BEST MONTH TO TRAVEL: October
COUNTRY TO VISIT: Turkey
Turkey is famous for a diverse set of both oriental and European elements — from the traditional Turkish tea to the majestic Hagia Sophia. It is also famous for its carpets, hammam and bazaars Turkey is a republic since 1923. According to Article 2 of the constitution, Turkey is a democratic, secular, and social constitutional state. The current president is Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The president is directly elected by absolute majority popular vote. Destinations like Istanbul and Cappadocia, and sweet treats like Turkish delights and baklava.
CITY – BODRUM
Bodrum is a city on the Bodrum Peninsula, stretching from Turkey’s southwest coast into the Aegean Sea. The city features twin bays with views of Bodrum Castle. This medieval fortress was built partly with stones from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, completed in the 4th century B.C. Built around twin bays on the southwest coast of Turkey, Bodrum has made a name for itself with an alluring combination of nightlife, beaches and history. By day, visit the 15th-century St Peter’s Castle, with its shipwreck museum inside, or head to Bardakci Cove.
HOTELS
AMANRUYA
The turquoise Aegean laps Amanruya’s private pebble beach, while ancient pine forests scent the air. Resting amid olive groves and cypress trees on the Bodrum Peninsula’s serene north coast, the village-like resort is a secluded retreat offering an abundance of space and privacy in free-standing guest pavilions, all with private pools.
POOL PAVILION GARDEN VIEW
Set on a sheltered hillside, each freestanding Pool Pavilion Garden View offers a peaceful private garden and a private 24-36m² swimming pool. Luscious garden vistas can be admired from all around, including from the pavilion’s pergola with large cushioned daybed and even from inside, from the bathroom’s deep-soaking bathtub.
CAREESE, A LUXURY COLLECTION RESORT AND SPA
Caresse, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa in Bodrum has 67 rooms, 9 suites, 6 One-Bedroom Residences, 1 Three-Bedroom Residence and a Caresse King Villa. All rooms offer excellent amenities, such as modern technology and Marriott’s Signature Luxury Collection Beds. Every guest at the Caresse Luxury Collection Resort & Spa can experience the captivating view of the Aegean Sea, since each room has its own private terrace or balcony.
ONE BED ROOM SUITE WITH BALCONY AND SEA VIEW
One Bedroom Suites embody our commitment to understated luxury combined with modern facilities, and an ambience that only Caresse can conjure. Overlooking the scenic beauty of lush gardens, the suites boast an open layout from sleep to living areas, also charming décor and state-of-the-art technology. Watch Bodrum’s famous moonrise from the confines of your sumptuous Luxury Collection Bed.
KEMPINSKI HOTEL BARBAROS BAY BODRUM
Where are the best places to eat in Bodrum, the best nightlife and dancing, or the most romantic, secluded coves perfect for a luxurious tête-à-tête? Whether you want to explore the historical places, have a city-sightseeing tour, or visit local points, here you can find Bodrum in every aspect. For anything, you want to know about the Bodrum Peninsula, our concierge team is ready and happy to help you.
JUNIOR SUITE
Located in exclusive forefront positions of all floors Junior Suites have been designed with muses of traditional Bodrum summer homes. Junior Suites are substantial and notable spaces bestowing panoramic vistas of the Aegean Sea as well as the unrivalled scenery of the resort’s pristine greenery.
ACTIVITIES / SITE SEEING
BODRUM CASTLE
Looking out imperiously over the waters surrounding it, Bodrum Castle is the most popular tourist attraction in Bodrum – and with good reason. Built between 1402 and 1437 by the Knights of St John, its domineering walls are remarkably well preserved, considering their age. Its fantastic turrets and towers only add to the castle’s magnificent appearance. A couple of them are named the French and English Tower; this indicates the international nature of the Knights’ order as Catholic factions came together to fight the Ottomans.
BODRUM AMPHITHEATRE
Located around six kilometres from Bodrum, the fantastic Bitez Beach is well worth a visit when you are in the city if you are looking for a relaxing spot. With lovely clear water bordering its long stretch of sand, reclining in a hammock and watching the world go by is simply divine; olive and citrus groves form a peaceful backdrop to the curve of the bay.
BODRUM MUSEUM OF UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGY
Located inside Bodrum Castle, this wonderful museum is a captivating place to visit. It is the largest museum in the world dedicated to underwater archaeology. Perusing its ancient vases, Jewellery and extensive collection of glassware, is as interesting as it is educational and offers up an amazing glimpse at some of the finds that have been discovered beneath the waves.
ZEKI MUREN ARTS MUSEUM
Dedicated to the musician and actor after whom the arts museum is named, this wonderful institution is the last place where Zeki Muren lived just before his death. A famous Turkish singer, the museum offers an interesting insight into his personal life and fabulous career, and fans of his will love this fascinating collection.
BARDAKCI BEACH
One of the most beautiful beaches in Bodrum, Bardakci lies not too far from the city center and is the perfect place if you are looking to relax and take in the sun after a busy morning spent sightseeing. Set in a lovely little cove, palm trees line the sand and there is a great view out over the pristine waters. As it is a resort beach, Bardakci is quite highly developed. As such, there are more than enough tourist facilities to keep you occupied. You can try your hand at water sports, relax in a spa or simply enjoy a drink while lounging on the beach.
WINDMILLS IN BODRUM
Perched atop a hill overlooking Bodrum, Gumbet and even the Greek island of Kos, the old windmills are in various states of repair, with some of them well preserved and others looking much the worse for wear. Gleaming in the sun, their whitewashed walls stand out against the blue skies above them and the sun-bleached grasses surrounding them. A wonderfully secluded spot, the windmills themselves may not be much to look at but the view from up on the hillside is breathtaking and is well worth the climb.
PRODUCTS
YALIKAVAK PAZARI
The Yalıkavak Market is not only a place to get the freshest produce grown and brought in from nearby villages but also a cornucopia of handmade goods. You will find Bodrum’s famous handmade leather sandals, hand-painted ceramics, evil eyes, clothing, and much more.
BODRUM HAVLU
The peştamal is a thin towel with tassels used in the hamam (Turkish bath) and also one of the most popular souvenirs. You’ll often see locals using paştamels on the beach because of their surprisingly high absorbency and quick drying time in the sun. Bodrum Havlu is one of the best places to choose a paştamel that you can use at home, as they come in a myriad of colors and motifs.
HANDBAGS AND CRAFT
Turkey is renowned for its kilims and carpets. In Bodrum there are specialists selling both; in the mountain village of Etrim you can watch highly skilled craftsmen at work using centuries-old techniques before you buy. Or for a more contemporary take on this ancient art form, book an appointment to meet artist Belkis Balpinar in Konacik (on the outskirts of Bodrum) who makes one-of-a-kind “artkilim” wall hangings and hand-tufted rugs.
CARPETS
They’re perfect for pick-me up snacks or take-home goodies – just ask staff to vacuum-pack purchases so you can squeeze them into your suitcase. For more of a lively market experience, wander round one of the pasars (markets) that take place daily in a different village.
OCEAN JEWELLERY
Ocean Jewellery in Bodrum is where you should go, whether you’re looking for new bespoke jewellery or a redesign of an old treasure. The friendly staff and attentive customer service have kept customers coming back over the years. The jeweller stocks a selection of earrings, necklaces and rings at various price levels, but if you want something truly unique, you can get a custom piece made according to your vision, budget and timeframe. Ocean’s team will talk you through the entire process, from ideation to end result, with step-by-step videos of the jewellery being made along the way so you can be sure that you’ll get exactly what you asked for.
MODEN LEATHER SHOP
Moden Leather Shopisone of the notable speciality shops in Bodrum. There’s no need for a leather jacket on your summer holiday in Bodrum, but if you’re looking for a warm winter jacket for the next winter season, you’ll probably find it here. A 12-minute stroll from the Bodrum city centre, this shop stocks a wide range of leather jackets in different designs and colours like red, yellow, brown and blue. There are edgy leather biker jackets, shearling leather hoodies, leather bomber jackets and even fur puffer jackets. The top quality of the leather and fair prices attract both locals and tourists, so drop by if you find yourself needing durable new outerwear.
TRADITIONAL CUISINE
Bodrum cuisine is healthy and non-fattening, except if one indulges too much in good Turkish bread, pastries or rich sweet desserts. Bodrum cuisine is well known with its traditional Mediterranean flavors.
SIGARA BOREK
Sigara borek is a favorite Mediterranean dish. This Turkish pastry is affectionately known as the “Cigarette Borek” because of its shape. This dish is a crispy rolled Turkish filo stuffed with French feta cheese and chopped parsley. People love the savory and scrumptious filling of melted cheese and fresh parsley. It’s one of the defining meals that make up our Mezze menu, and a starter that you’re sure to love.
KARIDES GUVEC
Who doesn’t love a good shrimp casserole? Karides guvec is a unique appetizer that we serve at Bodrum. This shrimp casserole is made with tomatoes, onions, peppers, mushrooms and kasseri cheese. The best part about this recipe is how all of the unique flavors soak into the shrimp, from the tomato sauce to the vegetables.
LAMB TAGINE
Lamb is an essential meat used in Turkish cuisine. It makes up many of the mouthwatering dishes we have here at Bodrum. Lamb tagine is a favorite that we love to make for our late-night customers. This meal is made with cubes of lamb shoulder braised with carrots, green peas, peppers, and cilantro. To compliment this fine Mediterranean dish, we serve it with Turkish rice.
BRICK OVEN PIZZA
so we are cheating a bit with this one. We have 16 amazing brick oven pizza dishes and we could not choose one. However, as a New York restaurant that serves pizza, there is no way we could leave it off of our list. Everything from our Mediterranean to grilled chicken pesto pizza is a delight. Each of our signature 12” thin crust pizzas are made to order with fresh, authentic ingredients in a wood burning oven. Our brick oven gives our pies just the right smoky flavor, with a fluffy crust and savory melted cheese.
SHAKSHUKA
If you are looking to change up brunch, then look no further. One of the standouts on our menu is shakshuka. This lovely dish is made up of baked eggs in tomato sauce, cumin, garlic, halloumi cheese. It’s the perfect early day meal and a great Mediterranean dish. You can even blend merguez sausage or Turkish sausage with your Shakshuka for an added treat.
COVID TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
Unvaccinated visitors from India must present a negative RT-PCR (NAAT) or Antigen (quick-test) test taken within 72 hours for RT-PCR (NAAT) and 48 hours for Antigen (quick-test) before departing to Turkey. Fully vaccinated visitors with approved vaccination certificates do not need to present a negative COVID-19 test. Children under the age of 12, aircraft crew, merchant seamen and truck drivers are exempt from presenting a negative COVID-19 test.
