The Yank without a Chain at Pamukkale in Turkey
I spent 18 days in Turkey and an average of $50 per day. The hot air balloon ride increased that average pretty significantly, and I also treated myself to a lot of amazing Turkish food! I absolutely loved exploring Cappadocia and kayaking on the Mediterranean. The UNESCO sites of Ephesus and Pamukkale/Hierapolis were also places that I will remember forever.
Travertine terraces at Pamukkale in Turkey
From Selçuk it took about 3.5 hours to get to Pamukkale, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is home to travertine terraces and bathing pools. I camped out in the backyard of Özbay Hotel, whose owner Öner was very friendly, and enjoyed some of the traditional Turkish food in the small town. The travertine terraces are pretty incredible to view from afar and from up close. You can walk on them and bath in their pools provided you buy a $10 ticket and agree to take your shoes off.
Above the travertine terraces is the 4,000-year-old city of Hierapolis. Here you can visit the 12,000 seat theater, several tombs, and even an olive press.
A Yank without a Chain 