'''Cappadocia''' is an area in Central Anatolia in Turkey best known for its unique moon-like landscape, underground cities, cave churches and houses carved in the rocks.
Understand
The Cappadocian Region located in the center of the Anatolian Peninsula, with its valley, canyon, hills and unusual rock formation created as a result of the eroding rains and winds of thousands of years of the level, lava-covered plain located between the volcanic mountains Erciyes, Melendiz and Hasan as well as its troglodyte dwellings carved out of the rock and cities dug out into underground, presents an otherworldly appearance. The eruptions of these mountains which were active volcanoes in geological times lasted until 2 million years ago. A soft tuff layer was formed, 150 m in thickness, by the issuing lavas in the valley surrounded by mountains. The rivers, flood water running down the hillsides of valleys and strong winds eroded the geological formations consisting of tuff on the plateau formed with tuff layers, thus creating bizarre shapes called fairy Chimneys. These take on the names of mushroom shaped, pinnacled, capped and conic shaped formations. The prehistoric settlements of the area are Koskhoyuk (Kosk Mound) in Nigde, Aksaray Asikli Mound, Nevsehir Civelek cave and, in the southeast, Kultepe, Kanis and Alisar in the environs of Kayseri. This area with unusual topographic characteristics was regarded as sacred and called, in the Scythian/khatti language, as "Khepatukha" meaning "the Country of the People of the Chief God Hepat" The tablets called Cappadocian Tablets and the Hittite works of art in Alisar are of the important remains dating from 2000s B.C. After 1200s B.C., the Tabal principality, of the Khatti Branches of Scythians, became strong and founded the Kingdom of Tabal. Following the Late Hittite and Persian aras, the Cappadocian Kingdom was established in 332 B.C. During the Roman era the area served as a shelter for the early escaping Christians.
There are also several underground cities used by early Christians as hideouts in Cappadocia.
Cities
Goreme - fairy chimneys near Avanos, Ni?de.
Nevsehir
Uchisar
Other destinations
Get in
By bus
Most of the bus companies have bus services to Nevsehir and Goreme. By bus; Istanbul-12 hours, Ankara-5 hours, Bursa-11 hours, Izmir-12 hours, Konya -4 hours
By plane
Kayseri, one of the comperatively big cities in Turkey, is an hour drive from Goreme. Kayseri Airport welcomes flights from Izmir and Istanbul every day of the week.
By train
Kayseri is on a busy railway route. It is possible to find suitable trains to Kayseri from almost all the train stations of Turkey. From Kayseri, you can take bus to go to Goreme.
Get around
Cappadocia Hot Air Balloons Companies;
[http://www.balloontourscappadocia.com Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Tours(Flights)]
[http://www.goremeballoons.com Goreme Balloons]
[http://www.kapadokyaballoons.jp Kapadokya Balloons]
[http://www.anatoilianballoons.com Anatolian Balloons Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Tours]
See
Rock city in Goreme
Pottery town Avanos
Urgup
Uchisar with its rock castle
Ortahisar with its rock castle
Underground cities. . 5 YTL. Up to 8 stories of underground tunnels and caves in Kaymakl?, Derinkuyu, Ozkonak or Maz?koy
Old greek houses in Sinasos
Goreme Open Air Museum
Zelve
Cavu?in
Mustafapa?a
Ihlara Canyon
Do
'''Hiking''' - Following the paths along the valleys is an amazing (and free) option. Check with your hotel owner or the tourist office for a map of the area with suggested walks and trails. There are several nice loops on packed dirt, sand and rock, that maintain a constant elevation and pass through the scenic valleys.
* '''Guvercinlik (Pigeon) Valley''' - You can hike the Pigeon Valley between Goreme and Uchisar. The 4km trail starts from the road near the Ataman Hotel on the south side of Goreme or on the paved road on the north side of the hill where Uchisar Castle sits in Uchisar. Both trailheads are signed. Stick to the more traveled trails and you will have no trouble finding your way on this moderately hilly hike. The path through the valley offers spectacular views of the natural cliffs and the man-made caves and passes through a few tunnels carved into the rock.
Rose Valley. rom Ihlara to Elime. Beautiful green valley
'''Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Tours''' : are one of the most popular activities in Goreme. Typically lifting off at sunrise, these rides last around 45 minutes and literally go wherever the wind may blow in the Cappadocia Valley. The balloon carriages hold around ten people with the pilot riding air currents much like a boat, floating down the valleys, often below the ridge line and quite close to the chimney rocks. It's a fantastic ride and if you've ever had the urge to splurge on a balloon ride, this would be the place to do it. Operators include
[http://www.balloontourscappadocia.com Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Tours(Flights)]
[http://www.goremeballoons.com Goreme Balloons]
[http://www.kapadokyaballoons.jp Kapadokya Balloons]
[http://www.anatoilianballoons.com Anatolian Balloons Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Tours]
''' Cross Golf''' - Cappadocia is a national park and its natural environment must be protected for everyone to enjoy today and in the future.Cross Golf uses the natural features of the landscape to challenge even the most experienced golfer. The fairy chimneys, fascinating rock formations and flora and fauna in the unique environment of Cappadocia remain unaffected by Cross Golf.http://www.crossgolf.com.tr
[http://www.allistanbultours.com/pagecontent6/5/viewItem_idProduct_6_Cappadocia_Tours_2_days_1_night,_istanbul_cappadocia_tours,__Cappadocia_Travel_Guides.htm Cappadocia Day Trips]
[http://www.travelturkey.org/turkeyminitouristanbulcappadocia.html Mystical Tours in Cappadocia (Start Istanbul)]
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Eat and Drink
Dry apricots and grapes
Mant? (kind of ravioli with minced meat served with yoghurt and garlic sauce)
Testi Kebap (jug kebap)
Pastirmali kuru fasulye (white beans with spiced meat)
Local wines - Cappadocia is one of the biggest wine-producing regions in Turkey, and many wineries thoroughout the region's towns offer winetasting options.
sweets
Sleep
Splurge
Esbelli Evi. sbelli Sokak, 8 (P.K. 2) 50400 Urgup. '+90 (384)'' 341-3395. sbelli@esbelli.com. '+90 (384)'' 341-8848. ttp://www.esbelli.com. selected as one of 550 best hotels in the world by Focus Magazine, a fine small inn of comfortable cave rooms hewn from the golden stone, with beautiful views of the Cappadocian landscape
Rose Mansions. n Mustafapasa. once called Sinasos, consists of two old Greek houses built in the mid 1900s
Yunak Evleri. consists of six cave houses with a total of 27 private cave rooms dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries.
Stay safe