Published on Jun, 2022
I knew I was coming to Türkiye and I wanted to experience Cappadoccia in the most exciting and exhilarating way possible. I booked this specific tour with Bella Turca travel – “Highlights of Cappadocia in One Day - Guided Private Sightseeing Tour”. I booked the tour online, for June 17, 2022, and was a bit nervous because I did not know what to expect, but I took the chance. The tour guide, Ahmet, came to pick me up at the hotel. I got into the van and was pleasantly surprised to find out that I was the ONLY person they were giving a tour too. Yes, I know I selected a private tour, but for some reason I assumed there would be others in the van, but there weren’t -GREAT!! I believe I chose to be picked up around 9:15 am. After Ahmet and the driver picked me up, we went to a spot to overlook all of Göreme, it was so majestic and so beautiful
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Next, we went to see the Kaymaklı Underground City
and we did the official tour. I am a curvy woman so there were times in that tour when I questioned if I would fit in certain crevices, hahahaha, but it is interesting. This was quite informative, because you got to see what it was like living underground. Don’t be surprised if someone comes up to your face to take a picture when you first get to the site .When you finish the tour, you will see that a vendor has your picture on a random souvenir. if you don’t like the picture you can tell him to take the picture again.It is a cheap nice souvenir to have.
After that tour, I was taken to a Turquoise Factory, to learn about how turquoise is harvested and made into fantastic jewelry. If you want to, you can buy items from the shop, so it is a good idea to bring extra cash with you.
After this, I was taken to Pigeon Valley, another beautiful area in Turkey.
After that, I was taken to Uchisar, where I could see the castle, and it was another great place for photo opportunities. The tour guide was great at taking pictures, so he became my photographer during the tour.
After Uchisar, I was taken to a cave-like restaurant to have lunch. The name of the place was called Uranos Sarikaya, and the food was so delicious!! They bring the food to your table and at times you get to select what you want, especially as it pertains to desert (fruit or baklava) and another option.. but the main course is the pottery meat which was SOO DELICIOUS!! After lunch, we visited Imagination Valley, Love Valley ( the place with the heart shaped chair), Fairy Chimneys Valley (Pasabag), and then one more place, and then I believe that was it. It was a long day, but it was an amazing day, because once you do this one tour, you never have to do another one. You will see any and everything that you want to see just by paying for and participating in this ONE Tour. I even stopped to dance by the side of the street with some Turkish people, it was GREAT!! This is a true cultural experience!!
The driver and the guide are so sweet and so wonderful. I was a single woman, by myself, in a van, with two men, and I felt completely safe the whole time, for all 6 to 7 hours. If you can only do ONE tour in Cappadocia, this is the tour you choose. I was so happy with this tour!! If I ever go back to Türkiye, I will do this tour again, because I was so happy with the guide.
This is a tour you can do by yourself or even with a family with people of all ages- it is perfect for anyone !! The guide spoke perfect English and he was so kind, wonderful and so knowledgeable- he knew any and everything about every place in the area which we visited. Not only that, he is very popular, everyone in the town seems to know him!!! You are not just driven around- you are told the history about each place you visit. This tour is worth the money. You will not regret it and you will have amazing memories and pictures, capturing the beauty of Kappadocia. At the end of the tour, I was taken directly back to my hotel.
Below is a summary of the places we visited :
Spot 1: Göreme Overview
Spot 2: Kaymakli Underground City
Spot 3: Turqouise Factory
Spot 4: Pigeon Valley
Spot 5: Uchisar Castle
Spot 6: The cave- like Restaurant for Lunch
Spot 7: Love Valley
Spot 8: Imagination Valley
Spot 9: Fairy Chimneys Valley
Spot 10: We also went to one more place, I forgot the name
This tour was and is amazing!! Make sure you participate in this great opportunity!!