At the word “Cappadocia” (which means either “land of fine horses” in old-Persian or “land of Khepat the mother goddess”) we are immediately confronted with hot-air balloons pictures of the Instagram profs community – who didn’t go there yet, is simply not cool. The region is a place of otherworldly beauty to live in real time mode your most beautiful childhood dreams “once upon a time…” plucked from a whimsical fairy tale with all those fairy chimney valleys, full of colours, shadows and THIS mesmerising light.
Cappadocia is a formation of layers of earth sprayed from volcanoes by fire, water and air, the clash of forces of nature. Millions of years ago volcanoes were erupting their lavas, and after thousand of years continued to eject the volcanic dust like tuff and basalt, formed one day the Cappadocian Nevsehir-Ürgüp-Avanos triangle with the most stunning fairy tale landscape one can imagine – the one of 1000 dream destinations on earth to be seen before you die – this region is like no other in the world.
This fantastical geological oddity is an equal match with the life chronics of the mankind as every sight seems to be painted with brushstrokes from all chapters of the history of our civilisation: Hittites, Lydians, Assyrians, Greeks,
Phrygians, Romans, Seljuks and Ottomans…
Tick all the boxes according to your favourite field of interest!
You won’t ever forget the lunar scale panoramas, the valleys of dusky ochre and pink to daydream.
To reach: Kayseri airport and by car to Uchisar.
To stay at: located above Pigeon Valley, the Cave hotel Maisons de Capadoce in their hotel own village with their absolutely authentic houses or suits. A dedication to the region and an ode to a good taste, the piece of art by a French architect Jacques Avizou who brought to life and let blossom this old quarter in town. Beautiful breakfast with a breathtaking view from the terrace.
Not to be missed:
That’s why you are here – the hot-air ballon! Get up at 5 or even earlier, get ready your camera and dress something warm for a chilly sunrise hours for an unforgettable air journey with one of many available hot air balloon companies. You will be blown away. Emotional. Splendid view over the Lovers valley will simply let you burst in tears from happiness. You will receive your flight certificate for a memorable air-journey.
After your flight go straight for a wonderful full Turkish breakfast at the Karlik-Terrace in Uchisar with a view at the Cappadocian landmark, the most incredible volcanic-rock fairy chimney “castle” you will see in your entire life! It used to be a refuge from the enemy armies. Don’t be lazy to climb up the maze of small paths to the top of the castle to get the panoramic view of the rippling rock valleys.
For your best insta pictures of the castle you need to drive all the way to Seyir Tepesi restaurant with another great Turkish coffee on the sand.
The Devrent Hayal Valley won’t disappoint – the mysterious camel-like fairy chimneys are waiting for you to be discovered! Get ready, prepare the shoes for walking and climbing. Keep the heels in your suitcase, you won’t need them.
To indulge the excellent food: Turkish meze & picturefriendly atmosphere of Ziggy’s Cafe (think of the famous song) in Ürgüp and Dayinin Yeri in Avanos.
To visit: in Zelve the “valley of mushrooms”- you won’t be disappointed neither your wildest imaginative phantasy!
Have a sneak peak at the fresco “Last supper” at the wall in the dark church and the other finery inside the cave-cut churches of the Open-Air Museum in Göreme. There are a few more of the open air museums, such as Ilhara Valley, you surely will have a choice of priority. If you only have a limited time and you don’t suffer from claustrophobia neither speleophobia and you can overcome this anxiety, don’t miss to visit one of the multilevel underground cities – Kaymakli or Derinkuyu (“deep well”) (not without a guide!). Unique OMG feeling: the sunset in abricot, caramel and powder rose shades in Rose Valley on the honeymoon terrace.
Don’t come back home without a souvenir: the region’s famed pottery from Avanos with its 4000 years of pottery tradition. I have found really wonderful pieces in the old & famous in the region Aldag Ceramic Workshop. They ship worldwide safely.
And for me it’s time to second the thought of Saint Augustine: “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.
Dr Olga Roh ROHMIR Creative Director