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Published: December 2nd 2011
Spent 4 days in the Central Anatolian region of Cappadocia right in the middle of Turkey. The area is famous for the formation of
fairy chimneys and is very beautiful.
Göreme The touristy heart of Cappadocia was kind of a shock after 10 days in relatively traveler free Eastern Turkey. I saw more tourists in the first hour in Göreme than I did during the previous 10 days.
1 US$ ≈ 1.75 Turkish Lira (TL).
Accomodation and Food I stayed in 2 places, first at Melek Cave Hotel where a non-cave room double w/ breakfast went for 50TL then at Yüksel Hotel in a single w/breakfast for 30TL. Yüksel, the owner, is great and can score amazing deals on any tour in the area. As far as eating, most places in Göreme are a colossal rip off - super small portions for more than a small amount of money. One exception was Fırın Express which I only found because of Yüksel's recommendation.
Transport Got to Göreme from Erzurum in 2 stages: first to Kayseri on Iğdır Turizm for 40TL leaving at 7 pm and arriving ~4:30 am then left Kayseri at 7 am on Süha Turizm for the
short 1½ hour ride to Göreme (10TL) where there is a small tourist office at the bus terminal that can help with finding accommodation. Leaving Göreme, all the major bus companies have ticket offices at the terminal. Make sure the bus is leaving from Göreme and not Nevşehir. Buy tickets as soon as possible because some routes have only one bus per day and fill quickly during peak season.
Balloon ride Totally worth it but definitely shop around and don't be pressured into purchasing a trip because a tour agent says it's very busy and all the spots will be full. Yüksel came through and arranged my trip with Anatolian Balloons, the pioneers of Cappadocia ballooning. 95€ seems like a lot for slightly more than a one hour balloon ride and it is. But that was a great price for a very professional, experienced outfit and champagne after landing.
Göreme Open Air Museum Short walk from town, open most of the day, 15TL entry fee with another fee for the monastery. Better to go late in the day when there are less tour bus crowds.
Ilhara Valley Tour Yüksel set 4 of us up on the all
day Green Tour for 70TL each which included a guide, lunch, and all the entry fees for Selime Monastery, the Ilhara Valley walk, and Derinkuyu underground city. Stopped at the winery in Ürgüp on the way back. I doubt 4 people could rent a car and visit the same places any cheaper. The entry fees are more expensive if you are not on a tour and petrol is very expensive in Turkey.
Uçhisar Castle Popular place for the sunset and about the only place close to Göreme where it is viewable. 5TL entry fee and the castle conveniently closes just after sunset. Can take the local bus, walk, or hitch the few kms from Göreme.
Zelve Similar to the Göreme Open Air Museum but smaller and less crowded. Entry fee is 8TL plus the 2TL one way bus fare from town. Nice to combine Zelve with a trip to the tranquil town of Avanos, famous for pottery.
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sharonna
non-member comment
Wow how beautifull, love your pictures. Keep on travelling!! Your Monado, bunaken sister