Location: Central Anatolia in Turkey
Nearest Airport:
Kayseri or Nevsehir at 80
Kilometres
Car: not necessary
Goreme is in the centre of Cappadocia, an area famous for its spectacular scenery and 'fairy chimneys'. The name means 'land of the beautiful horses', you can explore the valleys and pathways on horseback, by quad bike, walking or take the trip of a lifetime in a hot air balloon. The Hittites colonised this region as far back as 1800BC, then it became an area of refuge and shelter for the early Christians during the Roman and Byzantine periods. These early Christians carved out over 300 cave churches and 30 underground cities. Many of these are open for you to explore the subterranean passages and marvel at the paintings of Biblical scenes that have survived the ages. Today, Goreme is a bustling town, where ancient traditions of carpet weaving, farming and hospitality are still an important part of life, and donkeys and carts are a familiar sight in town.