Sure Travel Journey Vol 4.1 Summer 2018 | Page 51

• E N
PLANNER
Q TRAVEL
WHAT TO SEE: There’s far more
to Cappadocia than admiring it from
the basket of a hot-air balloon. Start at
the Göreme Open Air Museum, a World
Heritage Site filled with the ancient
stone churches the region is famous for.
It’s worth paying the extra fee to admire
the stunning frescoes of Karanlık Kilise.
The region’s underground cities are just
as famous, and both Derinkuyu (the
deepest) and Kaymakli (the widest) are
worth a visit. The city of Göreme, filled
with fairy chimneys and quaint shops,
is on every itinerary, but also visit the
riverside town of Avanos for wonderful
local pottery. Plan your trip for winter
and you can even strap on a pair of skis
on the snowy slopes of Mount Erciyes.
R O U T E
/ /
T U R K E Y
EVIL EYE: Across Turkey you’ll find
eye-shaped amulets known as nazar
boncuğu . Usually glass painted in
blue, white and black, they are used as
protection against bad luck, and make
a great souvenir.
WHEN TO GO: Summer temps can top
38°C, so try visit in Spring (April-June).
BOOK IT: Turkish Airlines can take
you to Istanbul daily, and onwards to
Cappadocia if you’d prefer to fly rather
than drive. On the ground, Inspirations
Travel & Tours, Trafalgar Tours and
Contiki can show you the best that
Turkey has to offer. Ask your Sure Travel
consultant for options, or visit www.
suretravel.co.za / call 0861 47 48 49.
© ADOBESTOCK
“
MY HOME IS A
CAVE IN THE ANCIENT
TOWN OF GÖREME.
NO ORDINARY CAVE:
A LUXURY BOUTIQUE
CAVE HOTEL CARVED
OUT OF THE SANDSTONE
ROCK
“
for Anatolian princesses.
My home is a cave in the ancient town
of Göreme. No ordinary cave: a luxury
boutique cave hotel carved out of the
sandstone rock. It’s cool, dimly lit and
While hot air balloon tours remain a highlight, there is much else to do in Cappadocia, like
exploring (below) or simply staying in one of the surreal cave cities (left).
© ADOBESTOCK
oozes old romance. I wonder about the
stories of the people who made these
caves over the centuries, hiding from
religious persecution. Stories of princes,
soldiers and monks… How did they feel
living in the cool darkness, hiding from
their persecutors?
Cappadocia, you broke my heart just
a little. Your weather gods didn’t give
me an opportunity to experience the
colourful orbs of hot air floating over
your lunar landscape, but I did get my
dose of romance. You were a holiday fling
that flirted with me like a hot-blooded
young Turk, teasing, taunting and
tempting my wanderlust. I will return, if
only to satisfy my unrequited love.
MAKE MEMORIES FOR LIFE // 51