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Aegean Explorer – 7 Days
Enjoy a nice Turkish lunch in Pamukkale before you head to the ancient city of Ephesus. Actually, you won’t be staying in Ephesus but in the nearby town of Selçuk. The beautiful, white, terraced waters invite travelers to indulge in the offerings of the ‘spa town’. The pools offer a great way to unwind and relax while enjoying the beauty of the surroundings. Yum! Staying the night will also allow you to enjoy the rest of the village, further exploring the ancient ruins in the area. The hotel itself is so stunning that exploring it felt like I was sightseeing.
Your best bet is to take a bus or rent a car and make the drive yourself. This UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled in the hills of northern Turkey, is a living museum of Ottoman-era architecture. The town’s winding cobblestone streets lead visitors on a journey back in time, where they can admire the beautifully restored wooden houses and traditional bazaars.
All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey. Major credit cards are widely accepted in cities, tourist areas and large hotels, but they are less commonly accepted by smaller vendors in rural areas.
Pamukkale Tours
The rulers of the city once known as Byzantium and Constantinople left their mark on Istanbul. Equally important to local life is the pazar, an open-air market for fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables, food products, clothing and household goods. Depending on the town or city neighborhood, these local markets might be set up in the street under rigged-up tarps, in an emptied parking lot or garage, or in a purpose-built market hall. In addition to living quarters, these subterranean settlements included facilities to stable animals, cook, worship and even make wine. The well-preserved streets of ancient Ephesus offer a fascinating taste of what daily life was like for the ancient Greeks and Romans who inhabited this city for hundreds of years.
What Is Happening In Turkey?
The ride is about 30 minutes and will cost you about 300 lira (~$17 USD) one way. Located in a lesser-developed area along Turkey’s southwestern coast, Patara Beach can be reached by bus from Fethyie, Kas, or Antalya. Stretching for approximately 18 kilometers, this pristine beach boasts soft golden sands, shimmering turquoise waters, and a tranquil atmosphere that entices sun-seekers and nature lovers alike.
I’ve tried multiple overpriced, mediocre hotels in this city, but there are fortunately a few gems to be found. I stayed in Tin Suites in my late-2024 trip to Istanbul and loved it; it’s now where I send all of my friends when they visit the city! The rooms are spacious and beautifully designed, and the balcony overlooking the Hagia Sofia is incredible because — yes, the location can’t be beaten. The staff are super friendly and the rooms are silent, despite their central location. Istanbul is a phenomenal city, with mosques scattered across the skyline, an incredible food scene, and so much history to delve into. The ruins of Ephesus are some of the most impressive I’ve seen, and the site of Troy is breathtaking.
Many people come to see the potential site of the ark, but it’s just as popular for mountaineering. [newline]Many don’t realize that Patara is where St. Nicolas — yes, that St. Nicolas — was born in 275 A.D. And the place where the Apostle Paul started a Christian community (you can see ruins of his old harbor church in the water) and embarked on his 3rd missionary journey to Tyre. Book a hotel at the Viaggi in Turchia base of the hill and stay the night before — it ensures you’ll arrive early enough to enjoy the site without huge crowds. Calcium-rich springs flowing over the cliffside terraces created the amazing “frozen waterfall” formations and crystal-clear, light blue pools over centuries. You can walk on the actual terraced calcium pools and deposits, but you’ll have to do it barefoot (shoes can damage them).