April 11 – Drive to Pamukkale
After a hearty breakfast in Antalya, we hit the road at 10 AM, heading toward our next stop—Pamukkale. The drive, roughly 350 km and about 3 hours long, was smooth and scenic, gradually transitioning from coastal landscapes to inland beauty.
Pamukkale is world-renowned for its surreal white travertine terraces and the ancient city of Hierapolis. Founded in the 2nd century BC, Hierapolis was built to harness the healing properties of the thermal waters that still flow through the area. We drove straight to the Hierapolis entrance and reached around 1 PM, ready to soak in both history and nature.
The dazzling white travertine pools were unlike anything we had seen before. We kicked off our shoes and walked barefoot across the smooth calcium-rich formations, wading from one pool to the next. The warm mineral water flowing through the terraces made the experience feel both relaxing and rejuvenating.
After about an hour at the pools, we took a short break for lunch and then set off to explore the sprawling ruins of Hierapolis. The ancient Roman theatre, impressively preserved and perched on a hillside, was the highlight of our exploration. Its scale and design left us speechless—it truly felt like stepping back in time.
After spending nearly five hours at the site, we exited the park and headed to our hotel for the night—Hotel Bellamaritimo. Just under a kilometer from the entrance, the hotel was a cozy gem run by a warm and welcoming Turkish family. Their hospitality stood out, and their traditional breakfast the next morning was hands down the best we had during our entire trip across Turkey.
Later that evening, on the hotel owner’s recommendation, we dined at Kaya’s Wine House. The food was delightful, and the ambiance was cozy and inviting. We were especially thrilled with the vegetarian options, which made it a memorable meal for all of us.
The next morning, after enjoying that amazing breakfast, we checked out and continued our journey—next stop, Kusadasi!
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