Travelling To Turkey?
A must visit city before dying ~ if you were the adventurer type and a real traveler, not merely a tourist. I've visited twice.
A must visit city before dying ~ if you were the adventurer type and a real traveler, not merely a tourist. I've visited twice.
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| Cave House's |
Cappadocia (Kapadokya in Turkish) is a region of exceptional natural wonders, none more than the giant monuments left by Mother Nature in Love Valley. Situated in the very heart of modern day Turkey, this natural wonder sits on a high plateau over a thousand meters in altitude. Rainfall is sparse in this area and the place has hot dry summers and bitterly cold snowy winters. There is little rainfall and so the region is generally arid. In this environment these huge phallic natural structures seems like some sort of ancient homage to male fertility. However, they are far from man-made despite the possible resemblance to manhood. Have a good look. Seeing is believing indeed!The most popular district in Cappadocia is Goreme. The main appeal of Goreme, besides the Open Museum located on its fringe, is the village proximity to some of the most scenic valley walks. Inconspicuous early churches dot the landscape between the town and the Open Air Museum, popping up unexpectedly at the edge of a lonely corner of a valley. In Goreme itself, one of the few villages in which the rock homes and fairy chimneys have been continually inhabited, the attractions share the spotlight with daily lives of the locals. Gentrification has yet to push out it's natives and with it, the authenticity of the village. In Goreme, it's still common to run into a donkey delivery, or stumble upon a devout gaggle of chatty woman and chickens, while staying fairly accessible to food, transportation and internet cafes.
It’s one of the strangest landscapes you’ll ever see: the cliffs and valleys and fairy chimneys of Göreme National Park in Cappadocia. Wind and water erosion scoured out this land of soft volcanic ash (tufa) leaving this extraordinary place of valleys and pillars, some of which rise to 130 feet (40m). The earliest settlers were Christian exiles in Roman times and they carved churches into the rock, along with houses and tombs. In the Middle Ages Göreme became an important religious center with monasteries, churches and chapels; many of which have impressive Byzantine religious wall paintings. Some of the most important are Basil Kilise (St Basil’s Church), Elmali Kilise (Apple Church), and the richly decorated Tokali Kilise (Buckle Church), which is the oldest. The best-preserved and recently restored frescoes can be found in the Karanlık Kilise (Dark Church).
With so many other charming and more characteristic villages in Cappadocia, it's a wonder that Göreme's popularity never wanes. Its name recognition has been high among backpackers, a state affairs that led to a profusion of charmless, dormitory-style pensions and fly-by-night bars catering to a coed crowd.
As travellers to the region increase, young ambitious entrepreneurs are stepping up the plate with better-endowed pensions and outright luxury hotels. For the most part, however, the presence of modern:, albeit low-rise concrete slabs detracts from the magic of the horizon.
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| I was here |
My 1st time in Cappadocia was on 17th April 2013, arriving in the morning by bus from Bursa. It was tiring, almost 8 hours in the bus. My second time, I became wiser and took flight from Istanbul Sabiha Airport to Kayseri (20 - 22 May 2013).
If you want to see a unique geological site, then this is certainly it – no run of the mill vague shapes here. These structures mean business. And they weren’t made by Mother Nature having a funny five minutes – these strange pinnacles are in fact eroded volcanic ash. You need to be pretty healthy to take all of this is as generally people will go for hikes around the valley rather than driving. If you are really not inclined to healthy walking then you are able – at some expense – to hire a hot air balloon and see the whole site from the skies.
The closest human habitation is the small town of Göreme. Although you might expect hordes of tourists visiting such a place. this is not the case. The Turkish are gregarious but modest people – you do not get group outings to Love Valley to see the ‘willy shaped’ rocks as you might had they occurred in any number of other countries. As such the town is small and friendly with little commercialization as such. What you will find there, however, is a very genuine and relaxed atmosphere and a warm welcome. Although it is unlikely that you will get lost it is considered the right thing to hire a local guide when you head out to see the local geological features.
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| Cave Houses In Goreme |
Love Valley
Love Valley in Cappadocia, Turkey certainly has a claim to fame – a very large one. Rather euphemistically named, the valley is home to rock structures that bear a passing resemblance to… well - make your own mind up. Seeing, as they say, is believing.
Okay. Enough with Love Valley.
While in Goreme (Cappadocia), I stayed at Stone House Cave Hotel and took both Green Tours, Red Tours and the Hot Air Balloon Ride from Stoneland Turkey Travel (STT) which is recommended by my cousin. STT is one of the many tours agency in Goreme. Their office located next to Stone House and just a walking distance from Goreme Bus Station.
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| Goreme Station |
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| Stone House Cave Hotel |
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| With The Owner |
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| Our Room |
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| Triple Room |
Shop and restaurants nearby Stone House Cave Hotel and Stoneland Travel Agency (Same owner).
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| Souvenirs and carpet shop |
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| Cave Café |
Check their website below. You can get good price by mentioning my website name.
Tour Itinerary (Green Tour) ~ wear suitable attire n shoes (Copy n Paste from their website)
09:15 You will be picked up from your hotel for the tour09:30 Your tour will start out
GÖREME PANAROMA
First place to visit is Panoramic view of Goreme. You get information about history, formation of Cappadocia while watching the fairy chimneys. Following the information, free time for photograph.
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| Our guide explains.... |
DERINKUYU UNDERGROUND CITY
After driving about 40 minutes, arrived in Derinkuyu Underground City. This underground city was firstly used by the local people as a natural deep freeze, later by the late Romans as a shelter against potential Arabian invasions. Derinkuyu is the deepest underground city in the Cappadocia region. With the clear explanations of your guide you will spend almost 1 hour here.
After driving about 40 minutes, arrived in Derinkuyu Underground City. This underground city was firstly used by the local people as a natural deep freeze, later by the late Romans as a shelter against potential Arabian invasions. Derinkuyu is the deepest underground city in the Cappadocia region. With the clear explanations of your guide you will spend almost 1 hour here.
IHLARA VALLEY
Ihlara Canyon is 52 km. away from Derinkuyu Underground City.Approximately 45 minutes later, you will be in the entrance of Ihlara Valley. Ihlara Valley was formed by the volcanic actions of Mt. Hasan, next to Ihlara Valley. Afterwards, Melendiz River eroded the valley for millions of years besides the layers cracked and fell down. Eventually, 80 meter- deep canyon was composed. Whole Valley is 14 km. length. In the past, generally Christians lived in the several parts of the Valley; also they carved churches and painted them. You will hike about 3,5 km. Hiking will last 1hour 15m.Then you will arrive to Restaurant for Lunch.
Ihlara Canyon is 52 km. away from Derinkuyu Underground City.Approximately 45 minutes later, you will be in the entrance of Ihlara Valley. Ihlara Valley was formed by the volcanic actions of Mt. Hasan, next to Ihlara Valley. Afterwards, Melendiz River eroded the valley for millions of years besides the layers cracked and fell down. Eventually, 80 meter- deep canyon was composed. Whole Valley is 14 km. length. In the past, generally Christians lived in the several parts of the Valley; also they carved churches and painted them. You will hike about 3,5 km. Hiking will last 1hour 15m.Then you will arrive to Restaurant for Lunch.
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| Some fresco from hundreds years ago still intact |
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| R n R |
LUNCH
1 hour for the lunch in the valley, next to the River. You will start with the soup and salad, later you will able choose one of the main dishes from the list. Lunch will be over with season fruits. Reminder : Drink are not included in the free lunches menu.
YAPRAKHISAR PANAROMA
After lunch our guide will take you to a unique place, Yaprakhisar. You will see the nicest examples of conical fairy chimneys. Since the area is very similar to Star Wars Film Set, Yaprakhisar is known as “Star Wars Movie Set”.
After lunch our guide will take you to a unique place, Yaprakhisar. You will see the nicest examples of conical fairy chimneys. Since the area is very similar to Star Wars Film Set, Yaprakhisar is known as “Star Wars Movie Set”.
SELIME MONASTRY
Our tour will go on with another movie- set-like place, Selime Monastery. At first look, the monastery looks like a castle, but shelters, churches, chapels, bedrooms, storages and big cathedral proves us its being a monastery. You get information about the monastic life in Cappadocia.
Our tour will go on with another movie- set-like place, Selime Monastery. At first look, the monastery looks like a castle, but shelters, churches, chapels, bedrooms, storages and big cathedral proves us its being a monastery. You get information about the monastic life in Cappadocia.
| Selime is one of the biggest monasteries in Cappadocia. Cut into the soft tuff rocks, it contains many caves for all the different needs of a medieval life in a monastery. UNESCO World Heritage |
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| Remnants of the monastery |
PIGEON VALLEY
Climbing to Selime monastery will exhaust you, probably. But till you arrive to Pigeon Valley, you will have about 1 hour to rest. Also, our guide will mention about some traditions, cultures and stories about Anatolia on the way. Upon arrival to Pigeon Valley, pigeons will meet you on the top of the valley. Pigeons have always been important for Cappadocian people. Their eggs and droppings were used for different purposes. For this reason, local people carved houses for them to the slopes of valley. You will see the reason why people call them “houses”, when you see them.
Climbing to Selime monastery will exhaust you, probably. But till you arrive to Pigeon Valley, you will have about 1 hour to rest. Also, our guide will mention about some traditions, cultures and stories about Anatolia on the way. Upon arrival to Pigeon Valley, pigeons will meet you on the top of the valley. Pigeons have always been important for Cappadocian people. Their eggs and droppings were used for different purposes. For this reason, local people carved houses for them to the slopes of valley. You will see the reason why people call them “houses”, when you see them.
ONYX FACTORY
The Last place in the tour will be a visit to onyx factory in Uchisar. Onyx is a volcanic stone which has various colors and contains different minerals in. As being a volcanic area, Cappadocia has some onyx deposits. In the factory, a master will give you information about the steps of onyx shaping and you will watch a shaping show.
The Last place in the tour will be a visit to onyx factory in Uchisar. Onyx is a volcanic stone which has various colors and contains different minerals in. As being a volcanic area, Cappadocia has some onyx deposits. In the factory, a master will give you information about the steps of onyx shaping and you will watch a shaping show.
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| As usual ~ Buy something for souvenir |
17:30 Your tour will finish and you will be dropped to your hotel.
Next Morning, as early as 5.30am, our pick-up man for the Hot Balloon, knocking on our door. Fast..fast we need to pick-up another guests! he said loudly. Hu Hu. Time to fly over Cappadocian sky. Another once in a lifetime experienced.
Lets fly with Cemal (pronounced Jamal).
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| Our Pilot : Mr Cemal Yildrim |
Night time, go for Hamam ~ Turkish bath and watch The Sufi Dance. All arranged by our agents.
Next : Pamukkale
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