Exploring Cappadocia’s off-the-beaten-track beauty will uncover lesser-known gems that are often as impressive as the main sights, but without the accompanying crowds. On this trip, we dive deeper into a stunning area, picking out a few of these off-the-beaten-path gems, such as cave churches and monasteries, and mix them with an array of derelict locations and abandoned spaces. Using these as our photography spots for the six-day adventure.
A region with delicious food that caters to all tastes, this trip is of course a great opportunity for you to improve your photography as well. Accommodation is provided throughout, including a stay at a very historical mansion saved from the brink of destruction some years ago, Turkish breakfast is provided throughout the tour as is a room to yourself – as we keep this as a small group adventure tour.
Check back soon or sign up for my email list to be alerted once this photography tour is up for sale – the deposit will be £299 – this will secure your space, with the final balance due 9 weeks prior.
6 days
£1,325
02/09/24
07/09/24
In stock
Without a doubt, the jaw-dropping frescoes of Goreme’s rock churches, the panoramas at Uchisar Castle (above), the Instagram-famous, heart-shaped swings in the “Love Valley” and of course, the obligatory hot-air-balloon ride at sunrise are all worthy of your time. However, on this adventure tour, we dive deeper – and provide those with a thirst for history and culture with something a little unique.
We will be hunting out great image opportunities, following a tour route that I have designed entirely from the ground up. We seek out a mix of interiors and architecture as well as iconic locations that I have researched or previously visited and photographed.
Here are a few of the possible examples of our location choices – but of course, a comprehensive guide shall be sent in the welcome pack upon booking:
An Underground Cave City*
At least five disused & derelict churches
Cave Monasteries & Churches
Selime Cathedral*
We stay in a beautiful and historical town (name to be disclosed later) – which is packed full of beautiful architecture and mansions.
A once Byzantine monastery complex, home to almost 200 monks, boasts a well-preserved labyrinth of tunnels carved out of volcanic rock and even the remains of an ancient winery. Greek alphabet symbols stand out against blackened walls, while intricate religious frescoes also remain. And lots more hidden architecture and gems of the region.
*There is a paid ticket entry to some of our historical sites – paid locally, please allow a budget of around 40 Euros for these entrance fees. These fees are not included in the trip cost.
Additionally, there is the option to delay your return internal flight – if you wish to stick around in the region for some extra time (say to take that obligatory hot-air balloon ride).
Note: The itinerary in Türkiye is not set in stone and can change depending on a number of factors, such as weather and available access timings to locations.
The Cappadocia region’s tourism activity is mainly concentrated in Ürgüp and Göreme. However, there are many other wonderful settlements, some of which are packed with historical buildings – we visit one, a place where Orthodox Greeks lived until the population exchange and there were once nearly 700 stone mansions.
A number of historical events have caused some buildings in the region to become derelict, this includes churches! We visit a handful of both Armenian and Greek structures (donating to heritage institutions as usual), to photograph the interiors and to learn a little about their history.
The subterranean cities in Cappadocia have become famous worldwide, just as much as the unusual fairy chimneys that characterise the landscapes in the region. We focus on some of the lesser visit gems, such as a 13th-century church carved into a volcanic mountain and a Byzantine-era cave monastery.
My photography, travel, and adventure tours are aimed at any level of photographer who is looking to improve their photography or just meet like-minded people. From beginners looking to understand the basics, through to advanced photographers searching for great locations to rekindle or feed their enthusiasm and inspiration.
The key aim of our time together is to have fun and enjoy being outdoors, whilst leaving inspired to take photos for your own photography collection. During our adventure, I can help you, should you require this guidance – and talk you through the key elements to producing a great image. Key elements such as composition and subject choice as well as timing and light.
I will also chat with you about the technical aspects of photography, helping you understand your camera and settings whilst keeping it simple. We also discuss understanding light and how it can impact the mood of the image and the key technical elements if needed.
Should you have any other questions please email me on info@jameskerwin.uk
Some elements of this trip will require walking and sometimes over rough ground – so be sure to bring proper walking boots or other outdoor footwear.
Since the global pandemic hit us all in Spring 2020 – huge changes have hit the travel industry and multiple airlines/carriers have changed routes/destinations. My best advice is to look on Skyscanner – but also don’t rule out looking on airlines sites directly for flights, such as on Ryanair, Pegasus or Middle Eastern Airlines. Sometimes deals don’t pop up on sites like Skyscanner and things are changing/improving daily – Wizz air for instance had lots of options change in mid 2020 – but have said they are revising routes daily throughout the rest of 2020.
I would also STRONGLY advise booking directly with airlines for the foreseeable future – as should the worst happen, you would stand in a better position to get a refund or to make a claim through your insurance firm. In other words – don’t book with firms that act like agencies (Lastminute.com) etc.
For this trip please check with me if you are ensure which airport to fly into or out of. If unsure, please email me on info@jameskerwin.uk.