Capadoccia is a fairy tale found only in dreams. Capadoccia is unique as any other sight found in the rest of our world. In ancient the Persian language  Capadoccia means "Land of beautiful horses" But "beautiful" cannot sufficiently describe Capadoccia. And, at the same time, this spot on earth is so overwhelmingly weird and wonderful that people show photographs instead of attempting to use mere words.

Capadoccia is more than a place. It is perhaps the oldest part of the world. Geologically, it's a result of earthquake, volcanic eruption and erosion over the millennia. The Taurus Mountains, during their formation 60 million years ago, left the ingredients, topography and lunar landscape of this expansive area of Turkey. It is brim-full of history, culture and timelessness. Armenians, Byzantines, Greeks, Hittites, Ottomans, Persians, Seljuk Turks and others have all lived in Capadoccia in the past. Each new civilization has, in turn, built their towns and lives upon its predecessor. In addition to the hand of man, nature has created valleys and canyons, sculpted rock and cave abodes, streams and forests.

The way to Capadoccia is a bit like the road to Oz - and almost a day's journey. The travel is by car. This method allows us to stop and leisurely take in the flavour of Turkey along the way.

Capadoccia is not a sight you can race through. We strongly suggest a minimum of six days. With all its awe and wonder, the truth remains - you must see it to believe it. There is no other way.

To get to Capadoccia we pass through Isparta - a land where roses are everywhere. They are prized, cultivated and marketed throughout Turkey. The Egirdir Lake is part of Isparta and where you will stop for lunch. The lake is Turkey's fourth largest and resembles a small sea surrounded by forests and mountains. Lunch may be fresh water fish and mezze or a dish of chicken or meats. During lunch you'll notice fishermen at work in small boats off the two islands connected to the mainland by a causeway.

After a lakeside lunch, you will continue your drive and later encounter Aksaray. This city has historical buildings from the 14th century. One of the most spectacular views in Aksaray is a result of the Hasan Mountain - an ancient volcano. Aksaray was an important trade centre on old caravan route from Konya to Kayseri. Further into your trip to Capadoccia you will visit Kayseri, laying at the foot of yet another extinct volcano. In Roman times this city was known as Caesarea. It is here one has the beginnings of Christianity. Today it's one of the most important carpet and kilim centres of Turkey. After Aksaray we reach the gateway to Capadoccia and the towns of Avanos, Goreme, Uchisar, Ortahisar, Orzkana and Urgup. In addition, there are over 200 underground cities or settlements plus the unusual Ilhari Valley.

Avanos is famous for its pottery. The Kizilirmak River flows through Avanos, making it's clay deposits a valuable ingredient for use by local craftsmen and the tile, ceramic industries. Avanos has been the centre of terra cotta art since 3000 BC. You will stop here to visit a pottery and see how it's traditionally made. There's the opportunity to take a turn at the one of original type of pottery wheels.

Uchisar's cave dwellings are strewn everywhere around this village. Its stone castle has a panoramic view over the valleys of Capadoccia. This is where you will encounter doves-- symbols of peace and devotion to family in Islam as well as symbols of the Holy Spirit in Christianity. Doves were kept by farmers for their excrement which was used as fertilizer for crops. Carved into rock walls, thousands of dove cotes dot a great many rock walls. Goreme has a proliferation of churches carved into the rocks between the 7th and 13th centuries.

Goreme is said to have a church for every day of the year, many of them preserved with their original early Christian frescoes. There's an open-air museum in its natural setting of ancient rock. There's even a display of a preserved 4,000 year-old skeleton!

Ortahisar is riddled with rock excavations. It features an enormous fortress boulder at its entrance.

Ozkanak is the most recently discovered Capadoccia settlement.

Urgup is where you will make your base for accommodation and evenings entertainment. Its volcanic formations eroded by weather called "fairy chimneys" are fantastic structures.

Of the 200 separate underground settlements in Capadoccia, your tour will explore Kaymakli and Derinkuyu. It is believed that Derinkuyu was once home to 20,000 people within the 18 floors that descends into the rock. Kaymakli is smaller and has five excavated floors. Both these cities date back to the 4th century. Imprints in the rock cities originate from the Hittite Empire and the Neo-Hittite period. Secret underground passages, known as "potern", were used to ambush invaders during the defence of Hittite towns. Passages were blocked off with millstone "doors," and there were small holes in the tunnel ceilings that served to pour hot oil on enemies. Also deep inside the underground cities were ventilation shafts, waste shafts, storage areas, chapels… and wineries. Underground winery grape and fruit crushing and sieving pits were carved into the rock walls. A drainage system was hollowed out of the cave floor. A stream of fresh water was guided through a small ditch in which clay pots, covered with mesh-like cloth, held the fermenting wine. Water sealed the pots and kept the wine contained. Your tour will visit one of these traditional wineries and you will be treated to a tasting of traditional wines which are still produced today. A specialty wine is cherry wine. It has a rich yet subtle flavour of cherry and is quite good!

The sights of the Ihlara Valley are reached by walking a descending pathway from atop a plateau to the valley floor. Here you explore rock-cut churches, painted frescoed representations from the Bible and a lush green valley-garden.

One of the best and most thrilling ways to see Capadoccia is by hot air balloon. Or, you can opt for horseback riding, mountain bike or jeep safari.

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