Tourexpi
Colorful hot air balloons from around world adorn Türkiye’s picturesque Cappadocia skies
The skies over Türkiye’s fairy-tale-like destination
Cappadocia have come alive with a vibrant display of hot air balloons as part
of the nation's Culture Road Festival, drawing participants from around the
globe.
The festival, organized by the Culture and Tourism
Ministry, showcased a spectacular array of figurative hot air balloons floating
above the region's iconic fairy chimneys.
As the first light of day broke, festival-goers
gathered to witness a visual spectacle of uniquely shaped balloons from
Türkiye, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil, England, France, Germany, the
Netherlands, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland.
Over 60 figured balloons, including designs like frog,
elephant, turtle, rocket, heart, wolf, and windmill, took off from the Goreme
district of Nevsehir, and flew over the valleys for approximately 45 minutes.
Nevsehir Governor Ali Fidan highlighted the
significance of the event, saying: "Cappadocia is the premier destination
for hot air ballooning. Last year, 615,000 people participated in balloon
tours, and we are seeing a 30% increase in passenger numbers this year compared
to last."
Mehmet Halis Aydogan, president of the Anatolian Hot
Air Balloon Operators Association, emphasized Cappadocia's prominence in the
ballooning world.
"Cappadocia is the global center for hot air
ballooning, with 150 balloons flying daily in a festival-like atmosphere,"
Aydogan said, adding that within a few years, Cappadocia would host the world's
largest balloon festival.
The festival's daily balloon flights will continue
until Aug. 11, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience the magic
of Cappadocia from the air.
Image
Credit: © AA
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