Dreams do come true at Argos in Cappadocia

Do fairies exist? Do they mingle with mortals? In Cappadocia, in the historical central Anatolian region of Turkey, fairies exist and dreams do come true.

To visit Cappadocia is to embark on a fairyland journey with stunning terrain formed over millions of years by the lava and ashes spewed from Mount Erciyes and Mount Hasandagi.  Carved by water and wind, sculpted by monks, priests and master stone cutters, this is a poetic landscape born from the ashes. Here, winding valleys washed by springs, sprawling vineyards, apple and apricot blossoms and the world’s largest monastery carved in rock with underground tunnels lead to more caverns. Local guides are on hand to recount legends and historical trivia. You can explore hallowed formations and just let the frescoes whisper their timeless tales.

But let me not get ahead of my story. From the scintillating city of Istanbul, on board Europe’s best airline, the Turkish Airlines, I thanked the Lord for traveling mercies as I watched the Christian band Hillsong perform How Great is Our God in a concert online as there is Wi-Fi connection inside the airborne plane. On top of that, I also enjoyed viewing various films from the airline’s inflight entertainment system.

A celebration of life and wanderlust travels took me to Cappadocia, just an hour and a half away from the Turkish capital. Sipping hot green apple tea served with delicious honey-nougat Turkish delights, my heart skipped a beat, as my excitement simply couldn’t be contained as the Turkish Airlines comes in closer proximity with this delightful destination.  It is best to book your flight from Manila to Istanbul as well as the local flights to domestic destinations in Turkey because Turkish Airlines can ensure your best flight connections in comfort and convenience. As an added treat, try its comfort class, defined as business class seats at economy prices.

Upon arrival at the airport in Cappadocia, my BFF Bum Tenorio and I opened our senses to the many magical possibilities we would encounter in this dreamlike place. Every breath we took at Cappadocia was like an enchanting experience as its landscape presented to us fairytale-like valleys, chimneys, monasteries and terrains that were at once charming and mystical.

Towering above it all is Uchisar, the highest point in the city referred to as the companion to the clouds. Spread out along Pigeon Valley, its foothills are a charming maze of houses and sprawling mansions connected by underground tunnels to more churches, monasteries and freshwater springs.  Uchisar salutes the majestic Mount Erciyes every morning and is bathed in silver moonlight every night.

Finally, we arrived in our home away from home — the Argos in Cappadocia, a wine-cave hotel just a few meters below Uchisar.  Conde Naste voted Argos in Cappadocia, where one can only luxuriate in perfection, as the most romantic hotel.   It was some sublime breeze that engulfed us the minute we stepped at the reception area of the hotel. When we were brought to our suite room, we were ecstatic. Imagine taking a restful sleep in the caves that centuries ago sheltered hermits and holy men; these caves now shimmer with a soul-purifying blue light. At Argos in Cappadocia, the prime address of this sanctuary, the living spaces of these enchanting suites have been outfitted with specially designed pools creating a fairytale ambience that defies conventional definitions of luxurious accommodations.

Respecting a legacy, master architect Turgut Cansever led the painstaking renovation and restoration of these unique dwellings layered with homes and sprawling estates for future generations. Patient and meticulous renovations launched in 1997 remain faithful to the spirit of the existing, decorative touches and tranquil living spaces with interpretative landscaping. Ancient caves have been subtly illuminated, transformed into bedrooms and sitting rooms, or into restful spots to curl up in front of the fireplace, just as their original inhabitants did in centuries past. The hotel has 42 rooms.

Some places create the atmosphere of reverence, of historical and religious tourism, where the faithful flock like in Cappadocia where the Churches of St. Basil, St. Barbara and the oldest ones known in civilization stand evident as UNESCO has declared this area to be among the world heritage gems.

The faith may have been concealed for a time but eventually, the truth of God’s love for all mankind spread as gloriously as the sunshine that He created. Here our hearts, minds and souls are warmed with the very thought that our faith has survived through thousands of years and continues to remain strong and steadfast.

In this haven of history, faith and culture are merged in one dream destination that stands out like a precious gem. The hotel, created by indefatigable owner Gökşin Ilıcalı, is an architectural marvel where Ilicali purchased 20 village homes that were in derelict or decaying conditions. His mission here is to restore, to know more about the history of each and every rock, stone, crevice, and every memorabilia and then to breath new life into it in an artful and soulful way.

Merve Uzel, the gracious guest relations manager of Argos, gave us a private tour of the enticing property from the stunning pool villas where Nicolas Cage once stayed while filming a movie on location here, the authentic wine cave that stores thousands of the hotel’s own wine that comes its winery just 30 minutes away, the underground tunnels that are actually part of a five-kilometer pathway that runs down from Uchisar through the hotel’s property. A most fascinating place here is the Monastery that can be used for private dinners, concerts, events, weddings and the like. While excavating the vicinity, they stumbled on a hollow opening from where light emanated. They discovered a huge cavern that used to be a monastery, a dormitory, and a religious cavern.

Bum and I walked up to the museum site where the gardeners dry roses, lavender, oranges, watermelons, gourd, tomatoes—any thing that is harvested from the garden are sun-dried either for decorative purposes or for their kitchen.

The hotel has an excellent restaurant that serves farm-to-table cuisine with some produce harvested from its own gardens. We enjoyed its tenderloin steak, sea bass and shis kebab with spiced apricot jelly.  We savored sauterne wine from their wine cellar to cap the dinner as we had a glorious view of the full moon.

The following day, we woke to another beautiful promise of the day: the experience of riding the hot-air balloon in Cappadocia, a must-try activity for anyone who visits the city.

Above the magnificent terrain in Cappadocia, we cruised high up the landscapes in this giant hot-air balloon before the sunrise to catch a glimpse of the land where Christianity flourished in caves, tunnels and hidden valleys full of twists and turns, with breathtaking surprises around every corner. The more than 50 vibrantly colored balloons sailing up into the rose-tinted dawn were themselves a spectacle.

Bum and I boarded the wicker basket with 23 other passengers. Helium flames that our English pilot David competently maneuvered propelled a huge and colorful balloon. We were taught the proper landing position. While taking off, our hearts beat excitedly as we sang the Stylistics rendition of the song “Up, up and away on my beautiful balloon.”

Despite the winter weather, it was fair wind that kissed us that early morning, high above the ground. My heart was filled with thanksgiving to God as I listened to The Lord’s Prayer in my i-Pod. The view from the balloon was so tranquil that unbidden tears flowed from my eyes as I thanked the Lord for my dear sister Michelle’s healing and continuous good health.

Soon, we were beginning to descend to earth. As we gracefully landed, we thanked our pilot David whose team prepared champagne and cherry juice and cake slices as breakfast in the Cappadocia outdoor terrain. We each got a certificate and saluted each other.

Back in our retreat in Argos, I cozied up in my bed and was simply impressed by the realization that this civilization existed thousands of years before Christ and long after his arrival, we continue to share and live that beautiful faith that He lived, died and was resurrected for us to have the life we have today.

Right in front of our room is an ancient mosque where fervent prayers emanate from five times a day. I may not understand the faint hymns, but my heart surmises the prayers are for love, peace and prosperity. Here, I feel safe, I feel warm. I feel loved.

At Argos in Cappadocia, I have found a special sanctuary where I want to celebrate many milestones in my life. The way the people of the hotel care for all they have makes me desire to be part of their story. Every jewel has one. Experience it for yourself.

Dreams do come true. In Cappadocia, they really do.

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Turkish Airlines can be reached at 864-0600 or 8640598. E-mail sales@thy.com.ph or visit website www.thy.com.ph. For tours in Turkey, contact Ligaya Tabirao at 564-7613, 687-1743 or email meteorphils@gmail.com or meteorph@pldtdsl.net.

For more information on Argos in Cappadocia, log on to www.argosincappadocia.com.

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E-mail me at miladay.star@gmail.com.