Cappadocia Region of Turkey

I like to think of Cappadocia as my second home. Even though I get a buzz from going to new places, I adore the familiarity of the region and I’m not the only one because there are many good reasons to visit. Sitting in the central Anatolian region of Turkey, Cappadocia is the country’s third most visited destination. Attracting an international audience of fans, travel … [Read more...] about 5 Good Reasons to Visit Cappadocia

When I started travel blogging, I was quite naive because I thought it was purely about writing. However, it involves a lot more than that, and good photography is part of it. Indeed even the whole world of travel writing has progressed in that if you pitch any publication, famous or not, they generally ask for high-resolution photographs as well. Therefore, over the years, as … [Read more...] about The Best Photography Spots in Cappadocia

Looking at the large map displayed on a billboard at the bus station, I noticed a small village called Ibrahimpasa. Figuring it might be similar to the old Greek village of nearby Mustafapasa, I decided to visit. Groaning inwardly when the bus driver said I would need to change buses twice to get there, I decided instead to bargain with the taxi drivers that had a rank in … [Read more...] about Is Ibrahimpasa the Sleepiest Village in Turkey?

The open air museum of Zelve tells much the same story as other places in Cappadocia. Previously a monastery retreat from the 9th to the 13th centuries, in later years, Turks and Greeks lived side by side in the caves, carved out of the soft volcanic rock. It was a fully functioning community until the end of the Turkish War of Independence in 1923 that resulted in the … [Read more...] about Following the Ghost Rider in Zelve Valley

On my first visit to Goreme in Cappadocia, Turkey, in November 2009, I was all over the town like a hot rash. The summer was over, but backpackers arriving from Istanbul on the overnight bus overnumbered us. Travellers from all over the world headed there with eager anticipation to see for themselves the fairy chimneys, lunar-like landscape, cave hotels, ancient churches, and a … [Read more...] about Goreme in Cappadocia: Tourism Hub of Anatolian Turkey

Uchisar in Cappadocia is renowned mainly for two things; luxury hotels and the ugly Uchisar castle, the highest point in the region. On my first visit, I could not afford to stay in any of their hotels but heard Uchisar castle can be seen from miles away, gives off a wowing panoramic view of fairy chimneys and valleys in Cappadocia. I set off from Goreme with my camera, … [Read more...] about Uchisar in Cappadocia: The Supreme Peak and Ugly Castle

As I looked at the tour itinerary that I had signed up for, I saw the name “Sobesos Excavation Site” and was instantly intrigued. Having visited many off the beaten track places in Cappadocia, the fact that I’d never heard of this place meant one of three things. A: It was recently discovered B: It is nothing to boast about C: I was not as well-travelled as I assumed To my … [Read more...] about Sobesos : Small but Impressive and Full of Potential

Mazi underground city is just one of hundreds in the Cappadocia region of Turkey. Exploring an underground city sounds exciting, but the truth is that when you have seen one, you have seen them all. Citizens retreated to them, during times of invasion and they acted as fully functioning cities with chapels, schools and rooms for the livestock. The first underground city I … [Read more...] about How Did the Residents of Mazi Underground City Stay Sane?

I had returned to Pasabag Monks Valley, just outside the touristic town of Goreme in the central Anatolian region of Cappadocia. Standing there alone, I looked up at the tall domineering rocks in front of me. Some were rugged while others were smooth, a sign of wind erosion over hundreds of years. Many websites described them as mushroom shaped whereas all I could see was a … [Read more...] about Pasabag Monks Valley with 3 Names

Devrent Valley is a small place on the outskirts of Goreme, the transport and tourism hub of Cappadocia. Unlike other valleys in the region, it doesn’t boast of the normal cave churches and I had no plans to visit there since public transport doesn’t go that way, but my private tour guide suggested we stop by while driving through. “I hope your imagination is alive today” he … [Read more...] about Devrent Valley Where Your Imagination Runs Wild

I have previously written about Avanos. It is a small town in the Cappadocia region of Turkey and on my first visit, I was not impressed. I wrote… “Avanos reminded me of the Wild West films showing deserted streets while playing an eerie whistling tune. I looked up and down the street, completed a full 360 degree turn and the only sign of breathing movement was a stray dog … [Read more...] about Avanos : Cappadocia’s Pottery Hub & a Hair Museum

I was not expecting much from Soganli Valley in the Cappadocia region of Turkey. In guidebooks, the likes of Ihlara or Pigeon Valley overshadow its presence. Yet, I was pleasantly surprised. Sitting off the beaten path, the pigeon houses carved into the rock fairy chimneys, and ancient cave churches promoted a surreal appearance but I was mostly in awe at the old abandoned … [Read more...] about Soganli Valley : An Abandoned Village with Old Churches

When I first started this blog, I had no intention of putting Ortahisar in Cappadocia on my bucket list. Despite visiting the Cappadocia region twice, the small town had never appealed to me. Guidebooks did not portray it as a happening place to be and it was rarely featured in blogs or magazine articles. I assumed my readers would not be interested in a place like that and … [Read more...] about I was Wrong About Ortahisar

Sometimes the most unexpected and delightful events occur if we are willing to step outside of our comfort zone. A perfect example is what happened to me on my last visit to Cappadocia, when I discovered what was to be my favourite boutique hotel in Cappadocia. On every visit to the region, I always book hotels in Goreme, Urgup or Uchisar. However Suat, an online acquaintance … [Read more...] about A Boutique Hotel in Cappadocia called the Castle Inn

Despite my vast knowledge about Turkey, I had never heard of Keslik Monastery until I signed up for a Blue Tour of Cappadocia. The Blue Tour didn’t exist on my last visit to the region but its aim is to satisfy repeat visitors, like myself who have already been to all the popular tourist attractions. Keslik Monastery is “off the beaten track” and my collection of guide books at … [Read more...] about Keslik Monastery and the Spiritual Presence

You could be under the assumption that in this post,   I am going to tell of the day I took advantage of the numerous Cappadocia Hot air balloons trips over the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. Before I left for Cappadocia, I read many blog posts of the experience and saw photos from other blogs of the fantastic views available. I was all geared up to take the trip of a … [Read more...] about Hot Air Balloons Of Cappadocia

I love looking at pictures of Cappadocia. The region always surprises me with stunning landscapes views, quirky trends, and the Turkish culture behind the touristic face. Sitting in Turkey's Anatolian region and part of the Nevsehir province, Cappadocia is the country's second most popular tourist destination. Many round the world backpackers put Cappadocia on their list of … [Read more...] about Intriguing Pictures of Cappadocia and 14 reasons to Visit

I received an email from a reader who asked where to stay in Cappadocia. D wrote… "I was wondering, which town in Cappadocia should I make my base? Goreme, Urgup, Uchisar, or…? Which would be the quaintest (for lack of a better word) town to stay in, although I would love to see all three towns mentioned and more if possible. I am also interested to see and experience the … [Read more...] about Where to Stay in Cappadocia: The Best Areas for an Authentic Experience

I had a difficult choice. To choose my overnight accommodation in Goreme or Urgup in Cappadocia. I finally settled on the latter but still had to go to Urgup for the day to see if I had made the right decision. Both have unique vibes, but within half an hour, I spotted Urgup's special character and why the town attracts a different type of traveller. Goreme is more for … [Read more...] about Visiting Urgup In Cappadocia for the Day

The ancient Derinkuyu underground city proves what man can achieve when a threat is made to his life. Sitting in the Cappadocia region of Turkey, this complex network of tunnels forms a city 100 meters under the ground. Hundreds of years ago, when invaders attacked the area, citizens fled to the underground city and stayed until they could re-enter the land of the living. These … [Read more...] about A Visit to Derinkuyu Underground City in Cappadocia

I sometimes wonder if I should be barred from traveling due to my lack of navigation skills. My inability to read maps does not help either and getting lost is not unusual for me. Sometimes it works to my advantage and I discover little gems not listed in any guidebooks. On other occasions, I start to panic, and wonder if this will be the day that I disappear from the face of … [Read more...] about Pigeon Valley in Cappadocia – Losing My Way Again!

Ihlara valley in Cappadocia is a place that you will either love or hate. It is a 14Km hike through a gorge that was formed thousands of years ago when there was an earthquake and volcano eruptions one after the other. If you don’t want to complete a full 14km trek, there are four entrances and exits situated at various points. Just completing 4km of the Ihlara Valley trek will … [Read more...] about Walking The Ihlara Valley

Near to Goreme in Cappadocia, there is an area called Panoramic View.   If you are in this area, then definitely make the effort to go. It gives you views over the whole of Goreme and if travel photography is your thing, you can guarantee that you will end up with some award winning pictures. There are many seats like the one in the picture, where you can sit and let the world … [Read more...] about A Panoramic View of Goreme

In my opinion, the Panoramic Viewpoint of Esentepe, Goreme is a tacky, touristic spider web. Tourism agencies regularly visit it while taking customers on excursions around Cappadocia. It is marketed as a toilet stop; place for refreshments and of course a wonderful landscape view. Located between the small towns of Uchisar and Goreme, what the guides forget to mention is … [Read more...] about Return to Esentepe Panoramic Viewpoint

My long-suffering husband says I am every hotelier’s worst nightmare. I am not a habitual complainer but am critical of everything from the décor to the cleaning to the staff attitude. As soon as I enter a hotel, I start thinking,“What would I do if this were my business?” I am not sure why I do it. Maybe it is because I have worked in a Turkish hotel before and seen what goes … [Read more...] about A Cave Hotel in Cappadocia