What have you not seen in Turkey yet? Locations that can surprise the most seasoned travelers

2023 Author: Blake Bradshaw | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-20 16:20

Even if you often fly to Turkey by the sea, while vacationing there, you always go on excursions and know some regions well, you have not seen much. The country is huge and can surprise even the most experienced travelers.

Because Turkey is not only the sea and stunning beaches, but also mountains (by the way, Erciyes ski resort awaits you in winter!), The most relaxing and healing thermal resorts, and of course, magnificent valleys over which hot air balloons fly at dawn.

To further whet the interest, here's a hint of buffalo bathing and wild horses galloping. The spectacle is mesmerizing, and you can see everything with your own eyes. But more about everything!

Of course, balls

Who among us has not seen these magnificent photos with balloons over Cappadocia? And somewhere inside, dreams are born - that would be to fly! You can already picture these emotions, spectacle and numbness from beauty in your imagination. Well, the stronger the desire, the easier it is to come true!

Turkey is now almost the only easily accessible country for Ukrainians. You do not need to take a coronavirus test; upon return, you will not have to sit in self-isolation or reinforce your health with an appropriate analysis.

Well, to get to Cappadocia, there are several options. To begin with, Cappadocia is a region that includes 5 districts. Well, the city where you can and should fly in order to conveniently get to all the attractions is Kayseri.

There are direct flights from Ukraine, there are also domestic Turkish ones. For example, you can fly to Istanbul, walk there for a couple of days, and then go to Kayseri. Or fly there from a seaside resort, say, from Antalya. There is also ground transportation. From Ankara you can get there by bus.

And here you are! If the weather permits, you can fly already at dawn. Better to go to bed early. Early rise, transfer to the valley. You will witness a miracle: how huge balls come to life in a matter of minutes, gain air and majestically rise above their heads.

Control temperature measurement (without it - nowhere, as well as without a mask!), A questionnaire for consent, and now you jump into a huge basket, and a fire breaks out over your head, which raises your transport into the sky. Several precise and dexterous movements of the aeronaut, and now you are gliding gently over the surface of the earth, gradually flying higher and higher.

500 meters above the ground, 900 meters, - comments your "driver", and you are trying to absorb all the beauty and forever capture in your memory. Below are stunning valleys, incredible landscapes, the remains of an ancient city and, in small numbers, modern settlements. And then the sun rises from behind another picturesque mountain!

Just as gently as you were lifted into the air, you will be lowered to the ground. How a courageous balloonist will be awarded a certificate and congratulated on his new status! But the feeling of a miracle will not let go for a long time …

To the ancient city

Well, then - a whole day of research. After all, what was looked at from a bird's eye view, now you want to proceed with your feet. But first, breakfast. A generous traditional Turkish breakfast of over 20 items. Overlooking the ancient city and picturesque cliffs, of course!

Please take your time and allow yourself to enjoy your meal and taste everything. At least a teaspoon. Because here you will find unusually tasty vegetables, side dishes, dolma, menemen (a variation of an omelet with tomatoes), gözleme (stuffed flat cakes), a huge amount of cheeses, olives, fruits (raw and in the form of jam), and a variety of pastries. And of course, classic tea or Turkish coffee. More welcome than ever after getting up early!

Well, it's time to study ancient buildings and even visit inside them. Some, by the way, are still residential! The rooms hollowed out in stone, the corridors between them, windows and special fixtures and grooves never cease to amaze. Functional and thoughtful.

What can we say about the underground city! Moves, corridors, descents and ascents, storage for wine and other products, security system and secret exits. Somewhere you move freely, in other places you bend down strongly and walk on the bent ones, touching the ceiling with your backpack. At the same time, you are in admiration and delight: the people who lived here did not come to the surface for six months!

Room for imagination

Of course, it is worth visiting the stone valleys and experiencing the power of nature. The valley of love, the valley of the monks (Pashaba), the valley of the imagination (Devrent or the valley of the fairy houses) are striking in their size.

Valley of Love

Valley of the Monks

You feel like a tiny grain of sand in a huge world! And yet, with delight you guess what this or that rock looks like: a hero, a praying monk, a camel or a turtle.

Valley of imagination

Mount Erciyes

The long-extinct volcano has turned into a magnificent ski resort. In winter, they descend on slopes of various difficulty (56 km of ski slopes, just imagine!), But when there is no snow, they go up to enjoy the beautiful views, make tourist ascents, bike tours.

There would be a desire! Go where your eyes look, and then return, sit at a table overlooking the mountains and valleys, and have a couple of cups of tea. Take your time, enjoying every sip. And baklava or Turkish delight, if you wish.

Merging with nature

More recently, a trip to the majestic animals has become available to tourists in the Kayseri region. At sunset, you can witness how huge buffaloes swim back home. More and more of them stay on the river bank, the dust stands in a column, and they in turn enter the water and swim to the other side.

Before you can get away from this amazing sight, a new one awaits you. We move a little to the place where wild horses gather. You admire their muscular bodies and lush mane, you try to look into their eyes and stand enchanted as they gallop past. Again there is a pillar of dust, the earth trembles under your feet, and again you are a small grain of sand among the might of nature!

Where to live?

We have already mentioned that it is better to fly and live in Kayseri. Now we will offer an option where to stop. We found Radisson Blu, Kayseri very convenient for its location.

First, close to the airport.

Secondly, all city attractions are nearby: the main square, bazaar, shopping center, museums (if you have time, be sure to visit the museum - the Hunat Khatun complex, where the first psychiatric hospital in the world was located).

Mental hospital

Third, the beds. Yes, don't be surprised! After an active day in the valleys or in a ski resort, you will want to get some rest and recuperation. So the beds in Radisson Blu, Kayseri are incomparable. By the way, made by local craftsmen!

Finally, one cannot fail to mention the hotel's cuisine. National dishes with exquisite presentation will make you fall in love with Turkey again and again.

And at the same time, the incredible view of the city is an additional bonus that you cannot refuse!