For many people, a typical vacation might involve lying out and getting some sun at the beach or shopping until they drop. But, if you’re looking to take a trip in which you can broaden your horizons and soothe your aching muscles, a fantastic opportunity can be found in south-western Turkey. There, two breathtaking sites await you. One is Pamukkale, an incomparable natural wonder. The other is Hierapolis, an ancient city, filled with Greek and Roman ruins from a bygone era. In Turkish, Pamukkale means “cotton castle,” which is a fitting description for this attraction. In a picture of Pamukkale people might mistake the pure white scenery for mounds of snow. Yet, they are actually rock formations; they appear pure white due to mineral deposits left by the calcium-laden spring waters and volcanic springs that have flowed over them for thousands of years. Since the 2ndcentury B.C., Pamukkale has been a famous spa, visited by people who want to experience its beautifying effects and find a remedy to whatever ails them. Built next to the “cotton castle” is Hierapolis, which means “Holy City” in Greek. Over its history it was struck by many powerful earthquakes. Today, many structures from the Roman era still remain. Tourists can walk down Colonnade Street, which used to be the main road when the town was bustling with people. It divides the city into two sections by large pillars on each side of the street. As they stroll along, visitors can see the ruins of many buildings, including shops, pantries, and ancient homes. Located in the middle of Hierapolis is the well-preserved Roman Theater. Back in its heyday, the theater had the capacity to hold 8,500 to 10,000 spectators. People would gather here for concerts, sporting events, and religious ceremonies. But most of all, they came here for theater. Today, many statues depicting famous mythological figures from the theater have been restored and are on display inside. In recent times, Hierapolis and Pamukkale became targets for savvy businesses. Many hotels were constructed over the ruins, and a road was built over Pamukkale for motorbikes, causing great damage to the sites. But, after the area was declared a world heritage site, the hotels were torn down and the road was closed. Now, people must walk on Pamukkale barefoot. With these safeguards in place, Pamukkale and Hierapolis should continue to heal and entertain tourists for years to come.