Cappadocia: Fairy Chimneys and Hot Air Balloons at Dawn

Balloon Flight Over Cappadocia

Waking at 4 AM was worth every lost minute of sleep. As our balloon rose above the fairy chimneys of Göreme, hundreds of other balloons filled the sky in every direction.

Underground Cities

Derinkuyu underground city extends eight levels deep and once sheltered 20,000 people. Squeezing through narrow tunnels carved from volcanic rock was equal parts claustrophobic and fascinating.

Valley Hikes

The hiking trails through Love Valley and Rose Valley wind between towering rock formations that defy geology. The pink-tinged rocks at sunset in Rose Valley were extraordinary.

Pottery in Avanos

Learning to throw pottery on a wheel in Avanos, where artisans have been working with local red clay for centuries, was a wonderfully grounding experience after days of dramatic landscapes.