Recently a friend showed me a postcard received from a friend of theirs who is holidaying in Turkey. The photo on the card showed a wonderland that I’d never experienced before. So, come with me on a little weekend sojourn to Cappadocia. Truly Turkey’s most visually striking region, especially the 'moonscape' areas where erosion has formed caves, clefts, 'fairy chimneys' and sensuous folds in the soft volcanic rock Cappadocia was once home to many civilizations throughout history: first the Hittite Empire, then Alexander the Great, the Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans. They all lived in this geographically beautiful, 60 million-year-old geological wonder without destroying its natural monuments. We can book into a luxury ‘cave room’, put on our exotic travel wardrobe, and sample some of the local wine. Cappadocia is celebrated as the birthplace of wine, because archaeological findings in the area, including wine production tools and goblets, have been dated right back to 3000 B.C. The next morning, we’ll take one of the Cappadocia balloons and tour around its valleys. Then, for a bit of culture, we can stroll through some of the historic painted cave churches. Of course, there will be time for shopping, maybe for a handcrafted rug to take home as the ultimate souvenir. Okay, are you in?
