Winter Türkiye - Ski Tours

Legendary Cappadocia is just an hour's drive from Erciyes. Cappadocia's signature features, known worldwide, are its stunning, captivating rock formations and the vibrant hot air balloons that offer flights over the surrounding area. But that's not all!

Cappadocia also boasts ancient caves, early Christian monasteries, and authentic local cuisine. A trip here feels like immersion in a unique, unfamiliar world, lived according to centuries-old traditions. Houses carved into the cliffs, endless fields, and vineyards tended by hand by locals—these aren't just images to attract tourists, but the reality of life in these amazing places.

Cappadocia will impress not only those interested in history and architecture, but also those who appreciate natural beauty. The local geological structure is unique: the erosion of porous rock and the impact of floodwaters have naturally formed extraordinary chimneys. People took advantage of these chimneys and began using them to build their homes and churches.

You can't visit Cappadocia without taking a hot air balloon ride! You don't have to visit this resort in the summer to experience this. Hot air ballooning is possible at any time of year, requiring only suitable weather conditions (good visibility and calm winds). And the views you'll see from above during a winter flight are perhaps even more impressive than the summer landscapes!

Fantastic sand-colored cliffs, valleys covered in a pure white blanket of snow… From the basket of a hot air balloon, you'll see a fairytale landscape stretching to the horizon. The brightly colored balloons rising into the sky look especially beautiful against the snow-covered slopes.

Of course, there's plenty to do here besides flying: take an excursion to the Valley of the Monks or go horseback riding, and in the evening, visit a hamam or sit in a café, warming up with aromatic tea or coffee, while watching the bright street outside the window.

The closest town to the resort (just 4 kilometers away) has a rich and fascinating history. Its name comes from a Persian phrase meaning "border of Rome." Erzurum's history began in the 4th century, when it was known as Theodosiopolis. Over the centuries, the city has changed hands many times: it was controlled by the Byzantine Empire, the Ottoman Empire, Armenia, and even Russia. Alexander Pushkin mentioned Erzurum (Arzurum) in his travelogues after visiting it in 1829.

The city boasts preserved buildings from various eras, which are of great interest to lovers of history, culture, and architecture. Among them are an unusual madrasah (religious school) with a double minaret, an impressive citadel built in the 5th century (be sure to enjoy the stunning views of the city!), the Ulu Mosque, and an ethnographic museum.

At various times, the city was also known as Trebizond and Trapezus. It is located approximately 3.5 hours' drive from the resort of Palandoken, on the Black Sea coast, and is the provincial capital. For many centuries, Trabzon was a major commercial center, a crossroads of numerous trade routes, including the Silk Road. This role has resulted in the city's eclectic atmosphere: it is a blend of dozens of cultures and religions. Here you can visit a cathedral museum, mosques, and Catholic and Byzantine churches.

Depending on your preferences, the tour can also include the picturesque Trabzon Fortress and the beautiful, yet little-known, Ortahisar Castle. The local cuisine deserves special attention: gourmets should definitely try it.