Us standing together in a snowy valley of fairy chimneys in Cappadocia, Turkey

Turkey · where we got engaged

Cappadocia

Fairy chimneys, cave churches & a proposal · 8 must-see spots

The trip

One of the most beautiful, romantic places on earth — and where I proposed.

Cappadocia is, quite literally, one of the most beautiful and romantic places in the world — and it's where I proposed to Melody. It was absolutely magical. We went in February 2025, so everything was blanketed in snow, but we got lucky: the sun came out during the day and it was warm (we still dressed warmly). Beyond the proposal we packed the days full — the fairy chimneys, the cave churches, horseback rides and jeep safaris through the snow. The famous hot air balloons were grounded by the weather while we were there, so that's saved for when we come back. Here's everything, starting with the moment itself.

Andrew down on one knee proposing inside a frescoed rock-cut cave church as Melody walks through the arch

The moment

The proposal

We scouted several stunning locations, but the proposal itself happened in this historic, frescoed cave church carved into the rock — and it was unforgettable. To make sure the moment was captured properly, I hired an incredible local photographer who was absolutely perfect — the wonderful @juliaganch. If you're ever planning something special here, Cappadocia is made for it, and booking a local photographer for a session among the caves and chimneys is worth every penny. She said yes. 💍

She said yesHire a local photographer
Us on a snowy ridge above a valley of fairy chimneys in Cappadocia A snow-dusted valley of countless fairy chimneys under a bright blue Cappadocia sky Us on a snowy hilltop with the whole Göreme valley of fairy chimneys spread out behind Us holding a Göreme sign at a sunset viewpoint over the twinkling snowy town
The highlight01

Göreme & the fairy chimneys

📍 Göreme & the surrounding valleys

The heart of Cappadocia is Göreme, ringed by valleys full of "fairy chimneys" — surreal cone-shaped rock towers, many hollowed into homes and churches over centuries. Under fresh snow it was pure magic. The town-view sunset points (we found a great one for the classic Göreme sign shot) are unmissable. A combined Red & Green day tour is the easiest way to string together the best valleys, viewpoints and villages in one go.

Surreal rock towersMagical in the snow
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Full-Day Cappadocia Red & Green Combined Day Tour

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Melody smiling and showing off her engagement ring beside Andrew, snowy Cappadocia behind Andrew on one knee in a frescoed cave church as Melody stands in the glowing archway Melody resting a hand on Andrew's face inside a warmly lit frescoed cave Melody framed in a carved cave-church arch with faded Byzantine frescoes behind
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The rock-cut cave churches

📍 Göreme Open-Air Museum & hidden valley churches

Carved into the soft rock are hundreds of Byzantine cave churches, many still lined with centuries-old frescoes and painted domes. Ducking through low arches into these glowing, decorated chambers is like stepping into another era — and the light that filters through the openings is unreal. This is where our proposal happened, and it's the most atmospheric, romantic corner of the whole region. Tread gently; these are ancient and fragile.

Ancient frescoesUnreal light
Us sitting on the hood of a blue Land Rover Defender at snowy sunrise among fairy chimneys Us beside a turquoise sidecar trike in the snow with fairy chimneys and cliffs behind
Best way to explore03

Jeep, trike & quad safaris

📍 Trails & valleys around Göreme

With the ground under snow, getting out into the valleys on wheels was a blast. A 4x4 jeep safari timed for sunrise or sunset gets you deep into the landscape with the best light, and there are electric-trike and quad-bike options too if you want to drive yourself. Any of them turns the journey between viewpoints into the fun part. Bundle up — it's cold moving through the open air in winter, but so worth it.

Sunrise or sunsetDrive-yourself options
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Cappadocia Jeep Safari: Sunrise & Sunset Tour

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GetYourGuide Drive yourself

From Göreme: Cappadocia Electric Trike Tour

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GetYourGuide For thrill-seekers

Cappadocia: Quad Adventure Tour with Transfer

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Andrew riding a white horse through the snow with fairy chimneys behind
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Horseback riding through the snow

📍 Rose Valley & the Göreme trails

Cappadocia's name is often linked to horses ("the land of beautiful horses"), so riding through it feels right. Trotting along the snowy trails between the chimneys was one of the calmest, most beautiful things we did — a totally different pace from the jeeps. Guided rides suit all levels and time the route for the golden light. A gentle, romantic way to see the valleys from the saddle.

Land of beautiful horsesAll levels
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Cappadocia: Horseback Riding Adventure Tour

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Us in a carved underground-city tunnel lit by warm light in Cappadocia Us standing in a narrow sandstone slot canyon Andrew kissing Melody's forehead inside a towering sandstone slot canyon
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Underground cities & slot canyons

📍 Derinkuyu / Kaymaklı & the valley canyons

Beneath Cappadocia lie vast underground cities — multi-level networks of tunnels, rooms and passages carved deep into the rock, where whole communities once sheltered. Walking through them is wild. Above ground, the valleys hide smooth, towering sandstone canyons you can squeeze right into. Between the two, there's a whole world here beyond the famous skyline. Wear grippy shoes — the tunnels and snowy paths get slick.

Cities under the rockWear grippy shoes
Two friendly dogs leaping up to greet us in the snowy Cappadocia hills Andrew surrounded by a pack of friendly stray dogs at golden hour among the rose-coloured rocks Us with a snow-capped rock mountain rising behind us in Cappadocia Melody hugging Andrew and smiling back over her shoulder in the snow
Our favourite surprise06

The friendly dogs & the mountains

📍 The open field by our Airbnb

One of the most unexpectedly magical moments had nothing to do with a tour. Right next to our Airbnb, an open field led out toward the mountains — and one day a pack of friendly dogs came walking along with us the whole way. Just us, the snow, the peaks and a happy escort of dogs. It's the kind of unplanned moment that stays with you, and a reminder to leave room to just wander here.

Leave room to wanderUnplanned magic
Andrew on a snowy ridge overlooking a valley of rock formations Melody walking down a snowy ridge trail with the Cappadocia valley opening up ahead Andrew holding a tall Turkish flagpole at a viewpoint high above a snowy town Us walking hand in hand, framed through a cave mouth, snowy fairy chimneys beyond
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Cappadocia in the snow

📍 Everywhere — the whole region under white

Visiting in February meant seeing Cappadocia at its quietest and most cinematic — the chimneys and valleys dusted in white, far fewer crowds, and warm sun by day that made it more than bearable. It's a trade-off (the balloons need calm, clear mornings), but the snowy landscape is a photographer's dream and deeply romantic. Pack proper layers and waterproof boots and you'll be fine.

Quiet & cinematicPack waterproof boots
Us at a Göreme viewpoint at dusk with the town lights below and snowy chimneys around
Next time08

The hot air balloons

📍 Sunrise over Göreme

The one thing we couldn't do — the winter weather grounded the balloons the whole time we were there. Cappadocia's sunrise hot air balloon flights, with hundreds of balloons drifting over the fairy chimneys, are the region's most famous experience for good reason, and it's the first thing we'll book when we come back. If balloons are your priority, aim for the calmer, clearer shoulder seasons rather than deep winter, and always book flexible.

The famous sunrise flightBook for calmer seasons
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Cappadocia: Göreme Hot Air Balloon Flight at Sunrise

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Save these

The most Instagram-worthy shots

If you only chase a handful of frames, chase these. Tap through to see them on our feed.

The proposal in the cave church A kiss in a frescoed cave On the Defender at snowy sunrise Horseback in the snow Göreme sunset viewpoint The engagement ring in the snow Friendly dogs leaping in the snow By the turquoise sidecar trike

The full roll

More from Cappadocia

Us sitting holding hands in a frescoed cave church Us embracing in a carved cave with painted ceiling Andrew touching Melody's face in the snow Us holding hands in a tall sandstone cave Us with a snowy mountain behind Us on a snowy ridge above the valley Us framed through a cave mouth in the snow Us hugging in a snowy valley of fairy chimneys, Melody kicking up a heel Us walking hand in hand and smiling at each other in the snow Andrew lifting Melody, both laughing, among tall fairy chimneys Us at a railed viewpoint over a vast snowy Cappadocia valley Melody in a pink jacket standing in the snow below a cliff of cave dwellings Us embracing in a warm, glowing cave chamber Us holding hands beneath an intricately carved cave-church ceiling Us standing beside a huge snow-dusted rock, taking in the valley view