Saturday, May 26

In the morning we visit Hierapolis, site of the ancient spas that drew people from far and wide to benefit from the perceived healing properties of the hot water that built the beautiful Cotton Palace.  Not everyone found healing.  Hierapolis also offers a view of an extensive necropolis (cemetery) and various styles of entombment.

From Pamukkale we travel west to the area of Ephesus.  The ancient city of Ephesus (modern Efes) once stood on the shoreline of an important harbor.  The swift flowing waters of the Cayster river brought so much silt that the harbor was constantly in deed of dredging.  Over time, in the absence of dredging after the city was no longer inhabited, the shoreline moved farther and farther to the west.  Today the shoreline lies some three or four miles west of Ephesus and the coastal city is the modern port and resort town of Kusadasi.

In what may remain of the day after our arrival, we will enjoy the Aegean beachfront and Kusadasi's busy market area.

"Kusadasi, or Bird Island, is a lovely port built along the shores of a glittering bay.  The terraced town overlooks the most beatiful inlet of the Aegean and seems to have been created purely for the delight of the holiday-maker."

Overnight: Kusadasi