Protocol P-09, Turkey
At Pamukkale, warm water rich in lime has covered a hillside in white terraces. Above them lie the ruins of Hierapolis, a Roman spa city whose ancient pool you can still swim in, among fallen columns.
Duration
7 days
Group
Up to 12
Season
Mar to May, Sep to Nov
Effort
Gentle
Meet at
Hotel hall, Mariánské Lázně
Indicative price
From CZK 44,900 per person
The price is indicative, per person in a shared double room. A manager confirms the final price when you send a request, because flights and hotel rates move with the season.
Turkey has bathed for longer than almost anywhere. Between the terraces and the sea we visit an old hammam, two ancient sites and a coastal town where the warm springs reach the water’s edge.
Effort profile
Day by day
Day 1
To Izmir
A morning drive from the hotel to Prague airport and the flight to Izmir. At dusk, a walk along the seafront promenade.
Day 2
Denizli
A drive inland through the fig and cotton country to the foot of Pamukkale.
Day 3
Pamukkale
The terraces barefoot at opening time, the theatre of Hierapolis, and the afternoon in the ancient pool.
Day 4
Sardis
The long drive back west, broken at Sardis, the old capital of Lydia, with its restored gymnasium.
Day 5
Pergamon
The acropolis of Pergamon on its hill, with the steepest theatre of the ancient world, and the old sanctuary of Asclepius on the plain below.
Day 6
Çeşme
To the peninsula of Çeşme, a hammam bath in the old town and a swim in the sea.
Day 7
Home
The flight back to Prague and the drive to the hotel.
What we arrange
- Flights from Prague to Izmir and back
- A private coach with driver
- Six nights in hotels with breakfast
- Five suppers
- Entry to all the sites and the ancient pool
- A leader who speaks Turkish
What we leave to you
- Lunches
- Hot-air balloon flights, which we do not book
- Travel insurance
What to bring
- Shoes you can carry: the terraces are walked barefoot
- A scarf for mosque visits
- Sun protection; the white travertine reflects strongly
The travertine is protected and walked barefoot on a set path. It is slippery when wet; take the descent slowly and use the side channels if you prefer.