CAPPADOCIA
Prepare yourself to take a brief journey into the Cappadocia region, where Mother Nature painstakingly worked miracles that defy the imagination and where the living elements of history, culture, art and society are inextricably linked. A visit to Cappadocia is highly recommended for those who want to bathe in it’s atmosphere, colors and luminance.
Cappadocia region was formed 60 million years ago by erosion of soft layers of lava and ash from Mount Erciyes (Argeus), Mount Hasan and Mount Güllü composing with wind and rain over millions of years.
Human settlement at the Cappadocia region dates back to the Paleolithic era.
The region of Cappadocia is a place where nature and history integrates. While geographical events created fairy chimneys – the people carved houses and churches inside these chimneys. Later on decorated them with frescoes in this historical process, bringing the traces of civilizations for thousands of years to present. Written history of Cappadocia, where human settlement dates back to the Paleolithic era, begins with the Hittites. Hosting trade colonies throughout history and founding commercial and social bridges between countries, Cappadocia was one of the important junctions of the Silk Road.
HIGHLIGHTS OF CAPPADOCIA
Goreme Open Air Museum: Cave churches with frescoes
Zelve Open Air Museum: An empty cave town with churches
Kaymakli Underground City: The largest underground city
Uchisar: Roman rock-cut castle
Avanos: Center of pottery since the Hittites
Pasabag: Mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys, monks valley
Devrent: Animal-shaped fairy chimneys, imagination valley
Red Valley: The most Beautiful sunset location in Cappadocia
Zelve
GÖREME OPEN AIR MUSEUM
The Goreme Open-Air Museum resembles a vast monastic complex composed of scores of refectory monasteries placed side-by-side, each with its own fantastic church. It is obviously the first sight to be visited by any traveler in Cappadocia.
It contains the finest of the rock-cut churches, with beautiful frescoes (wall paintings) whose colors still retain all their original freshness. It also presents unique examples of rock hewn architecture and fresco technique. The Goreme Open Air Museum has been a member of UNESCO World Heritage List since 1984, and was one of the first two UNESCO sites in Turkey.
Göreme Open Air Museum
Göreme Open Air Museum
Zelve
ZELVE VALLEY
Zelve Valley which is spread out over three valleys. Two, which are connected by a tunnel, have the most intensive chimney rocks formed in the volcanic tufa. The chimney rocks of the valley have sharpen ends and large trunks. There are many settlements in the volcanic tufa used by the first Christians hiding from the Roman soldiers. In these settlements there are many abbeys and churches. The church named Direkli Church is dated from the the first years of abbey life of Zelve. The relief crosses in the trimmings of the churches are mostly iconoclastic. The most important churches of the valley are Balikli, Uzumlu and Geyikli. These churches date to the pre-iconoclastic period. The valley also contains accommodation places, mills, mosques and dovecotes.
Rose Valley
Rose Valley
KAYMAKLI UNDERGROUND CITY is one of the most interesting underground settlements in Cappadocia and the place where many early Christians hid from persecutors.
Certainly the most interesting features of the Cappadocia area are the underground cities founded within. Although about 40 underground cities have been determined (discovered, found) until now only six of them are open for visit. Nobody can know the number of underground cities in the Cappadocia area. Well known underground cities are Tatlarin Underground city Derinkuyu Underground City, Ozkonak Underground City, Mazi Village Underground City, Kaymakli Underground City and Gaziemir Underground City.
BALLOON DAY
Cappadocia is known around the world as one of the best places to fly with hot air balloons. The spectacular surrealistic landscapes combined with excellent flying conditions allow the balloons to gently drift over and between fairy chimneys, pigeon houses hewn into the unique rock formations, orchards and vineyards – through impressive valleys, each with distinctive rock formations, colors and features – and then float up over rippled ravines for breathtaking views over the region.
The Balloon Tour offers a minimum one-hour flight time in the air. You will be collected from your hotel early in the morning, usually before sunrise and driven to the take-off site. While you are having a light breakfast, you will watch the inflation of the balloon and getting a passenger briefing which explains basic rules & safety measures for the balloon flight. Then it's time to climb into the basket and the highlight of your Turkey trip begins! The take off is gentle – soon you'll be taking hundreds of pictures over the valleys of Cappadocia. After the flight lands, there is a small celebration with champagne and you will receive your flight certificate. You will be driven back to your hotel around 08:30am just in time for breakfast, to continue the day.
The Balloon tour is optional in our packages and not included in the package price. It can be additionally booked and paid.
Children not younger than 7 years old can fly with a responsible adult. However, we are unable to fly children under 7 years.
HOTELS IN CAPPADOCIA
If you’re planning a trip to Cappadocia, you don’t have to settle for an ordinary hotel. Instead, you can have an amazing stay in one of the cave hotels of Cappadocia. These are entire hotels carved out of the landscape, letting you experience the true culture and beauty of the region.
We have several options for different selections of Cave hotels in our program always considering your budget.
LOCAL CUISINE
Cappadocia, specifically the town of Avanos, is known for it’s pottery. A pottery hub, since the Hittite period, is stating that one of it’s most popular regional specialties — testi kebab — is just as known for the vessel that it’s cooked in the dish itself.
Meaning “jug” in Turkish, testi or pottery kebab is an Anatolian speciality prepared in a clay pot or jug. It’s usually made with lamb, beef, or chicken with vegetables like carrots, celery, onions, garlic, and potatoes. Traditionally cooked in a tandoor or clay oven, the pot is sealed with bread dough and left to simmer in its own juices for hours.