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Cappadocia Explorer

Break away from the bustle of Turkey's big cities and experience the rural culture of the Cappadocia region. A series of volcanic eruptions around 10 million years ago resulted in the area being swamped in ash, which then hardened to form a porous rock. The elements carved the terrain into the odd peribacas, or fairy chimneys, and later the inhabitants discovered they too could carve the rocks - even into homes and churches. A base in Goreme allows you to explore Cappadocia at your leisure. See the painted frescoes of Byzantine churches in the Open Air Museum or organise a day trip further afield to valleys dotted with fairy chimneys and pigeon houses. Walk the stretch of the Melendiz Suyu stream through the Ihlara Gorge, splurge on a sunrise hot-air balloon ride over the unworldly rock formations or explore the underground city of Derinkuyu. Top off this adventure with a cave dinner with a local family and perhaps learn a little more of Cappadocia's many mysteries and legends.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Goreme

Set amid the surreal Cappadocia landscape, Goreme is a magical village surrounded by vineyards. After settling in to the family-run accommodation, explore the town and follow the cobbled streets between the tuff cones and pinnacles to hunt out a traditional Turkish meal with fairy chimney vistas.

Days 2-4 Goreme

Perhaps hire a bike to explore further afield. Travel to neighbouring villages or hike through the Goreme National Park valleys - Rose, Pigeon and the phallic Love Valley - for close-up views of the pigeon houses and fairy chimneys. See the rock-cut Byzantine churches and 11th century frescoes in the Open Air Museum. Venture further afield to explore the underground city of Derinkuyu, once used as a hideout by people evading persecution. Why not organise a day trip to the Ihlara Gorge to see the painted Byzantine churches and to stroll beside the Melendiz Suyu stream? Follow the green riverbank to the moody terrain in Selime, as featured in Star Wars, and choose one of the pensions overlooking the water for a lunch of fresh trout. One evening, experience Turkish hospitality at a dinner with a local family in their traditional home. Their English may be limited, so this is a great opportunity to get familiar with the local lingo. For a real treat, organise an early-morning balloon ride over the Cappadocia region to see the hues of the terrain shift at sunrise - a truly ethereal experience.