Reasons to visit Cappadocia
Reasons to visit Cappadocia
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Because Cappadocia looks like it is out of this world
Cappadocia should be on your must-see list for so many reasons. It is bucket listed by almost everyone, especially for its perfect scenery balloon rides.
Cappadocia is special, it is a land like no other. One of this place’s nicknames is “The Land of Fairies”. This name was given because of the fairy chimneys that cover the entire land.
No words are enough to describe the beauty and the feeling that you have when you step on this story book world.
There are to many reasons to put Cappadocia on your must-see list, but I’ll just mention a few:
- History
- Land of Fairies
- 5 stars caves
- The food
- Perfect sunsets
- Horseback riding
- Hot Air Balloon rides
- Cappadocia is romantic
- One of the most instagramable places in the world
History
Cappadocia – that translates as “The Land of Beautiful Horses” – is a historical region in central Anatolia, Turkey. It is a land full of history, with human settlements dating as back as the paleolithic era.
Some of the earlies records of Cappadocia ( 6th century BC), are some inscriptions by king Darius I and king Xerxes, naming it “Katpatuka” – The low land.
Here, you can find the human footprints throughout the century in its caves, Christian churches and underground cities.
In Goreme, there still are a few Christian churches, that were built inside caves, adorned with beautiful frescoes and columns. The land was part of the Roman Empire, and its belonging is still visible in the architectural style of the buildings, despite of mostly being inside caves.
Land of Fairies
This part of Turkey, was nicknamed “Land of Fairies” because of its multitude of Fairy chimneys. The chimneys are natures way to put a beauty mark on this land. Millions of years ago, the volcanic eruption rained ash that was covered in basalt, then the erosion began. It is a natural process that took millions of years, but it is special and one of a kind.
Especially in Goreme, everywhere you look, you will see this beautiful work of nature. The Goreme National Park, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
5 Stars Caves
If you ever wondered how, it is like to sleep in a cave, in Cappadocia you can find your answers. Several centuries ago, the Cappadocians carved their houses in stones, or organized themselves a home inside the multitude of caves in this area. Nowadays, for a unique experience, hotels are placed inside caves.
Most hotels are built on hills and each cave room will have a terrace for the perfect view of this land.
There are several cave hotels, but we do recommend to take in consideration 4- and 5-stars cave hotels. Inside caves, humidity is quite high and mold might be found, so better to be safe, than sorry.
If you do not want to spend extra for higher rated cave hotels, also normal hotels or pensions can be found. Most of them are family run and are great.
The Food
I could not praise enough the Turkish cuisine. Their taste in food is incredible and every bite is delicious. Being a mountain side area, you will not find sea food or anything beach specific. Here is the land of well-prepared meat, stews, soups and delicious desserts.
One of the most iconic dishes that you can try in Cappadocia is pottery kebab. It is kebab made inside of a pottery jar or pot, that is put inside a hot stone oven. They will crack it to open. The deliciousness of meat and fresh vegetables combined is beyond measure.
Perfect sunsets
Most of the cities in Cappadocia are valley cities. Imagine being in a bowl like place, surrounded by beautiful hills.
Goreme is the most famous Cappadocian urban area and its hills won’t disappoint. The city is surrounded by beautiful hills and caves, and there are several hot spots for sunset lovers. If you go from April till late October, there is a very big chance to enjoy a perfect sunset, with warm weather and clear sky.
Please take notice, that you will have to climb several steps, road or hills to be able to enjoy a fantastic sunset over the fairy chimneys.
Other options are to go to one of their valleys and climb on top of the hill.
Horseback riding
Being named “The Land of Beautiful Horses”, a few kept the tradition. In Cappadocia we have found several horse farms and we can confirm, the horses are very beautiful. Almost each one will host private tours at sunset. The tours consist in horseback riding from the city, towards one of their beautiful valleys, stay for sunset, then ride back to the farm.
Please, don’t worry that you will have the same path as the ones with buggies, the horseback riding tours avoid road and usually go to more relaxed and far paths. If you are a fan, you should not miss it.
Hot air balloon rides
Finally, the most famous reason to visit Cappadocia, the bucket-list item of everyone.
Cappadocia should also be named as the land of balloons. There is nothing more beautiful than a sky covered in colorful balloons, flying over the fairy chimneys. It is magical, it seems unreal. I would like to admit that I was a little bit skeptical and thought that a lot of photoshop was involved.
The place is nature’s photoshop. I was so amazed, that even though we went on a balloon ride, we would still wake up every morning at 6 AM, to drink our coffee and to enjoy a sky covered in balloons.
It was something so special, a moment to cherish for the rest of my life.
To be able to fly, the weather conditions must be perfect, that is why is very important to book at least 3 nights in Cappadocia. You will wake up very early in the morning and the car will pick you up and drive you to a valley full of balloons. The balloon ride will be something amazing, I promise.
Cappadocia is Romantic
I consider it one of the most romantic places we have ever been. From sunrise in a balloon, embracing your significant other, to perfect sunsets on top of the hill, Cappadocia is the perfect place to go as a couple.
You will hold hands while climbing a hill and then stay near each other, and expect the night to arrive. Go to a cave restaurant with the perfect view, while watching the fairy chimneys or just walk hand in hand in this picturesque place.
Cappadocia is the most natural romantic place.
One of the most instagramable places in the world
For sure you have seen tons of Instagram photos from here, even I am guilty of flooding my social media with pictures from the magical land. It is very difficult to take bad pictures here. The land, the lighting, the scenery, everything is the perfect prop for a great picture.
You will have balloons, valleys, chimneys, caves photos to post. The golden hour was probably invented here.
For picture lover and Instagram addicts: if you go for a balloon ride just for the photos, please note that you will not have space. The usual balloon rides have about 16 passengers plus 2 persons handling the balloon. It will be impossible to get a solo like photo. There are private rides, but at much bigger prices.
We had an Instagram girl with us in the balloon, dressed in a very nice red long dress. The mornings are very cold in Cappadocia and she was freezing, but her biggest problem was that she could not take her perfect photos in the balloon.
These are just of a few of the reasons one should visit Cappadocia. The list is enormous and we should not take you the fun of discovering it.
Cappadocia is wonder, beauty, romance, tasty, picturesque and incredibly…
Travelicious.