Cappadocia

In Cappadocia, the volcanic-rock landscapes are so strange that they look like they were created by elves. Every traveler’s bucket list includes a visit to this city. The rock, on the other hand, is slowly being eroded away by the forces of wind and water. Burrowing through soft volcanic rock to live has remained a feature of this lunar landscape since the Bronze Age. Byzantine rock-cut churches with stunning paintings, the labyrinthine underground city where early Christians sheltered from their enemies are all major tourist attractions in Cappadocia. Aerial photographs of the region’s sinewy curves have made it one of the world’s best places to enjoy a hot-air balloon tour. Cappadocia’s valleys are one of Turkey’s top hiking and horseback riding attractions.