Cappadocia, Turkey's most beautiful city of balloons and fairy chimneys ..
_ The Cappadocia region lies in the province of “Nevşehir”700 km north of the city of Antalya
This remarkable place is considered one of the most extraordinary historic tourist landmarks, formed 60 million years ago by rainwater and wind working on the soft layer of lava and ash thrown out by Mount Erciyes, Hasan Dağı and Güllüdağ
It has breathtaking natural scenery that draws tourists and visitors all year round, and countless attractions: natural formations unlike any others in the world, underground cities, valleys, historic importance, forgotten towns, monasteries, churches and caravanserais, and best of all the wonderful spiritual atmosphere that leaves the visitor at peace.
Because of Cappadocia's continental climate, summers are hot and the air is dry in that season, which makes it ideal for outings and for happy hours in its skies aboard the balloons.
In winter the weather in Cappadocia is snowy and cold, snow covering the mountain peaks, a good chance for tourists to enjoy the cold and take up winter sports, the finest of them skiing.
The most important historic sites in Cappadocia
1_ Fairy chimneys
The name may sound frightening, but it is quite the opposite. The chimneys stand in the enchanting stone village of Göreme, remarkable for the magic of the way it spreads out across a great range of mountains and low plateaus whose shapes have been reworked by natural forces, which is why they are called fairy chimneys. They open their doors to tourists every day to wander among them.
2_ The hidden underground city of the fairies
It dates back to the Bronze Age and became famous in the Byzantine period, in the sixth and seventh centuries AD, when Christians hid in the caves, labyrinths and tunnels of Cappadocia to escape invaders. Today the legendary underground city of Cappadocia is open to visitors and holds four levels of rooms and mazes.
3_ Zelve museum
which holds a group of ancient buildings and churches built in the ninth century AD, as well as caves carved into the rock by erosion
4_ Göreme village
This village stands out for its striking views over the seas, the mazes and the caves, and the finest thing to do on a visit is to ride a balloon and see the El Nazar church.
5_ Uçhisar castle
The historic Uçhisar castle in the Turkish city of Cappadocia is its most important and most prominent monument. It is one of the oldest and most beautiful historic tourist sites in the town. The castle stands at a high point looking out over the whole town in a most attractive and beautiful view, with breathtaking natural scenery and works of art carved into the rock.
The castle's historic importance comes from its role as the impregnable fortress defending the town against enemy attacks
There are also a few nearby restaurants serving food, which makes the trip easy and straightforward.
Cappadocia is also famous for its hot-air balloons, its most important tourist activity, and tourists come to Cappadocia specifically to try a balloon ride and enjoy every moment of the experience, from inflating the balloon and lighting the burners to its gentle, gradual rise from the ground to the heights
and the flight through the sky, looking down at the magnificent scenery below or taking the loveliest photographs to remember it by.