Cappadocia

Once upon a time in Cappadocia…
The name Cappadocia itself dates back to 500BC from the Persian language and translates to Land of the Beautiful Horses.

The exceedingly strange and beautiful landscape has been 60 million years in the making. Pre-historic volcanic eruptions, followed by centuries exposed to the elements, have created rock formations unlike any other.
Such an extensive history, coupled with the fairytale landscape, has served to fascinate mankind, who has bestowed Cappadocia and the surrounding Goreme Valley with numerous myths and legends.

Early Christian hermits were attracted to the area and built monasteries right into the rock formations. Investigating dozens of these ancient structures and underground cities is an exercise in fascination and beauty.

Local tradition has it that the Goreme Valley houses more than 350 churches – almost one for every day of the year. From tiny places of worship to enormous cathedral style structures, each has its own unique story.
From a distance, there is little clue as to the historical and religious treasure trove awaiting the explorer. Small openings lead to magnificent churches and monasteries carved deep into the tufa (volcanic ash-rock).

Illustrations on the walls are of enormous religious significance and depict events from biblical times. Hundreds of years have taken their toll, but each illustration is a marvel. The Goreme Valley is the birthplace of the Cappadocian style of painting.

The characteristic feature of the landscape is the incredible fairy chimney. These extremely unusual rock formations were thought, in past times, to house fairies, capable of casting evil spells. Of course the chimney phenomenon is actually better explained by the reaction to erosion by various types of rock.
Cappadocia and the surrounding Goreme Valley deserve at least three days exploration. One could be excused for thinking they had happened upon another planet, given the landscape.
In fact, it is just another Turkish delight.

Sightseeing

THE GOREME OPEN AIR MUSEUM
Cappadocia’s most famous attraction is the Göreme Open Air Museum, a vast monastic complex with painted cave churches carved out by Orthodox monks (1000-1200 AD). Along with rectories, dwellings, and a religious school, they formed a large monastic complex carved out of a roughly ring-shaped rock formation and decorated it with elaborate Byzantine frescoes. The site holds the region’s best collection of painted cave-churches and the frescoes’ colors still retain all their original freshness. The frescoes also unique examples of rock hewn architecture and fresco technique.
There are many churches and chapels in Goreme Open Air Museum but the most important ones are The Nunner, St. Barbara Chapel, Apple Church, St. Basil Church, Snake Church, Dark Church, Sandal Church, St. Catherine Chapel and Buckle Church. Most of them are fully painted inside with amazing Byzantine murals dating back to 900-1200 AD. Most of the frescoes have been damaged by wind, water, weather, earthquake, and shepherd boys who sought refuge in the caves and used the faces in the figures as targets for pebble attacks having been taught that images were sinful. But the beauty of the churches and their decoration still remains.
The Goreme Open Air Museum has been a member of UNESCO World Heritage List in 1984. It was one of the first two UNESCO sites in Turkey.

CAPPADOCIA HIGHLIGHTS TOUR
Walk through the Devrent Valley to see the unique fairy-chimneys. Drive to Pasabagi (Monk’s Valley) to see the most interesting mushroom-shaped pinnacles. After visiting Pasabagi, drive to Avanos which is known for the pottery, a craft dating back to the Hittite period. The red clay which is worked by local craftsmen comes from the residue in the Kizilirmak River, the longest river of Turkey.
In the afternoon visit Open Air Museum in Goreme to visit the churches, chapels and monasteries carved into the fairy chimneys from the 10th to the 13th centuries with frescos painted on the walls. Then time to take photos in the neighbouring valleys before going back to the hotel.
Included: Hotel pick-up, transportation, English speaking guide and lunch

THE UNDERGROUND CITIES
Until now, it has been determined about 40 underground cities and today just six of these are open for visit. Those cities which are guessed to date back to the Bronze Age, was completed in the 8th and 7th century BC and used to be a settlement mostly in Byzantine period. In this period, increasing invasions and external threats forced local residents to built underground cities for protection and religious purposes.
Stout rolling-stone doors prevented invaders from entering. Deep wells provided water. Wine presses, oil storage, livestock pens, cooking-places and elaborate churches were carved out of the rock so that the inhabitants could live for months underground until it was safe anymore to emerge and return to their ground-level villages.
Although Cappadocia has dozens of multi-level underground cities, the largest and most elaborate excavated cities are at Kaymaklı and Derinkuyu. Those troglodyte cities are two of the best examples of habitable underground structures.
Scholars believe Derinkuyu was the hiding place for the first Christians who were escaping from the persecution of the Roman empire…

VALLEYS & UNDERGROUND CITIES TOUR
Meet at the hotel lobby in the morning and visit Rose Valley, one of the most beautiful trekking valleys in Cappadocia, and explore the famous rock- cut churches by hiking through the valley. Rest in Cavusin, an old Greek village, known for its Christian houses and churches. After having time for lunch visit Ortahısar Castle, similar to Uchisar Castle in style, where storage caves can also be observed. In the afternoon visit Kaymakli (or Ozkonak) Underground City where early Christians lived in fear and faith. On the way back visit to panoramic Pigeon Valley where pigeons contributed to the lives of locals with their manure to fertilize the vineyards.
Included: Hotel pick-up, transportation, Englisg speaking guide and lunch.

ROYAL KING BALLOON FLIGHT – Approx 90 minutes. Small (10 passenger) basket.
The experience begins by transfer of the passengers to our headquarters with luxury minibuses.
Have an open buffet full catered delicious breakfast and check-in while the pilots are choosing a good launch site according to the wind directions.
Once the launch site is selected, proceed to the launch site to see how the crew and the pilot unloads, assembles and inflates the balloon.
Following an introduction to the safety factors of ballooning with your pilot, your amazing flight will begin.
Our balloons are exclusively made by Lindstrand Balloons and are the only silver coated balloons in the region to ensure quality and safety.
The balloons will climb approximately 300 meters (1000 feet) during the flight. A panoramic and marvelous view will greet the passengers while drifting above the valleys and between rock formations.
Balloons move by the wind and you will float wherever the wind takes you; so that each flight brings new and memorable experiences. Please dress according to the temperature. Flat shoes, hat, sunglasses and of course camera is a must. The flight presents many photo opportunities and lifetime memories to cherish.
In keeping with ballooning tradition, enjoy a champagne ceremony and receive a memento Gold Medal.
After the flight, luxury minibuses will take you back to your hotel.
All passengers are covered with insurance by Eureko Insurance.

ROYAL QUEEN BALLOON FLIGHT – Approx 60 minutes. Medium (16 passenger) balloon.
The experience begins by transfer of the passengers to our headquarters with luxury minibuses.
Have an open buffet full catered delicious breakfast and check-in while the pilots are choosing a good launch site according to the wind directions.
Once the launch site is selected, proceed to the launch site to see how the crew and the pilot unloads, assembles and inflates the balloon.
Following an introduction to the safety factors of ballooning with your pilot, your amazing flight will begin.
Our balloons are exclusively made by Lindstrand Balloons and are the only silver coated balloons in the region to ensure quality and safety.
The balloons will climb approximately 300 meters (1000 feet) during the flight. A panoramic and marvelous view will greet the passengers while drifting above the valleys and between rock formations.
Balloons move by the wind and you will float wherever the wind takes you; so that each flight brings new and memorable experiences. Please dress according to the temperature. Flat shoes, hat, sunglasses and of course camera is a must. The flight presents many photo opportunities and lifetime memories to cherish.
In keeping with ballooning tradition, enjoy a champagne ceremony and receive a memento Gold Medal.
After the flight, luxury minibuses will take you back to your hotel.
All passengers are covered with insurance by Eureko Insurance.

Accommodation

Museum Hotel

This is a most unique hotel consisting of a combination of restored caves carved into the living rock. It is virtually an underground city of ancient times, but with all the comforts a modern hotel. The Museum Hotel reflects the history of the Cappadocia region in the all kinds of historical artefacts on display throughout the hotel and rooms. All the superior & suite rooms have windows giving a superb view on the Cappadocian region. All rooms have private facilities, mini bar; kettle; hair dryer and iron. All Superior & Suite rooms have jacuzzi, TV with DVD/CD player. Wireless internet is available in all rooms, terraces and restaurant.

spelunca

SPELUNCA CAVE HOTEL

This cave hotel in the heart of Goreme Village with comfortable rooms carved from the volcanic rocks. All the rooms at Spelunca are in traditional Turkish style décor and have well-appointed private bathrooms. Spelunca’s restaurant serves traditional Cappadocian meals prepared with organic products. Breakfast is served as an open buffet with homemade jams, local honey, and fresh cream. Free WiFi.

yunak-evleri
YUNAK EVLERI

Yunak Evleri’s cave rooms date back to the 5th century. The name “Yunak” comes from the old days when villagers used to do all their washing and of course, socialising by the fountain located at the village square. Being by the fountain and at the Yunak was the centre of daily life. A labyrinth of narrow passageways and curved stone stairways lead to unique rooms tastefully decorated in warm traditional style.
The rooms are renovated and decorated with care and in their own distinct style with strictly respecting the local character. The decor is elegant and personalized with beautiful hand-crafted furnishings and antiques. All rooms have private patios overlooking the Turkish Mesa. With 40 rooms, Yunak Evleri is small enough to be intimate, yet large enough to offer you privacy.
Evenings are characterized by sunset gatherings on soft upholstered Turkish pillows warmed by an outdoor fireplace. Candlelight dining of local handmade foods is offered on the adjacent rooftop terrace.

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