Soaring through a sky dotted with colourful hot air balloons, Cappadocia in Turkey feels like stepping into a fairytale. But beneath the whimsical chimneys and lunar landscapes lies a rich history, making it a must-visit for any traveller. Cappadocia is most famous for its hot air balloon rides. Unfortunately for me, I could not take the ride because of the weather (it's weather-dependent!) and my health as I got sick during that time. Every morning at my breakfast table I wished to see the balloons rising in the sky. Finally, there came a few rare days when I did see them!
In this blog, I have tried to keep the text less and share as many unique photos with you so that you could feel as if you are already there! So let's start right away!
Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloons finally up in the sky!
Carved by volcanic eruptions and sculpted by wind and time, Capaddocia's iconic "fairy chimneys" are truly magical. Yet these natural wonders were also home to thriving civilizations. Early Christians carved churches and monasteries into these soft rocks, leaving behind a treasure trove of frescoes.
A visit to Cappadocia, Turkey offers a very unique blend of history, culture, adventure and whimsical beauty. Once you visit this fairytale destination it will not be hard for you to believe that this place holds the title of Turkey's most famous tourist destination!
Food & Cuisine
Let's start with food!
The food here contains hearty dishes featuring lamb, vegetables and legumes. Pair your meals with local bread and sip it down with çay, the famous Turkish tea. If you have a sweet tooth do not miss the sweet treats like baklava and Turkish delights (lokum). Cappadocia's cuisine is a blend of many different flavors most of which is Turkish, Arabic and Mediterranean. Don't forget to try the pumpkin seeds and sip on the Cappadocia wine especially prepared from indigenous grapes. Below are photos of some of the delicious food items I tried. It's truely mouthwatering!
Millions of years of volcanic fury carved the landscape of the region in fascinating scapes. It is a vast plateau with "fairy chimneys" almost everywhere. These whimsical formations create a very unique scene, some even have caves inside them. You can take a hike around the area and bedazzled by the rare beauty of nature. You can also the hidden cave churches where you see vibrant Byzantine frescoes which are proof the region's rich history. The vibrant colours of the sunrise and sunset at Sunset Point paint the sky in beautiful formations.
Here are the top 5 things-to-do that I highly recommend:
1. Hot Air Balloon (of course!)
2. Explore the Göreme Open Air Museum
3. Hike through the valleys
4. Decent into the Underground City
5. Visit Uchisar Castle
Turkish Tea
The beautiful landscape and weather!
Hiking around the valley
Göreme Ranch
Pottery making
Beautiful view at night
Twilight from the Sunset Point
Sunset Point
It started snowing!
Snow everywhere!
Snow!
Shopping
If you are like me - shopping is a MUST wherever you go! In Cappadocia, shopping is a unique experience to bring home a unique souvenir of the region. You can explore the local shops and open-air markets. You may also do a little bargain, it's fun! Cash in the form of Euro, Turkish Lira and credit cards are accepted. Look out for some unique finds like local rugs and carpets, hand-painted ceramics, locally produced honey and jams, leather goods etc.
My top recommendations:
1. Hand-woven Carpets and Kilims
2. Hand-crafted Pottery
3. Evil Eye Talismans (Nazar Boncuk)
4. Famous Turkish Delights
5. Dried Fruits and Nuts
6. Handmade Soaps (Lavender is my favourite!)
7. Hand-Painted Ceramics
8. Turkish Lamps!
My favorite Lavendar homemade soap and face roller
Traditional rugs
Local gemstones including Amethyst
Local souveniers
Soaps!
Handbags with a touch of traditional embroidery
Decorations
Local tea sets
Most famous Turkish lamps
Cappadocia is a land unlike any other. It is a place that ignites the imagination and mesmerising impression! Whether you come here for the adventure of hot air balloons, the culture or the whimscial landscape, Cappadocia offers an unforgettable experience for everyone. So do consider this place for your next trip and be prepared to be enchanted by this magical corner of the world.
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