Cappadocia Extension 3 Nights / 4 Days Itinerary

Departure from Ciragan Palace Kempinski and transfer to domestic terminal for flight o Kayseri.

Arrival in Kayseri and drive to the city centre to visit Gevher Nesibe Darrusifa Museum.

Gevher Nesibe was an early-13th century princess of the Sultanate of Rum, the daughter of Kilij Arslan II and sister of Kaykhusraw I, and the namesake of a magnificent complex comprising a hospital, an adjoining medrese devoted primarily to medical studies, and a mosque in Kayseri. The hospital was built between 1204 and 1206, and the medrese, whose construction started immediately after Gevher Nesibe's death in 1206, was finished in 1210.

The complex as a whole takes its name from the princess.
The institution was reportedly the first hospital in the world that treated patients with mental disorders. The complex as a whole represents the earliest surviving Seljuk medrese and hospital in Anatolia. Gevher Nesibe's Darüşşifa, or Şifahane, now functions as a public museum dedicated to medicine.

After the lunch break, drive to multi-level Underground City of Kaymakli, which is one of the largest underground cities in Cappadocia with eight stories. In the area there are 36 underground cities and the original establishment is not known. Some dated back to Hittites (5C BC) and some as late as 6th C AD. These underground cities were used by early Christians escaping from persecution until 7th century. These underground cities can not be noticed from the ground level. They carved airshafts as deep as 85 meters into the rock and then made holes laterally at different levels in all directions. They hewed an elaborate system of the surface. They dug dwellings, bathrooms, kitchens, dinning halls, storage rooms, wine cellars, chapels, graves and suchlike. Entrances at the surface level were also camouflaged. Underground City of Kaymakli covers an area of approximately 4 meter-square. Visitors can see only about 10% of the city by going a maximum of five floors.

Continue to a famous winery to sample some of the wine produced in the area
Optional dinner will be barbeque party on an open-air area (if the weather permits) enjoying the beautiful landscape of the area.

Start to the full day tour of the area by visiting Goreme Open Air Museum that consists of steep cliffs and many hidden churches dating from the 9th century.

Lunch break will be in the traditional rock carved village of Avanos, where the guest swill enjoy famous "testi kebab". After the lunch, visit a traditional pottery making house where guests will see their own talents in producing their own potteries. After lunch, a unique experience to explore the region by off-road vehicles; "Jeep Safari" tour! Open-top jeep vehicles for unobstructed views of the valleys, churches and other cultural highlights. We take you to the hard-to-find places and away from the crowds for spectacular views and the excitement of traveling off-road in the unique landscapes of Cappadocia.

Tour includes driving by pigeon houses, orchards and grape vines used for local wine to the village of Ortahisar and the famous Roman Castle. After a short break in Ortahisar we continue off-road to Red Valley where we visit a cave church as well as the local cave depots – traditionally foods such as lemons and potatoes are stored year-round in caves, taking advantage of the perfect conditions of the caves. Mushrooms are also grown in the caves for local consumption.

Continue off-road through Honey Valley to Uchisar. After another picture stop in Uchisar, we will drive off-road back to Goreme through the Pigeon and Babaccik Valleys. Enjoy a panoramic view over Goreme from the Red and Rose Valleys before driving to the hotel.

After the dinner, optional visit to a special venue for the Whirling Dervishes ceremony.

Cappadocia, known as the "Land of Beautiful Horses" is the ideal place to explore on horseback. Horses have held a distinctive place in Cappadocia history for thousands of years and the unique landscapes around Goreme are perfect for exploring on a native Anatolian or Arabic horse – with a real Turkish cowboy!

During the "2 hour ride" you will travel through some of the most beautiful valleys in Cappadocia – Swords Valley, Meskendir Valley, Rose Valley and Love Valley.

Ride among the apple, apricot, walnut and quince orchards as well as the grape vines used for local wines. The trails wind up through volcanic stone hills passing many beautiful fairy chimneys and churches along the way – with breathtaking vistas on mountain tops and unique landscapes in every direction. Lunch will be at the local family including cooking class.

After lunch break departure to a carpet weaving center. The guests will be first invited to the silk center where they will see the oldest way of obtaining silk from the cocoons. Then they will see the pinning process of the silk yarns as it was done three thousand years ago. Finally there will be a demonstration of an interesting imaginary tour about Anatolia (the Asian side of Turkey) during which the experts giving their lectures on Turkish handmade carpets. Guests will have chance to see a display of various magnificent and made rugs carpets all with different character. There is also a shopping opportunity where top quality and certified carpets will be sold. During the lecture famous Turkish apple tea or Turkish coffee will be served. Dinner with traditional floor show including dances of folk groups and belly dancers….

Before breakfast OPTIONAL "Balloon Tour"
Depart from the hotel with the sunrise for the unique experience; Hot Air

Ballooning
Guests will fly over the valleys of Cappadocia and enjoy the beautiful views of the rocky formations, fairy chimneys and extraordinary landscape of the area. The tour ends around 08:00 a.m. and guests will enjoy champagne celebration at the end of this unique experience. 

Drive to Kayseri airport for flight to Istanbul.

Cappadocia Cave Resort
Tekelli Mah. Goreme Cad. Divanli Sokak
No: 83 50240 Uchisar – Nevsehir
Cappadocia, Turkey
Tel : +90 384 219 31 94
Fax : +90 384 219 31 97
www.ccr-hotels.com

Total 79 rooms; 43 standard rooms, 14 deluxe rooms,10 deluxe suite rooms, 10 senior suite rooms, 1 queen suite rooms and 1 Padishah room. All rooms with kettle with coffee & tea, in-room safe, hairdryer, Digital jukebox, 32' &/or 37' color LCD TV, DVD/MP3/CD players, Digital broadcast, Internet via TV, cable & wireless internet access, telephone, Pillow choice. In Bath: slippers, Towels and bathrobe, music broadcast, hydro massage shower and/or bath tube. All rooms are non smoking. 2 heated swimming pools (outdoor and indoor), Fitness center, 2 saunas, snow (cooling) room, steam room, adventure shower (tropical room), and salt room for detoxify; Two Turkish baths (Hammam), resting areas, massage and Jacuzzi rooms for special therapies and treatments, Cafe Bar Bistro, Conference and meeting halls (200 pax), Hairdresser, laundry, doctor (24 hrs), shuttle service, upon request babysitter, Private services, internet(cable and wireless)

The cost of the tour program:
In double per person : 825 Euro (1,650 Euro for two people)
Single Room : 1,167 Euro

INCLUDING;
• All tours and transfers as per the attached itinerary – also including;
o Horse-back riding
o Whirling dervishes
o Jeep Safari
• Transportation by recent model deluxe motor-coach with WC. Bottled water will be available in the bus.
• English speaking guide travelling together with the group
• Entrance fees of indicated places
• 3 night accommodation at Hotel CCR
• Meal Plan: 3 breakfasts


NOT INCLUDED:
• Meals
• Hot Air Ballooning. There are two options:
o Deluxe Option: 170 Euro per person (90 minutes – max 12 guests)
o Standard (sponsored) option: 140 Euro per person (60 minutes – up to 40 guests)
• Gratuities for the guide and driver
• Any expense of personal nature such as hotel extras, laundry, medical expenses etc…
• Domestic airfare Istanbul/Cappadocia/Istanbul. This will be 200 Euro for round trip flights depending on the available class and liable to change depending on Turkish Airlines policies.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
• Above given rates are based on "standard" rooms at the hotel. If any of the guests would prefer superior rooms, there will be a supplement of 45 Euro per room per night. They also offer suite rooms for those who may possibly ask for.