Following a few days in Kusadasi we will move on to experience Pamukkale which means “cotton castle” in Turkish. The city contains hot springs and travertines terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing water. It is located in Turkey’s Inner Aegean region, in the River Menderes valley, which has a temperate climate for most of the year. The white travertine pools of Pamukkale cascade down the cliffs below the ancient Roman city of Hierapolis above the Menderes river valley. The water trickles and flows down the walls leaving behind the famous “cotton fortresses“of minerals. For nearly a thousand years, people have been coming to the region to soak in the unique “champagne waters” that are heated by geothermal activity and the area has received UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. Within the Hierapolis complex is Cleopatra’s Pool (sometimes called the Antique Pool). According to legend, this artificially sculpted pool was a gift from Marc Anthony to Cleopatra. In the 7th Century, an earthquake toppled the surrounding building and the massive marble columns tumbled into the pool – where they rest on the bottom to this day and visitors can swim among them. This area truly looks magical and will be another once in a lifetime experience.