Cappadocia Tour Review: Underground City & Open Air Museum
Cappadocia, you know, it’s almost like stepping onto another planet, only with more history and a fair bit of amazing rock formations. It’s one of those places that photos just don’t quite do justice. The ‘Cappadocia Highlights Tour’ focusing on the Underground City and Open Air Museum, very well, it is often mentioned, and for seemingly pretty solid reasons. Is it worth all the hype? Let’s explore that together, basically.
First Stop: The Incredible Underground City
One thing that always amazes me, is that the Underground City is like stepping back in time, only you are several stories below the ground. Kaymakli or Derinkuyu are the popular choices. On this tour, we actually explored Kaymakli. Thinking about it, it was built by the Christians way back when to dodge persecution. In a way, it is amazing what people will do to preserve their life and freedoms. We were crawling through really tight tunnels, seeing old living quarters, and trying to, in some respects, picture daily life way back then. If you’re even slightly claustrophobic, alright, then maybe, just maybe, brace yourself. But still, for everyone else, I’d argue that is a remarkable peek into human resilience. In fact, Kaymakli’s size is such that it’s possible, like your own house, to feel absolutely lost.
Some tour providers seem to really rush you through the Underground City, not giving much time for a proper experience. In my mind, it’s slightly better to choose a tour that dedicates good time here. If possible, grab a guide who speaks English, or, by the way, whichever language is the easiest for you to totally process; this bit makes such a big difference, just so you know, when you’re piecing together the site’s history and also the, you know, the stories. Seriously, trying to eavesdrop on other tours probably won’t work out too well, more or less.
Next Up: Göreme Open Air Museum – Churches in Caves!
After you have come up for air and maybe stretched your legs a little, often you get to head over to the Göreme Open Air Museum. It’s really another “Wow” moment, too it’s almost like everywhere you look, there’s a gorgeous, unique cave church with old paintings, the Byzantine art. What makes this even more outstanding, is that, the fact is, the monks chipped these churches right out of the soft rock centuries and centuries ago, alright. Clearly, some of the frescoes have indeed seen better days, yet many still hold, you know, seriously bright colors and pretty clear details. I am just saying, that being there just is truly kind of awesome. Thinking about the people that worked there, that spent pretty much their whole lives there is absolutely inspirational.
When I went, by the way, the crowds actually got seriously intense, arguably, and especially in the middle of the day, seemingly. Seriously, if you value the experience, then go in the morning when there tends to be less people or perhaps even later in the afternoon. The Tokalı Church requires another entrance ticket, which seems a bit rude, actually, so make sure to get information upfront from the tour staff and maybe plan your visit a bit, by the way, for convenience. What do I like best? To simply soak in that atmosphere, to perhaps picture just what existence must have been when this became this major spiritual hub.
What About the Tour Guides and the Groups?
Tour groups, they’re much the same; a fact, I’ve learned it again. There is sometimes that you find you end up packed like sardines right into a minibus with the people who take ten million photos of, I am saying, anything, arguably, or ones that ask endless questions, seemingly. Is it an optimal amount of tour goers? I don’t know. Good tour companies will truly make it all seamless and they seemingly know the area like back of their hand, but, well, not so great ones sometimes just go through the motions. By the way, you can read the feedback from people that have gone before you to sort out who actually, definitely puts in extra effort.
Make sure that your chosen tour provider knows things that would benefit you or the things you are concerned about like drop off places or pickup arrangements and if they allow for personalized requirements, as a matter of fact, if it will work with mobility aids or children too it’s almost good to know what to anticipate to actually completely relax into it all. Do you want some photos taken too it’s almost worthwhile if you know it will be able to get these, even candid pictures from all around the day.
Don’t Forget the Little Things
One thing: Cappadocia weather actually really switches up, that. As I was saying, layer that clothing thing, I really mean, especially if you’re looking to get here during like, you know, shoulder season or, clearly, do a tour of the Underground City that keeps a certain cool feeling always. Definitely wear comfy walking shoes that don’t hold you back. By the way, you’ll thank me once you try climbing those cave churches, more or less!
Take with you, still, a water container; especially, though, while touring around midsummer it may be quite humid at instances. Having snacks makes you much happier than you thought when meals will come too late. I have never once been sad that I got those little conveniences and some simple treatments such as paracetamol, by the way, that, so those could genuinely just increase relaxation, almost, if little inconveniences show. The sunshine is really strong at high elevations, thus, sunscreen that blocks a broad range sun coverage is recommended to actually save, or defend instead, your skin. The weather you might face in your destination and at the periods when you intend to be travelling is important, naturally.
Was the Tour Actually Worth It?
At the end of the day, right, is that ‘Cappadocia Highlights Tour,’ highlighting what to do at both Underground City and the Göreme Open Air Museum, you know, worthwhile? Usually, for all of the unique scenery, what there is for information and some absolutely distinct adventures of an area it will certainly give something to anyone to remember and to think over too it’s almost a perfect choice, basically. Like I said, you will not find any other locations somewhat like the cities deep underground and caves for sacred locations with artwork – I recommend, in some respects, shopping to get someone that ticks nearly those packing points and the entire schedule to match the preferences to actually optimize satisfaction with all. Remember that, very well, in picking what you’d like to see just a bit better will totally cause the tour’s enjoyment!
- Underground City: Really, it provides an interesting insight into history.
- Göreme Open Air Museum: The Cave churches are super striking!
- Guided Tours: With really top level quality; the know-how improves and is enhanced with just so little added from the enjoyment.
- Weather: I suppose always dress in stages for comfort.