Cappadocia is a fairytale region in central Turkey that dates back to the sixth century BC. It is so unique that people liken the topography of the region to that of another planet.
Many people have never heard of Cappadocia and even I had almost forgotten this magical place existed. My husband and I almost added on a few days in Cappadocia to our honeymoon itinerary, but regrettably missed out.
The extraordinary landscape was formed through volcanic eruptions and erosion. The cavern architecture dates back to the fourth century AD. Not only are there ancient houses, businesses, and now hotels carved into the sides of the rock, but there are also entire cities underground. The ancient city of Derinkuyu, the largest excavated underground city in Turkey, is eleven stories deep and connects to other underground cities through a network of tunnels. The city could accommodate up to 50,000 people – talk about a good place to hide!
Activities in the region range from exploring the historical sites, hot air ballooning, hiking, mountain biking, and my favorite – wine tasting! Cappadocia certainly might be one of the most unusual places to visit wineries in the world, where wine making dates back to the fourth century BC.
And did I mention you get to stay in a rare cave hotel? (And for less than $100 in peak season!)
If you aren’t yet convinced, scroll down to be mesmerized by the peculiar beauty of this remarkable region.
You can get to Cappadocia by flying into Istanbul and taking a 1.5-hour flight to the city of Kayseri. September–November, and April–June are the best times to visit.
-Caroline
