Meeting at Larnaka airport, and departure for Istanbul via Athens and Kesarea, capital of Cappadocia. Early arrival in the evening and transfer to our hotel

Today, we head underground – we could say it’s the reason we visit Cappadocia!

Breakfast and departure for the beautiful town of Prokopi (Urgup), we will walk and climb an uphill route to the Stone Hill, where the pilgrimage of St. John the Russian is located.
Next is Sinasos, the old Greek village . Greek elements are “overflowing” everywhere. It was once referred to as “the Athens of the East” because of the beauty and wealth of the city. Old mansions, Greek schools and the church of St.Constantine and Helen. Now the city is called Mustafapasa.
Then we will discover the underground city of Malakopi (Derinkuyu) or Kaimakli , we will visit the one with the least traffic. We will walk through the underground corridors, tunnels and caves that make up this fascinating destination. Kaymakli was once inhabited by about 3000 people mainly in Byzantine times, as they tried to protect themselves from Arab invaders. This underground city consists of 8 floors (below ground) and you can still see the spaces that were once stables, rooms, warehouses etc. Malakopi (Derinkuyu) certainly has a similar story
Free time for lunch and we continue to the Ihlara valley, the valley of Peristroma as it is mostly called. It is crossed by the river Melentiz and the gorge is full of early Christian churches carved into the rocks
Continuing our route we go to Karvali (Guzel Yurt = beautiful village) and if time allows us, we will also visit the monastery of Selime (Salamis), an impressive and majestic stone monastery at the end of the valley.
Late afternoons return to our hotel for rest .

Early Morning: Hot Air Balloon Ride

Anyone who wishes can live a unique experience, participating in a hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia. Alternatively, those who do not wish to do so can participate in a jeep safari where they will “chase” the hot air balloons or of course … continue their sleep But a hot air balloon ride at sunrise over the unique landscape of Cappadocia is a unique experience.
Return to your hotel for breakfast and some rest.
Late in the morning, we go to the open natural museum Goreme, a cultural heritage site protected by UNESCO. Here we will see conical formations of porous stone, a rare attraction of the unusual and rugged nature of Cappadocia. The area has more than 360 carved cave churches and over 30 famous underground states. We visit churches with amazing hagiographies (the Dark, the Hidden, the Virgin Mary, the Sandals, Agia Varvara, the Snake etc.).
We then go to the small town of Avano, known for its pottery factories but also for the largest river in Turkey called Kizilirmak – red river that flows through the city.
We will visit a pottery workshop and have free time for lunch, walks and photo shoots.
On our way back to the hotel, we will let our imagination run wild in the Devrent Valley (also known as Imaginary Valley or Pink Valley) which is considered the 8th wonder of the world and admire its special rock formations.
We will stop at Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley), where we will see the famous Chimneys of the Fairies, or “the fairy chimneys” made up of volcanic eruptions, wind and water.
Our tour will not be completed until we watch the sunset at the red valley.
Return to our hotel. Free time for dinner.

Breakfast and let’s go see the beautiful village of Cavasyn (Tsavousi), to visit the church of Ioannis Prodromos. Free time for wondering in the small streets of this beautiful small village, forming a real labyrinth.
Time to see the valley of love – when you are there you will quickly understand why it is called so. Huge navel-shaped rocks flood the place, creating a particularly “loving” and impressive landscape!
Return to the picturesque village of Utsisar which is built in the valley of Pigeons. We will admire the “Extreme Tower”, a castle different from the rest since it is basically a huge rock that has been carved to form a shelter from people. Today it is mainly home to pigeons, while entry indoors is not allowed due to possible landslides. However, the view from the top is endless, while the climb is quite easy. Here you can enjoy the most beautiful sunset. (this is in the same area as our hotel)
Free dinner.
We suggest: To watch a performance with the Dervishes dancing, something very different from what we have seen so far. It refers more to a religious ceremony than to an entertainment spectacle since it symbolizes the purification of the human spirit.
“They stretch out one hand towards the sky and the other towards the earth while at the same time swirling in a dance that brings the dancer-bound into an ecstatic state. Their every move, their every garment, has a symbolic meaning. The reason for the Dervishes and their ecstatic dance-prayer”

Departure from our hotel, transfer to Caesarea airport and flight to Istanbul.
Arrival and transfer to our hotel, check in the rooms.
And what better way to get to know the legendary city than with a cruise on the Bosphorus? The truth is that you can never get enough of boat ride on the Bosphorus, you are enchanted by the beauty you see around you. We will enjoy beautiful landscapes, admire the famous seaside villas called “gialia”, the legendary palaces, and we will watch the seagulls that fly everywhere, all in a route full of history and beauty… and all this with the sun setting in the depths of the Bosphorus…
Rest of the day free.

Breakfast and today we will get to know the history of the City. We will visit the Byzantine Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque with the 6 minarets, the Obelisk of Theodosius the Great and we will end up at Hagia Sophia – for the pilgrimage we have all promised ourselves. For 900 years it was the center of Byzantine life and later the dream of Hellenism….
Then we will go to the Palace Museum of Topkapi, residence of the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire for over five centuries.
Time for lunch and some rest.
We will continue our tour with a visit to the beautiful yet mystifying Yerebatan Sarnıcı (Basilica Cistern). The huge cistern from Eastern Roman times was built in the mid-500s on the site of a former basilica. More than 300 marble columns give the essentially underground water reservoir a magnificent, serene atmosphere
Rest of the time free.

Morning visit to the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate where we will see the Closed Gate, place of martyrdom of Patriarch Gregory V, the Patriarchal House built according to the standards of Mount Athos architecture, and the Patriarchal church of St. George. We will also admire the magnificent architecture of the Great School of the Nation in the shape of an eagle with open wings, which recently celebrated the 500th anniversary of its foundation, and which gave the lights of knowledge to countless distinguished Greeks of the City.
Then we will visit the famous Egyptian Market (Misir Carsisi) or Spice Market as it is otherwise called. Under the arched painted ceiling we will enjoy all sorts of voluptuous herbs, beautifully stacked in small bags and we will be fascinated by the variety of their colours and aromas.
After some free time for lunch and rest, we will go to the Biggest Covered Market of Istanbul, Kapali-Charsi or Grand Bazar. A bazaar labyrinth, with 4000 small, small but fancy shops, where each alley has a specific kind: the alley of goldsmiths, the alley with carpets, leather, glasses, etc.
We will tour a bit with our guide, admiring the wonderful, vaulted ceilings and the small shops. Then, once we have gained orientation, we will have free time

to explore the colourful bazaar. Thousands of goods, of glasses and hookahs and carpets and kilims and candles and bags and handkerchiefs and coppers and lokoumi and herbs and perfumes and jewellery …. and remember you have to bargain and bargain again and again! 😊
For the evening there are so many options . Whether we go for kebabs and kofte, or we go to one of the nice restaurants overlooking the Bosphorus and with excellent Mediterranean cuisine, or to a tavern for fresh fish, one thing is sure that we will enjoy our food…

Our last day today, and we will say goodbye to Istanbul in the best way … by admiring its beauty.
Check out and we will go through the Golden Horn to the Eyüp area – the holiest spot of Muslims in the City. We will climb Pierre Lotti’s Hill. (French poet who liked this place) It is the most beautiful spot to see all seven hills of this old, legendary city. The view from the terrace of the café, which is situated there, is simply unique…! Time to enjoy this magnificent view with a cup of “Turkish” coffee and a traditional Gözlem.
Rich as we have become with thousands of images in mind and countless beautiful experiences in heart and soul, time to be transferred to the airport for our return flight.

Cappadocia : Cappadocia Cave Resort & Spa Residences 5*
https://ccr-hotels.com/ Room type: Superior room
The hotel is located among the picturesque rock-carved houses on the slopes of Uçhisar Castle, Cappadocia’s highest peak. A top 5* hotel that will offer us a comfortable and unforgettable stay. Stunning location with spectacular views of the valley and around the rooftop balcony. From there you will see the balloons every morning at sunrise. Uchisar Castle offers a spectacular sight and towers over the hotel. The spa is amazing being next to the hotel
Istanbul:
BARCELO ISTANBUL 5* https://www.barcelo.com/en-gb/barcelo-istanbul
Our hotel is in the heart of the city, very close to Taksim Square with many restaurants, shops, great spa and everything you can imagine!

• Air ticket with Aegean airlines Larnaca/Athens/Istanbul
1. Air ticket with Turkish airlines from Istanbul to Caesarea and with Pegasus air for the return.
• All Airport Taxes
• 1 carry-on bag 8 kg and 1 bag 23 kg
• 4 nights in Cappadocia and 3 nights (total 7 nights) in Istanbul in excellent 5* hotels, in a very good location with breakfast buffet daily.
• Transfers as listed in the program.
• Excursions and guided tours with a Greek-speaking guide according to the program in both Cappadocia and Istanbul. (a translation will be made in English)
• Private boat cruise and guided tour of the Bosphorus
• Entrance tickets for all attractions in Cappadocia (80€ per person)
• Escort: Mary Spyrou
• Travel insurance*
• Vat

• Porter and gratuities
• Travel insurance for people over 65 – there will be a surcharge.
• The required Turkey visa costs $51.50 for Cypriot citizens – need to know your nationality
• Hot air balloon ride and generally whatever is listed as optional.
• Entrance tickets to Istanbul.

We have not included tickets for Istanbul sightseeing entrances because many of you may have been there before and may not wish to visit them again. In detail the cost of the entrance tickets in Istanbul is:
• Hagia Sofia 25€ – Top Kapi 45€ , Basilica Cisterne : 20€
– Total: 90€ per person.

1. It is possible not to stay in Istanbul if you do not wish, the accommodation cost will be deducted, but there might be a penalty to be paid for the change in the air ticket.

VISA REQUIRED TO ENTER TURKEY.
– PASSPORTS MUST BE VALID FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS FROM DATE. YOUR ENTRY INTO THE COUNTRY.
– APPLY FOR A VISA ON https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/ WEBSITE