Oh, Turkey — or shall we say Türkiye? The country officially changed its name at the United Nations in 2022 to better reflect its rich culture, values, and traditions.
How do we even begin talking about all those, plus the unique landscapes, and otherwordly views?
The country uniquely sits between Europe and Asia, making it a popular stop on European travels, particularly on popular cruises from around the world.
But Türkiye deserves a trip of its own. A 12-hour flight from the Philippines will take travelers to the bustling capital of Istanbul, where Türkiye’s European side takes front and center. Everyday conveniences like various public transportation options, never-ending shops and cafes, and a whole lot of modernity can make the city feel commonplace. Locals, who speak fluent Turkish and English, are so warm and open. Always down for a small talk, they can easily make visitors feel understood and instantly welcomed.
Located mostly in Asia Minor — with smaller parts of the country sitting in Southeast Europe — Türkiye boasts of a diverse set of cultures, races, and religions. It is primarily a Muslim country with prayers heard daily, but the country has a deep history with Christianity, which is also still being practiced today.
And that’s all from just scratching the surface.
In this series, GMA News Online explores the wonders of Türkiye.
FIRST OF FOUR PARTS
A quick one-hour flight from Instanbul will bring travelers to the famous Cappadocia, a quaint and picturesque region, best known for its landscapes and scenic mountain views.
It’s become quite the tourist destination but interestingly, there aren’t any fast food chains, and there are hardly any crowds, making it perfect for those who want to slow down and unwind.
The place doesn’t have strong signal too, compelling everybody to live in the moment and explore what they have to offer. Below, are seven of our favorite experiences in Cappadocia.
1. Stay in a cave at the Yunak Evleri Hotel
Staying in cave might not be a top-of-mind experience for travelers looking for hotel comfort but Cappadocia should be able to give you that experience in an elevated manner. It has many cave hotels after all.
The Yunak Evleri is one of them, with rooms dating back to the 5th century. They are carved right into mountain cliffs, with the original shapes of the caves preserved, providing an experience so unique, authentic, and cool — literally. The rooms have no air conditioning because the rock formations make for a naturally cool environment.
No two rooms are the same, but are each decorated with traditional Turkish carpets, antique furniture dating back to the Ottoman period, and embroidered fabrics.
This Cappadocia gem really does allow guests to relax and unwind, because internet is only available in public areas and not in the rooms.
For pop culture fanatics, Yunak Evleri may be a reminder of the “Star Wars” desert Tatooine or the caves in the Minecraft video game, among many others.
2. Fly in a hot air balloon
What is a trip to Cappadocia without flying in a hot air balloon? The region is best known for its breathtaking landscapes and natural wonders, all best experienced from the air.
A hot air balloon ride takes tourists 550 meters above the ground to see glorious sights like the inactive volcanoes Mount Erciyes and Mount Hasan.
The once-in-a-lifetime adventure—which takes a minimum of 45 minutes—also allows tourists to see panoramic views of nearby villages and get to natural craters up close and personal.
After each flight, participants are treated to juice and snacks by the hot air balloon’s pilot and their team.
3. Travel through time in an underground museum
Stay in a cave, fly in a hot air balloon, and now experience an underground museum.
The Guray Museum is located underground and boasts historical and contemporary ceramic pieces.
One wing houses pieces — mostly vases, plates, and trays — from the BC and Ottoman periods. A total trip down memory lane, you might as well call it.
The opposite wing meanwhile holds works made by today’s ceramic artists, where they put their unique twists on traditional ceramic works, such as freehand painting their own patterns on the ceramics.
But it’s not just time travel you can coat Guray. The museum offers pottery workshops to tourists, too.
As you may know, Cappadocia is among the first areas in Asia Minor to make and practice pottery.
Pottery is among the sources of income in Türkiye. In fact, the Red River in Cappadocia is where artists source their raw material even up to today.
Guests may also purchase one-of-a-kind ceramic works, sculpted and painted by in-house artists.
4. Take an unusual class in history and religion
Perhaps there’s another way to make history and religion classes a lot more interesting: Hold them in open air, like the gorgeous Goreme Open Air Museum.
Far beyond a typical museum building, this UNESCO Heritage Site is an outdoor museum located on the Anatolia plateau. It sits within a volcanic landscape and is made up of caves created entirely due to erosion — a total sight to behold.
Here we learn that back in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, when Christianity was not yet accepted as a religion, the early Christians took to the caves to gather together and hold their mass — the very caves that make the Goreme Open Air Museum.
These caves hold evidence of early Christianity, like paintings of Jesus Christ, Mother Mary, and the saints. In the museum, one would see the paintings evolve from basic earth tones to more colorful ones. The change in colors actually tells the story of Christianity, from a prohibited practice to an accepted religion.
Pro tip: Prepare for lots of walking at Goreme. Wear comfortable shoes and dress up for warm weather.
5. Discover early Christians’ homes in Kaymakli Underground City
From flying 550 meters above the ground in a hot air balloon, tourists can also experienceTürkiye’s rich history from below.
The Kaymakli Underground City was once where early Christians lived, hid, and sought refuge away from Roman troops when their religion was not yet accepted.
Located several floors underground with only one small ventilation shaft, the early Christians lived in tiny caves, where they also made their bread and beans, and practiced their faith.
Since the location is underground with lots of steep tunnels and steps to walk through, dressing comfortably highly recommended.
6. Witness Mother Nature’s magic
Cappadocia has some of the most wonderful, geological formations on Earth and is best known for its Fairy Chimneys and scenic valleys all located in the Cappadochia area, in the towns of Goreme and Cavusin.
The must-visit Fairy Chimneys have a magical story behind them. These mushroom-shaped rock pillars, some standing as tall as 130 feet above the ground, appeared following a volcanic eruption. Because of their unique appearance, Turkish people started calling them Fairy Chimneys. They could only be created by fairies, they would say.
Take a gander through an open area surrounded by these Fairy Chimneys. It’s a truly extraordinary experience.
Meanwhile, the Red Valley, Pigeon Valley, and Gorome Atay Panorama provide panoramic views of red-tinted rock formations, the Fairy Chimneys, and flying pigeons.
Tourists can choose to stay atop the valley’s viewing decks as these are sightseeing destinations with small souvenir shops.
There is no public transport on the way to the Red Valley, Pigeon Valley, and Gorome Atay Panorama. Taking a taxi or rental car from the known towns of Gorome and Urgup would only take a maximum of 15 minutes.
7. Hike!
If you’re up for it, get to know the valleys better by hiking them. They’re popular among hikers of different levels — from beginners to advanced travelers.
The Pigeon Valley is dubbed the easiest hike with nearly no elevation. It only takes one to two hours to complete the loop. It is recommended to start at sunrise.
On the other hand, the Red Valley is best known for its sunset hikes, which add more color to the red-tinted, pinkish formations. The place has some hidden corridors and rooms or small caves made of rock formations.
There are several hiking packages available online where tourists can be accompanied by a tour guide to learn more about the area’s rich history.
This story was produced through a familiarization trip sponsored by Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA).
— LA, GMA Integrated News
