CAPPADOCIA: ALL ABOUT ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR INSTAGRAM PLACES!

Cappadocia is a fabulous place with a quaint landscape, as an illustration for a children’s book. There are cities built in rocks, temples, and dozens of balloons rise to the sky all year round. In the beginning, it seems like you are on another planet when you look to the sky, rocks, wonderful flowers and vineyards, as though they are processed in Photoshop, added clarity and increased the brightness. You look around and thinking one hundred times “well, how can it be so beautiful.” We asked people who are well acquainted with this place to talk about the intricacies of traveling to this region.  

Photo by Zola Zhou

How to get there?

Cappadocia is a historical region of Turkey, located in the central part of the country and uniting several provinces: Aksaray, Nevsehir, Nigde, and Kayseri. You can get here from any major city in the country in three ways:

• by plane – the nearest airport is located in the city of Nevsehir, the administrative center of Cappadocia;
• by regular bus service;
• by a rented car.

When to go?

Cappadocia is beautiful at any time of the year. If one of the main goals of your trip is a balloon flight, then it is best to come in the spring, when nature blooms, or in the fall, after the summer heat has gone. In winter it sometimes snows and is windy, and due to adverse weather conditions, flights can be canceled.

Photo by Kenny Luo

Where to stay?

It is better not to save for accommodation. We recommend choosing a hotel with rooms that are located inside the surrounding cliffs, with a private terrace, so that in the early morning or in the evening, while drinking Turkish coffee with baklava, watch hundreds of balloons hovering over these places every day.

Hotels:

• Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel 2* in Ürgüp;
• The Cappadocia Hotel 3* in Ürgüp;
• Perimasali Cave Hotel 4* in Ürgüp;
• Hanedan Cave Suites 5* in Ürgüp.

When do the balloons fly?

Every morning, regardless of the time of the year, from 50 to 150 balloons rise into the sky. But be prepared for the fact that due to rainy or windy weather, the flight can be canceled and postponed for the next morning. Therefore, it is better to be safe and has an extra day or two in advance.

Source: sedeftravel.rs

How much does a balloon flight in Cappadocia cost?

Balloon flights are organized by local travel companies. Due to the high popularity of air tours, it is better to make an order in advance, no later than 2-3 weeks before the expected date. .The cost varies from 100 to 250 euros, depending on the flight time (from an hour to two) and the number of people in the basket. The price also includes transfer, insurance, breakfast and a certificate with champagne and snacks after.

People around the world come here. But the matter is not in the flight itself, but in what kind of view opens from a height of 1000 meters. The surface of the region was formed as a result of volcanic eruptions and subsequent changes due to natural phenomena. At first, it seems that you find yourself on another planet. Many tourists order photoshoots in Cappadocia.

Where are the best views?

The best views are opened from the village of Uchisar – on the panoramic platform of Göreme, many tourists who don’t fly in a balloon come up. Also worth visiting are the Valley of Love, the Valley of the Monks and Sunset Point.

What to see?

Photo by Xavier Balderas Cejudo

• Goreme Open Air Museum

The museum is a monastery complex with churches and chapels built in the rocks in the I-II centuries. The first novices and builders of temples were Christians who fled here from the authorities of the Roman Empire.

• Derinkuyu Yeralti Underground City

Derinkuyu – a multi-level underground city, built by local residents in the II-I century BC. e.

The construction is truly amazing: there are living rooms, ventilation shafts, stables, kitchens, bakeries, presses for pressing oil and grape juice, wine cellars, warehouses for weapons and food, churches and chapels.

• Valleys of Cappadocia

Cappadocia has many valleys and they all differ from each other. We will tell about the most interesting.

– Valley of Imagination

There are many rock formations in this area, shaped like silhouettes of people, objects, animals. The rocks are formed from volcanic rock, which in the rays of the setting sun takes on a pink hue.

– Valley of Love

while walking, you can see finger-like stone pillars from 20 to 40 meters high, which effectively contrast with the rest of the landscape.

• Castle Rock Uchisar

The castle is located on the highest point of Cappadocia and represents a whole mountain range with many rooms and passages hollowed out of the rock, offering a stunning view of the whole of Cappadocia. At the foot of the castle, there is a very authentic cafe – Oasis cafe Uchisar,  wherein the evening you can drink Turkish tea and watch the sunset.

• Canyon Ihlara

This is a picturesque and deep (up to 150 m) canyon, in which there are many ancient rock churches. A picturesque river flows along the whole canyon, birds singing is heard everywhere, and lush greenery contrasts with red rocks.

• Salt Lake Ace

The bottom of the lake is completely covered with salt. In the part accessible to tourists, the depth is no more than 25 cm, and in summer the lake dries out completely and on the surface, you will see only deposits of white salt. Just like the famous Salt Lake Uyuni Lake in Bolivia. Photos in any season will turn out amazing!