2 Nights – 3 Days Cappadocia Culture, Gastronomy Tour

Tourism is defined as a trip made for the purposes of resting, having fun, eating, seeing and getting to know. As Archangel Travel, we consider tourism as a journey made to discover the cultural heritages formed by nature, history, culture and cultural ecology and as a window opening to this world of meanings. We believe that Cappadocia, spread across a vast geography, is not merely a region defined by geographical boundaries, but also a whole of cultural values ​​and heritage encompassing spaces where social interactions flourished, as well as agricultural practices and eating and drinking customs. We strive to open different perspectives for our guests to understand this new cultural context they will be included in and to ensure that they enjoy the time they will spend here. In this tour, which is absolutely unique in the Cappadocia Region, we aim to show our guests the most breathtaking historical structures and natural beauties of Cappadocia, and to allow them to enjoy the local flavors that are an important part of the region's culture.

Day 1: Kayseri – Ürgüp

We will meet our guests at 8:30 a.m. in Ürgüp and between 9:30 and 10:00 a.m. at Kayseri Airport. First, we will visit the Kayseri Archaeological Museum , where we will see artifacts from the city-state of Kanesh, the era of the Assyrian trading colonies, the Hittite period, the Hellenistic period, and the Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman Empires. Next, we will visit Kayseri Castle (Roman heritage), Gevher Nesibe Hospital , the Hunat Hatun Complex and Ulu Mosque (Seljuk heritage); Kurşunlu Mosque , the Grand Bazaar , and the Virgin Mary Church (Ottoman Orthodox Church). Before the lunch lastly, we will see the Güpgüpoğlu Mansion and the Ethnographic Museum , where we can experience a summary of Kayseri culture. We will have lunch at Çiçek Develi Cıvıklısı , where we can taste Develi Cıvıklısı, one of the most distinctive flavors of Kayseri's local cuisine. After lunch, we will head to Kaniş-Kültepe , where we can see the ruins of the Kanesh (Kaneş) City-State, an important city-state during the Hatti,  Hittite periods, and the Assyrian trading colonies of 4,000 years ago. Following this visit, we continue to Vinolus Bağları , one of Cappadocia's most unique wineries. This stop is optional. We will taste wines produced from grapes grown in these vineyards and have a look to the winery. Next, we continue to Ürgüp (or Avanos), the capital of Cappadocia, where we will  stay. Before arriving to the hotel, we see the Saruhan Caravanserai , a masterpiece of Seljuk architecture. After settling into our hotel and resting briefly, we visit the Karamanoğlu Mosque , a structure from the 13th-century Beylik period, and begin our tour of Ürgüp city center . Before dinner, we taste Ürgüp's unique snacks and dried fruits, such as köftür ,pumpkin seeds, raisins, dried yellow plums, and dried apricots. Dinner is at Ürgüp Apetito Restaurant . There, we enjoy stuffed grape leaves, stuffed peppers, crispy pasta, baked beans cooked in a clay pot, and clay pot kebab. Here, we will relax after a long and enjoyable day. Finally, we pass to our hotel to spend the night.

Day 2: Ürgüp – Niğde – Aksaray – Ürgüp

We'll begin the day admiring Cappadocia's breathtaking fairy chimneys and rock formations from a hot air balloon (optional). After breakfast at our hotel, we'll depart for Niğde, one of the most important settlements in historical Cappadocia. In Niğde, a former Roman city, we'll visit the ancient Gümüşler Monastery , the ancient Roman Hospital-Pool , and the ancient city of Tiana with its aqueducts . Finally, we'll see the Fertek Mosque , which was originally a church. If time permits, we'll visit the Ethnographic Museum in Bedesten , where we can learn about Niğde's culture firsthand. After lunch at Tabal Gastronomic House , we'll travel to Aksaray. The first place we'll see in Aksaray is Aşıklı Höyük , one of the earliest Neolithic settlements in Anatolia. After visiting this unique settlement, which dates back 11,000 years, we'll travel to the Ihlara Valley . We'll enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views of the valley. At the end of the day, we'll go to the Güzelyurt (Gelveri) district, an ancient Greek settlement. We'll have a wine tasting in a winery where wines are fermented using Hittite methods for those who are interested, and also engage in a discussion about viticulture and grapes. The rest of the group can explore the center of Güzelyurt, soak up its atmosphere, and  traditional local dishes at Ailem Restaurant. From there, we'll return to Ürgüp/Avanos, where we'll spend the night.

Day 3: Ürgüp – Göreme – Sinasos – Avanos

On the last day of our tour, we find ourselves in the Ürgüp-Göreme-Avanos triangle, which can be described as the heart of Cappadocia. First, we visit the Göreme Open Air Museum , a monastic complex where we can see unique examples of Byzantine Orthodox wall art. Next, we will see the underground settlement of Mazı , an architectural masterpiece in rocky Cappadoci which, is covered with numerous underground cities. After exploring this subterranean settlement, intricately carved into the rocks, we will visit the ancient city of Sobesos, a settlement boasting Late Roman/Early Byzantine mosaics, a rare find in Cappadocia. We will have lunch at Rumeli Restaurant in Mustafapaşa , formerly known as Sinasos, where Turkish and Greek communities lived together until 1924. Here, we will taste the finest examples of immigrant and local cuisine. Immediately after lunch, we will take a short walk through the streets of this historic town and then head to a center where we can observe the production of handwoven carpets , a cultural and social heritage. Before our transfer to the airport, we will spend time in the town of Avanos , formerly known as Venessa.

PRICING POLICY

Our tour is a small group tour with 1-14 participants. To provide our guests with price flexibility and alternatives, our basic tour price only considers fixed costs. Guests can organize services not included in the price themselves, and we will provide support in these matters if they wish.

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