I still remember the cloudy afternoon when I first got to the old city of Acre. The weather was unusual for the beginning of April because the temperature was below normal, the wind was blowing hard and it was about to rain.

My visit was short and quick, as I tried to visit as much as possible before the rain started. A few hours later, I left Acre feeling disappointed but at that moment I couldn’t realize why. Fortunately, the following days the weather was lovely and I could enjoy the rest of my trip. Even so, the regret of seeing Acre on such bad weather was still there. Everything happens for a reason and things fell into place at the right time and I was able to visit the city of Acre for the second time on my last day in Israel. This time the weather was perfect and I could enjoy the beauty of Acre, also known as Akko in Arabic.

Considered a famous Crusader city and blessed with one of the oldest ports in the world, Acre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This fortified city is blessed with well-preserved citadels, mosques and a lot of Turkish baths and bazaars. Akko has a lot to offer and therefore there are a lot of things you could do there.

To better understand the glorious past of Akko, you could visit the Hospitaller Fortress which belonged to the Hospitallers, who were knights of the Order of Saint John. There are a lot of things that can be admired inside the fortress, but the Knights’ Halls and the Templars’ Tunnel stand out from the rest.

The Turkish Bath (Hammam Al-Basha) is another place that perfectly displays the history of Acre. This old hammam has been fully restored and nowadays it is home to an interesting museum that exhibits a lot of objects related to the history and culture of the Turkish Bath ritual.

The massive stone walls which border the Old Town, are Akko’s most distinctive tourist attraction. Besides admiring the panoramic views over the Old Town of Akko, walking along these ancient defensive walls gives you the chance to live moments of pure relaxation. If you follow the path which goes around the walls of the city, you will notice the massive tower known as the Burj el-Kummander which dominates the northern part of the Old Town. In the east, you can admire the Burg Kurajim or the Tower of Vine, a bastion that was built to defend the town against attacks coming from the sea. During your walk along the walls, you will also discover St. John’s Church, a small church which was built in 1737. This is one of the most colorful buildings in Akko which for sure won’t go unnoticed.

As I have already said, Akko’s Marina used to be a famous port which nowadays is home to colorful fishing boats and yachts. Not far from the harbor, you can find Akko’s main bazaar which offers a variety of goods from fresh spices and food to interesting souvenirs.

The Ahmed Al-Jazzar Mosque is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Akko and for good reason. The well-preserved mosque seems to dominate the skyline with its imposing white and green tower. In case you have enough time to spend in Akko, you can take a boat tour to see the walls from the sea.

I must confess that I chose not to take the boat tour because I wanted to spend a couple of hours on the beach. It was a great opportunity to recharge my batteries after the beautiful but exhausting walk around the town.

To sum up, Akko is a beautiful city which is worth visiting if you ever get to this area. I’m sure that the following pictures will convince you to add Akko to your trip list in case you ever plan a trip to Israel.

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I must confess that whenever I decide to revisit a country, I try to combine the places I have already visited and liked the most with some new ones.

I visited Israel for the second time three years ago and it goes without saying that I’ve added some new beautiful places to my trip itinerary, places that I didn’t manage to visit during my first trip there. The Ramat Gan Safari Park is one of these places. This beautiful park is situated close to the center of Tel Aviv, in the neighboring city of Ramat Gan.

Considered one of the largest zoos in the Middle East, the Ramat Gan Safari is divided into three sections: The Safari Park, The Lion Safari and The Zoo. Regardless of this division, each section imitates the natural habitat of the animals. What makes this place really special is the fact that you get really close to the animals to admire them and take a lot of pictures.

Covering an area of 250 acres, the Ramat Gan Safari is home to 1600 species of animals, including 68 species of mammals, 130 species of fowl and 25 species of reptiles. From elephants and gorillas to snakes and birds, this park reunites species from all over the world.

I must say that it was a real delight to admire different species of monkeys and birds, to enjoy the delicate gestures of the giraffes or to simply watch how the deer and the lions walked freely through the park. This experience was an excellent opportunity to recharge my batteries and also forget about the hustle and bustle of the city. I always feel relaxed around animals and the hours I have spent there passed very quickly.

You can explore the park in your own car, by joining an organized tour or you can take a Segway tour. No matter how you choose to visit this park, when you get to the closed areas you have to walk among the specially designed pavilions.

As I have already said, the Ramat Gan Safari Park is situated close to downtown Tel Aviv and it is very easy to get there. If you ever get to Tel Aviv, I really recommend that you visit this place. If I haven’t convinced you yet, you should take a look at the following pictures which I’m sure will do a better job.

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When I think about my second trip to Israel, the image of the beautiful Masada comes to my mind. This ancient fortress lies on a flat plateau above the Dead Sea, in the mysterious Judaean Desert.

Considered one of the most famous archaeological sites is Israel, the impressive ruins of Masada reveal their beauty in a spectacular desert scenery. The fortress was built as a palace complex by Herod the Great, King of Judaea and it still displays the traces of the classical Roman style.

King Herod’s northern palace is the part of the complex which reveals the details of an opulent architectural design in the most prominent way. Built on three rock terraces, this palace is considered the most impressive part of the complex.

A large Roman bath embellished with a colorful mosaic floor and wall murals is another attraction in the complex.

The fortress is also famous for its old innovative water system which used to collect runoff water from a single day of rain to sustain life for a thousand people over a period of two-three years.

The luxurious western palace, the Jewish ritual bath, the storerooms, the watchtowers and the synagogue are other buildings which talk about the history of Masada.

The massive defense walls which hide these exceptional Roman buildings give you the feeling that the struggle between oppression and liberty is still going on. It is said that the fortress was conquered by a group of Jewish zealots, at the beginning of the First Jewish Revolt against Rome. According to historical remarks, a few years later, when the Romans succeeded in reaching the mountain top fortress, the 960 Jewish zealots who lived there committed suicide. They wanted to avoid falling into the hands of the Romans alive and this is why their death was considered a great act of courage and heroism.

In order to reach the fortress, you can go up a rocky path called the “snake path’’ or you can take the cable car that runs from the foot of the mountain to the top. I chose the cable car because when I visited the fortress it was too hot to walk. This was a great opportunity to find out a few details about the history of this place because the tourist center presents a documentary film about the story of Masada.

Whether you choose to visit Masada on your own or as part of a guided tour, I’m sure you will like this place. I must confess that I really liked visiting this fortress and the few hours I spent there went by so fast. You don’t have to take my words for granted because the following pictures will convince you to pay a visit to this place in case you ever get to Israel.

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It goes without saying that when you say Israel you say religious edifices. It is said that all believers should live the experience of visiting Israel’s religious attractions at least once in a lifetime. Beyond its religious side, Israel is blessed with a lot of other beautiful tourist attractions and the experience of discovering them is also very interesting.

I visited Israel twice and I had the chance to enjoy more than its religious side. I experienced its culture and lifestyle as well. Nine years ago, I visited Israel for the first time as part of an organized trip lead by a priest. The tour was complete and it included all the major religious tourist attractions in Israel and Palestine. I didn’t write about this religious experience and I won’t do it now either because it is, in my opinion, the type of experience which should be kept in one’s heart. In case you want to live such an experience, I advise you to choose a trip organized by a priest because this way you will have the chance to “see” Israel from a different point of view.

My second trip to Israel took place two years ago and during the ten days I spent there, I tried to discover another side of this country. If you plan to visit Israel, I hope that my trip itinerary helps you. I consider there are definitely a few places you should add to your trip list.

Even though the purpose of my trip was to discover new places in Israel, I wanted to revisit the city of Jerusalem and the town of Nazareth. Whether you are a religious person or not, Jerusalem should be on your trip list. You cannot leave Israel without stopping in this famous city because the Old City of Jerusalem is well worth a visit. Beyond the multitude of bazaars and all the agitation, this part of the city holds pages of history within its walls.

The most famous road is the Via Dolorosa. Every Christian should take a tour of the Via Dolorosa which is believed to be the path Jesus followed on the way to his crucifixion. Situated at the end of this road, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre or the Church of the Resurrection is the final destination for believers. This church is built above Golgotha, the place where Jesus of Nazareth was crucified and it shelters Jesus’s empty tomb. The road that leads to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is not the same without a priest who can explain all the important details to you.

The Garden of Gethsemane is another place that you should visit. Situated near the foot of the Mount of Olives, this garden is the place where Jesus went to pray the night before he was crucified. The Church of All Nations is situated near the garden and according to religion, this church was built over the rock where Jesus prayed before he was betrayed by Judas Iscariot.

A few steps farther, you can find the Grotto of Gethsemane, the natural cave used as shelter by Jesus and his disciples. Near the grotto, there is the Church of the Assumption or the Tomb of the Virgin Mary, where according to Christian tradition the Mother of Jesus was buried after she died. Jerusalem is blessed with a lot of other religious edifices, but I chose to revisit only the ones I have already mentioned. The visit to Jerusalem ended with a walk to the Ramparts Walk, where I had the chance to admire a great view over the Old City.

The town of Nazareth was another place that I wanted to revisit. From all the places I had already visited during my first trip there, I chose to revisit only the small Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation. This is the church where one of the most famous biblical scenes took place. According to religion, the angel Gabriel descended from Heaven to tell the Virgin Mary about her pregnancy. The church stands over the cave where it is believed that Mary first heard the angel’s voice.

The city of Akko or Acre was a great surprise taking into account all the things it has to offer. This famous Crusader city is blessed with one of the oldest ports in the world, well-preserved citadels and mosques, Turkish baths and crowded bazaars. Here, you can visit the Hospitaller Fortress which paints the glorious past of Akko or you can relax inside the Turkish Bath, which is nowadays an interesting museum.

A walk along the massive stone walls which border the Old Town will offer you the chance to admire some gorgeous panoramic views. During this walk, you will notice the massive tower known as Burj el-Kummander, the bastion Burg Kurajim and the small St. John’s Church.

Ahmed Al-Jazzar Mosque is another tourist attraction that deserves your attention. This well-preserved religious edifice impresses tourists with its imposing white and green tower. Akko’s Marina is that part of the city that I liked the most. The image of the colorful fishing boats and the luxury yachts outlines the beauty of this port. In case you are a shopping lover, Akko’s main bazaar is the perfect option. The city is also blessed with a large beach where you can spend a few moments of relaxation after visiting all these tourist attractions.

Haifa was the city that really impressed me. Here, I visited the Baha’i Gardens and the lovely Camel Beach. The Baha’i Gardens are the symbol of the Bahá’i faith and one of the most visited places of pilgrimage in Haifa and Western Galilee. The Bahá’i religion brings together the essential beliefs of all religions and promotes the idea of a unified world regardless of nations, races, social classes and creeds. The Baha’i Gardens shelter 19 terraces of flowers, water fountains and small sculptures that surround the Shrine of the Báb. Considered the most famous holy place in the Bahá’i faith, this shrine was built in honor of the prophet Báb, the main founder of the Bahá’i religion.

Covering a large area, the Bahá’i Gardens are divided into three different sections beautifully decorated with flowers and trees, water fountains and small sculptures. For a complete experience, you should visit all these sections. You can visit the gardens on your own or as a part of a guided tour.

After visiting this beautiful place, I ended the day relaxing on Camel Beach. Equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas, this sandy beach is the perfect place where you can rest and relax for a few hours.

Another day of my trip was dedicated to the city of Tel Aviv. This city has a lot to offer and in case you want to visit all its important tourist attractions, you should spend at least a few days here. Taking into account the fact that I didn’t stay long in Tel Aviv, I decided to visit only the Ramat Gan Safari and Jaffa.

The Ramat Gan Safari is a beautiful park situated close to the center of Tel Aviv, in the neighboring city of Ramat Gan. Divided into three sections, it is one of the largest zoos in the Middle East. The Safari Park, The Lion Safari and The Zoo are the three sections specially designed to imitate the natural habitat of the animals. The Ramat Gan Safari is home to 1600 species of animals, including 68 species of mammals, 130 species of fowl and 25 species of reptiles. I must confess that it was a great experience to admire different species from all over the world. The park covers an area of 250 acres and you can explore it in your car, by taking a Segway tour or by joining an organized tour.

Jaffa, the southern and the oldest part of Tel Aviv, was the second place I decided to visit. In my opinion, visiting this part of Tel Aviv was a great way to end the day. Walking in the ancient port and admiring the gorgeous views was a perfect way to relax. Also, there are some beautiful buildings you will definitely notice during this walk. For example, I liked the bell tower of St. Peter’s Church, which is one of the symbols of Jaffa.

Masada National Park is another historical place that caught my attention. Lying on a flat plateau above the Dead Sea, this ancient fortress is considered one of the most famous archaeological sites in Israel. Built as a palace complex by Herod the Great, King of Judaea, Masada shelters the ruins of the beautiful Roman buildings. Considered the most impressive part of the complex, King Herod’s northern palace is built on three rock terraces and displays an opulent architectural style. The large Roman bath embellished with a colorful mosaic floor and murals is another part of the complex which attracts a lot of tourists.

Masada is also famous for its old innovative water system which used to collect runoff water from the rain. This water was used to sustain life for a thousand people over a period of two-three years. The luxurious western palace, the Jewish ritual bath, the storerooms, the watchtowers and the synagogue are other buildings you can admire inside the fortress. To reach the fortress, you can follow the “snake path” or you can take the cable car that runs from the foot of the mountain to the top. You have two options to visit Masada. You can explore it on your own or as a part of a guided tour.

The Keshet Cave is one of the most beautiful natural wonders in Israel. I must confess that it was a real pleasure to explore this natural arch. Also known as the Rainbow Cave or the Arch Cave, this carved rock has a small cave beneath which attracts hundreds of extreme sports lovers. They go down from the arch to the cave base, dropping off the side of the cave and swinging under the arch using only a thick rope. In case you are not a fan of extreme sports, just like me, you can admire this natural arch and the beautiful scenery that surrounds it.

After visiting the Keshet Cave, you can relax a few hours on the Betzet Beach, which is located at the foot of the mountain. Betzet Beach is the northernmost beach in Israel. Surrounded by beautiful mountains and valleys, this is one of the most beautiful beaches in Israel.

All things considered, in case you plan a trip to Israel and you don’t know what to visit there, I hope that my trip itinerary inspires you.

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These wonderful gardens shelter 19 terraces of flowers, water fountains and small sculptures that surround the Shrine of the Báb, the most famous holy place in the Bahá’i faith. This dome-shaped shrine and the monuments and buildings situated in these beautiful gardens make the complex one of the most visited places of pilgrimage in Haifa and Western Galilee. As the name suggests, this shrine was built in honor of the Báb, the prophet who is considered the main founder of the Bahá’i religion.

Siyyid Ali Muhammad Shirazi, the Persian who called himself the Báb, laid the foundations of this new religion almost 200 years ago. His doctrine was preached by his descendants and today the Bahá’i faith has over seven million followers all over the world.

In case you didn’t know, the Bahá’i religion brings together the essential beliefs of all religions and promotes the goal of a unified world which ensures the prosperity of all nations, races, social classes and creeds. Situated in the Bahá’i Gardens, the Bahai World Centre in Haifa is the place where the nine elected leaders make important decisions. This is why Haifa is considered one of the most spiritual cities in the world when it comes to the tradition of pilgrimage in the Bahá’i faith.

The Bahá’i Gardens cover a large area which is divided into three different sections beautifully decorated with flowers and trees, water fountains and small sculptures. The lower section starts from the German Colony, a small area located at the foot of the Bahá’i Gardens, and reaches the Port of Haifa. The middle section includes the gardens around the Shrine of the Báb, which is the resting place of the famous prophet. The upper section lies between the Louis Promenade and the main gate where the visit starts. If you want your visit to be complete, you should cover all these sections.

You can visit the gardens on your own or you can choose one of the guided tours in English, Russian or Hebrew. For the 45-minute guided tour you don’t need a reservation and it’s free of charge. The only condition is to arrive half an hour ahead of the set time because the places are limited and the principle applied is “first come, first served”.

I visited the Bahá’i Gardens on my own because I wanted to take my time and enjoy their beauty to the fullest. As I have already said, I liked this place because, besides its beauty, it has a strong spiritual power. This is one of the places I would like to revisit one day because the hour I spent there went by so fast and lovely. You don’t have to take my words for granted. Just take a look at the following pictures which I’m sure will convince you to pay a visit to the Bahá’i Gardens in case you ever get to Israel.

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When it comes to charisma, Istanbul is a perfect example. This charismatic city displays an impressive architecture, wonderful buildings and monuments, an interesting culture, strong religious convictions, and a fascinating history.

If I had to describe Istanbul in a few words, I would say energy, shopping and of course unique mosques. In my opinion, these mosques are a perfect representation of the Muslim culture. These imposing religious edifices urge the believers to prayer five times a day. I cannot even imagine how Istanbul would look without its impressive mosques. It might sound unbelievable but Istanbul hosts almost 3000 mosques. I will only talk about five of them which are in my opinion the most significant and also the ones I liked the most.

1.The Blue Mosque or Sultanahmet Camii is the most famous mosque in Istanbul. Built between 1606- 1616, this imposing mosque has an amazing interior design. It is decorated with tiny blue tiles and this is the reason why Sultan Ahmet’s Mosque is also known as the Blue Mosque. Famous in the entire country, this mosque is considered Turkey’s National Mosque.

2.Situated right next to the Blue Mosque in Sultanahmet Square, the Hagia Sophia is another great architectural monument in Istanbul. Originally built as a Christian church between 532- 537, this imposing building was transformed into a mosque and later on it became a museum. The blend between the Byzantine culture and the Ottoman culture makes this monument special. The beautiful columns, the marble doors and the chandeliers make the interior of this mosque really impressive.

3.The Yeni Mosque or the New Mosque is the amazing mosque that seems to guard the Bosphorus. Situated near Galata Bridge, in Eminonu District, this building has a beautifully decorated interior. I advise you to take a lot of pictures here, especially at night when the lights that embellish the mosque are on. The construction of this place was a difficult process. It began in 1597 and it was completed in 1663. This thing happened because the mosque was destroyed several times during the construction process.

4.The Suleymaniye Mosque is the largest mosque in Istanbul. Built on a high hill between 1550 -1557, the Suleymanyie Camii is my favorite mosque. It is, in my opinion, the most beautiful and impressive mosque in Istanbul. Painted in a pleasant shade of red, the interior of this mosque looks fabulous. The green spaces that surround the edifice and the abundance of colors, shapes and effects that embellish the interior were the things I liked the most about this place.

5.The Ortakoy Mosque or Buyuk Mecidiye Camii is the one that seems to border the waters of the Bosphorus. Situated near Ortakoy Square, in Besiktas District, this imposing mosque is a symbol of the Baroque architecture. Built between 1854 and 1856, it is the newest mosque of the ones I have already mentioned. Another important aspect related to the Ortakoy Mosque is its strategic position which will give you the chance to admire beautiful landscapes on the Bosphorus.

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It goes without saying that I looked up these places on the internet before planning my trips. This is exactly what I did before visiting Istanbul. I visited Istanbul twice and during my second visit there I added a lovely rooftop terrace to my trip itinerary. I’m talking about the rooftop terrace of the Seven Hills Restaurant which is part of the hotel with the same name. Situated in Tevkifhane Street, No. 8, Sultanahmet District, this rooftop terrace is located in the heart of Istanbul just a few steps away from the two of the most beautiful mosques in the city.

The terrace of the restaurant offers you the chance to admire splendid views of the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia. It’s a great experience to enjoy a drink or a meal while you admire these beautiful mosques. The beautiful morning when I got to this place is still so vivid in my mind. I remember I chose one of the best tables on the terrace and I enjoyed a great view of the two mosques and the surrounding area. Beautifully decorated with colorful flowers and plants, this terrace is the perfect place to relax and serve a delicious meal.

Even though Seven Hills Restaurant attracts many tourists thanks to its position, the restaurant is also known for its delicious food. When it comes to food, you can choose from a variety of dishes because the restaurant serves a lot of Turkish and Mediterranean specialties. All things considered, make sure you will not miss this place in case you get to Istanbul. Seven Hills Restaurant is waiting for you to enjoy a meal and an amazing panorama on its gorgeous terrace.

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From its churches dug in volcanic rocks and its troglodyte dwellings carved by water to its underground cities, every single part of this region is simply magical. Not to mention the colorful hot air balloons which attract a lot of tourists every year.

It is not a secret that I love taking pictures and Cappadocia is one of the best places in the world to do so. When I think about all the pictures I have taken here, a lot of places come to my mind. Sultan Carpets is one of these places. I have always dreamed of doing a photo session using the Turkish carpets as a setting and Sultan Carpets turned out to be the perfect place to make my dream come true.

As the name suggests, Sultan Carpets is a shop where you can find a selection of handmade carpets and rugs of all sizes, shapes and colors. According to Turkish culture, kilim and hali are the two main carpet types in Turkey. Kilim is a flat-woven carpet and hali is a knotted rug. They can be used as prayer rugs or to decorate the walls and the floors.

Nowadays, handmade rugs and carpets are considered a form of art taking into account the creativity behind the variety of models. Sultan Carpets is more than a shop that sells beautiful and quality rugs and carpets. If we take into account the variety of carpets you can admire or buy here and the fact that Sultan Carpets is a gorgeous setting for pictures, this place became a tourist attraction for the tourists who visit Cappadocia. They decorated a room to exhibit the carpets and to create a perfect setting for those who love taking pictures. I spent almost an hour in the shop, admiring the carpets and taking gorgeous pictures. Sultan Carpets is situated in the central area of Göreme, in Müze Cd. Street, No 32.

After my experience there, I advise you to add this place to your trip list in case you ever get to Cappadocia. It is another type of Turkish experience you should live, especially if you love photography. You don’t have to take my words for granted, but you can take a look at the following pictures to convince yourself of what I’m talking about.

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Besides these interesting fairy chimneys, as they are called, the entire area is blessed with churches dug in volcanic rocks, troglodyte dwellings eroded by water and mysterious underground cities.

I have been planning to visit Cappadocia for a long time and fortunately last year I managed to spend four days there. After my experience in this magical land, I must confess that I was simply impressed by the beauty of Cappadocia. It goes without saying that during my trip there I tried to visit as many places as possible. You should know that there are three different routes you can explore in the region of Cappadocia. The red route, the blue route and the green route will help you discover the beauty of this region. I explored all of them and the following 12 places are the ones I liked the most:

1.The town of Göreme is the perfect place to stay while visiting Cappadocia. We chose to accommodate in this town and this is why we had enough time to enjoy our trip. Also known as “the cave town”, Göreme has a spectacular appearance thanks to its idyllic buildings carved in stone. A lot of these buildings are used as hotels, guest houses and restaurants. It’s an amazing feeling to look around and be surrounded by fairy chimneys of different shapes and sizes. You can admire them when you walk in the narrow streets of the town or when you go up to Göreme Panorama. This is the perfect place in case you want to spend a couple of moments of relaxation while admiring the panorama of the entire town.

If you love shopping, there are a lot of shops in Göreme that can satisfy your passion. In this regard, I advise you to visit at least a pottery shop in case you want to find out a lot of details about the mysteries of the pottery and admire or buy unique exhibits. Besides, in front of many of these pottery shops, you will discover the famous wishing trees. A wishing tree is a tree decorated with pots, small pieces of paper or evil eye amulets. As the name suggests, it is believed that a wishing tree can make a wish come true.

Visiting a carpet shop is another interesting experience you can live in Göreme. On this note, I recommend Sultan Carpets, a shop where you can find a variety of handmade carpets and rugs.

Last but not least, Göreme is the best place to try the hot air balloon experience. Somewhere on the outskirts of the town, you can fly in a hot air balloon above Cappadocia, surrounded by hundreds of other colored balloons. As far as I’m concerned, the hot air balloon experience was one of the best experiences I have ever lived.

2.The Love Valley is one of the best places to go to in case you want to admire the sunrise and the sky full of colorful balloons. This valley is blessed with very interesting rock formations. If you let your imagination run wild, you may compare these rock formations with mushrooms, arrows, columns, umbrellas and so on.

On the platform above the rocks, there are swings and benches embellished with decorations. The Love Valley is the perfect place for taking interesting pictures. Taking into account this aspect and the fact that it is close to Göreme, I visited the Love Valley twice. I went there in the morning because I wanted to admire the sunrise and I also came back in the evening.

3.Paşabağı Valley or the Monks’ Valley is another beautiful place that deserves to be visited. Located on the road to Zelve, this valley is remarkable thanks to its interesting fairy chimneys which look like bunches of mushrooms. Besides its mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys, Paşabağı is also famous for a hermit’s shelter built in one of these chimneys.

The valley is also blessed with an old chapel built on three different levels. St. Simeon Chapel has a unique appearance. Attracted by the solitude and isolation that the region provided, St. Simeon took refuge in Cappadocia. I enjoyed exploring this beautiful valley and admiring all these interesting rock formations

4.The Göreme Open-Air Museum is a rocky settlement area that displays the remains of a few beautiful monasteries, churches and chapels carved in stone. These settlements are appreciated by tourists thanks to their well-preserved frescoes and paintings which depict portraits of saints and other Biblical figures and scenes. According to the legend, the locals built these religious places to pray in secret during religious persecution.

The Göreme Open-Air Museum is situated in a beautiful valley, a few kilometers away from Göreme. It was a real pleasure to spend a few hours of relaxation inside this complex.

5.The Uchisar Castle and the surrounding area are also worth visiting. The castle, one of the best viewpoints in Cappadocia, is only a short drive from the nearby town of Goreme. The Uchisar Castle is a Roman edifice built in stone whose rooms are connected through tunnels, passages, and stairs. Unfortunately, only a few of these rooms can be visited because of the erosion.

The castle is located on the road between Göreme and Nevsehir. If you get to this area, you should also explore the surroundings and Mount Erciyes. As far as I’m concerned, I liked the surroundings because the landscapes are simply amazing.

6.The Pigeon Valley which stretches between Uchisar and Göreme is another area that deserves your attention. The name of the valley comes from the pigeons which live in the area. The Pigeon Valley is famous for its pigeon houses which are used to collect pigeon dung. I found out that farmers use this dung as a natural fertilizer for orchards and vineyards. To attract the pigeons inside, a lot of these houses were painted white and this makes the scenery even more gorgeous.

7.The Symmetrical Church or Aynalı Kilise was a great surprise for me. I must confess that I didn’t expect to discover such an interesting and beautiful church in this area. Carved in stone and decorated with interesting geometric ornaments, the church has a unique appearance.

Exploring the church might be quite an adventure taking into account its dark, narrow and steep passages. After visiting the first rooms, a narrow and dark stone staircase leads you to the next floor, where you can admire an old dovecote. Behind the church, following a narrow tunnel, you can find another interesting room. After my experience there, I can honestly say that I don’t regret the decision to visit this amazing place.

8.Devrent Valley, also known as the Imaginary Valley or the Pink Valley, should be on your trip list. This valley is special thanks to its unusual rock formations which give you the feeling that you are in the middle of a lunar landscape. If you let your imagination run wild, these small fairy chimneys might look like animal-shaped rocks. From camels and snakes to seals and dolphins, the entire valley could be considered an atypical zoo. It is said that there is also a rock pillar that looks like the Virgin Mary holding Jesus.

Devrent Valley is only a ten-minute drive from Göreme. Even though I couldn’t discover too many animal-shaped rocks, I must admit that I had a great time here.

9.The Three Beauties or the Three Graces are three beautiful fairy chimneys situated near the town of Urgüp. Besides their interesting appearance, these natural formations are known for their sad story. According to the legend, a long time ago, there was a king who lost his wife and had to raise his daughter by himself. When his daughter grew up, the king wanted her to marry a rich and influential man, but the girl fell in love with a shepherd.

Shortly after that, she escaped the palace and got married to the shepherd. The king didn’t agree with this marriage and after his daughter gave birth to a child, he ordered his soldiers to kill his daughter and her family. God answered the girl’s prayer and turned her entire family into stone pillars before the soldiers had a chance to kill them. Therefore, it is said that the three fairy chimneys are the princess, her husband and their child.

10.Ortahisar Castle is a 90-meter high natural fortress which dominates the town with the same name. This imposing castle which was built on a big rock urges you to explore it. If you follow the metal ladders to get to the viewing terrace, you will have the chance to admire a spectacular panorama of the fairy chimneys of Hallacdere and the peak of Mount Erciyes.

The interior shelters interesting caves connected through tunnels, passages, and stairs. Even though I was afraid to climb to the viewing terrace, I must confess that exploring Ortahisar Castle was a great experience.

11.The Derinkuyu Underground City is a troglodyte cave-city that shelters an extensive network of passages, tunnels, pits and inclined corridors that connect the rooms and the spaces inside. In the underground city, there are wells, chimneys for air circulation, niches for oil lamps, stores, water tanks, churches, wineries, stables and so on.

Even though there are 36 underground cities in Cappadocia, I chose to visit the Derinkuyu Underground City because it is the deepest one. Maybe it’s hard to believe, but the city is about 85 meters deep. Situated in the town with the same name, the Derinkuyu Underground City is located 40 kilometers away from Goreme.

12.Last but not least, you cannot leave Cappadocia without visiting the beautiful Ihlara Valley. Situated near Mount Hasan and Mount Melendiz, the Ihlara Valley is a 100 m deep canyon. Formed by the Melendiz River thousands of years ago, the valley covers an area of about 14 kilometers. According to the legend, the Ihlara Valley sheltered more than a thousand dwellings and a hundred cave churches decorated with frescoes. Besides the spectacular landscapes, the charming village of Belisirma can also be admired in the area.

The village is special thanks to the restaurants built on the Melendiz River. These restaurants are open wooden huts which create the perfect setting for lunch. It is an amazing feeling to eat and relax in one of these wooden huts.

To sum up, Cappadocia is an amazing destination which will impress you with its variety of tourist attractions. Even though there is much more to discover in the region of Cappadocia, these are in my opinion the places you should not miss during your stay there.

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The hotel I booked in Cappadocia was one of the aspects that made my experience there really great. Choosing suitable accommodation is, in my opinion, a really significant detail whenever I travel. It is true that there are a lot of accommodation options in Göreme, but something made me choose Feel Cappadocia Stone House. If I had to think about my choice, I would say that the gorgeous pictures I saw on the internet convinced me to book a room there.

At first sight, the exterior doesn’t betray the wonderful interior at all. The common façade and the simple and small reception made me doubt the choice I had made for a moment. Fortunately, my choice turned out to be an inspired one because leaving aside the appearances, Feel Cappadocia Stone House is a lovely hotel.

Accommodation

Feel Cappadocia Stone House offers gorgeous rooms and suites, beautifully decorated with modern and solid wood furniture. The whole building gives you the feeling that it is made of stone. No matter what type of room you choose (a Deluxe Room, a Superior Triple Room or a King Room), all of them are spacious and tastefully furnished. They are equipped with all the necessary amenities in order to create a home-like atmosphere. From a modern LED television to an electric teapot and a desk, the hotel offers everything you need in order to make your stay really comfortable. All the rooms are equipped with a spacious bathroom which seems to be made of stone, too.

Culinary experience

When it comes to food, I must confess that I only had breakfast there. A buffet breakfast is included in the price of the room and even though it’s not very diversified, it is a pleasant experience because it is served on the lovely rooftop terrace of the hotel. The spacious and welcoming terrace offers a great view of the unusual orange and light-brown rock formations of Cappadocia.

Other facilities

As I have already said, one of the most wonderful facilities of this hotel is the lovely rooftop terrace. Parking will not be a problem either in case you travel by car, because the hotel offers free parking spaces. The hotel also offers a 24-hour front desk, free WiFi, room service and currency exchange.

The staff

The staff of the hotel is very friendly and ready to help you every time you need it. They gave us a lot of valuable information about the area and the tourist attractions. Our stay at Feel Cappadocia Stone House was even more comfortable thanks to its well-trained staff.

How to get there

Feel Cappadocia Stone House is situated in Avcılar Mah. Sağlık Sok. 13/1 50180 Göreme, close to Nevşehir Airport. In case you travel by plane and you don’t have an agency to take care of your transport, you can simply take a cab from the airport to the hotel. You should also know that the hotel offers a shuttle service, that you have to pay for. Feel Cappadocia Stone House is also close to the town center and this is great in case you want to take a walk at night. There are a lot of car rental agencies in the area and an info point in case you need additional information.

To sum up, I don’t regret my choice because Feel Cappadocia Stone House is a great hotel. Don’t overlook Feel Cappadocia Stone House, in case you plan to spend a couple of days in Cappadocia.

The post Feel Cappadocia Stone House, a great option in Göreme appeared first on HikerTips.