Zigotours Istanbul and Cappadocia Camp: Treasures of Turkey

Istanbul comes first, and the group works through the landmarks a visitor comes for: the play of light in the cisterns, a cruise on the Bosphorus at sunset, the Taksim and Galata districts on the other shore, shopping in the Grand Bazaar, a hammam to relax in, and the street art that covers the Asian side of the city. Cappadocia, more than seven hundred kilometres away, is reached by night bus. There the group explores the valleys and their improbable geological formations, visits the town of pottery and ceramics and the open-air museum of Zelve, wanders the lanes of Goreme, a village cut into the rock, and - for those who want the climb - goes up to the top of Uchisar castle for a panorama over the whole surrounding country.

The price published by the operator covers accommodation, meals, the activities and excursions of the published programme, and insurance. Zigo Tours takes out cover for every participant - assistance and repatriation, individual accident, third-party liability, legal costs and baggage - and advances medical expenses during the stay. Travel is by air with a drop: out of Paris to Istanbul, and back from Nevsehir via Istanbul to Paris. Pre-travel from regional cities can be arranged by the operator's transport department; it is quoted case by case and is not part of the published price.

The group sleeps in youth hostels, in single-sex dormitories of four to ten beds. Toilets and showers are either on the landing or inside the rooms, depending on the hostel.

Meals are split between small local restaurants and food the group prepares for itself.

In Istanbul: the landmarks of the old city, the cisterns and their lighting, a sunset cruise on the Bosphorus, the Taksim and Galata districts, the Grand Bazaar, a hammam and the street art of the Asian shore. In Cappadocia: the rock valleys, the pottery and ceramics town, the open-air museum of Zelve, the cave village of Goreme and the climb to Uchisar castle.

Accommodation is in youth hostels with single-sex dormitories; shower and toilet facilities are on the landing or in the rooms. Travel between the two regions is by night bus, and on the ground the group uses local and private transport meeting the safety standards of the country.

A group of twelve to twenty-four participants with a qualified director and activity leaders, one adult for every eight young people. The stay changes register halfway through, from a city of fifteen million to a landscape of rock valleys and cave villages.