Tafana Pension
Property # 9453
PROPERTY INFORMATION
Listing Type: Vacation Rental
Bedrooms: 8
Bathrooms: 6
Sleeps: up to 8 guests
Bedrooms: 8
Bathrooms: 6
Sleeps: up to 8 guests
Tafana Pension
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Property Description
This guesthouse is one of the oldest traditional houses in the small town of Avanos - it is situated amongst the many semi-troglodyte houses with sculptured facades, which are built on the banks of the Kizilirmak River.
The name "Tafana" means the oldest part of the house, where the family always gathered together, and there are 8 rooms, most of them in the old arched style with traditional decorations, four of these have private facilities i.e. shower/WC - whilst the others have shared facilities.
The accommodation is basic, simple but clean.There is also a comfortable entrance lounge area and a large communal kitchen where you can prepare food, or meet with other guests to eat, talk or even make music - there are two outside terraces with views over the town.
Lillian who looks after the guesthouse is of Dutch origin and is most welcoming - she also speaks English, Turkish, French as well as some German and Hebrew and offers a "meet and greet service" as well as being on hand to help and advise guests - a big plus!
AVANOS is known as the handicraft centre of Cappadocia. There are approximately 300 pottery workshops and virtually a loom in every home for carpet weaving. In Anatolia, the manual production of earthenware pots began at Konya Catalhoyuk in the Neolithic Period when the Assyrian Merchants came to engage in commerce. They taught the Hittites how to make pottery by using the wheel - today production is still by the same method carried down through different civilisations and generations.
The inhabitants also produce a wine from the grapes of the vineyards and a delicious grape jam which is called "Pekmez".
The name "Tafana" means the oldest part of the house, where the family always gathered together, and there are 8 rooms, most of them in the old arched style with traditional decorations, four of these have private facilities i.e. shower/WC - whilst the others have shared facilities.
The accommodation is basic, simple but clean.There is also a comfortable entrance lounge area and a large communal kitchen where you can prepare food, or meet with other guests to eat, talk or even make music - there are two outside terraces with views over the town.
Lillian who looks after the guesthouse is of Dutch origin and is most welcoming - she also speaks English, Turkish, French as well as some German and Hebrew and offers a "meet and greet service" as well as being on hand to help and advise guests - a big plus!
AVANOS is known as the handicraft centre of Cappadocia. There are approximately 300 pottery workshops and virtually a loom in every home for carpet weaving. In Anatolia, the manual production of earthenware pots began at Konya Catalhoyuk in the Neolithic Period when the Assyrian Merchants came to engage in commerce. They taught the Hittites how to make pottery by using the wheel - today production is still by the same method carried down through different civilisations and generations.
The inhabitants also produce a wine from the grapes of the vineyards and a delicious grape jam which is called "Pekmez".
Activities & Attractions
The family who run the guesthouse also own the oldest and most famous pottery in AVANOS.
The Hair Museum which has found its way into the Guinness Book of Records - is a must to visit and see!
Besides this, the family also runs the local Cultural Centre and can organise for you various special interests - such as:-
Tours on Horseback, or by Horsecart
Pottery Classes
Weaving Classes
Local Handicrafts - and many, many other things. If you have a special interest - please ask?
Also during the months of June and September, there are ORIENTAL DANCE WORKSHOPS in which you can learn the art of Turkish Folk Dances and "Belly Dance" with a chance to learn the "darbuka" (Turkish Drum) and meet with local people.
More information on these can be found at:
www.chez-galip.com or by contacting Lilian.
This area of Central Anatolia is known as CAPPADOCIA which means the "Land of Beautiful Horses" and it is a region with a long and very interesting history. Originally an independent kingdom, it later became a Roman province - it is now known as the cradle of Christianity as it is from here that the Christian religion spread throughout the Western world.
During the 7th century, the invading Arabs drove the Christian population of that time into the hills where they carved churches and dwellings out of the soft rock and even created underground cities which you can visit today. The whole area is full of incredible rock formations, friendly people and is fortunately as yet devoid of mass tourism. The landscape often feels surrealistic as you travel around this fantastic area created by ancient volcanic eruptions which have been eroded by time, wind and water.
The area is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and really needs to be visited to appreciate its unique scenery.
There are many tours available, or local buses and "dolmuses" to enable you to explore the area - visit GOREME with its open-air museum, also the one at ZELVE much larger and less commercial, the village of UCHISAR and the more distant but lovely ILHARA VALLEY.
No visit to TURKEY is complete without taking a HAMMAM (Turkish Bath) - the one at URGUP is traditional and revitalising after a full day's sightseeing, it is an experience not to be missed!
Certainly several days in the area are recommended and it is a good holiday destination to combine as a two centre with a few days in ISTANBUL.
Cappadocia is in Central Anatolia. Distances and possibilities on
travelling there are as follows.
ISTANBUL: - then overnight long distance coach/bus travel - from
main bus station - 10 hours with regular 2/3hour
stops. Excellent service. (NEVTUR/GOREME BUS COMPANY)
ANKARA: - 300 KMS from AVANOS: Regular coach service from city bus station - Nevtur/Goreme Bus Company Or Lilian will arrange a private transfer by mini-bus pickup from Airport.
KAYSERI: - 80 kms. away - connecting flights from Istanbul and
Ankara. Mini bus transfer arranged by Lilian.
GULSEHIR: - 30 kms away. New airport opened November 98.
Limited flights - currently two per week to/from Istanbul
Anyone making their own way to Avanos, so long as they communicate with Lilian, she will collect from local bus station.
Transfers arranged - cost negotiable with Lilian.
The Hair Museum which has found its way into the Guinness Book of Records - is a must to visit and see!
Besides this, the family also runs the local Cultural Centre and can organise for you various special interests - such as:-
Tours on Horseback, or by Horsecart
Pottery Classes
Weaving Classes
Local Handicrafts - and many, many other things. If you have a special interest - please ask?
Also during the months of June and September, there are ORIENTAL DANCE WORKSHOPS in which you can learn the art of Turkish Folk Dances and "Belly Dance" with a chance to learn the "darbuka" (Turkish Drum) and meet with local people.
More information on these can be found at:
www.chez-galip.com or by contacting Lilian.
This area of Central Anatolia is known as CAPPADOCIA which means the "Land of Beautiful Horses" and it is a region with a long and very interesting history. Originally an independent kingdom, it later became a Roman province - it is now known as the cradle of Christianity as it is from here that the Christian religion spread throughout the Western world.
During the 7th century, the invading Arabs drove the Christian population of that time into the hills where they carved churches and dwellings out of the soft rock and even created underground cities which you can visit today. The whole area is full of incredible rock formations, friendly people and is fortunately as yet devoid of mass tourism. The landscape often feels surrealistic as you travel around this fantastic area created by ancient volcanic eruptions which have been eroded by time, wind and water.
The area is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and really needs to be visited to appreciate its unique scenery.
There are many tours available, or local buses and "dolmuses" to enable you to explore the area - visit GOREME with its open-air museum, also the one at ZELVE much larger and less commercial, the village of UCHISAR and the more distant but lovely ILHARA VALLEY.
No visit to TURKEY is complete without taking a HAMMAM (Turkish Bath) - the one at URGUP is traditional and revitalising after a full day's sightseeing, it is an experience not to be missed!
Certainly several days in the area are recommended and it is a good holiday destination to combine as a two centre with a few days in ISTANBUL.
Cappadocia is in Central Anatolia. Distances and possibilities on
travelling there are as follows.
ISTANBUL: - then overnight long distance coach/bus travel - from
main bus station - 10 hours with regular 2/3hour
stops. Excellent service. (NEVTUR/GOREME BUS COMPANY)
ANKARA: - 300 KMS from AVANOS: Regular coach service from city bus station - Nevtur/Goreme Bus Company Or Lilian will arrange a private transfer by mini-bus pickup from Airport.
KAYSERI: - 80 kms. away - connecting flights from Istanbul and
Ankara. Mini bus transfer arranged by Lilian.
GULSEHIR: - 30 kms away. New airport opened November 98.
Limited flights - currently two per week to/from Istanbul
Anyone making their own way to Avanos, so long as they communicate with Lilian, she will collect from local bus station.
Transfers arranged - cost negotiable with Lilian.
This property is expired and is no longer available
