Türkiye
Economy
Opinion
World
Arts & Life
Sports
Photo
Cappadocia balloons to spread to nine more Turkish provinces
Cappadocia balloons to spread to nine more Turkish provinces
The famous hot air balloons of Turkey’s mesmerizing Cappadocia region will soon start serving tourists in nine more provinces. Click through for the story in photos...
Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency reported on Sept. 27 that the Civilian Aviation General Directorate has started to issue permits to hot air balloon transportation in the provinces of Burdur, Denizli, Adana, Bitlis, Ankara, Afyonkarahisar, Eskişehir, Samsun and Aksaray.
According to the aviation authority’s new regulation titled “Incentives for Balloon Flights,” five companies have been given official permits and three others have received tentative licenses to operate hot air balloons in Denizli’s Pamukkale area, which is known around the world with its dazzling white calcite cliffs and travertines.
In the Central Anatolian province of Aksaray, the Ihlara Valley has been chosen as a new hot air balloon area. With its unique fauna and flora, the valley draws hundreds of thousands of tourists each year, particularly from Far Eastern and European countries. It blends natural beauties with history, including churches that remained from the early periods of Christianity.
Turkish officials picked Ahlat in the eastern province of Bitlis, Bafra in the northern province of Samsun and Kozan in the southern province of Adana as the new hot air balloon regions.
In the arid climate of Turkey’s east, Ahlat shines like an oasis on the shores of Lake Van. A group of giant Seljuk tombstones in the area is expected to join the permanent UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019.
Bafra, whose history goes back to 5000 B.C., is a town at a gorgeous delta through which Turkey’s longest river, the Kızılırmak River (Turkish for “Red River”) flows from a lush green valley into the Black Sea.
Kozan, on the other hand, will present the hot air balloon riders completely different panoramas from the highlands of the Anti-Taurus Mountains covered with olive and eucalyptus trees.
The Polatlı region in Ankara, İhsaniye in Afyonkarahisar and Seyitgazi in Eskişehir have been chosen as other picturesque destinations to spread balloon tourism. (Photos: Alamy)
ALL PHOTOS
Global South needs $2 trillion a year to tame, cope with climate
Winter arrives in Turkey as snowfall hits metropolises
Kütahya province welcomes winter with snowfall
Ancient Dara captivates tourists
Ancient Patara lures visitors
Enchanting sunset scenery from 'Little Venice'
Blanket of snow covers renowned crater lake
Frozen Lake Çıldır lures visitors
Postcard-like winter views from Turkey's Bitlis
