Feeling worn down from the winter weather and mountains of snow? Why not escape to the Denizli Province in southwestern Turkey where you can bathe in hot springs that were once used by Romans? Although thepillowy white cliffs might be reminiscent of fluffy snow, the springs of Pamukkale are anything but cold.

The magnificent terraces and pools of Pamukkale ("Cotton Castle" in Turkish) were created by mineralized water flowing from hot springs. The travertine basins were formed by the carbonate minerals in the flowing water, reported Tourism on the Edge. The pools vary in size and overlook the surrounding green countryside.

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According to UNESCO, the supposedly therapeutic virtues of the water were used for health and religious reasons by local cults in ancient times, and the Temple of Apollo was built near a fault zone where vapors arose. Whether a soak in steamy mineral waters has any health benefits or not, the warmth of the water and the relaxation it encourages have made Pamukkale a popular destination for hundreds of years.

In addition to visiting the hot springs, tourists can also see Hierapolis, a Roman and Byzantine spa city that is now in ruins, says Lonely Planet. There is also a museum where guests can learn the history of the site. Because of its popularity and uniqueness, UNESCO granted the site World Heritage status in 1988, which has helped protect the travertine pools from misuse.

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