I had to remind myself to breathe. It was that amazing! Cappadocia appears pulled from a dreamscape, especially during the pre-dawn hours on an October morning.
Located in the heart of Anatolia, the land ripples with rock formations called “fairy chimneys, sculpted by volcanic eruptions and centuries of wind and water massage.
Beyond the famous hot air balloon scapes lies a world of secrets awaiting discovery.
Goreme National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An Open-Air Museum where the soft tufa rock is carved into hidden caves dwellings, monasteries, and frescoed churches from the Byzantine era. Don’t miss the Dark Church, Karanlik Kilise, with its brilliantly preserved frescoes.
Back to ballooning: we soared over the tall thin spires topped with rocky basalt ” caps” worthy of a Stanley Kubrick film. The skies were painted with a hundred glowing balloons.
But Cappadocia has so much more to offer. Explore the underground cities, once home to thousands hiding from Invaders. Narrow tunnels, ventilation shafts, communal areas for cooking and stabling animals tell stories of invention and resilience.
I did not… but you can stay in one of the boutique cave hotels in Goreme or Uchisar…I visited, but opted for more creature comfort at the Barcelo Cappadocia which I would highly recommend.
Sunset at Red Valley : fewer crowds, spectacular light and colors that change by the minute. Bring a bottle of local wine and watch as the sun ignites the rocky vista.
Visit this Paradise. Hoş geldin.