Cappadocia and Konya

Cappadocia’s magically eroded volcanic landscapes are one of Turkiye’s star attractions. Combine this with the opportunity to stay at a boutique ‘cave-hotel’, discover underground cities and troglodyte medieval churches, or enjoy the region’s rich cuisine and high-quality wine, and you have a one-of-a-kind world-class destination. Whether you choose to explore by car, hot-air balloon, horseback, bicycle or on foot, Cappadocia is uniquely captivating.

The stunning landscapes were formed over 30 million years, as the thick, soft ash was gradually eroded, leaving the fabulous landscape of needle-like ‘fairy’ chimneys’ and richly coloured valleys of today. Some of the most lovely and dramatic locations include Pasabag, Devrent Valley, Rose Valley, and the more remote and less frequented Soganli Valley. Early man took advantage of Cappadocia’s geology and dug into the soft ‘tuff’ rock to create a warren of cave dwellings. Fine examples of these troglodytic habitations can be seen at Cavusin, Uchisar and Ortahisar. Much later, as the Byzantine Empire crumbled, Christian communities sought refuge amongst Cappadocia’s inaccessible valleys, creating vibrant monastic communities and villages. In doing so, they bequeathed us another of Turkiye’s wonders, as nowhere else can the religious fervour of the Byzantines be felt quite in the same way. 

Visiting the rock-carved churches at Goreme Open Air Museum with their wonderful frescoes and exploring the monastic settlement of Zelve that clings uncertainly to a series of cliffs is an absolute must. To survive times of extreme peril, medieval Cappadocians also burrowed deep into the earth and created entire underground settlements where whole villages could seek refuge for many months at a time. Kaymakli and Derinkuyu are the best examples of these extraordinary settlements. In recent decades, several ancient cave dwellings have been turned into very comfortable boutique hotels complete with ‘cave rooms’ dating back thousands of years. These visual Cappadocian treats and experiences are complimented by a wide range of opportunities for soft adventure and gastronomic and oenophilic delights. Cappadocia has to be experienced to be believed! 

Midway between Cappadocia and Antalya on the Mediterranean coast, Konya is an important centre of art and mystical thought that was once the capital of the Seljuk Turks. Sometimes referred to as Turkiye’s spiritual capital, Konya is the burial place of the Sufi mystic philosopher and theologian Jalaluddin Rumi (1207 – 1273) and home to some wonderful Seljuk architecture. The Mevlana (whirling) dervishes held a Sema (performance) every Saturday.