Naturally, a travel blogger with a pen name like Travel Maestro has a travel bucket list. Mine is not really an ordered list – more of an “Oh, I want to go there someday, too!” list. Except for one item. The big one. The experience that, in my mind, is the most captivating, most enthralling, most beguiling place in this vast world of options. I have dreamed of a balloon ride over the magical landscape of Cappadocia, Turkey since I first learned about this entrancing countryside many years ago. Every year as my November birthday nears, I take stock of the many incredible experiences I’ve had the good fortune to enjoy, as well as the ones I hope to have in the future. This year, as I stared down the big 5-0 birthday, my always thoughtful significant other, Todd, suggested that we celebrate this birthday with a bucket list adventure commensurate with the milestone – a balloon ride over Cappadocia!

We chose a two week Classics of Turkey tour with Neon Tours (a Turkish subsidiary of a U.S. tour operator) that included two nights and three days in the Cappadocia region. Although I usually prefer independent travel, airfare to the remote region of Cappadocia can be a bit expensive and we didn’t want to drive the long distance in a rental car (12 hours from Istanbul). There is limited local public transportation once you get to Cappadocia, so a tour solved the transportation dilemma. Travel Maestro tip: A first class tour was definitely the best way to see all the important parts of this amazing country while not forfeiting cultural engagement and personal interaction along the way.

Cappadocia Caravansarais

Stables inside a caravansarai

Cappadocia is a vast region dotted by small towns and villages that have survived there for thousands of years. The Anatolian Silk Road ran through Cappadocia and was used by Alexander the Great, the Romans, St. Paul and the troops of the Crusades. In the middle ages, Caravanserais – caravan palaces – were established as early hotels for traders transporting silks and spices. They were castle-like fortresses built 30 kilometers apart – a day’s travel – with many rooms surrounding a central courtyard and rich stone ornamentation.  Bedrooms, prayer rooms, kitchens, stables and baths provided safe lodging for man and beast. Standing in the middle of a caravanserai, I closed my eyes and could imagine a dusty caravan taking respite from their arduous journey. My mind’s eye could see the fading daylight filtering through the high stone windows; hear voices of travelers sharing stories of faraway lands and different cultures, smell the cooking fires mixed with the stench of camels. 

Cappadocia Cave Dwellings

 

Cappadocia is a magical landscape of unique rock formations, fairy chimneys and interesting canyons. The panoramas are mysterious and enchanting at the same time. The rock is very soft and easily carved out, so for thousands of years, people have made homes and churches in the oddly shaped formations. We were incredibly privileged to meet a shop keeper who lives in a cave dwelling and invited us to his home. His grandfather had carved it himself. The three-rooms (bedroom, living area and kitchen) had electric lights and windows overlooking the valley below. The walls and floors were covered in lovely rugs and kilims that his wife made on a large loom. Their home was very different than my own, but I found we valued many of the same things like providing for family, natural landscapes and meeting new friends. 

Cappadocia Underground Cities 

Underground cities were used as defense positions for local communities during attack or occupation, particularly during Christian oppression of Roman times. The caves were chiseled out by hand with long narrow corridors connecting room after room on multiple levels. Huge millstone-like bolt stones were rolled across passageways to seal them from invaders. The cities had stables with feed troughs hewn into the walls. There were niches in the walls for oil lamps and food stores. There were kitchens with stone stoves, toilets and septic wells, chapels and wineries. No furniture has been found, but clearly the cave cities were relatively comfortable places to “hole up” from aggressors.

Cappadocia Rock Churches

The Rock Churches of Cappadocia were built in the 11th century and are now open to the public as an Open Air Museum. Hundreds of churches are carved into the rock formations of Göreme. Chapels, alters, class rooms, kitchens and dining halls are decorated with Christian paintings and frescoes that range from crude line drawings to accomplished artistic compositions. The Open Air Museum offers a fascinating perspective on religious life in ancient Anatolia.  

 

Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Experience 

Exploring the beauty and history of Cappadocia on land and underground was mesmerizing, but my dream was to soar above this enchanting landscape in a hot air balloon. We booked a balloon flight and I was so excited that I didn’t blink an eye at the 4:30 a.m. pick up time. Just before dawn, we arrived at the departure site where dozens of the sleeping giants were slowly coming to life in a colorful punctuation to the red, brown and ochre landscape. I was ridiculously happy that the company we booked, Göreme Balloon, had the most colorful canvases! My slightly acrophobic Todd was a little

pale, but determined to share this with me. We met our pilot, Sezer, and watched as huge fans blew hot air into the balloon until it rose high overhead, tipping the passenger basket upright. Five people climbed into each of the four quadrants of the basket and Sezar lifted off!

 

 

The morning sky was a backdrop to a riot of color as one by one the balloons drifted skyward. Sezar controlled the vertical assent, but the wind dictated our direction. Below us in every direction spread the magical rock formations of Cappadocia! For about an hour we floated in this dreamscape; drifting along valleys with dovecuts (pigeon houses) carved into the rock walls; close enough to almost touch the otherwise inaccessible formations; gliding above small vineyards that produce the local wines. I alternated between a child-like glee and being moved to tears. Todd wrapped his arms around me and my heart soared as high as the balloon.

 

After landing, we toasted the experience and my birthday with a traditional champagne toast. Cappadocia was my top bucket list destination and the perfect place to usher in my second fifty years. For help planning a trip to check off your list or celebrate a special milestone, contact Covington Travel.