Cappadocia Balloon Ride - fly high!


Plan a tour to the central region turkey, Cappadocia and lose yourself in the marvels of the old history long before the rise of civilization. Turkey offers a great passion towards their tourism industry, knowing that they own a land that is full of history and a heavenly landscape. Once you are in turkey, you will know from the welcoming vibes why Cappadocia is such a famous tourist spot.   Cappadocia promises its travelers wealth of amusement, adventure and history. For art lovers, Turkey is full of surprises. There are many ways to enjoy the beauty of Cappadocia, but none is compared to the remarkable experience of balloon ride Cappadocia. A Balloon ride Cappadocia opens up to you the entire beauty of this region in just one hour. This captivating journey takes you across the Rock castles, caves, conic shaped rocks, stone columns, open air museum, fertile land and of course the river line. While gazing at the frescoes of the open air museum in Goreme, you are guided towards the history of the byzantine people and the Romans.   From the many services of air balloon rides, you will find our ride one of the most promising one. There are several packages that you can select from. There are the standard flights, the deluxe and then the exclusive flights for just the couples. Safety and security of each passenger is our utmost priority. So every flight is scheduled according to the weather conditions and quality check of the basket.   On the day of journey, we will provide you pick and drop service from the hotel. After taking you to the launch site, there will be a delicious breakfast basket as you watch the balloon you are going to ride on inflate.   The flight crew will get the basket on its feet and the pilot gives passengers a brief about the journey in the air. From the top of the ground, the view of Cappadocia becomes incomparable. The landscape revealing itself with the sunrise is a one of a kind view. Your flight is much dependent on the compatibility of the weather with you. With the beautiful wind kissing your cheeks, you enjoy a hypnotizing journey with 20 people in complete silence.   As you land back, we celebrate the journey with a nice chilled glass of Champagne. Lastly we give you a certificate for your journey with us.

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Cappadox Festival in Cappadocia: music, contemporary art, gastronomy and hot air balloons


Cappadox Festival in Cappadocia is coming! For the forth year in Cappadocia, a festival of music, contemporary art, gastronomy will be held. Of course, with many outdoor activities, like hiking, biking, yoga classes and with all beauty of hot air balloon festival in the air. Cappadox is the festival in Cappadocia, Turkey, which unites local and international creative teams and participants from all over the world. The theme of the Cappadox 2018 festival is "Silence". This year the festival program is extended to 6 days, this is the answer to the huge interest of the festival participants and the inhabitants of Cappadocia. We thank the main organizer - Pozitif, and the main sponsor - Volkswagen - for the support. The festival in Cappadocia will be held from 14 to 19 June. Festival outdoor activities include hiking trails in the valleys of Göreme National Park, mountain biking around Cappadocia, morning yoga classes during sunrise with hot air balloons over the sky and other cultural activities. The Cappadox Festival 2018 is a great chance to combine several terrific opportunities: - take hot air balloon tour in Cappadocia; - explore the National Park of Göreme, a UNESCO world heritage site, see fairy-chimneys and valleys in Cappadocia; - discover the history of Cappadocia, the unique territory inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list, explore ancient and fascinating underground city Derinkuyu; - enjoy music, contemporary art and variety of Turkish cuisine, maybe participating cooking classes and other cultural activities. Watch this beautiful video filmed during Cappadox festival 2016 to feel the vibes of the festival in Cappadocia: Don’t wait and book your tickets, balloon flight and the hotel before it is too late - every year more tourists come to Cappadocia to the music, art, gastronomy and hot air balloon festival ...

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Cappadocia outdoor activities and adventures


Cappadocia outdoor activities and adventures Cappadocia is famous for its hot air balloon rides, incredible volcanic landscapes and Goreme National park, magical valleys with fairy chimneys, ancient underground city. Nevertheless, if you prefer active outdoor activities, read on and you will discover Cappadocia as the center of active tourism. In case you are looking for a more relaxing holiday now, we offer TOP 10 things to do in Cappadocia.Types of outdoor activities in CappadociaPopular and affordable all-year-round entertainment in Cappadocia, fun inexpensive adventures: horse riding - from one hour to one day tour up to 2-3-day tours as Cappadocia is "The Land of Beautiful Horses"; jeep safari - a trip to the mountains on jeeps; ATV (quad safari, quad biking off-road tours) - an adrenaline way to explore the terrain, popular hire duration from 1 to 4 hours; bike tour or self-guided mountain biking: For a good MTB bike rental or organized bike tour you'll need to pay more, but decent bicycles and motorbikes you can easily rent at many places of Göreme to enjoy exploring Cappadocia on your own. Routes for bike tours can be downloaded from the Cappadocia section on your own. hiking trails - routes include such popular and easily accessible places to see as the Love Valley, the Pink Valley, the Red Valley, the Valley of Pigeons. Self-guided walks could be from 2 hours to whole day with breaks for lunch in small and cosy cities, like Uchisar, Avanos, Urgup. Longer hiking tours could be for 1-3 days. Exploring Cappadocia will reveal you the beauty of the valleys and give you the opportunity to capture amazing pictures. Contact us to get hiking trail map. (Cappadocia hiking maps can be downloaded in the section Cappadocia self-guided tours.)Sports activities in CappadociaIf your soul is singing when you think about outdoor sports, then the territory of Central Anatolia will open for you in all its glory - read more about more extreme adventures in Cappadocia.If your passion is mountain biking:In Cappadocia, the cycling festival - SALCANO ...

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Hot Air Balloon Turkey - Touring Cappadocia from the air


Hot Air Balloon Turkey - Touring Cappadocia from the air If you ever decide to get on a hot air balloon, here is a recommendation for you: Let the location be Turkey. Hot air balloon flights in Cappadocia Turkey are much popular - each day hundreds of balloons are seen in the air, be it winter or summer all year round.   Cappadocia Turkey is one of the most beautiful places on earth, known for its landscape and incredible rock formations. While wishing for a balloon ride, move your journey towards the unforgettable experience of Turkish plains. Cappadocia and other locations worth seeing in Turkey are home to colorful sunsets and sunrises.   No matter what kind of a tourist you are - an explorer or wanderer; Turkish beauty is for everyone.   The feeling of ascension or speed can be compared to non-other. Standing 1200 above the ground, in a small basket filled with strange faces, you glide over the country’s beautiful site below. And regardless of the unknown company, you feel a strange kind of comfort in the energy of the air.   What to expect So now that you have decided to have a

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Hot Air Balloon Ride Turkey


Up in the sky we go - with Hot Air Balloon Turkey   Cappadocia is a city of remarkable scenic beauty. It is a home to many of the world’s historical monuments and creations. Unlike many other countries, Cappadocia offers you sight to both architectural excellence and nature’s wonders in the form of volcanic eruptions that caused beautiful caves to open up, where people now dwell.   Turkey receives hundreds and thousands of tourists each year. And one of its great offerings to the tourists are the air balloon rides that allow them to admire the natural scenes of the world from a great distance.   Turkish hot air balloons are ideal for family trips, as well as friends and couples touring together. According to the requirement of the number of people, there are different baskets and sizes offered. For instance, a standard basket can carry up to 20 people and is ideal for individuals who are travelling alone. The standard basket allows you to enjoy the company of many strangers who often after the hour flight in the air become friends.   Other than the standard baskets are deluxe and private flights. The deluxe packages are appropriate for families that can take up to 8 people along. The private flight of 4 people however is for couples and best suited for proposals and anniversaries.   As the flight begins and as you rise up in the air, the world below becomes a mystery. You see how the volcanic eruptions, years ago resulted into beautiful caves. The residents of Cappadocia developed beautiful houses out of those caves, a scenery that is now regarded as “fairy Chimneys’. Not only that, the churches, the suits and the underground excavations is a must see sight.   In the one or two hour journey, you collect memories of a lifetime. The scenery of absolute magnificence makes you tremble at the beauty of God’s nature. What inspires you most in the hot air balloon is the fact that everything you see is free of any human intervention and is but simply a play of nature. In such a helplessness, and a world that is not in our control, people often let go of their stress and pain.   If you are planning to visit Turkey, hot air balloon ride in Turkey is a must. Book yourself in advance if you want to get a place in on that balloon. As famous as it is, there are high chances you will not find a seat for yourself in a short time span.

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Brief Information About Cappadocia


Brief information about Cappadocia   Cappadocia is a unique area with its nature, history and geography attracting many tourists and travelers from all over the world.   Here are some quick answers of common questions about Cappadocia.   How to arrive Cappadocia from Istanbul? Turkish airlines, Pegasus airlines, Anadolu Jet airlines and Atlas Global airlines have flights to Cappadocia from Istanbul Ataturk and Sabiha Gokcen airport. You could either pick Nevsehir NAV airport or Kayseri ASR airport as arrival airports in Cappadocia. Once you are in either of the airports, we can help you arrange airport shuttle bus transfer from both airports. Please contact us for any inquiries.   How many days is good enough to spend in Cappadocia? Minimum 2 Nights and 3 full days or if you have time at least 3 Nights and 4 full days is needed to wonder around Cappadocia region as it is a large area full of history and nature.   Where to stay in Cappadocia? Definitely Göreme village. Göreme town is right in the middle of everything. You can have easy walks to valleys, historical churches and you could also take local buses to other villages around. Also most of the cave carved hotels are located in Göreme Village. Our suggestion is Cave Hotel Saksagan in Göreme.   What to do in Cappadocia? a.      Hiking in Göreme National Park b.      Staying in a Cave Hotel c.

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CAPPADOX FESTIVAL 2018, CAPPADOCIA TURKEY


CAPPADOX FESTIVAL 2018, CAPPADOCIA TURKEY   A cultural organization of music, gastronomy, contemporary art and outdoor activities Cappadox festival will take part on 14 – 19 June 2018 in Cappadocia with participants from all over the world. The theme of Cappadox festival will be “silence” this year.   In only last 3 years Cappadox festival has turned out to be one of the biggest social activities in Turkey with the help of magical moon like lunar landscape of Cappadocia region. This year the festival will be longer than before and will start on the 14th of June until 19th. Universal music group concerts, hiking trails in the valleys of Göreme National Park, morning yoga classes with sunrise and hot air balloons over the sky, mountain biking around Cappadocia, Turkish cuisine cooking classes and other cultural activities will entertain participants according to their interest. Each activity will have its one entrance ticket and tickets will be sold at www.biletix.com and www.cappadox.com tickets stands in Göreme and other villages organization will take part.   As it has been before the organizations and activities will take part in Göreme and Uchisar villages. Transportations from both villages will be available for participants. Being ready at least 30 minutes before the departure time is suggested for those who like to use the free public buses from one to another organization area. Being too close to each other the villages of Cappadocia such as Urgup, Avanos, Göreme and Uchisar there are public buses and taxies available 7/24.   As always been, Göreme will be the most popular village for Cappadox festival participants to stay at. Our suggestion is “Cave Hotel Saksagan” www.cavehotelsaksagan.net with its cave carved natural modern rooms with magical views towards Red Rose Valley.   People who are traveling to Cappadocia by plane can use our airport transfer shuttle buses from Kayseri and Nevşehir airports to their hotels in Cappadocia. You can easily book your Cappadocia airport transfers from Helios Airport Transfer Company or send us inquiry mail to [email protected]   Cappadox festival will bring ...

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Kayseri Erciyes Ski & Cappadocia Hot air Balloon


KAYSERI ERCIYES SKI & CAPPADOCIA HOT AIR BALLOON   Cappadocia region is a large area in the middle of central Turkey and has many excursions and activities to offer people who are visiting. Erciyes mountain with 3917-meter height is the real existing of caves, fairy-chimneys and valleys in Cappadocia. As well as being a mother symbol and appearing every Cappadocia photo from kilometers far away, Kayseri Erciyes mountain is also open for ski lovers during winter season.   Erciyes mountain is only 90km from center of Cappadocia, Göreme village. More or less in 1-hour drive one can get to the ski entrances on the mountain very easily. It is even easier for those who arrive to Kayseri airport, only 30km from the airport to get to the top of the mountain.     There are 4 entrances for ski resorts; Tekir, Hacilar, Hisarcik and Develi. All the entrances and pistes are connected each other at Mt. Erciyes. There is 76km piste in total. Our favorite is Hacilar Kapi with its 3km piste, cable car and views of Kayseri city from the top. The cost of the cable car is 12 TL for adult and 9 TL for student. Every entrance of ski resorts there are shops to rent ski equipment’s for hole day and it doesn’t cost much at all, only 50TL.   If you are leaving from Cappadocia to Kayseri Erciyes mountain for Skiing, we would suggest heading around 8:00 am in the morning. It will take more or less 1-hr to get there and you will spend some time choosing for the right skiing equipment, purchase your lifter tickets. If you pick Hacilar kapi for skiing the cable car will take 15 minutes to take you to the top of the piste. Skiing down with magical city view of Kayseri, you will have amazing fun time up there.   Cafes and restaurants are available at the ski places everywhere at the mountain. Enjoy BBQ Kayseri sausage, meet ball köfte and many other traditional Turkish style lunch.   Once you are in Cappadocia, do not leave without doing hot air balloon and viewing Mt. Erciyes from the sky. Winter season offers one of the best views of Cappadocia from the air. When Cappadocia wear white dress and hot air balloons start to dance in the air.   Enjoy your time in Cappadocia with Kayseri Erciyes Ski adventure and Cappadocia Turkey hot air balloon ride. For more information about Erciyes Mountain please visit: http://www.kayserierciyes.com.tr/   

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Hot Air Balloon Turkey


Hot Air Balloon Turkey   Hot air balloon in Turkey started first in Cappadocia region after a hot air balloon festival and competition. Competitors who came to region fell in love with the nature and geography of Cappadocia and a couple decided to settle in to start passenger hot air balloon rides in 1991.   Göreme National Park is the most common place to fly hot air balloons in Turkey. The national park took part in UNESCO world heritage sites in 1985. Hot air Balloons are taking off inside the valleys of Göreme and rise up to 6000 feet to view this amazing landscape from the bird eye. Visitors are enjoying a 1hr or one and half hour hot air balloon flights in the very early moments of the day during sunrise. According to the speed of the wind the hot air balloons proceed in the air and land in a suitable area.   Later, still in Cappadocia region of Turkey hot air balloons started to fly over Ihlara Valley. A local balloon company carried their hot air balloons to fly over 13km canyon named Ihlara located in Aksaray city of Turkey. Formed by the river for many years Ihlara Valley is usually called “Mini Grand Canyon” by visitors who has the chance to fly over this magnificent formation.   Hot air Balloon Turkey, continued by Antalya region couple of years ago but it wasn’t easy to fly over Antalya city of Turkey as it is a sea side town in Mediterranean with extreme hot weather conditions. The weather must be cool enough for a hot air balloon to rise in the air easily. That was the main reason why the hot air balloons could not continue flying in Antalya.   Pamukkale region in Denizli is another place where hot air balloons are flying in Turkey right now. First attempt was long time ago by Kapadokya Balloons company but then it wasn’t the right time for hot air ballooning in Pamukkale probably. At the moment there are 5 companies, some regularly running every morning and some are working on their last documents and licenses to get permission from the government. With its natural cotton pools, thermal spring water and history Pamukkale region is waiting visitors from all over the world to fly on hot air balloon Turkey.   Finally, North Cyprus – Turkish Side- was another place in Turkey tried doing hot air balloon rides. However, being an island and having warm summer days’ hot air ballooning didn’t seem like really worked in the area.   Doing hot air ballooning in Cappadocia is still the best option for those who likes to experience this once upon a life time experience. With its valleys, ...

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CAPPADOCIA HOT AIR BALLOON TOURS


CAPPADOCIA HOT AIR BALLOON TOURS   Hot air ballooning in Cappadocia started in 1991 with a competition of professional hot air ballooners from all over the world. A European couple decided to settle in this unique area and hot air balloons started flying over Cappadocia since then with passengers.   At the moment Cappadocia is counted as one of the best places in the world to do hot air ballooning. With its unique landscape and amazing volcanic natural creatures; fairy-chimneys, valleys, pigeon houses and cave carved ancient churches Cappadocia has been welcoming tourist from all over the world. Almost 150 hot air balloons are rising every day over the skies of Cappadocia and 2000 people are enjoying this amazing experience regularly everyday weather permitting.   Hot air Balloons in Cappadocia are only allowed to fly just if the weather is suitable for a safe hot air balloon flight, otherwise its canceled for the day. All the companies have to obey the rule coming from the Turkish Aeronautical Association. If your hot air balloon is canceled do not feel sad, it is canceled because someone is thinking about your safety somewhere.   Best time for a hot air balloon to fly is the earliest moments of a new day before sunrise. The temperature needs to be at its lowest for hot air balloons to rise in the sky. Passengers will be picked from their hotels in Cappadocia one by one and will brought to main office for breakfast first as it’s not really good to fly with empty stomach. A light breakfast will be offered and then with the same van passengers will be driven to take off are which is already decided by the professional pilots of the hot air balloon company. Take off areas may vary each day according to the conditions of the wind to show as much as possible over Göreme National Park, UNESCO world heritage site since 1985.   The hot air balloon crew will finish their job while the passengers watch how a hot air balloon is filled up with air and fire. After the pilot teach his brief information about the hot air balloon flight, the passengers will be taken in to the basket and regarding safety the pilot will start to rise the hot air balloon over the skies of Cappadocia. During the flight, passengers will be informed about the valleys and other small villages around by the pilot and enjoy ...

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WHY CAPPADOCIA IS COUNTED AS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO DO HOT AIR BALLOONING IN THE WORLD?


Cappadocia itself is a magical place welcoming visitors from all over the world for many years. With its unique volcanic rock formations, valleys, ancient churches and caves and fairy-chimneys the area is one of a highlight of Turkey. Right now, Cappadocia is counted as one of the best places to do hot air ballooning in the world and it has quite real reasons for that.           First of all, the climate in Cappadocia is perfect for a hot air balloon ride. Cappadocia is almost 1200-meter-high from sea level and there is big difference between day and night temperature, just like in the deserts. In Cappadocia region even during hot summer days, early mornings before sunrise is not more then 18-20 degrees. This will allow hot air balloons to rise in the air with a small amount of gas. As it is lived 4 seasons of a year in Cappadocia region only in harsh Autumn days the flights are canceled few days. More or less 300 days of a year could be flying in the area. There is a gentle breeze in the morning for hot air balloons to take some road especially inside the valleys of Göreme National Park. As there is no controller for hot air balloons, they need some light wind to push them to move but this needs to be done very gently. Göreme village is a canyon in the middle of Cappadocia and the caves and fairy-chimneys cuts the heavy wind on top and leaves a gentle, soft wind inside the valley for hot air balloons to drift like a boat on the river. Once the hot air balloons take some road and leave out of the National Park of Göreme than the landscape will become a flat area which will allow many places for hot air balloons to take off gently, most often right on the trailer.              Natural, volcanic, historical and unique geography of Cappadocia is one of the main reason that makes this amazing area one of the best places to do hot air ballooning in the world. Cappadocia is a larger area but most hot air balloon flights are done over the National Park of Göreme, a UNESCO world heritage site. This is mainly because most interesting shapes of fairy-chimneys, caves, valleys and pigeon houses are exited inside this naturally shaped volcanic canyon. Once taking the hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia, one will drift around the fairy-chimneys and caves, dive into the valleys of Pigeons and Love and rise above Rose & Red. Sometimes will move so close to apple and walnut trees to pick fruits and sometimes will go 2000 feet up to the sky for a magical bird eye view.

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AFTERNOON HOT AIR BALLOONING IN CAPPADOCIA


Best time for hot air balloon ride is early morning with sunrise for sure. However, during later Autumn and winter season doing afternoon hot air ballooning in Cappadocia is also magical.                The weather must be cool enough for a hot air balloon to fly in the air. In Cappadocia after October by middle of November the weather reduces enough during day time, creates gentle winds and allows hot air balloons to drift over unique formations of Göreme National Park from Rose Valley to Love Valley and over the historical town.                Cappadocia is kind of like a playground during sunny autumn afternoons.  While you enjoy your hot air balloon ride in the air, you will be able to watch people riding horses, riding ATVs, doing trekking, cycling, etc. as well as viewing unique volcanic formations from the air.                The afternoon hot air balloon flight program is no different from morning. We send our private mini Vans to pick up customers from their hotels usually at around 14:30 o’clock and take them to our office for afternoon tea, coffee and some snacks. Then we drive our customers to take off area where we fill up the hot air balloons and ready it to fly like a bird in the air. Before the hot air balloon flight our pilots check the weather and wind conditions in order to show as much as possible of this amazing natural rock formations of Cappadocia. A hot air balloon can only take road by the help of wind. So it is very important for a pilot to read the wind and direct the hot air balloon to right destination.                Spending 1hr for Standard Flight in the air, then our experienced hot air balloon pilots will pick a suitable area for a soft landing, usually right on the trailer. After landing as s tradition for hot air ballooners, we will celebrate the flight with champagne and hand out flight certificates to our customers. Once all is done, will drop our customers back to their hotels in ...

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Cappadocia "The Land of Beautiful Horses"


Horses In Cappadocia : the land of beautiful horses   Are you from Cappadocia and you don’t have a horse, seriously? It sounds like you are from Holland and you don’t have a bike! Or are you from the desert and you don’t have a camel! Or you are from New York city and you don’t have a subway card! It sounds bizarre right! The same applies for visitors; are you visiting Malaysia and you are not going to try Durian, the king of fruits? Or are you visiting the desert in Morocco and you are not going to try the camel tour? Are you visiting Cappadocia and you are not going to try horse riding: not possible without it!   There are bunch of quite interesting activities that you can experience in Cappadocia; hot air balloon tours that offers breathtaking view of the majestic mountains of the region, hiking through the flowered hills and lowlands surrounded by the huge mountains, exciting Quad biking (ATV) tours and last but not least Horse riding tours in the middle of Cappadocian landscape.   Cappadocia signifies the land of beautiful horses in Persian era, the horses here have always played an important role in the daily life of people in Anatolia such as; transportation and commuting, helping in agriculture and farming, taking part in wars. They truly accompanied man in wars and played a great role in the victory. Nowadays, the horses in Cappadocia became a collective passion that all the man of the region share and brag about, truly a matter of pride and honor.  It is a beautiful legacy that has survived for centuries which has been handed over from father to son through generations.    If you are looking for an amazing Horse ride experience, here are some tips to get closer to your horse and enjoy it more:  

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Where is Cappadocia?


Where is Cappadocia? Cappadocia is a unique area famous with its; volcanic rock formations, underground cities, cave carved churches, pigeon houses, naturally shaped valleys, cave hotels and hot air balloon rides in the world. For many years Cappadocia has been one of the most interesting and exiting touristic sights for those who traveled in Turkey with its natural beauty, history, culture and absurd formations. When searched “Cappadocia” or “Kapadokya (in Turkish)” on Google Maps or any other online map, there will not show up anywhere in lined! This is because there is nowhere called as Cappadocia officially. In the law of Republic of Turkey there is no official city, province or area called Cappadocia, it is all about history! So, where does Cappadocia name come from? The name Cappadocia dates back to Bronze age. After Hittite era, the area was controlled by the Persians during 6th BC and named as Katpatuka which meant “The Land of Beautiful Horses” until a serious attach by Alexander the Great. However, the local Cappadocian resisted against and kept the area for long time until Romans concurred the area around 350 BC which later will be Byzantine until the end of 2nd century when Seljuk Turks came and met this geological and positional important area.    Today, the region Cappadocia is located very centrally in the middle of central Anatolia. It exists of five main cities of TURKEY: Nevşehir, Aksaray, Kayseri, Nigde and Kirsehir. However, Göreme Village – The National Park of Göreme -  is usually considered as the heart of Cappadocia. Göreme National Park has been one of UNESCO world heritage sites in 1985, since then when said Cappadocia, Göreme came after just as saying: “fish and chips!” In conclusion, if Turkey is a bridge from Asia to Europe, Cappadocia is located in the middle of the bridge.   Here are the distances of Cappadocia (in km base) from major cities and towns of Turkey; Istanbul to Cappadocia: 750 km (8-hour drive) Ankara to Cappadocia: 300 km ...

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Turkish Cuisine in Cappadocia


           Trying Turkish cuisine is one of the best parts about visiting the country. Every region has its local specialties, and Cappadocia is no exception. Turkish cooking uses high-quality ingredients that are natural and healthy: the aromatic spices, the fresh vegetables and fruit, and the tender meat all make up the simple yet exotic meals.               Cappadocia, like the rest of Turkey, is famous for its pottery kebabs. This delicious marinated meat, usually lamb or chicken, is served either stewed or grilled over wood ovens. They come in different varieties and are marinated with spices and then grilled on an open charcoal fire on skewers. Fish is also grilled in the same way.               Doner kebab is not only one of the most popular dishes here; it has spread throughout the world. This big roll of meat is turned on a vertical skewer in front of a grill. It is served either in a sandwich or with rice. Other popular dishes that are typical of this region are sac kavurma, made of lamb and stewed with onions, green peppers and tomatoes, and alanazik, made of ground meat and eggplant.               There are a number of dishes based on eggplant, one of the most used vegetables in Turkish cuisine. Karnıyarık is eggplant stuffed with tomatoes, onion, garlic, and minced meat. This dish can also be prepared without meat and served cold, and is called imam bayildi. If you’re hungry for more eggplant, try the hünkar beğendi (Sultan’s Delight), patlıcan salatası (roasted eggplant salad), and patlıcan dolması (eggplant stuffed with rice).  

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TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN CAPPADOCIA


TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN CAPPADOCIA   Stay at one of the cave carved hotels in Göreme Village. Cappadocia region located very centrally in Anatolia is a large area, mixture of five main cities of Turkey; Nevsehir, Kayseri, Aksaray, Nigde and Kirsehir. It is always Göreme village that is counted as the heart of Cappadocia, the village has also given the name to the National Park which has been one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1985. Göreme is famous with its valleys, rock cut churches, fairy-chimneys and cave carved hotels. If you are visiting the area, we highly suggest staying at one of the cave hotels in Göreme which keeps the temperature around 18 degrees during hot summer season and still the same during cold winter days. Once you pick staying in Göreme village, if you are traveling by plane; you will easily get transferred from/to the airports of Cappadocia (Nevsehir NAV and Kayseri ASR airports) by Helios Shuttle bus transfer company for a reasonable price. www.heliostransfer.com On the other hand, if you are traveling by bus, you will be dropped and picked from/to Göreme otogar by bus companies no matter from/to whichever city you travel in Turkey. Staying in Göreme will allow you get to most interested and common beautiful sites on your own. You would hike though Red and Rose valley, enjoy a nice walk to Pigeon valley and only in 15 minutes of hike you would get to Göreme open air museum on foot. Chose staying in Göreme village and your will not regret it. If you have no idea which hotel to stay in Göreme we would suggest staying at Cave Hotel Saksagan for a budget cave experience www.cavehotelsaksagan.net, Village Cave House for a historical ambiance www.villagecavehouse.com, or Sultan Cave Suites for a luxury experience counted as 8th best roof top hotels in the world. www.sultancavesuites.com   2-     Hot air Ballooning in Cappadocia   With its moonlike equelips landscape, volcanic caves and fairy-chimneys, rock cut churches, valleys and pigeon ...

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SOME RULES FOR HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHTS IN CAPPADOCIA


There are some certain rules that companies and Hot air Balloon pilots need to obey during flying over the National Park of Goreme ( UNESCO World Heritage Site ) brought by TAA  “Turkish Aeronautical Association” of Turkey.   1-     The weather conditions must be suitable for hot air balloon ride. As Cappadocia region is located very centrally in Anatolia, it has quite changeable weather conditions. The area is almost 1200 metre high above sea level and there is a considerable difference between night and daytime temperature. 4 Seasons; Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter is lived in the area throughout the year. Therefore, if the weather is heavy rainy, heavy windy or heavy snowy the hot air balloon rides will be cancelled in Cappadocia for sure!   2-     The conditions of a Hot air Balloon must be suitable for TAA conditions. A hot air balloon can only be used for limited flying hours. By time; the balloon may damage, rip and get older. If it lacks flying standards then it will not allow to use any more if it is ploughed.   3-     There can not fly more then 100 Hot air Balloons at the same time in the sky of Cappadocia and they can not stay more then 1hr in the air. Cappadocia is counted as one of the best places to do hot air balloon ride in the world, almost 2000 people fly every day. This brough hot air balloon traffic in the air and TAA solved the problem with maximizing the numbers of hot air balloons in the air. Right now 1st sorties are allowed to take off 100 hot air balloons and 2nd sorties 50 balloons. Another rule regarding second sorties is that they have to take off at least half an hour later than the first flights and needed to take off at least 500 meters apart. As a result, first flights can not take more than 1 hour in the air to allow enough landing areas for the second sortie balloons.  

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Hot air Balloon Cappadocia


We welcome our Hot air Balloon Cappadocia visitors in style and look after the entire process from your very hotel door to ensure an effortless and magical journey.   Prior to your pre-booked hot air balloon flight, we will be in contact regarding your chosen accommodation. On the early morning of your flight you will be greeted with a friendly face and mini van at your hotel door. Guests are chauffeured to the hot air balloon headquarters, where you will be invited to indulge in a delicious buffet breakfast, register for your flight and receive a simple safety demonstration. After breakfast, your driver will then transport you just a short ten-minute drive to the balloon launch site in time to see the balloons inflate.   Have your camera ready for the spectacular scene of multiple balloons filling and illuminating the valley. The bright and mesmerising flame awakening the balloons against the low light of dawn is just the beginning of the beauty that follows.   The standard balloon basket holds up to 20 guests, flight crewmembers are on hand at all times to answer questions and to assist visitors into the basket once the balloon is fully prepped for its voyage. And then at last the balloon takes flight and the dream begins!   As you float off into the whimsical landscapes of Cappadocia, immersed in a sea of stunningly vibrant hot air balloons you will rise up to 1000 metres and feel nothing but surreal. Our flights feel very smooth and winds are light, balloon captains in Cappadocia are among the most experienced ballooning practitioners in the world.

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Cappadocia, Turkey


Cappadocia – Step into your dream world! Nestled among the honeycombed mountains in Central Anatolia, Turkey, Cappadocia has a very deep history in its making. The minute you step into this land, you feel like you have stepped into a fairy tale. Some might call it an oddity, but interestingly the ‘fairy chimneys’ and the bronze age homes is anything but odd. It creates a fanciful outset to this amazing topography. There are quite a few things that cater to both the adventurous and high spirited travelers and those who are looking to just take a relaxing week off. What to do in Cappadocia Cappadocia translates to “the land of beautiful horses.”  The landscape itself has many things to see and adventures to take. Let us take a look at some of them that you ought not to miss when in Cappadocia. Ø  The cities underground: There are nearly 36 cities built under the natural rocky outcrop in Cappadocia. Each of these cities was believed to have had nearly 10000 people living in it, initially by the cave dwellers. Later on the same were used by the Christians who managed to escape the soldiers of Roman Empire. The architecture and engineering will simply amaze you. There are bedrooms, winery, vents, store rooms and even churches in these cities. Ø  The Open air museum: This museum is the home to some of the best churches cut out of rocks. There are murals adorning these churches inside which date back to 900AD – 1200 AD. And they are so fresh that it is hard to believe them to be so ancient. Ø 

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Cappadocia Underground City


During your stay in Cappadocia, be sure to spare some time to visit at least one of the underground cities. There are 36 of them, but the two most visited ones are both located south of Nevşehir at Kaymaklı and Derinkuyu. They can be reached easily from Göreme, Ürgüp, Avanos, or Uçhisar.             These subterranean cities were carved from the soft volcanic stone and extend deep into the earth. The deepest one has 18 to 20 levels and a depth of 70 to 85 meters. It had the capacity to hold 10000 people. About 500 kg of stone was processed above ground and then taken underground. The underground of Cappadocia was made from volcanic ash from Mt. Erciyes and Mt. Hasan. The cities were excavated as early as Hittite times and were expanded over the centuries.             In the early stages of the Christian era, these underground cities were an ideal hiding place for Christians escaping persecution, and for devout believers who wanted to distance themselves from the real world. Later, they were also a useful hiding place when Islamic Arabians invaded Christian homes. They were fully functional for everyday living and equipped with schools, churches, residences with bedrooms and kitchens, barns, wells, and wine cellars. Good wine-producing techniques already existed in those days. The stone doors offered good protection against the enemies, as they could be shut only from the inside. The inhabitants lived there from weeks to months until it was safe to return to their homes above ground.             As you’re walking through the many tunnels and chambers of these fascinating underground cities of Cappadocia, try to imagine what life was like in the old days.                

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CAPPADOCIA REGION AND HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHTS


            Each year, visitors from all over the world come to Cappadocia. This very special part of Turkey has something for everyone. But the one thing that’s at the top of everyone’s list is flying over the beautiful valley of Göreme in a hot air balloon[1] , and we are proud to offer the best hot air balloon rides[2]  in the region.                         What better way to experience this unique UNESCO world heritage site than from the air. Your hot air balloon[3]  journey begins before you go up and, believe us, waking up before dawn is worth it. Watching your pilot fill the balloon with fire in the dark, just before dawn, is quite a moment to behold. And then it’s time for take off!                         When weather conditions allow, it’s possible to fly most days of the year and at a maximum altitude of 800 meters. The months between April and October are the most popular times to fly, but if you come in winter, when it snows, the fairy chimneys all covered in snow is also a spectacular sight to see. The wicker baskets can carry from 2 to 24 passengers. Up there, as you’re floating slowly and gently across the sky, looking down at the thousands of rocks of different shapes and colours glowing in the light of the morning sun, and enjoying the magnificent 360-degree panoramic view of the valley, you will forget about the stresses of your life back home.            

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Top Photography Spots in Cappadocia


      From stunning volcanic rock valleys to the iconic dawn horizon filled with hot air balloons, Turkey's Cappadocia is quickly becoming a go-to destination of choice for photography addicts. Whether your preferences tend towards sunny wide-angles, evening bokeh or astrophotography, Cappadocia is bound to keep you reaching for your camera time and time again. Read below for a round-up of some of the top photography spots in Cappadocia. 1. Onwards and Upwards: Hot Air Balloons Over the course of two and a half decades, Cappadocia's reputation as one of the most popular hot air ballooning sites in the world has gone from strength to strength. Every day just before dawn, atmospheric conditions permitting, Cappadocia's valley floors and plateaus light up with intermittent flames shooting air into inflating balloons, sometimes as many as a hundred. By the time the sun peaks over the rock formations, the skies of the historical region provide the majestic, dreamlike site of colourful balloons drifting between rocky summits and flat plains. The best way to capture your own must-have balloon shot is, of course, by taking a balloon ride. From stunning balloon-dotted vistas to bird's-eye views of fellow balloon companies, the photographic opportunities are incredible. However, if your time and tolerance for early mornings permits, then it is well worth chasing down the balloons a second time to take shots from the ground. Anyone of the surroundings viewpoints will do. A good place to start is by taking the road Bilal Eroğlu Cd. out of Göreme in the direction of Avanos at about 4:30 am, and then following the balloon trucks and company minivans to the launch sites. Tour guides and balloon crew members will happily let you join in taking pictures of the inflating balloons, and then you can follow the footpaths to higher ground for excellent 360-degree views of the balloons taking off. This also works for those of you who are budget travellers who may not wish to purchase a balloon flight, especially if it is something you have already done elsewhere. 2. Wider Angles: Göreme National Park Remember your wide-angle lenses for making the most of the stunning landscape of the Göreme National Park. After millions of years of volcanic activity, the park is home to wide valleys, slopes of rock striated with different colours and the unique, tower-like rock structures of the magical fairy chimneys. The Central Anatolian region is ...

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Exploring Göreme National Park by Foot


Undeniably the most popular way to experience the unique rock formations and breathtaking fairy chimneys of Cappadocia is by hot air balloon, floating dreamily in the sky with friends and family as the sun climbs higher and bathes the valleys in warm colours. However, so much of the complex history of Cappadocia through the ages makes itself known through the details; rock-hewn churches, pigeon valleys, cave frescoes, stunning panoramas, the asymmetry of light and shadow in the semi-arid wilderness. For these reasons and hundreds of other, the discerning tourist will definitely make time to explore Cappadocia by foot as well as by air.Göreme National Park and the rock sites of Cappadocia are located in the boundaries of Cappadocia in Turkey's Central Anatolian region. Cappadocia is a historical concept used in Christian antiquity that today implies the stretch of natural wonders that can be found largely in the Nevşehir, Kayseri, Kirşehir, Aksaray and Nigde provinces in Turkey. Cappadocia is approximately 750 kilometres from Istanbul and occupies higher ground forming a plateau with an elevation of over 1000 metres above sea level. The area boasts a thriving tourism industry and is easily accessible by air and bus links running daily. The Göreme National Park is located on the peripheries of Göreme town, a vibrant hub of artisanal shops, traditional ateliers, cobblers and clothes specialists, excellent restaurants and a top quality hotel offering. There are a number of hiking and vehicle rental agencies located in the town that can provide practical advice on the best routes to take, the sites to look out for and further information on the geology of the landscape. A short walk through the centre of town taking the main streets of Bilal Eroğlu Cd. and Adnan Menderes Cd. will bring you into contact with several reputable agencies in quick succession. The tourism industry in Göreme is very welcoming, bringing warmth and expertise to every transaction; and bilingual services in English and Turkish are the standard. Visitors need not book ahead or undertake too much research before arrival if they do not wish to, as it is so easy to find what you need in situ. Göreme National Park and the rock sites of Cappadocia are celebrated for both geological and for cultural reasons, the combined international importance of which was formalised when Cappadocia was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1985. The striations and pinnacles of the rock valleys were formed entirely by volcanic eruptions that first eroded the land 30 million years ago, with these now-extinct volcanoes- including Erciyes, Hasan and Melendiz Dağlari- lying to the north and south of the modern communities, dominating the skyline. It is thought, from depictions in Roman art, that Mount Erciyes may have last erupted as late as 234 BC. The eye-catching 'fairy chimneys'- freestanding towers of rock that can reach up to forty metres of height and that draw thousands of tourists every year- were also formed by way of lava erosion and volcanic activity, created from deposits of ...

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How to Get Cappadocia by Plane


The weekend is coming or you have some days off, and you would like to escape the noisiness and the promiscuity of city, however you still don’t know which destination to pick and how to make it happen?  we recommend you then to visit Cappadocia region, the land of beautiful horses, to discover the uniqueness of this divine piece of art, enjoy hot air balloon and magnificent horses tours.   Often we all get muddled by the different options available on internet for the practicalities: best airplane companies, airports options, transfers, etc . Don’t worry !  we have collected all the necessary info for you so you can jump into plane and visit stress free.    A little twinkle to alone travelers especially to woman, Cappadocia region is very SAFE, you can encounter during your trip many people sharing your passion of traveling .   Where  :    Goreme is the main city in Cappadocia, an open air museum literately . If you are coming from Istanbul, Izmir or Antalya, there are daily direct flights to Kayseri.   How to get to Cappadocia by airplane  

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Top Facts about Hot Air Balloons in Cappadocia - 4


Hot air ballooning in Cappadocia started with an International hot air balloon competition organised in the area during early 1990s. Since then Cappadocia is know as one of the most amazing and suitable place to do hot air balloon ride in the world. At the moment Cappadocia is home to twenty six hot air balloon companies with a combined balloon fleet of well over 200. More than 25,000 balloon flights will take to the skies of Cappadocia over the course of an average year and approximately 500,000 passengers will have the experience of a lifetime. Cappadocia is home to the largest balloon company in the world with a fleet that is 22 balloons strong. Cappadocia ballooning industry has been going strong for a quarter of a century.

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Top Facts about Hot Air Balloons in Cappadocia - 3


     Cappadocia as an International Ballooning Site The historical region of Cappadocia has enjoyed an important international reputation for years, with the National Park of Göreme and its surroundings having been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list as early as 1985 due to its geological and cultural significance. However, Cappadocia is now recognised as one of the most popular sites for hot air ballooning in the world, too. Stunning pictures of Cappadocia balloon flights are now one of the most popular travel themes on social networking sites like Instagram and the region is host to some of the most important ballooning events in the world. There is no such thing as exaggeration when it comes to describing ballooning in Cappadocia, only the beautiful fact of going where the wind takes you.

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Top Facts about Hot Air Balloons in Cappadocia - 2


      Safety First: Ballooning standards are very rigorous…  The ballooning companies in Cappadocia take safety very seriously. From pilot licensing to fleet maintenance to aeronautical expertise, the ballooning industry in Cappadocia is now more sufficiently regulated than ever. Ballooning does involve an element of risk, just like all forms of air transportation. There are a number of points to consider when deciding upon your balloon flight and what company to choose. Firstly, that the industry as a whole is working to reduce the dangers. For example, the decision as to when climatic conditions are optimal for safe flight is now decided by a central agency rather than by individual companies. Secondly, that all of those involved in Cappadocia’s ballooning industry- from booking agents to flight captains- are exceptionally experienced. Thirdly, hot air ballooning remains one of the safest forms of flying known to man, wıth the majority of in-flight problems still allowing for captains to make safe landings. ...

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Top Facts about Hot Air Balloons in Cappadocia - 1


The best time to fly hot air balloons in Cappadocia is just before down! The Central Anatolian region of Cappadocia not only boasts its stunning formations of volcanic rock and distinctive fairy chimneys, it also has a unique continental climate that lends itself to the aeronautical art of hot air ballooning. With its inland location and moderate altitude, this provides a number of key climatic factors that contribute to ballooning success: gentle, stable winds; long, hot summers; and minimal rainfall. Cappadocia also tends towards hot days followed by much cooler nights, especially during the prime ballooning season between April and October. All of this contributes to the fact that dawn is the absolute perfect time to sail into the skies of Cappadocia. Just before dawn is the coolest moment of the day and this helps the hot air balloons to ascend into the air, as the hot air of the balloon needs to be surrounded by cooler air in order to power flight. Dawn in the valleys of Cappadocia, with its indescribable rays of warm light painting the land, is definitely something worth seeing!

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CAPPADOCIA AND HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGTS


            There is no other place on earth quite like Cappadocia. When people talk about architecture, they usually talk about buildings and other structures that are man-made, but Cappadocia’s incredible architecture was made entirely by nature. The magical fairy chimneys were the result of volcanic eruptions that began millions of years ago. Humans started living in them centuries ago and many of them are still inhabited today. They are also enjoyed by visitors from all over the world who come to stay in the cave hotels.               At the top of many of the visitors’ list of things to see and do in Cappadocia is flying in a hot air balloon because this is one of the most unique places in the world to do it. It is something that anyone of any age will enjoy and is a special experience whether you do it alone or with family and friends. The baskets come in different sizes, depending on the number of people. Couples who are here on a romantic holiday or on their honeymoon can fly privately. Private flights are also ideal for proposals and anniversaries. Some large families choose the deluxe package, which offers baskets that accommodate up to 8 people. A standard basket can carry up to 20 people. It’s a great way to meet people, who often take off as strangers and land as friends.  

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