Rick Steves' Europe

In what seems like the middle of nowhere, we come to a striking white hillside. This marks the ancient city, spa, and necropolis of Hierapolis. In Roman times, the rich and frail came here to spend their last years, and to die. We approach today as visitors always have -- walking through the evocative tombs, then passing under an imposing Roman gate where a grand boulevard leads you to the mineral springs, Famous since ancient times for its curative waters and tranquility. Today, the ever-popular springs in the shadow of ancient ruins fill a pool littered with a dreamy assortment of ancient Roman columns that sparkle beneath the crystal-clear water. A soak here is like bathing in hot champagne. Below, the wondrous white cliffs of Pamukkale create a scenic backdrop for bathers. The water flowing over the rocks leave a calcium residue that whitens and solidifies, creating a wonderland of pools and terraces that, along with the commanding view, make an unforgettable setting.