We started early for a full day tour of a Roman colony in Turkey, Aphrodisias, dedicated to the goddess, Aphrodite and, at its peak, had 50,000 inhabitants. This, too, was an incredibly large and well preserved site that included many buildings (and parts of buildings – columns, piers, etc.) and a huge stadium that could accommodate 30,000 spectators, and where wild animals emerged from the tunnels for Roman games. We were in awe of the artistry and immensity of the Temple of Aphrodite and Hadrian’s Bath.

We stopped for lunch and cold drinks at the Anatolia Restaurant and sat outdoors under a canopy of grapevines, serenaded by a strolling lyre player and his parrot. We returned just in time to freshen up for our World Affairs Council cocktail party, where the ship’s  lounge provided an awesome view and a chance for us to get to know one another a little better!

Council travelers enjoy a cocktail party aboard the Aegean Odyssey.