Visiting Cappadocia was first on my wish list when I found out last year that I would be moving to Turkey for the 2014 calendar year. I had heard of its fairy chimneys and deep religious history, and could only dream that what I had read was true. It was a truly magical place, and this should be interpreted as sincere. Cappadocia’s valleys to its sunrises, it contains an eerie living history. During one hike in the Red Valley, I couldn’t help but look up to the windows 130 feet up on these beautiful honeycomb colored tuffs and see history. I wondered who might have been looking down on me should I have been here during the early days of Christianity, roughly 4th century. But the city of Göreme, where we stayed for three nights, has an even older history dating back as early as the Hittite era, circa 1800 to 1200 B.C.
We stayed at the thoughtfully restored Aydīnlī Cave Hotel, which used to the owner's grandmother's home. I highly recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Cappadocia, as its location, owners and complimentary Turk kahvaltī (Turkish breakfast) is incredible. Located in Göreme, Aydīnlī is a gem high enough to give you spectacular views of fairy chimneys, ruby toned strata of the Red Valley strata, and hot air balloons commissioned by tourists to see it all from up high. The Turk kahvaltī is something worth waking up early for each and every morning of your stay here. In Turkish, one does not simply ‘eat’ breakfast, Turks DO breakfast - Kahvaltī yapīyorum. After only four weeks in Turkey, I feel remarkably comfortable. I could certainly get used to this lifestyle.
We stayed at the thoughtfully restored Aydīnlī Cave Hotel, which used to the owner's grandmother's home. I highly recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Cappadocia, as its location, owners and complimentary Turk kahvaltī (Turkish breakfast) is incredible. Located in Göreme, Aydīnlī is a gem high enough to give you spectacular views of fairy chimneys, ruby toned strata of the Red Valley strata, and hot air balloons commissioned by tourists to see it all from up high. The Turk kahvaltī is something worth waking up early for each and every morning of your stay here. In Turkish, one does not simply ‘eat’ breakfast, Turks DO breakfast - Kahvaltī yapīyorum. After only four weeks in Turkey, I feel remarkably comfortable. I could certainly get used to this lifestyle.