Welcome to Cappadocia the Land of beautiful horses!
In today's video we're going to share with you Tread the Globe's top 11 things to see and do
whilst you're here in Cappadocia!
We're Chris and Marianne and we've been travelling full-time for the past 3 years.
We did it!
We're currently attempting to drive Trudy our home on wheels all the way around the World.
So in no particular order,
our first recommendation would be to take a hot air balloon ride!
Taking an early morning hot air balloon ride above Cappadocia's unique and unusual landscape
is one of the main attractions here in Cappadocia
The majority of flights take off at the crack of dawn
and over the summer this means getting up at some ungodly hour!
In fact it's around 4 a.m,
but getting up at this hour is worth the lack of sleep,
for a once-in-a-lifetime flight through Cappadocia's fairy chimneys,
witnessing the sun coming over the horizon,
lighting the landscape with that magical early morning glow really is a moment you will never forget.
The number of balloon flights per day is limited by law,
and so it's always recommended to book in advance,
especially during high season.
We arranged our flight through Soandos Travel
but flights can easily be arranged through your hotel or one of the tour offices in Goreme.
Taking a hot air balloon flight in Cappadocia can be expensive
but an experience like this, we think it's worth it!
Prices vary and it really comes down to what you want.
As a guide, prices normally vary between 125 and 220 euros per person.
However during Covid currently the prices are around 60 euros per person.
Standard flights usually last around one hour but flights can be arranged for up to three hours.
If you're travelling in a group it's worth checking out private bookings as it can work out cheaper,
but one word of advice, allow an extra day or two just in case the wind cancels that flight.
It's not looking too hopeful today....
does that mean we have to get up at 3 o'clock another morning? Yes !
Coming in at number 2 .... is to stay in one of Cappadocia's cave hotels.
Historically the people of Cappadocia lived in caves,
and it's not hard to see dwellings in the fairy chimneys around Cappadocia,
like you can see behind me!
Over the past years many of these old dwellings and sometimes whole neighbourhoods have been
turned into luxurious cave hotels.
We stayed at the Sultan Cave Suites which overlooks Goreme town,
but there are lots of different hotels with prices to suit all budgets.
The cave rooms keep a much cooler temperature which in the height of summer is seriously welcomed.
Where we stayed it was a great experience and to wander through the hotel maze of corridors,
you could have just imagined how life would have been back in the day,
when each room would have housed a different family.
Many of these hotels have become travel destinations for instagrammers from all over the world,
looking for that perfect photo with a unique view over the Cappadocian landscapes.
Some hotels have set up specific areas for taking pictures with floors covered in colourful Turkish rugs.
Depending on the location of your hotel,
you can get up at the crack of dawn to see the balloons and the sunrise ....
it's a wonderful experience to see the balloons light up
as they inflate in the darkness before filling the sky as the sunrise comes up.
Coming in at number 3
Attention all food lovers!
You have to try the local testi kebab.
With the area being famous for pottery,
there's no surprise that the must try food here is a kebab cooked inside a clay pot.
A clay pot is filled with delicious fresh ingredients such as beef,
vegetables and spices,
then sealed with a pastry lid before being slowly roasted in a traditional wood-fired oven.
The style of cooking these famous kebabs varies from restaurant to restaurant
but try and find a really traditional one,
where you'll be given a small hammer to break open the clay pot to reveal the delicious stew-like kebab inside.
Some of the more commercial restaurants cook it in a standard clay stew pot,
and top it with pastry or dough,
but finding one of the traditional style ones is a much better experience.
We had one at the Keyif cafe and restaurant in Goreme,
and got to see how they actually prepared them.
Coming in at number 4 is for you adventure lovers out there!
Why not take an ATV tour?
We arranged ours through Goreme Camping and Aquapark.
Over the summer most of the ATV tours set off early in the morning or in the evening,
as the midday sun is too hot.
Cappadocia has lots of dirt tracks through the valleys,
and it's a perfect location to jump on an ATV.
If any of you are worried about not having enough experience? Then don't be,
the groups don't ride at crazy speed and they're very easy to operate.
You'll be issued with a safety helmet
but i would strongly recommend putting a scarf or bandana over your mouth and nose
because it gets seriously dusty!
In fact a top tip if you take the lead or you're near the front,
you won't get so much dust.
Tours usually last between one to four hours and can be arranged for half or full day if you want to.
One of the most popular tours is the two hour sunset tour,
which is the one we took.
Priced around 200 tl and we loved it!
After visiting a nearby village, having an ice cream,
heading over to love valley,
we then found the perfect spot to watch the sunset.
At the end of the tour the dust was blown off with a high pressured air hose!
Nice touch!
Or if you're looking for a more sedate way to travel through Cappadocia fairy chimneys?
Coming in at number 5 ... a horseback ride!
Marianne did her ride with Dalton Brothers Ranch and they didn't disappoint!
It is a very well run ranch,
prices start 20 euros for an hour's ride,
but they also offer full and half day rides.
Marianne went on a sunset ride and the views were spectacular.
Some of the paths along the thin ridges were slightly nerve-racking,
but the horses were well trained and followed the lead.
They're able to arrange a ride suitable for whatever your skill level is ... from beginner to advanced.
One of the best ways to explore Cappadocia and the valleys is to take a hike.
And that is our number 6 must-see thing to do here in Cappadocia!
We love that the valleys in Cappadocia are open for everyone to explore,
there are lots to choose from but the main ones are Rose valley, Red valley and Pigeon valley
and of course Love valley named after the special shaped rocked formations!
Walking around really gives you a glimpse into the past and you can walk into old cave
dwellings and churches, and you'll be surprised how many unique and quirky places you'll find.
One word of warning if you're visiting in the summer then early
morning is the best time, as during the day temperatures can reach the high 30s.
Coming in at number 7 .... go to Avanos and check out the pottery
and if you're not scared to get your hands dirty take a pottery class!
Located approximately 15 minutes from Goreme town is the town of Avanos a lovely town located
on Turkey's longest river.
The Red River which gets its name from the red clay found on its banks.
Because of this there'll be no surprise that Avanos is well known for its pottery !
Take a walk along the river and into the old town,
you'll find lots of lovely pottery shops, who will take the time to explain the different styles of pottery,
and you can even take a free pottery class!
Coming in at number 8 ..... is why not climb to the top of Uçhisar castle?
Take a walk through the narrow roads lined with shops towards this famous castle.
The castle is the ultimate cave dwelling and is carved out of the rocks.
Walking through the passages to the top of the castle,
you'll be faced with a wonderful 360 degree view of the surrounding area.
They built their defence here for a reason,
and you can see for miles!
Coming in at number nine
find a spot,
way up on one of the hills to watch one of the most beautiful sunsets here in Turkey.
One of the most magical experience was watching this sunset over the valleys and rock formations.
We went with our friends Murat and Ali Can from Soandos Travel to an amazing viewpoint,
had a glass of local Cappadocian wine,
and we were treated to a spectacular sunset.
There are lots of places to watch the sunset,
but make sure you make the time to experience it whilst you're here in Cappadocia.
Coming in at number 10 .... go to Ilara Valley.
Just over an hour from Goreme is a Ilara Valley,
a picturesque 10 mile long gorge carved through the rock,
with the Meledi river running through it.
The valley is steeped in history and has underground rock cut dwellings throughout.
There are 105 churches, 16 of which are open and can be visited.
We had a wonderful hike along the river enjoying the much needed shade
and slightly cooler temperatures.
Along the river you will find traditional Turkish restaurants
a great place to stop for a cup of tea or you can even have lunch
with your feet dangling in the cold water of the river.
And last but by no means least coming in at number 11.....
Visit one of the underground cities here in Cappadocia.
The cities were used as defence,
and its inhabitants would hide underground to avoid invading armies.
Descending underground they would remain completely undetected.
There are a total of 36 underground cities throughout Cappadocia
the two most popular being Derinkuyu and Çaymakli.
We visited Çaymakli which descends 8 stories underground
with only 4 of them being open to the public.
You'll be amazed at how big these cities are,
and it's a wonderful experience to explore the network of tunnels deep below the ground.
We've never experienced anything like it before and it's our final
must-see thing to do in Cappadocia.
We hope you've enjoyed our guide on visiting Cappadocia
if you haven't booked your holiday here .... you should!
If you enjoyed this video please consider giving it a thumbs up and clicking that subscribe button,
and join us next time as we continue our adventure around the World.