Bodrum is a busy port of call for superyachts. They berth at Yalikavak, a St Tropez like charming town on the northwestern corner of the Bodrum peninsula, there is a white sandy beach and fish restaurants along the harbour.
The city is alive with bars, restaurants and bustling market stalls. Here you can get lost in time bargaining for virtually anything from exotic spices to silk carpets.
In contrast to this hive of activity there are many sheltered anchorages cleft deep into the mountainous coastline all which makes ita good idea to spend some time here.
Explore and discover small fishing villages, farming settlements and hidden coves where simple wooden jetties are the watermark of cheerful easy-going restaurants.
Former film-maker, Serkan Cetin now runs Journey Anatolia and offers tours around with an emphasis on getting to know the culture first-hand and exploring some off-the-beaten-track destinations
So here are some of his suggestions as to things to do on the Bodrum peninsula …
Explore Bodrum’s fascinating Crusader castle and the world of ancient mariners shipwrecked on Anatolian shores at its Museum of Underwater Archaeology. Here you can also see the remains of the oldest-known sunken ship in the world.
Get into the groove at the SunSplash Festival, Turkey’s most intimate music festival, on 21-28 June. Aspat Beach, a beautiful, palm tree-fringed bay on the Mediterranean will shimmer and sparkle to the sounds of top international artists at a festival catering for all. www.sunsplash-festival.com
Enjoy the wonderful harbour village ambience of Gumusluk with its charming flower-bedecked houses. One of the oldest settlements on the Bodrum peninsula it stands on the site of the ancient Carian city of Myndos. The pretty bay provides a natural harbour for yachts and local fishing boats and the waterfront restaurants enjoy a reputation for excellent fresh fish.
Sip a cocktail while admiring the sunset and the glorious views at the quirky bar at Limon Restaurant in the fishing hamlet of Gumusluk.
Take a stroll around the ancient ruins of Pedasa, the capital of the Lelegs, the people who originally settled the Bodrum peninsula but about whom very little is known. The site has been newly opened and offers great views of the peninsula.
Get off dry ground by taking a day boat excursion around the coast to visit the area’s hidden, enticing bays and have a swim and snorkel in the crystal clear waters. You’ll also have the opportunity to take in panoramic views of Bodrum’s coastline.
Have lunch at Kismet Restaurant in Konacik where local cuisine is prepared to impeccable standards and with the finest ingredients. Choose from a selection of traditional hot dishes on display with the option of zeytinyagli dishes (vegetables cooked in olive oil) for vegetarians.
Dine at Musto, a great local hangout on the waterfront of Bodrum town with good bistro food and classy ambience – open all year. The food is great but the real treat is the friendly service and the amazingly affordable wine list.
Enjoy a different beach every day of the week! Bodrum has a number of good beaches and beach clubs to choose from with the best beaches at Bitez, Gumbet, Gundogan, Ortakent and Turgutreis and uber-cool beach clubs including Bobeach Bodrum, Billionaire Club Bodrum and Ottoflamm.
www.journeyanatolia.com