Cappadocia was most definitely the highlight of my Turkey trip. It is located in central Turkey and boasts some amazing volcanic landscapes and a rich cultural history. You can read about Cappadocia here. Here are some snapshots from this beautiful region.

Our first glimpse of the snowcapped mountains in Cappadocia as we arrive after a long day’s ride on the bus

Our hot air balloon being prepared.

About 100 hot air balloons go up at the same time every day. We had to leave our hotel at 4.45am to catch the ride and watch the sun rise. It has to be an early start otherwise it’d get too hot later in the day for the balloons to have a safe flight.

It’s an extremely surreal sight, akin to being in a fairy tale with all the hot air balloons against this azure blue backdrop and the dramatic volcanic landscapes. Definitely one of the most beautiful sights I’ve beheld in my lifetime. It’s a scene I’ll always treasure in my memories and I count my blessings to have been able to see this. I don’t think anyone can NOT be mesmerised by this.

In Cappadocia, another must-visit for tourists is the Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The museum features some rock-cut churches and frescoes that all date from the 10-12th century. These places were where the Christians came to hide when they were being persecuted by the Roman Catholics.

The famous ‘mushroom chimneys’ of Cappadocia

Cappadocia is also famous for its pottery. Here, an artist works on painting her plate.

Another of the region’s breath-taking scenes

The region is also famous for their handwoven tapestries and carpets

Women working on their tapestries. A small piece that measures 50cm by 50cm could take up to five months to complete.