Turkey (Bodrum)
Resort

Turkey (Bodrum)
All You Need To Know

"Turquoise waters lap miles of beautiful beaches and the ancient Orient merges with the modern world in lively resorts. A welcome as warm as the weather awaits you in Turkey ."

Turkey 's Aegean and Mediterranean coasts are where rocky headlands meet clear blue seas, where pine forests roll down to meet fine beaches, where the mysteries of the Middle East meet the Western world. With a friendly people renowned for their hospitality, Turkey is a seductive blend of sunshine and spices.

The distinctive Aegean Coast and the ‘Turquoise' Mediterranean Coast are home to many of Turkey 's most popular holiday destinations, and it's not hard to see why. Families and beach lovers flock here for the unbeatable combination of endless beaches and blue seas, while older families find something for everyone in the bigger, busier resorts. Couples of all ages head for the calmer, quainter resorts, while for the more intrepid, Turkey is a country literally littered with historical sights and its rich and varied landscape offers some highly recommended hiking. With something for everyone, Turkey pulls in all kinds of tourism. Along both of Turkey 's major holiday coasts, white-washed towns neighbour huge marinas, and major cities have emerged alongside picturesque resorts that have lost little of their native flavour. The Aegean Coast is known for its cosmopolitan cities, pretty villages and spectacular sights, while on the Mediterranean Coast , mountains sweep down to the shoreline and beach resorts abound. With bustle of big resorts such as Gümbet and Marmaris, the subtler blend of old and new in Bodrum and Antalya or the beauty of Icmeler and Olu Deniz , Turkey has well and truly ensured it has catered for every type of holiday

Shopping

Turkey has both Western style chic boutiques and souvenir shops, or more evocative markets and bazaars. Haggle for leather goods and jewellery and hunt for bargains in the weekly markets that the larger towns hold. For a taste of Turkey , venture into a pastanes (sweet shop).

Nightlife

From booming clubs to belly dancing, Turkey has something for all tastes in entertainment. In all the resorts, the evening revolves around the restaurants and bars, though some also host world class nightclubs. On the Mediterranean Coast , Side is a hive of nocturnal activity and Antalya 's has one of the world's largest floating discos! Along the Aegean Coast , Gümbet is full of bars and discos, while Marmaris' main promenade has bars galore open until dawn. Bodrum offers a blend of international and traditional entertainment, while for a calm and relaxed evening on the waterfront, try Olu Deniz, Iclemer and Altinkum.

Sightseeing

Turkey has a menagerie of natural and historical wonders. Cappodocia's underground cities, the thousands of tombs carved into the cliffs at Caunos and the ruined Roman city of Ephesus are a small sample in this land where Christian relics and magnificent mosques have stood the test of time side by side.

Nature has blessed Turkey with a beautiful countryside, well worth exploring, as well as natural treats like Pamakkale, where thermal spring waters collect in terraced pools lined with glittering crystals. Some of Turkey 's past lies buried in the resorts themselves; Side is home to ancient ruins and monuments in its Old Town ; Alanya boasts an old walled town and a castle, and Bodrum is also home to a castle. The Archaeological Museum in Antalya is said to house one of the best collections in this artefact rich country.

Local Specialities

Widely thought to be among the best cuisine in the world, Turkish food benefits from a climate that allows almost anything to be freshly grown. There's an abundance of restaurants and cafés (Marmaris alone has over 1000!) and many are family orientated, so everyone can sample the specialities. For a bit of everything, order mezes, a selection of hors d'œurves that typically includes stuffed vine leaves, lamb and fish dishes. Meat dishes are usually grilled variations on kebabs, though not like the takeaways back home and the seafood is good too. The Turkish have a sweet tooth and Turkish Delight, sweet pastries and rice pudding style desserts are just some of what's on offer. The beer and wine are good, but fresh fruit juices and coffee excel. The national drink is black tea, while the national spirit is the aniseed flavoured raki, or ‘lion's milk', definitely one for the brave!

Turkish Bath No Turkish tradition is more fun or relaxing than a Turkish bath. Wrap yourself in a sarong, then lay back and relax on a heated marble slab; enjoy an invigorating body loofah scrub and get covered head to toe in warm bubbles. This is the ideal way to prepare yourself for that perfect tan and put your body and mind straight into the holiday mood.

Ephesus/Pamukkale Follow in the footsteps of Anthony and Cleopatra and visit on of the best attractions in Turkey , Pammukkale. In-between the unique white Cotton Castles, cascading springs collect to form natural thermal pools, known since ancient times for their therapeutic properties. After an overnight stop, head on to the marble city of Ephesus . Today regarded as the best preserved classical city in the East Mediterranean, Ephesus was once a Wonder of the Ancient World.