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For most Ukrainians, a Turkish vacation means a packaged tour with the all-inclusive meal option, day-long sunbathing with hundreds of other Ukrainians and wild clubbing at night.

However, for those who prefer to go off the beaten path, consider taking a trip to Cappadocia, the land of fairy chimney rocks and lunar landscapes. More than 700 kilometers southeast of Istanbul, it’s a paradise for lovers of the outdoors.

The distinctive landscape of Cappadocia emerged as a result of numerous volcanic eruptions, which after thousands of years of erosion and sculpting by wind and rain, resulted in the area’s signature feature, its fairy chimneys.

During your visit, be sure to stay in the unofficial capital of the area, Goreme – a hilly village with winding cobble stone roads and charming cave hotels, a highlight of any trip to Cappadocia. One local, Ibrahim Budak, who took over a tour agency after his father, says: “Somehow in Cappadocia vibrant tourism harmoniously blends with the authentic lifestyle of the locals.”

But it was thanks to the area’s first settlers, the Hittites, that the curiously shaped rocks started turning into carved homes in the Bronze Age.

The surreal landscape of Cappadocia in Turkey is like another planet. (kusadasi.tv)

After later hosting Persian and Roman inhabitants, the area became a refuge for early Christians fleeing the Roman Empire from the 4th century BC. There were eventually thousands of homes, schools, and monasteries carved into the soft rock.

But apart from their historical interest, these ancient cave settlements make a perfect playground for children and adults alike, with numerous caves and secret passages connected by tunnels.

Selime, for instance, is a town on the rocks known for the biggest rock-cut monastery, dating from the 13th century. In many of the churches and monasteries you can still see some of the beautiful frescoes left behind, although many have faded and cracked with time.

But the settlers didn’t just carve into the rock. They also went down.

Forced to hide from their enemies in the times of war, industrious inhabitants created a vast network of underground cities.

In Cappadocia there are dozens of them, some reaching down as deep as 15 floors. In one of the best preserved complexes, Kaymakli, endless labyrinths take unexpected turns leading to dark tunnels and hidden rooms.

With a rudimentary yet effective ventilation system and with the use of candle light, thousands of dwellers could spend nearly two months underground in times of danger.

However, tall people, beware, the low ceilings require lots of uncomfortable hunching. The city has its churches, school, and cellar, dining and meeting halls, animal shelter, and even a morgue.

But the early inhabitants were not only concerned with homes for themselves.

Pigeons were an important source of food and fertilizer, which is why all throughout Cappadocia the cliffs are dotted with thousands of shallow holes – pigeon houses.

The Pigeon valley near the town of Uchisar is especially plentiful with them and is an outstanding place for hiking.

To be true to Cappadocia’s name, (it means “the land of powerful horses” in Persian), you can take a horse ride along the mountain trails, or for more modern tastes,an ATV or scooter.

One of the most memorable experiences in Cappadocia is a hot-air balloon ride. Smoothly floating in the morning sky, watching the breaking sunrise over the landscape is breathtaking.

There is never a specific route – the balloon flies at the whim of the wind. Often it can take you so close to those honeycomb cliffs, you can touch them. Although somewhat pricey, ranging from $70-$200 per trip, it’s definitely something to splurge on.

Apart from its picturesque landscapes, Goreme also has several must-try dishes.

Testi kebab is a delicious blend of meat and vegetables fire-baked in a traditional clay oven shaped as a jar. Another dish is manti – Turkish mini-ravioli stuffed with meat and topped with yogurt and red pepper powder.

Overall, Cappadocia is a magical destination that will leave you with far more memories than your typical packaged tour.

How to get there: There are two main airports to reach Cappadocia, both about an hour away from Goreme: Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR) and Nevehir Kapadokya Airport (NAV). Turkish Airlines operates three nonstop daily flights from Istanbul Ataturk to both airports for about $60-140. If you chose to fly to Kayseri directly from Kyiv, expect to spend about $480. An overnight bus (Metro, Goreme Tourism, Suha) from Istanbul to/from Goreme bus station (otogar), will cost you about $30.

Where to stay: Goreme is 70 kilometers west of Kayseri and is the base for exploring Cappadocia. Pick among the variety of cave hotels and suites for about $60-$200. For a budget option, you can find a pension for about $15 per single room and $40 for a double.

Best way to see the area: Take an all-day tour with a tour agency. A few reliable ones are New Goreme Tour, Yama Tour, and Turkish Heritage which take you on “Red” and “Green” tours for about $40-50. Take a scooter for $20 a day.

Where to eat: Culinary highlights Cappadocia Café and Restaurant, Topdeck Cave restaurant, Cappadocia Kebap Center, Firin express – mains for $4 and $10-20 a meal.

Kyiv Post staff writer Mariya Manzhos can be reached at [email protected].

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