunch, proceed to Cappadocia, where nature has scoured surrealistic moonscape shapes, and the persecuted Christians dug underground cities and churches during the 9th century. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia. (L, D)

DAY 2 CAPPADOCIA
Full day touring in Cappadocia; visit the Göreme Open-Air-Museum with its fairy chimneys and dozens of cave churches decorated with unique frescoes depicting various scenes from the Bible. After lunch in the area, visit the Zelve Valley, the natural Citadel of Uçhisar, the pottery town Avanos. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia. (B, L, D)

DAY 3 CAPPADOCIA
After breakfast, visit the underground city of Kaymakli (built by the early Christians to evade Roman Armies). Lunch and visit the Agzikarahan Caravanserai, from the Seljuk period, located on the Ancient Silk Road, on the way to Ankara. Transfer to your hotel in Ankara, or to Ankara airport for your evening flight. (B, L)