Turkey — Cappadocia spring 2014

Hot air balloons over the volcanic tufa formations near Göreme

Cappadocia in central Turkey is one of the most extraordinary landscapes in the world. Millions of years of volcanic activity and erosion have created a surreal terrain of cone-shaped rocks — known as “fairy chimneys” — deep gorges and underground cities. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is easy to understand why.

A hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia is an absolute must. The balloons lift off at sunrise and from above, the rolling landscape of towers and valleys looks like something from another world. It is an experience that is hard to forget.

We were airborne for just over an hour and had the chance to see it all: the characteristic cone towers, the cave cities carved from the rock, and the wide valley landscape bathed in morning light. With more than 100 balloons in the air at once, it is a phenomenal sight — both from the ground and from above.