Cappadocia, Turkey: a unique family destination
Living in Turkey, my husband and I had the opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful and unique places on Earth. Cappadocia was one of our favorite stops and we visited there many times.
The name Cappadocia refers to a region of rock formations created by volcanic eruptions located in eastern Anatolia and includes the cities of Göreme, Nevsehir, Uçhisar, and Ürgüp. The entire area has a long history ranging from the Hittite Empire to the Ottoman Empire. Visitors can’t stop from being inspired and awed by the vision of “fairy chimneys” and underground cities, and the area is a travel destination for many.
Getting There – We chose to drive the four hours from the capital city of Ankara, our home. For most of the way, the two lane road is used by slow buses, farm equipment, and overloaded trucks. I’ll admit to my fair share of motion sickness along the way as we passed each one. The area is also reachable by bus, plane and train. Kayseri, which is an hour drive from Göreme, has an airport and train station. Bus services are available to Göreme and Nevsehir.
What to See – Rock castles, underground cities and churches are all on display for visitors. Simply driving into the valley and you’re already seeing large rock towers carved out over time by natural elements to form what locals call “fairy chimneys.”
Our favorite spot was the Göreme Open Air Museum, a former monastery built into the rock formations. Visitors can see where Christians hid from persecution and thrived in caves and underground caverns. Churches with beautiful and ancient murals are all on display.
What to Do – Besides visiting the local museums, you can also hike across the valley. Maps can be found in travel offices or from your hotel. We stopped in the “Valley of Love” and enjoyed a closer view of the fairy chimneys. We found the walk to be very easy and a perfect stop for little ones to stretch their legs. Hot Air Balloon tours take off at sunrise in Göreme and take you through the valley. If you choose not to go up, the balloons are a beautiful sight from the ground and are viewable from some of the hotels.
What to Eat and Buy – Turkish food is one of my favorite cuisines. From the fresh cucumber and tomato salads to the grilled meats, travelers can have a great meal in Cappadocia. One of my favorites is mantı. Similar to a meat ravioli, this dish is served with a red tomato sauce and yoghurt. Cappadocia is a great place to purchase carpets and pottery. We purchased a few of our carpets and many tiles, vases, and bowls from the area.
Where to Stay - We stayed in a few of the different hotels in the area and had a wonderful time in each one. The most unique of them is the Museum Hotel. Children especially would love sleeping in one of the cave rooms. The hotel also has modern accommodations, including a lovely swimming and restaurant.
Information about the area can be found here and here.
Chris Flynn is mom to two rambunctious boys. A homebody at heart, Chris fell in love and found herself moving around like a gypsy. When she isn’t packing, on a plane, or in a car, you can find her at Mom’s Favorite Stuff or on Twitter.
