Cappadocia is the jewel of Central Anatolia, and home of spectacular landscape consisting of spectacularly eroded tuff (hardened volcanic ash). Cappadocia is located in the center of Turkey which is called as Anatolia. Cappadocia, in this sense, was bounded in the south by the chain of the Taurus Mountains that separate it from Cilicia, to the east by the upper Euphrates and the Armenian Highland, to the north by Pontus, and to the west by Lycaonia and eastern Galatia. The name was traditionally used in Christian sources throughout history and is still widely used as an international tourism concept to define a region of exceptional natural wonders, in particular characterized by fairy chimneys and a unique historical and cultural heritage. In 1985 this amazing place was registered on the UNESCO World Heritage list. It is so famous place because of amazing landscape, caves and valleys. The area is a popular tourist destination, as it has many areas with unique geological, historic, and cultural features. The region is located southwest of the major city Kayseri, which hasairline and railway service to Ankara and Istanbul and other cities. The most important towns and destinations in Cappadocia are Urgup, Goreme, Ihlara Valley, Selime, Guzelyurt, Uchisar, Avanos and Zelve. Among the underground cities worth seeing are Derinkuyu, Kaymakli, Gaziemir and Ozkanak. The best historic mansions and cave houses for tourist stays are in Urgup, Goreme, Guzelyurt and Uchisar. Hot-air ballooning is very popular in Cappadocia and is available in Goreme. Trekking is enjoyed in Ihlara Valley, Monastery Valley (Guzelyurt), Urgup and Goreme.. Goreme became a monastic centre in 300-1200 AD.
The first period of settlement in Goreme goes back to the Roman period. The Yusuf Koc, Ortahane, Durmus Kadir and Bezirhane churches in Goreme, and houses and churches carved into rocks in the Uzundere, Bagildere and Zemi Valleys all illustrate history and can be seen today. The Goreme Open Air Museum is the most visited site of the monastic communities in Cappadocia and is one of the most famous sites in central Turkey. Here the clients who would like to visit the Cappadocia have the arrangements as selection of tours. The tours can be travelled by bus and planes. It may be two-days or three-days Cappadocia tours. The first day tour to Cappadocia includes the visit to the Devrent Valley to see the unigue fairy-chimneys. Then the Drive was to pasabag (Monk's Valley) to see the most interesting mushroom-shaped pinnacles and the city of Avanos. Next the visit was to another beautiful open air museum at Goreme, where the remains of rock-cut churches and Christian settlements date back hundreds of years. Finally, the visit was to the natural castles at Uchisar. The second day tour was to visit Red valley and explore the famous rock- cut churches and hike 5 km through the Gulludere valley and then visited Cavusin village. This village was famous for the houses and churches of the christian clergymen. Then the Drive was to the pigeon valley and visit to the Kaymakli underground city, where early christians lived in fear and faith. On the way back people visited natural castles at Ortahisar.
Martin Wynn
