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Bodrum
Holidays
A picturesque town at the
junction of the Aegean and the Mediterranean is Bodrum,
occupying a small but beautiful peninsula. It is one of the
prettiest holiday resorts of Turkey, popular and famous for its
vivacious, friendly and bohemian atmosphere.
Greeting its visitors with
the marvelous castle built by the Knights of Rhodes, the town
appears elegant, filled with sweet white houses, with colorful
bougainvillaeas dotted about.
The clear, deep blue warm
sea is an inherent characteristic of the place, rather than
being a specialty, and the numerous beaches of unspoiled bays
adorned with interesting rock formations offer perfect days for
swimmers, divers and nature-lover. Octopuses, and sponges of
various shapes and colors are also found here, complementing the
aquatic beauty.
Bodrum
Part
of the fascinating atmosphere of Bodrum is its history; remains
of which are spread over this ancient city of "Halicarnassus".
The tomb of King Mausolus is one of the seven wonders of the
ancient world, and dates back to the 4th-century BC stands on
this land where Herodotus, the father of history, was born. A
theater (1300 seats) from the 2nd- century BC near
Goktepe, is worth seeing, together with St. Peter's Castle
presenting the architectural style of the 15th-
century which is now a museum of underwater archaeology.
A different spectacle in
Bodrum is its marina, which is a busy place hosting elegant
yachts that come from all parts of the world. Bodrum Cup Race is
held every October in the boatyards, and it is an enjoyable
event for those interested. Bodrum is the leading place for
boat-building.
The most prominent feature
of Bodrum is the prevailing activity, especially filling the
nights. After the intensive action in the daytime, one may
choose one of the discos here -some of which are the best in
Europe- and spend an exciting night of fun under the gleaming
lights. Bodrum is the one of the starting points for an
unforgettable "Blue Voyage" along the turquoise coast of Turkey
which offers the limitless pleasure of seeing the virgin bays of
mythological legends; the beauties of Kekova where the light
combines with turquoise; or sailing into the antique port of
Phaselis where Alexander the Great loved to stay during the
winter.
The Bodrum
peninsula is an excellent place for those who prefer a smooth
and relaxing atmosphere. The charming villages on the secluded
bays open their guest houses to you. The sea is beyond
comparison in that area and you will find beautiful beaches
adorning azure waters in Bardakci Bay, Gumbet Bay, Bitez Bay,
Ortakent Yalisi, Karaincir, Bagla, Guvercinlik, Torba, Golkoy,
Turkbuku, Yalikavak, Gumusluk, Kadikalesi, Turgutreis, Aspat,
Karaada, Ada Bogazi (Akvaryum), Akyarlar.
Holiday villages
and hotels, discos and bars beside the picturesque bays
contribute much to the beautiful picture. Gumbet and Bitez are
heavenly places for wind-surfers with the wind and the sea
perfect for this sport. Ortakent is the best choice with its
sandy beaches for a solitary walk. Akyarlar beach is famous for
its powdery sand. In Karaincir you will have lively days on
wonderful beaches and a fine relaxing atmosphere at night in the
public coffeehouses.The northern side of the peninsula is
interesting. To enjoy the best of the region, it is better to
take a car trip along the coast or a boat trip to explore the
coves and little islands. The white windmills, which are still
used to grind grain, are fascinating and lie among the orange
groves and green olive trees. You will
come across a well-equipped marina in the modern village of
Torba, 5 kms north of Bodrum where there are fine holiday
villages, which offer active holiday facilities. Golkoy (13 kms
north) and Turkbuku (15 kms) are enchanting, with taverns
overlooking a nice bay. A boat trip to Karaada offers an amazing
beauty. The warm mineral waters flowing out of rocks in a grotto
in Karaada are known to to bee good for revitalizing the
complexion.
To the north of Bodrum at
Kiyikislacik (lassos) near Gulluk, is the birth-place of the
mythological Dolphin Boy. The Gulf of Gulluk is very much
frequented by yachters, and the town harbor has the exciting
air of yachtsmanship. There is Varvil, the ancient Bargilya,
with its interesting location a little south of Gulluk, at the
end of a deep, narrow bay resembling a river. It is a pretty
place to visit, surrounded by hillsides covered with olive
trees.Heading inland, Milas greets you with its typical
Turkish houses with carved timbers and latticed windows.
The beauty of
handmade Milas carpets will fascinate you and most probably
you will buy some to take home. In the western part of Milas
is Gumuskesen, which has a monument resembling the famous
Halicarnassus Mausoleum, but with miniature dimensions.Labranda, close to Milas, is a site of the worship of Zeus.
Ancient people must have chosen this spot in the high
mountains as the closest place to Zeus, the God of the skies.
These exhilarating, high peaks are now rediscovered for an
escape and offer fascinating scenery.
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