While reading the information sign in front of the St. Barbara Chapel in the Göreme Open Air Museum, the following statements will catch your attention: “… visitors who are already astonished are also astonished by….” Being astonished and being astonished… These are exactly the summary of the emotions you will experience during your Cappadocia trip. I guess no one would find it strange if a sign saying “You will be astonished and amazed” was hung at the entrance to Cappadocia.
So what makes Cappadocia so special? What exactly does Cappadocia, which hosts visitors from all over the world in droves throughout the year with a unique accommodation experience, offer? Why is this region full of surprises, where you can find yourself first sweltering in the heat and drinking cold lemonade, and then making a snowman the next day, on millions of people’s “must see” lists?
You will certainly have different reasons behind your desire to see Cappadocia, but here we will list some reasons that we think will be first convincing and then satisfying for many people.
Have you ever stayed in a cave before?
The number of places in the world where you can stay in a cave is limited. The number of hotels where you can both stay in a cave and experience luxury service is even more limited.
When you leave your cave room and gaze at the magnificent view of Pigeon Valley and get lost in the visual feast created by the balloons suspended in the air, we are not even talking about the few places where you will think, “Should I have my breakfast in the valley tomorrow while watching the sunrise?” The accommodation experience you will have in Cappadocia will push the boundaries of your imagination.
World heritage, natural miracle, shared culture
The Göreme Open Air Museum, which we mentioned at the beginning of the article, has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985. This is a rock city that hosted monastic life from the 9th century to the 13th century and is even considered the place where monastic education began. It is truly an extraordinary experience to see the churches, chapels and other communal areas in such an atmosphere.
In this valley, which was miraculously shaped by nature, there are traces of the common past of many cultures. When you listen to the languages spoken while walking around the Göreme Open Air Museum, you will witness firsthand how crowded a crowd it appeals to. When you step into the Dark Church, which has preserved its frescoes for centuries, especially because it receives very little light, you will be fascinated by the mysticism of the mind that designed this place and add new rings to your sense of wonder.
Real or movie set?
Speaking about the confusion that tourists feel due to the surreal structure of Venice, a Venetian restaurant owner mentioned on a cooking show that they are asked, “What time does Venice close?” Really, what time does Cappadocia close?
As you wander around the Paşabağları Archaeological Site in amazement, watch the magnificent horses galloping on the horse farms you come across on the side of the road, enjoy the breathtaking view revealed by hot air balloons at sunrise, or listen to the adventurous sound of Jeep safari vehicles, you will get the feeling that this is not a real living space but a movie set. The geography of Cappadocia, shaped by the wind and water with the care of a sculptor, will seem to you like a fictional world too beautiful to be true, with all its magnificence, when the doors are closed in the evenings and the decorations are put back inside.
Your soul will be satisfied, but what about your stomach?
If you are one of those who know that visiting a new place and trying to get to know it is an end-to-end experience, you know the importance of local flavors in this experience. While the historical and cultural values here will feed your soul during your Cappadocia trip, the local cuisine of the region will make a quiet and happy agreement with your stomach.
Authentic flavors prepared with local herbs, spices, grains, meat and dairy products grown in the region will be one of the most important parts of your Cappadocia story. While you want to relieve the tiredness of the day with a magnificent meal and the most special wines of the region, when you get lost among the tempting and mouth-watering options specific to the region on the menu of our favorite Moniq Restaurant in Uçhisar, you will remember what we said and understand how right we are.
Every season has promise, every hour of the day has surprises
“When to go to Cappadocia?”, “Can you go to Cappadocia in the winter?”, “Can you go to Cappadocia in the summer?”, “Can you go to Cappadocia on a honeymoon?” There is only one answer to these and similar questions, “Yes”. You can go to Cappadocia in all four seasons. You can go alone or as a couple… You can take your children too, people of all ages can enjoy this trip. You will definitely find a place and an activity where you can spend every moment from sunrise to sunset. Do you want to go on a trip just to relax? Cappadocia is also perfect for a relaxing holiday. Your cave room and valley view will make you write poems and novels if you are so inclined.
The landscapes created by the snowfall in Cappadocia are uniquely beautiful. The spring weather is the best! Summer evenings seem to be longer here than in other places. “Is Cappadocia a romantic place?” Yes. Many couples choose Cappadocia for their honeymoon. In a place where you can do a Jeep Safari, ride a horse and watch the sunrise in a hot air balloon, the flow of time of course slows down and you are practically being treated favorably so that you don’t miss out on any experience.
How, are our arguments not really convincing?
Do you know the saying, “Clichés are clichés for a reason”? We are sure that on your Cappadocia holiday, while following your own story, you will embrace all the clichés of Cappadocia and say, “I understand you and embrace you with love”. For example, we can understand that you want to skip the gondola ride in Venice because it is too “touristy”, but it takes a strong will to resist the Cappadocia balloons. Why would you prevent yourself from experiencing such a moment? Enjoy every moment.
