Truth be told, I was single in Cappodocia. I’d been fortunate to have my friend Alana join me in Konya for the Rumi/Whirling Dervish festival but I moved on by myself and it was at nighttime that I wish I’d brought a romantic partner to this land of romance amidst the rocks. There’s a Rumi poem that felt particularly appropriate here:

I would love to kiss you.

The price of kissing is your life.

Now my loving is running toward my life shouting,

What a bargain, let’s buy it.

The quaintest town in Cappadocia is Goreme with a rock formation for every house in town and a cute downtown that’s perfect for a stroll. The photo on the top is Goreme at twilight. The other photo I took on my walk back up to Uchisar, the elevated town where my hotel Argos was located. Uchisar glows and has remarkable views of the whole valley and two of the most colorfully-lit minarets I’ve seen anywhere.

If you had to choose another town to stay in, I’d recommend Urgup which is about ten times the size of Goreme (20,000 people versus 2,000) and has a more vibrant commercial area, a larger collection of upscale hotels, and an incredible Turkish bath/hamam.

In sum, Cappodocia is not a place to visit alone. Bring a book of Rumi poetry and a romantic partner and you’re assured a few nights you’ll never forget.