Serdar had offered us to give us a lift that morning to the beginning of the “Love Valley”. (Have a look at the pictures and you will understand…) It was really hot and there was no shadow at all, but we really had fun taking pictures and getting lost on the way to Uçhisar. On the very top of that small village, you can see an old “castle” also built in the stone. From its top you can see all Kappadokya and Göreme. After enjoying a bit the view, we came back through the “Pigeon Valley”. It is supposed to be the valley which has the most pigeon lofts. As we arrived at the end of the Valley, a huge sudden shower surprised us and we had to stay a bit in an old church we ... read more

There is nothing better than starting the day with a Turkish breakfast on the rooftop of an historical house. Well, this is undeniably true, when the sun shines. Covered sky and cold breeze… that was our first Cappadocian morning. No hot air balloon to be seen that day… We start walking towards Çavuşin, following the vague map Serdar had drawn for us. We argued quite a lot about the way to take that day, having both the feeling that we were on the wrong way, and that were missing out all the hidden churches. They are the particularity of Cappadokya. Churches, old houses, or monastery, they are everywhere, hidden in the stone. Do not stay on the path, unless you want to miss everything out. As it started raining really hard, we were fortunately arriving at ... read more

On the third day, we started quite early, in order to be into the first people entering the very famous "Citern basilic" and avoid to much queuing, as it is usually really crowded. I have to say, the citern is amazing and the atmosphere could be perfect, if there were not all those tourist attractions inside. There were a man and a woman, dressed up as a typical local person, but not with an everyday outfit. I guess, they were wearing the folklorical costume. You could take a picture with those persons as a souvenir, and of course, after having paid them. I have the feeling, that such attractions has to be available in well-known historical places. It is becoming a "must". In my opinion, this is a shame, and it spoils a bit the experience. ... read more

After a calm Swiss International flight departing from Zurich, we arrived safely in sunny Istanbul. Everywhere, thousands of little flags, advertising each political party of the country. It was about two weeks before the elections. Together with the flags, small cars were being driven all around Istanbul (actually in the whole country as we could notice later on) with music and patriotical songs sometimes. Quite tired from the flight, we headed to Sultanahmet (actually we were already, but well, it is huge!), passed the Blue Mosque, and try to find the "Rosvet Hotel". It was quite problematic as at the indicated address on booking, there were no hotel signalized in any way. After not even 5 minutes walking up and down the street, a man came to us to ask if we needed help. That very ... read more