I had heard of Cappadocia, but hadn’t really paid too much attention to it until Ian decided he wanted to enter the Cappadocia Ultra race whilst we were going to be based in Turkey. Having no real plan of where we would travel to in Turkey, we actually decided to map our time around Ians races to give us some kind of framework and that meant being in Cappadocia in October!
For me that meant cooler weather as I have been really struggling at the coast (hello it seems, perimenopause!) in the 35 degree and above temperatures. Then I actually started looking into the place and wow, Cappadocia is actually a pretty fab place! So let’s start with a summary of what/where Cappadocia is:
Nestled in the heart of Anatolia, Cappadocia is a region that marries history, nature, and wonder. Its story traces back to ancient times when volcanic eruptions sculpted the surreal landscapes we see today. Over millennia, wind and rain chiseled fairy chimneys—tall, whimsical rock formations that seem plucked from a storybook. These fairy chimneys, along with a network of underground cities carved into the soft volcanic rock, bear witness to the resilience of early inhabitants who sought shelter here. Cappadocia’s rich history, intertwined with the rise and fall of empires, has left an indelible mark on its unique terrain.
Today, Cappadocia’s captivating terrain beckons travelers from all corners of the globe. Its ethereal beauty is a playground for adventurers and dreamers alike. Visitors float above the fairy chimneys in hot air balloons at dawn, witnessing the sunrise cast a warm glow on the otherworldly landscapes. Below the surface, hidden mysteries await exploration in the form of underground cities that once served as sanctuaries. The Goreme Open-Air Museum, with its ancient rock-cut churches adorned with vibrant frescoes, offers a glimpse into Cappadocia’s historical riches.
Cappadocia’s allure lies in its ability to transport you to a world where dreams become reality. It’s a destination that defies imagination, where the past mingles seamlessly with the present, and where nature’s artistry is on full display. This enigmatic region continues to attract visitors seeking to unravel its timeless secrets and bask in the surreal beauty that sets Cappadocia apart as one of Turkey’s most cherished treasures.
I’ll probably do a few posts on our time here as one post really won’t do it justice and today I want to share with you the magic of the hot air balloons that take over the sky at sunrise here! And when I say take over that’s exactly what I mean! Every day we have been here we have seen over 100 hot air balloons in the sky at sunrise, each basket filled with 20-23 people!
And the added bonus has been that we have been able to watch this amazing site right outside the door of Suzy! Although after 2 days of watching them outside Suzy, we have turned into crazy hot air balloon chasers going to different parts of the area to watch the balloons!
They all mainly take off from around the town of Goreme, and the surrounding areas. We have not done the ride itself, not because we don’t want to but beacuse it is actually really expensive and just a little too much for us to pay out for. On average it is 300 Euros per person (yes even 6 year old Raif) for a 1 hour flight and that is just not in our budget right now.
We know that Turkey will be a place we will visit often now we have our renovation property in Bulgaria just 35 mins across the Turkey/Bulgaria border, so we have released the precious and the FOMO on this as I KNOW we will definitely come back here more than once. So with the complete acceptance of the whole family that we won’t be going up in the air this time, we have made it great fun enjoying watching them from the ground!
So I’m sure I will add to these videos as these are just 2 of them and we still have a few days to go, but here are 2 of the video’s we have made so far enjoying the hot air balloons in Cappadocia!
It really has been magical seeing the spectacle that is the hot air balloons here in Cappadocia and I genuinely believe that even if your budget won’t allow you to go up in the air, just watching them is magical enough!
