Incredible landscapes, historic sights and diverse cultures make Turkey a fascinating holiday experience. Discover the mix of ancient and modern in enchanting Istanbul and absorb the living history of Cappadocia's remarkable cave dwellings.

• Istanbul - meeting place of continents and cultures
• Cappadocia's fairytale landscapes
• Exclusive cave style hotel

Detailed information

	Tour itinerary
	About the walks
	Dates and prices
	Temperatures
	Accommodation
	Flight Information
	What the holiday includes

2008 Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Istanbul - 3 nights We meet our local guide at the airport in Istanbul and transfer to our hotel.

Download full 2008 itinerary here. Download full 2009 itinerary here. If you require Adobe Acrobat Reader download here.

Day 2: Istanbul Explore one of the world's most culturally profound cities. We'll stroll to the great square, once the Byzantine Hippodrome and now bordered by the Blue Mosque and the huge Basilica Cistern. Our tour is crowned by a visit to the Topkapi Palace, an assemblage of museums containing the collections amassed by the Sultans over almost five centuries. No trip to Istanbul would be complete without a visit to the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest covered markets in the world, parts of which date from 1464.

Day 3: Istanbul
Continue with a day trip to the Bosphorus, the continent-dividing channel, and a walk along the Black Sea Coast, before returning for lunch at a village restaurant.

Day 4: Cappadocia - 6 nights
A short flight to Kayseri in Cappadocia where we follow routes designed to bring us into close contact with the natural and man-made features of this unsual region. Walk up to 'Uchisar Castle' for magnificent views of Göreme Valley and a trail through 'Pigeon Valley' to Maccan.

Day 5: Göreme World Heritage Site
After a visit to the fascinating Göreme World Heritage Site, a pilgrimage centre where rock churches were carved by Christians in the 4th century, we continue to Zelve Pasabag and the Devrent Valley, where we we find the most interesting fairy chimneys.

Day 6: Derinkuyu Underground City
Our focus today combines the remarkable Derinkuyu Underground City, dating originally from 2000 BC, with a walk in the fascinating Ihlara Valley, a deep canyon with churches cut from the rock, resplendent with frescoes.

Day 7: Free day
A free day to relax or enjoy activities such as hot air ballooning, wine tasting or horse riding.

Day 8: Soganli Valley
A few of Cappadocia's cave villages are as steeped in history as much as Mustafapasa. Later we'll walk in the Soganli valleys, and visit their beautiful churches which contain frescoes dating from the 9th to the 13th century. We have the opportunity to witness sunset and saple delicious local wines with a visit to Kizilçukur.

Day 9: Çavusin
Observe the atmosphere of life in a typical village house after our walk to Cavusin.

Day 10: Departure day
Transfer to Istanbul for our return flight to the UK.

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About the walks

A cultural and historical city tour followed by easy walking and close-up view of the limestone cavern world of Cappadocia.

Guided Walks: Walks are on good paths and range from 2 to 9 miles. Many are on the flat and the greatest ascent on any one walk is 800ft.

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Dates and prices

# internal flights are included

Single room supplement: 2008 holidays £387, 2009 holidays £400

Independent travellers who book the no flight option can join the HF Holidays' airport transfers for £20 per person return.

Airport Parking: To book secure airport parking throughout the UK visit Purple Parking or Holiday Extras to book on-line.

Airport Hotels: To book airport hotels throughout the UK visit Holiday Extras to book on-line.

Airport Lounges: To book airport lounges visit Holiday Extras to book on-line.

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Temperatures

Departures are planned when we can expect fine weather which should be warm but not oppressive for walking during the day and comfortable in the evenings.

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Accommodation

We stay at a four-star hotel in Istanbul. In Cappadocia our hotel is the exclusive Temenni Evi, a small cave hotel with exquisite rooms, in the design of heritage Ottoman architecture.

Where you'll stay

Istanbul - 3 nights

Cappadocia - 6 nights

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Flight information

Latest HF Holidays Flight Information - updated 21/08/2007 (provisional)

British Airways
Heathrow - Istanbul
Out 10:30 (Mon) - 16:20 (Mon)
Istanbul - Heathrow
Return 13:55 (Wed) - 16:00 (Wed)

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What the holiday includes

• Return economy class air travel UK / Turkey on scheduled airlines, with appropriate in-flight meals.
• 9 nights' accommodation in twin-bedded en-suite rooms.
• Full Board from dinner on day of arrival until breakfast on day of departure.
• Internal flights.
• Services of knowledgable local tour director and guide and HF Holidays' leader.
• Walks, sightseeing, entrance fees for the itinerary as described.
• Travel by air-conditioned coach.

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