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Bodrum
 An
impressive medieval castle built by the Knights of Rhodes
guards the entrance to Bodrum's dazzling blue bay, in which
the Aegean and the Mediterranean Seas meet. The town's charm
is well-known, attracting a diverse population of vacationers
who stroll along its long palm-lined waterfront, while elegant
yachts crowd the marina.
Not far from town, you can swim in absolutely clear, tideless,
warm seas. Underwater divers, especially, will want to explore
the numerous reefs, caves and majestic rock formations.
The waters offer up multicoloured sponges of all shapes
and sizes, octopi and an immense variety of other aquatic
life.
The reputation of Bodrum's boat yards date back to ancient
times, and today, craftsmen still build the traditional
yachts: the tirhandil with a pointed bow and stern, and
the gulette with a broad beam and rounded stern. The latter,
especially, are used on excursions and pleasure trips, and
in the annual October Cup Race.
The yearly throng of visitors has encouraged small entrepreneurs
to make shopping in Bodrum a delight. Leather goods of all
kinds, natural sponges and the local blue glass beads are
among the bargains to be found in the friendly little shops
along the narrow, white-walled streets. Charming boutiques
offer kilims, carpets, sandals and embroidery as well as
original fashions in soft cotton. Bodrum has gained the
reputation as the center of the Turkish art community with
its lively, friendly and Bohemian atmosphere and many small
galleries. This community has encouraged an informal day-time
lifestyle and a night-time of excitement. The evenings in
Bodrum are for sitting idly in one of the many restaurants,
dining on fresh seafood and other Aegean specialities. Afterwards
nightclubs (some with cabaret) and superb discos keep you
going until dawn. Bodrum, known in ancient times as Halicarnassus,
was the birthplace of Heredotus and the site of King Mausolus's
Tomb (4th century B.C.), one of the Seven Wonders of the
Ancient World. In the harbour, the Bodrum Castle, or the
medieval castle of St. Peter, is a fine example of 15th
century Crusader architecture, and has been converted into
the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, with remains dating
as far back as the Bronze Age. The stunning panoramic view
from Gцktepe, nearby, is much photographed by visitors
to the museum's second-century theatre.
The beautiful Bodrum Peninsula suits holidaymakers interested
in a subdued and relaxing atmosphere. Enchanting villages,
with guest-houses and small hotels on quiet bays, dot the
peninsula. On the southern coast, Bardakзi, Gьmbet,
Bitez, Aktur, Ortakent Yalisi, Karaincir, Bagla and Akyarlar
have fine, sandy beaches Campers and windsurfers enjoy Gьmbet,
and at Bitez colourful sailboards weave skilfully among
the masts of yachts in the bay. On shore, you can enjoy
quiet walks through the orange and tangerine groves bordering
the beach. Ortakent has one of the longest stretches of
sandy beach in the area and offers an ideal place for relaxing
in solitude. One of the most beautiful beaches on the Bodrum
peninsula, Karaincir, is ideal for lively active days by
the sea and relaxed, leisurely evenings with local villagers.
Finally, Akyarlar enjoys a well-deserved reputation for
the fine, powdery sand of its beach.
Turgutreis, Gьmьslьk and Yalikavak, all
with excellent beaches, lie on the western side of the peninsula
and are ideal for swimming, sunbathing and water sports.
In Turgutreis, the birthplace of a great Turkish admiral
of the same name, you will find a monument honouring him.
In the ancient port of Myndos (Gьmьslьk)
you can easily make many friends with the hospitable and
outgoing local population. In Yalikavak, white-washed houses
with cascading bougainvillaea line narrow streets. Small
cafes and the occasional windmill create a picturesque setting.
See the north coast of the peninsula - Torba, Tьrkbьkь,
Gцlkцy and Gьndogan - by road or, even better,
hire a boat and crew to explore the quiet coves, citrus
groves and wooded islands. Little windmills which still
provide the energy to grind grain, crown hills covered with
olive trees. Torba, a modern village with holiday villas
and a nice marina is located 8 km north of Bodrum. Gцlkцy
and Tьrkbьkь are small and simple fishing
villages with a handful of taverns overlooking a lovely
bay.
After a boat trip to Karaada, half an hour from Bodrum,
you can bathe in the grotto where the warm mineral waters
flowing out of the rocks are believed to beautify the complexion.
The translucent and deep waters of the Gulf of Gцkova,
on the southern shore of the Bodrum peninsula vary from
the darkest blue to the palest turquoise, and the coastline
is thickly wooded with every hue of green. In the evening,
the sea reflects the mountains silhouetted against the setting
sun, and at night it shimmers with phosphorescence. You
can take a yacht tour or hire a boat from Bodrum for a two,
three or seven day tour of the gulf.
The Gulf of Gьllьk, and harbour of the same name,
lie north of the Bodrum peninsula on the Aegean. The mythological
Dolphin Boy is said to have been born a little farther to
the north at Kiyikislacik (lassos). South of Gьllьk,
Varvil, ancient Bargilya, sits at the end of a deep narrow
inlet surrounded by olive covered hillsides.
Inland from Gьllьk is Milas, ancient Mylasa,
known for its beautiful carpets - a century old tradition
which continues today. The weavers rarely mind a visitor
watching them at work. Plenty of old Turkish houses with
carved timbers and latticed windows provide examples of
the vernacular architectural style. Gьmьskesen,
a monumental tomb, thought to be a small copy of the famous
Halicarnassus Mausoleum, stands in the west of the city.
The ancients built Labranda, a sanctuary dedicated to Zeus,
high in the mountains. Today, tourists have rediscovered
this mountain retreat and escape to its exhilarating air
and breathtaking scenery.
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