Day 5 – Cappadocia (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we begin our explorations of the famous and intriguing valley of Cappadocia, a unique region in which Nature has created an incredibly strange and colorful world of cones, columns and needles that were shaped by the wind and water erosion of the area's volcanic tuff. Some of these strange shapes are as tall as 100 ft.  But it is not only the Natural landscape that is unique here. Our forefathers used the soft features of the stone to carve out this fantasy-like environment into homes, stables, shops, churches, hospitals, etc. etc.  Many early Christians painted the walls of their chapels with their own renditions of Bible stories.  Some of these frescoes are incredibly beautiful, attesting to the skills and religious fervor of the faithful. Among the places we will visit are Goreme, Uchisar, Kaymakli, Pasabey and Avanos, the latter providing us with the opportunity to purchase some of the hand-turned pottery that has been shaped here for millennia.  We will enjoy our dinner and overnight stay in our hotel in Cappadocia.