Nevshehir, Turkey

Nevsehir is the capital of the Cappadocia region and is a perfect starting point for visiting the area fully. The first settlements date back to 3000 BC; and its oldest name was "Nyssa". The city also has some interesting remains from the Seljuk period, like the castle which stands at the highest point of the city. The Kursunlu Mosque has an impressive complex of buildings and a medresse surrounding it which dates back to 1726. The museum displays a rich collection of the local finds. Gulsehir, and Hacibektas which is the town where Haci Bektas Veli settled in the 14th century, and set up his own Bektas Dervish order which was based on love and humanism. Hacibektas is famous for its onyx souvenirs. Cappadocia has one of the most interesting and spectacular landscapes in the world. About three millions years ago the volcanoes of Mt. Erciyes and Mt. Hasan covered the surrounding plateau with volcanic tuff as a result of their violent eruptions. The natural effects of wind, water and rain eroded this area into a spectacular, surrealist landscape of rock caves, capped pinnacles and fretted ravines in colors ranging from warm tones of red and gold to cool tones of green and gray.