Turkish Delight

Tomorrow we embark on our trip to Turkey! We'll arrive on Friday, May 21 and spend the first three days exploring Instanbul. I'm really looking forward to seeing Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque (we'll have views of both from the rooftop of our hotel!), and exploring the Bosphorus waterway, which separates Europe from Asia.
Then we'll take a 4 day tour to Cappadocia, Pamukkale, and Ephesus, come back to Istanbul for a few more days before we head home.

Here is our itinerary the 4-day Tour:

24 th May 2010
NORTH CAPPADOCIA TOUR
08:00 We will Pick up from Cosmopolitan Park Hotel & transfer to Ataturk Airport.
10:05 Depart from Istanbul.
11:15 Arrive in Kayseri. Met on arrival & transfer to Cappadocia.
11:45 Full day tour of North Cappadocia. In this day you will be able to see:

DEVRENT VALLEY: Devrent is situated on the northern slopes of Aktepe, 1km from Pasabaglari (Monks’ Valley) and 5 km from Avanos. The ruins at Devrent are spread over three valleys, which also house several pointed fairy chimneys with large stems.
MONKS VALLEY: The best place to see three-headed fairy chimneys. Pasabag, the Pasha's Vineyard, is surrounded by incredible natural rock formations; a spectacular scene.
AVANOS: A center of terra cotta work of art since 3000 BC, it is a town where you will be invited to visit a traditional pottery workshop, which is possibly set deep into the hillsides. The clay, which comes from the Red River passing through the town, gives life both to the land and to the local economy.
GOREME OPEN AIR MUSEUM: Goreme was an important Christian centre in the early years of the Middle Ages, was a bishopric administered by Mokissos near Aksaray in the 11th and 13th centuries. Despite the vast numer of monasteries, churches and chapels in the vicinity of Göreme, there are not many inscriptions bearing dates. For this reason, these religious buildings are mainly dated according to the iconography or architectural features.
UCHISAR: Uchisar is a troglodyte town situated right in the middle of Cappadocia. It is named after the enormous piece of rock in the center of the town, which was once used as a castle. This extraordinary rock is the highest peak of the area with the view of whole Cappadocia and Erciyes (Argeus) Mountain.
After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel at around 18:00. Overnight in Cappadocia. Sos Cave Hotel (Included meals: Lunch)

25 th May 2010
SOUTH CAPPADOCIA TOUR
Breakfast & check out the hotel.
09:30 You will be picked up from your hotel for Full day tour of South Cappadocia. In this day you will be able to see:
KIZILCUKUR: is an isolated valley behind Urgup. It has beautiful rock formation with some great hidden rock-carved churches. The most interesting part of this area is the countless tracks connecting the small villages and towns through vineyards and gardens like a spider net. It is always possible to see villagers working in the area and offering grapes, apples or apricots to you. CAVUSIN: One of the oldest settlements in the area, Cavusin is situated 2km from Goreme, on the Göreme-Avanos road. The Church of St.John the Baptist offers a panoramic view of the village. This church and its paintigs date back to the 5th century, making the oldest church in the region. It had a large courtyard which is unusual for Cappadocia, this has been eroded away however.
HOSPITAL MONASTRY: One of the oldest monastries in Cappadocia.
KAYMAKLI: Kaymakli and Derinkuyu underground cities are the two largest and deepest of the 40 others in Cappadocia. They both have eight floors, although not all are open to the public.
PIGEON HOUSE: Visit the pigeon houses and rock formations.
After tour overnight bus to Pamukkale with non smoking, fully air-conditioned bus at 20:00 (duration 11 hours).There are three breaks on the way for your personal needs. (Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

26 th May 2010
PAMUKKALE & HIERAPOLIS TOUR
Arrival in Pamukkale and transfer to hotel to fresh up before start tour.
You will be picked up from your hotel for Full day tour of Pamukkale & Hierapolis. In Pamukkale, you will see the Cotton Cliffs, one of the natural wonders of the world formed by deposits of calcareous salts. Also visit the ancient ruins of the City of Hierapolis with its basilica , theatre and Roman Baths. At the end of the day, we will drive to your hotel in Kusadasi for dinner and overnight stay in Kusadasi. Derici Hotel
(Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

27 th May 2010
FULL DAY TOUR OF EPHESUS & THE HOUSE OF VIRGIN MARY
09:30 You will be picked up from your hotel for Full day tour of Ephesus & The House of Virgin Mary. First you will visit The Temple of Artemis, which once was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Then you will visit the world famous ancient Greco-Roman City of Ephesus, the most well preserved example in the world. After visiting this impressive site, you will have a lunch break. After lunch, you will visit The House of Virgin Mary, where it is believed she spent her last days. This is a holy place for both Christians and Muslims. After tour transfer to Izmir airport then flight to Istanbul at 21,30 pm . Upon your arrival in Istanbul we will meet you at the airport and transfer to Cosmopolitan Park Hotel. End of tour and services. (Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch)