Cappadocia

Cappadocia is one of the most unusual landscapes in the world: valleys of soft volcanic rock shaped by wind and rain into towers and cones called fairy chimneys, with churches, houses and whole cities carved into the stone. We spent two nights here, on 29 and 30 August 2022, after a day on the road from Ankara.

The hot air balloons

Cappadocia is famous for its sunrise balloon flights, when dozens of balloons float over the valleys at the same time. We did not fly, but we went out early to watch them go up.

Tip: If you don't fly, you can still watch the balloons from one of the viewpoints around Göreme. Go before sunrise.

Day 1 - Göreme, the valleys and Uçhisar

1. Göreme Open-Air Museum

A valley of rock-cut monasteries and churches from the 10th and 11th centuries, painted inside with Byzantine frescoes. Early Christians carved thousands of caves here to live and pray in.

2. The Red Valley and Avcılar Valley

Walks among the rock formations, with old cave houses and fairy chimneys. The Red Valley gets its name from the color of the rock, especially at sunset.

3. Uçhisar

A cave village around a huge rock castle at the highest point of the region, with a magnificent view over all of Cappadocia.

This day also included a stop at a jewelry center to see local craftsmen at work, and to buy.

Tip: Wear proper walking shoes. The ground is uneven and dusty.

Day 2 - Paşabağ, Avanos and an underground city

1. Paşabağ, the Monks Valley

The most famous fairy chimneys of all, some with two or three caps, where hermit monks once lived.

2. Avanos

A town on the Red River famous for its pottery and carpets. The tour stopped at a carpet workshop to see how traditional carpets are made by hand, a skill passed down for generations, and of course to sell them.

3. An underground city

Cappadocia has dozens of underground cities, carved many floors deep into the rock, where whole communities could hide from invaders with their animals and food.

After lunch, the coach left for Konya.