Program

Day 1: LARNACA-ATHENS-SMIRNI-DENIZLI
Gathering at Larnaca airport and flight to Izmir via Athens. Arrival, pick-up and immediate departure for Denizli. Arrival, check-in at the hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 2: DENIZLI-HIERAPOLIS-PAMOUKALE - IKONIO
After breakfast we will visit Hierapolis "Gate of Hades" with the impressive well-preserved tombs and the imposing Roman Baths. Here is also Pamukale, a magical natural landscape, with shallow small lakes and small waterfalls, created through a natural process of centuries. Do not miss the opportunity to walk in them. Then we head to Ikonio, the glorious capital of the Seljuks. Upon arrival, the Mevlana Museum related to the Dervishes will be the main attraction. Check-in at the hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 3: IKONIO - CAPPADOCIA
Breakfast and departure for southwestern Cappadocia. On the way, we will stop in the Peristremma or Ihlara valley, which is crossed by the Melendiz River. We will walk in the gorge, next to the river, and climb to the carved church of Agios Georgios with its rare hagiographies. Free time, we suggest you sit on the floating platforms and taste güzleme. Our next stop will be in Karvali, famous for its carpets and ceramics. We will visit the church of Agios Gregory the Theologian of Nazianzus. We continue to the underground city of Kaymakli, which is believed to have been created by the first Christians as a refuge to hide from persecution. It can accommodate up to 3000 people with a depth of 85 meters (about 10 floors). We will see a complex system of tunnels, rooms, a church, stables, a kitchen, warehouses, burial chambers, notable is the ventilation and water wells. They were deserted after the Turkish persecutions. Finally we will end up in Prokopi or otherwise Urkup where we will stay for 3 nights. Dinner at the hotel for the evening we recommend a traditional evening with drinks.

Day 4: CAPPADOCIA (Sinassos- Pigeon Valley - Korama)
After breakfast we will visit Sinasso. A city with obvious signs of Greekness and Orthodoxy. In no other city or village of Cappadocia did they speak more beautiful and richer Greek, for this reason it was also called the "Athens of the East". In the center is the market, the church of Saints Constantine and Helen, which was its cathedral, and various Greek mansions. We continue to the picturesque village of Uçhisar, which is built in the Peristeri Valley. We will end up at the tower where we will admire the panoramic view of all of Cappadocia. Next stop is the Korama Valley, here we will see conical formations of porous stone, a rare sight of the unusual and rugged nature of Cappadocia. The area has more than 360 rock-cut - cave churches. We will visit the church of Agios Vasilios, the church of Agios Onoufrios, Agia Barbara and the Dark Church with its amazing hagiographies. Return to Prokopi and visit the church where Saint John the Russian used to practice asceticism. Free time in the city market. We recommend a unique experience with the Dervishes. Return in the afternoon to our hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 5: CAPPADOCIA (Avano - Pasapaglare - Caesarea)
After breakfast, we will visit the city of Avano, which is well known for its pottery workshops and folk art items. Visit to an onyx factory and clay artworks. We continue to Pasapaglare, here we will encounter the famous “fairy chimneys” that characterize the landscapes of Cappadocia. At noon we will arrive in Kayseri, a city with a good road network, with modern architectural interventions. Free time in the traditional local market located next to the Seljuk castle. Return in the afternoon to our hotel and free time. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6: PROKOPI - PROUSA
Optional hot air balloon ride and return to the hotel. Breakfast at the hotel and we say goodbye to Cappadocia with destination Prousa. Arrival, check in at the hotel and then a tour. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 7: PROUSA - MOSCHONISIA - AYVALI - PERGAMOS - SMYRNA
After breakfast, departure for the coast of Asia Minor. Our first stop will be at Moschonisia, where we will visit the largest island connected to Aivali by a narrow bridge. We will walk through the narrow picturesque streets and see the church of Taxiarches. Next stop is the old town of Aivali with its many small alleys with Greek mansions. We will visit the church of Agios Georgios, which has stood in its place since 1790, and has been operating as a mosque since 1922, although the Christian icons and symbols have been removed, the exquisitely crafted iconostasis has been preserved. Time on the beach and we continue for a guided tour of the archaeological site of Pergamon. Lunch and continue to Izmir where we will arrive late in the afternoon. Check-in at the hotel and dinner. Don't miss the opportunity after dinner to walk along the coastal promenade and enjoy our drink.

Day 8: IZMIR - EPHESUS - AIRPORT - LARNACA
After breakfast we will have a walking tour of Izmir and on the way to Ephesus we will cross the coastal avenue. Arrival in Ephesus, during the tour we will see its most important monuments such as the Arcadian Way, the Hellenistic Theater, the Nymphaeum, the Stadium and the Library of Celsus. Then we will visit Kusadasi where we will have free time for lunch and departure and Izmir airport where we will take the return flight to Larnaca via Athens.