A visit to Turkey would not be complete without a stop at one of the country's better known spas, whether to treat a health -problem or simply to luxuriate in the soothing waters of natural mineral baths.

A stop at one of the spas described here can easily be added to a tour of Turkey's most famous destinations.

The health-giving properties of Turkey's natural hot springs have been renowned since antiquity.

The ancient city of Hierapolis was built on the site of the rich mineral waters of Pamukkale, where the steaming water has hollowed enormous circular basins in the earth as it flowed down the mountainside, coating the slopes in a smooth layer of dazzlingly white calcareous rock.

No doubt, the residents of the ancient Lycian city of Caunos bathed in the mineral-rich mud of nearby Koycegiz Lake.

The- Balcova/Izmir hot springs are located on the site of the Baths of Agamemnon, known and used in Roman times for their therapeutic qualities.

Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, is nestled against Uludag (Mt. Olympos). There the natural hot springs of Cekirge prompted the Ottomans to build a large complex of domed baths during the reign of Murat 1 (1359-1389) on the site of an earlier Roman and Byzantine bath complex.

On the shores of the Aegean, Cesme is famous for its natural mineral springs and the therapeutic qualities of the sea.

And amidst the verdant forests of the southern shore of the Sea of Marmara, Yalova hot springs pour out mineral-rich water, thought to cure a variety of ailments.

The thermal waters of spas described in this brochure have been tested by the Turkish Ministry of Health, and thermal waters which are also safe for drinking have been noted. The most popular spas are concentrated in the Marmara and Aegean regions of western Turkey and are easily accessible from Turkey's major cities, Istanbul, Izmir, and Ankara.

But while touring through Turkey's Central Anatolian Region there is one thermal spa well worth mentioning here, a spa of such an extraordinary character that it is unique in the world. It is visited by people from everywhere who are searching for cures. This healing spa is called "Kangal Hot Springs with Fish" and it is only 13 km from the town of Kangal in the province of Sivas. The beneficial waters contain myriad small fish (2-10 cm long), which play a vital part in curing various skin diseases. Thermal spas in the Black Sea region include Sarnsunladik and Rize-Ayder. Another thermal complex, known for maintaining international standards in its thermal therapy center is located in Yoncali near Kutahya.

Highly recommended for their thermal spring facilities are the following spas listed by province:

Adana: Haruniye
Afyon: Omer Gecek (Sandikli)
Ankara: Kizilcahamam, Ayas, Haymana
Balikesir: Gonen
Bingol: Kos
Bolu: Buyuk Kaplica
Bursa: Cekirge, Oylat
Canakkale: Kestanbol
Cankiri: Cavundur
Denizli: Pamukkale, Karahayit
Diyarbakir: Cermik
Erzurum: Pasinler
Izmir: Balcova, Cesme, Sifne
Konya: Ilgin
Kutahya: Yoncali, Harlek
Manisa: Salihli
Mugla: Sultaniye
Rize: Ayder
Sakarya: KuzuIuk
Samsun: Ladik, Havza
Siirt: Billoris
Sivas: Kangal
Van: Hasanabdal
Yalova: Yalova Termal, Armutlu

Although some of these particular spas are not luxurious, the main advantage is being able to enjoy their therapeutic benefits in natural surroundings. Take a lesson from the ancients and treat yourself to a natural health cure during your visit to Turkey.