The Youth Club for Grown-Ups
TURKEY ISTANBUL AND AMAZING CAPPADOCIA
September 11 @ 08:00 – September 17 @ 17:00
Trip Leader: Coral Guise-Smith ably assisted by her Husband Ray
I am sure some of you have already been to Turkey and possibly Istanbul but not many if any of you will have been to Cappadocia. Cappadocia, a semi-arid region in central Turkey, which is known for its distinctive “fairy chimneys,” tall, cone-shaped rock formations clustered in Monks Valley, Göreme and elsewhere. Other notable sites include Bronze Age homes carved into valley walls by troglodytes (cave dwellers) and later used as refuges by early Christians. The 100m-deep Ihlara Canyon houses numerous rock-face churches. The optional Hot Air Balloon ride at sunrise if you should wish to do it.
If you would like to join me and my able assistant Ray please book your place as soon as possible to reserve both your room and flights.
Thank you
Coral
The ITINERARY is as follows:-
Day 1 10/09: SPAIN TO ISTANBUL
Flying from Valencia to Istanbul at 11.35 am arriving -16.35pm.
Arrival in Istanbul and transfer to the selected hotel. Dinner and accommodation.
Day 2 11/09: ISTANBUL
Full Board. We will head to the picturesque and colorful neighborhoods of Fener and Balat, protected by UNESCO and considered the first settlements of ancient Constantinople. Then, we will pass along the shore of the Golden Horn and visit the Iron Church of St. Stephen, a Bulgarian Orthodox church in a Turkish city, associated with the struggle for ecclesiastical independence in the 1830s and 1840s. It is the only iron Orthodox church in the world. Next,we will visit the Grand Bazaar, which has over 4,500 shops specializing in different products such as jewelry and clothing. After lunch, we will visit the Basilica of Hagia Sophia, “DivineWisdom,” undoubtedly one of the most fantastic buildings of all time. It was built by Constantine the Great and rebuilt by Justinian in the 6th century. Its immense dome rises 55 meters from the ground with a diameter of 31 meters. During the Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque, and minarets were added over time. We will then visit the ancient Hippodrome from the Byzantine era, which was the center of civil activity in the country. It hosted not only horse races and gladiator combats but also celebrations in honor of the Emperor. Today, it preserves the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column, and the Fountain of Emperor Wilhelm. Finally, we will visit the Blue Mosque, built in 1609 during thereign of Sultan Ahmed, who wanted to surpass the Hagia Sophia. He built it with six minarets.
Dinner and accommodation.
Day 3 12/09: ISTANBUL
Full Board. We will begin by visiting the Suleymaniye Mosque, considered the most beautiful of Istanbul’s imperial mosques. It was built between 1550 and 1557 by Sinan, the famous architect of the Ottoman Golden Age. Then, we will head to the ancient walls of Constantinople, at today’s Mevlana Gate. These walls were built by Emperor Theodosius II in 413. With several floors in height and a thickness between three and six meters, they protected the city from constant attacks by the Huns, Bulgarians, Russians, Arabs, Goths, and Turks. The walls were only breached twice—by the Crusaders in 1204 and by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1453. Next, we will visit the Monastery of the Virgin of the Spring. According to historians Procopius and Cedrenus, the church was originally built by Emperor Justinian in the final years of his reign near a spring once known as the “Miraculous Spring.” After lunch, we will transfer to the port to embark on a Bosphorus Cruise, the strait that separates two continents and connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. From the boat, we can admire Dolmabahce Palace, Ortakoy’s bohemian neighborhood, the Rumeli and Anatolian Fortresses, Beylerbeyi Palace, traditional wooden “yali” houses, and more. We will then visit the Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar. It is one of the oldest markets in Istanbul and one of the best places to buy typical products such as spices, sweets, and nuts. Dinner and accommodation.
Day 4 13/09: ISTANBUL – ANKARA – CAPPADOCIA
Full Board. Departure by bus to Ankara, the capital of the Republic of Turkey. Upon arrival, we will visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, located at the foot of Ankara Castle. This archaeological museum houses a unique collection of prehistoric and Hittite artifacts. We then continue to Cappadocia. Arrival, dinner, and accommodation.
Day 5 14/09: CAPPADOCIA
Optional: Hot Air Balloon Ride at sunrise (subject to weather conditions). Full Board. Today, we will explore the Cappadocia region, the birthplace of Saint George—a unique place where nature and culture come together. We will begin with a visit to the Dervent Valley, also known as the “Valley of Fairy Chimneys,” where wind and water erosion have created a stunning landscape of peaks, cones, and obelisks. Next, we will visit the underground city of Ozkonak or a similar one, built by Christian communities to protect themselves from Arab attacks. We will also stop at a carpet and kilim workshop. We continue to the Goreme Open‐Air Museum, home to an impressive collection of rock‐hewn churches, chapels, and monasteries with 11th‐century frescoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In theafternoon, we will visit the volcanic landscapes of Avcilar (Valley of the Hunters) and Güvercinlik (Pigeon Valley) and admire the panoramic view of Uchisar Castle, carved into volcanic rock and dotted with tunnels and windows.We will then stop at an artisan workshop specializing in decorative items and jewelry. Return to the hotel, dinner, and accommodation.
Day 6 15/09: CAPPADOCIA
Full Board. We will visit the Three Beauties of Ürgüp, where you can see unique mushroom shaped rock formations and a panoramic view of Ürgüp. Next, we will explore the small and beautiful village of Ortahisar, famous for its 86‐meter‐high rock castle, which was originally used as a dwelling by the Hittites. In the afternoon, we continue to Zelve Valley, composed of two canyons, where Muslims and Christians lived together until 1924. The right‐side slopes are pink, while the left‐side slopes are white. Later, we visit the Pasabag vineyard, where more “Fairy Chimneys” can be found. We will then stop at a venue showcasing leather clothing.
Return to the hotel, dinner, and accommodation.
Optional: Turkish folk dance show at night.
Day 7 16/09: CAPPADOCIA
Full Board. In the morning, we will visit Avanos, a town famous for its pottery craftsmanship dating back to Hittite times. We will stop at a pottery workshop.Later, we will visit the Aciksaray Ruins (Open Palace), built during the Byzantine period. A river divides the site into two parts—one used as stables and the other as a multi‐level rock settlement. We then continue to St. John the Baptist Church, a 13th‐century architectural gem. It consists of two floors, featuring red stucco decorations, barrel vaults, and walls adorned with depictions of Jesus’ life. Return to the hotel, dinner, and accommodation.
Optional: Dervish Ceremony (Sema) at night.
Day 8 17/09: CAPPADOCIA TO SPAIN
Breakfast. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for the return flight via Istanbul. End of
our services.
HOTELS PROVIDED OR SIMILAR
ESTAMBUL Darkhill or similar 4* This hotel is in the old town.
CAPADOCIA Suhan hotel and Spa or similar 5*
PRICES INCLUDE
‐ 7 nights’ accommodation in the hotels provided or similar.
‐ Half board in all hotels. In some cases Full board. See itinerary.
‐ 6 lunches during the excursions.
‐ Entrance fees to museums and monuments.
‐ English‐speaking local guide throughout the trip.
‐ Private bus with A/C with max. 45 seats.
‐ Tips in hotels and restaurants.
‐ Hotel lodging tax.
‐ Private boat during the Bosphorus cruise.
‐ PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE
‐ Drinks during meals.
‐ Optional excursions.
‐ Anything else not specified in “Price
| 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | |
| PRICE p.p. | €1235 | €1137 | €1074 | €1030 | €995 |
Single Supplement €420
Flights
10/09/25 TK1302 Valencia 11:35h – 16:35h Estambul
17/09/25 TK2003 Nevsehir 10:40h – 12:20h Estambul
17/09/25 TK1313 Estambul 14:15h – 17:25h Valencia
The fare includes 23 kg of checked baggage and 1 piece of carry‐on baggage up to 8 kg (23x40x55cm).
Prices: 632,22€ / pax with taxes
***Price and rates subject to change until the time of purchase***
Deposit is €400 per person. This will reserve your rooms and flight. Payment by BACS to the U3A bank account. La Caixa Bank Moraira ES02 2100 7686 6602 0016 4581 BIC if necessary: CAIXESBBXXX. Reference is your surnames, membership number and Turkey. If you intend to pay in Sterling, please contact me before doing so.
To book this trip please contact Coral Guise-Smith trip leader on coral.guise-smith@u3amoraira-teulada.org
Monies paid for trips are Non-refundable unless we can resell the cancelled places or the travel group cancels the trip when all monies will be refunded. However, any monies that have been paid to a third party e.g. Agent, Hotel, Travel Operator’s, etc. cannot be refunded unless and until the Travel group receives the money from them. Airline tickets are not normally refundable, but your insurance may cover cancellation in certain circumstances.
Sometimes changes will have to be made to schedules, this will only happen when outside of our control, and we will notify you of these changes. When booking trips, it will be taken that you will accept any necessary changes.