Cappadocia is a historical region in Central Turkey. It is a region of exceptional natural wonders, in particular characterized by fairy chimneys and a unique historical and cultural heritage. The area is a popular tourist destination, as it has many areas with unique geological, historic, and cultural features. The region is located southwest of the major city Kayseri, which has airline and railway service to Ankara and Istanbul. The most important towns and destinations in Cappadocia are Urgup, Goreme, Ihlara Valley, Selime, Guzelyurt, Uchisar, Avanos and Zelve. Among the underground cities worth seeing are Derinkuyu, Kaymakli, Gaziemir and Ozkanak. The best historic mansions and cave houses for tourist stays are in Urgup, Goreme, Guzelyurt and Uchisar. Hot-air ballooning is very popular in Cappadocia and is available in Goreme. Trekking is enjoyed in Ihlara Valley, Monastery Valley (Guzelyurt), Urgup and Goreme. Sedimentary rocks formed in lakes and streams and ignimbrite deposits that erupted from ancient volcanoes approximately 9 to 3 million years ago, during the late Miocene to Pliocene epochs, underlie the Cappadocia region. The rocks of Cappadocia near Göreme eroded into hundreds of spectacular pillars and minaret-like forms. People of the villages at the heart of the Cappadocia Region carved out houses, churches and monasteries from the soft rocks of volcanic deposits. Göreme became a monastic centre in 300—1200 AD. The first period of settlement in Göreme goes back to the Roman period. The Yusuf Koç, Ortahane, Durmus Kadir and Bezirhane churches in Göreme, and houses and churches carved into rocks in the Uzundere, Bağıldere and Zemi Valleys all illustrate history and can be seen today. The Göreme Open Air Museum is the most visited site of the monastic communities in Cappadocia (see Churches of Göreme, Turkey) and is one of the most famous sites in central Turkey. The complex contains more than 30 carved-from-rock churches and chapels, some having superb frescoes inside, dating from the 9th century to the 11th century. Tours available with Asia Minor Tours to Cappadocia and Istanbul: History-Heritage-Nature http://www.asiaminortours.ie DAY 1: Depart from Dublin ot UK. Arrive to Istanbul Airport. Connect to your flight to Kayseri. Transfer to your hotel for overnight. DAY 2: After breakfast start your History and Heritage Tour: Visit Goreme Open Air Museum, Pasabagi (rock formations with three different caps), Cavusin old Village (Ancient Greek buildings), Lunch, Avanos (Pottery Centre), Devrent Valley, Urgup (Fairy Chimneys). Return to your hotel for overnight. DAY 3: After breakfast start your History and Heritage Tour: Visit Ihlara Valley, Derinkuyu Underground City, Lunch, Belisırma Village, Selime rock monastery, Pigeon Valley. Return to your hotel for overnight. DAY 4: In the morning, after breakfast, transfer to Kayseri Airport for your flight to Istanbul. Free day in İstanbul at your leisure. DAY 5: After breakfast transfer to Istanbul Airport for your return flight. ASIA MINOR TOURS was established in 2006 taking group tours to Turkey. From the very start they decided, as a small company, that central to their philosophy was a close relationship with each of the customers and providing the personal touch that is so often forgotten in mass tourism today. Now,may years on, they pride themselves on what they like to call 'Workshops for handmade tourism'. By working closely with individuals, groups and tour leaders they ensure that tours are designed with the customers' specific needs in mind. Managed by Niamh O'Malley and Memet Uludag, ASIA MINOR TOURS specialises in custom developed, cultural and special interest tours. Asia Minor Tours http://www.asiaminortours.ie Fly to Cappadocia with Turkish Airlines http://www.turkishairlines.com Live broadcast Unravel Travel TV http://www.unraveltraveltv.com Unravel Travel TV Twitter http://www.twitter.com/UnravelTravelTV Unravel Travel TV on You Tube http://www.youtube.com/UnravelTravelTV Unravel Travel TV http://www.unraveltravel.eu

• published: 21 Aug 2013
• views: 11