Balloon adventure in Cappadocia
The first passengers in a hot air balloon were not human. In 1783, the Montgolfier brothers experimented with their balloon in Paris. And to prove that flight was possible, they strapped a basket with a rooster, a goose and a sheep to the balloon, which rose 26 meters into the air. Later that year, two people managed to soar nine kilometers above the rooftops of Paris. Quite a sensation at the time.
But the wonder and adventure of a balloon ride is still a possibility in 2024, and it's no longer limited to a short - and relatively unsafe - flight over the city's rooftops. If you travel to Turkey, the balloon adventure awaits in Cappadocia. In ancient times, Cappadocia was an independent kingdom until it was swallowed up by the Roman Empire. In the middle of the Anatolian plateau, 250 kilometers south of Ankara, hot air balloon flights attract hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world every year.
A rare and spectacular experience awaits you here. Cappadocia is a unique area where valleys and mountains have been sculpted by erosion into remarkable formations over millennia. Limestone pillars stand freely in the landscape, and all around are homes carved into the mountainsides. In fact, it's even possible to find entire underground cities.
The balloon rides start at the most beautiful time imaginable. Namely when the sun rises. After takeoff, a panoramic view opens up over a landscape that, for many, could easily be a lunar landscape in a science fiction movie. It's an almost surreal landscape that the experienced pilots soar over.
Balloon festival
The experience is simply phenomenal as the sun slowly rises over Cappadocia and you, along with perhaps 20 or 25 other balloons, soar over villages, through beautiful valleys, orchards and vineyards.
In early July each year, a special festival is organized where it is possible to watch up to 150 hot air balloons make six flights over five days. One of the days is set aside for an evening event where the balloons are lit up in synchronization with rhythmic music. It all takes place in the area around the town of Ürgüp.
Depending on the time of year (Cappadocia is also a popular ski resort), a one-hour balloon flight costs around 85 Pounds. However, it's also possible to book a balloon for a group, which can often be done at a slightly lower price per person. In that way, you may afford to spend a little more time in the air. In any case, the trip ends with a champagne toast when the basket is safely back on the ground.
More information at www.travel-cappadocia.com
