Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
CAPPADOCIA
As if plucked from a whimsical fairy tale and set down upon the stark Anatolian plains,
Cappadocia is a geological oddity of honeycombed hills and towering phallic boulders of
otherworldly beauty. Fashioned through lashings of volcanic ash, moulded by millennia of
rain and river flow, this fantastical topography is equally matched by the human history
here. People have long utilised the region's soft stone, seeking shelter underground, leaving
the countryside scattered with the fresco-adorned rock-cut churches of early Christians,
cavernous subterranean refuges, and villages half-burrowed into the earth itself.
Cappadocia woos both outdoor enthusiasts who revel in the lunarscape and the cultured
set, more likely to enjoy the panoramas from the balcony of their boutique cave-hotel with
fine local wine in hand. Whatever your tastes, this region's accordion-ridged valleys,
shaded in a palette of dusky orange and cream, are an epiphany of a landscape - the stuff of
psychedelic daydreams.
Dangers & Annoyances
Most buses arriving in Cappadocia terminate in Nevşehir, from where a free
servis
(shuttle
bus) will ferry you to your final destination. Make sure that your ticket states that it is for
Göreme, not just 'Cappadocia'. Avoid any dealings with the infamous tour companies at
Nevşehir otogar (bus station) and do not get onto their private shuttle buses. The official
bus company
servis
buses usually meet your bus as it arrives and are clearly marked with
the bus company logo. If you find yourself without a
servis
or taxi and you have booked a
hotel, phone it for assistance.
Walking in central Cappadocia's valleys is a wonderful experience and should not be
missed, but solo travellers who do not want to hire a guide to explore should buddy-up be-
fore venturing into the more isolated areas. It's also advised to avoid the valleys and unlit
roads between villages during the evenings.
Tours
Travel agents abound. Prices are usually determined by all operators at the beginning of
each season. Make your decision based on the quality of the guide and the extent of the it-
inerary.
Most tour companies offer both full-day tours (to destinations such as the Ihlara Valley,
the underground cities and Soğanlı) and guided day hikes in the Cappadocian valleys.
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