LETTER OF

THE WEEK

Turkey’s tourist industry was in its infancy when

we stayed on its west coast – and guided tours

were rare. We were excited to bag seats on a brand-new coach trip to

Pamukkale, one of our must-see sights. An added

bonus was a planned diversion to the ruins of Aphrodisias, named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love.

Distances were considerable, along dusty roads, but our young

guide – although nervously stumbling over her script – stuck to the

schedule. Finally we reached Pamukkale and its gleaming white calcite terraces (travertines)

below the ruins of Hierapolis, once a Roman

and Byzantine city. Witnessing this natural

phenomenon, the so-called “cotton castle” overrunning with warm,

mineral-rich waters, stunned us into silence.

Bathing in the thermal waters in which Cleopatra

once swam felt magical, and much appreciated by

our aching limbs. Rejuvenated and still awestruck, we rejoined

our bone-shaker coach for the long journey back.

Celia Harris, from Hampshire, wins a £250 Experience Travel

Group voucher