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The Turkish Riviera: sun, sand and sensational resorts
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The next big beach destination, perhaps?
To American travelers, the “resort peninsula” that is the Bodrum region might be the best-kept secret in the world. For Europeans, the secret has been out for quite some time. Along with its “sister resort region” of Antalya, Bodrum is one of the most popular “sun and fun” destinations for Turks and foreigners alike, offering luxurious accommodations in a setting that both respects the area’s fishing village past and revels in its jetsetting present. It’s no wonder why Bodrum has been a vacation spot for A-List celebrities such as Tom Hanks, Beyonce Knowles, Sting, Elizabeth Hurley and Nicole Kidman.
Jutting into the Aegean Sea in southwest Turkey, the Bodrum Peninsula offers the sort of understated luxury that Americans find appealing. Yacht-lined marinas, casual-yet-sophisticated clubs and smartly-dressed visitors from Istanbul and other major European cities give Bodrum a French Riviera feel – but at prices that rest on the more affordable Turkish Lira rather than the relatively cumbersome Euro.
But for all the luxury infrastructure, Bodrum has its feet firmly planted on the ground – or, rather, the sands of its beautiful, plentiful beaches. Development is carefully monitored, with the area retaining an intrinsic, authentic charm. The result is visitors enjoying modern-day amenities with maritime twists – such as hotels with wooden jetties for guests to sunbathe literally right on the water – while recalling the area’s endearing past and unspoiled natural beauty.
The natural charms and maritime history is well worth preserving. Turkey's Aegean shores are among the loveliest landscapes in the country. The magnificent coastline, lapped by the clear waters of the Aegean Sea, abounds in vast and pristine beaches surrounded by olive groves, rocky crags and pine woods. Dotted with idyllic fishing harbors, popular resort villages and the remains of ancient civilizations attesting to the inheritance of more than 5,000 years of history and culture, Bodrum is a vibrant mix of the mythic and the modern.
A Varied Collection of Villages
In some spots, visitors find the green land covered with tangerines, olives and pine trees overlooking dazzling blue bays where the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas meet. Seaside villages feature long, sandy beaches with crystal clear waters for swimming and water sports. At the water’s edge, restaurants, cafés, bars, hotels and boarding houses – also known as pensions – offer some of Turkey’s best and most diverse cuisine and accommodations. Some of Bodrum’s most notable places include:
· Barbaros Bay epitomizes Bodrum’s blend of luxury and landscape. A charming stretch of rocky coast makes for breathtaking sea scenery with gullets occasionally gracing the view. Development in this rather remote town is sparse except for one major spot: the upscale Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay, which opened in 2005 and is among the Bodrum area’s most luxurious hotels. Its Six Senses spa was Best European Spa by Condé Nast Traveler in 2008.
· Bodrum Town – The namesake of the Bodrum Peninsula has been zealously preserved and evokes the region’s charming maritime history. True to the region, however, the vintage ease of the daytime gives way to techno and house music from dozens of clubs and bars by night. Attractions here include the 15th-century castle of St. Peter, which presides on a promontory and is visible for miles around. Nearby a maze-like market offers ample alleyways of shopping delight, and an amphitheatre dating back to the area’s Roman predecessors serves as a venue for live music acts.
· Gümbet is a popular, lively area just over the hill from the town of Bodrum. The beach is long and sandy and its warm waters are ideal for swimming and water sports. There are many hotels, restaurants and cafés.
· Gümü?lük offers a perfect balance between pristine, untouched beaches and genuine, old-fashioned Turkish hospitality. Clean, cozy boarding houses and hotels lay steps away from the warm waters, which offer easy swimming and snorkeling as the town rests on a protected inlet. For foodies, an impressive array of restaurants perched on the bay, including the inspired Limon, are famous for their range of maze and fish dishes.
· Ortakent is another old settlement turned tropical paradise. Its long, breathtaking beach and plethora of hotels and eateries – including the immensely popular Sakizana restaurant and the seafood-specializing Gebora – make Ortakent a must if only as a day excursion for those exploring several towns in Bodrum.
· Torba’s dense patches of pine trees open up onto a long, sandy beach hopping with restaurants, bars and hotels, showing visitors why it is considered one of Bodrum’s liveliest spots for dining and nightlife. Perhaps the most noteworthy attraction here is Casa Dell’Arte, an exclusive, extravagant resort hotel that is the brainchild of two wealthy – and obviously creative – art collectors. Only 12 luxurious rooms make up the main building, and a center swimming pool is flanked by galleries filled with impressive pieces obtained over decades of collecting.
· Turkbuku might be Bodrum’s swankiest town, frequented by affluent locals and toney foreigners and earning the nickname “the St. Tropez of Turkey.” Though visitors here will not find broad sandy beaches, they delight in the semi-circular boardwalk dense with shops, restaurants, bars and docks, suitable for sunbathing by day and dining in the evening. The protected harbor is a refuge for yachts and allows for swimming in calm, pool-like conditions.
During summer months, Turkbuku’s shoreline becomes a buzzing party venue by night, and the town is home to what is perhaps Bodrum’s most popular nightclub, Club Bianca. In addition, several of Bodrum’s best hotels are situated here, including the glitzy, 81-room Macakizi Hotel and the boutique Ada Hotel featuring just 14 elegant guest rooms and a luxurious, domed hamam – a traditional Turkish spa.
· Yaliçiftlik – Located at the entrance of the Gulf of Gökova, Yaliçiftlik’s small coves and protected pools offer some of the most fascinating, relaxing swimming spots in Bodrum. The town has a reputation for catering to visitors who are especially “in the know” about the area. Its long beach is uncrowded, the few seaside restaurants serve impeccable yet inexpensive food, and the countryside retains its full rustic charm.
Getting There
For Americans, most journeys to Turkey start in Istanbul and, from there, several daily, direct flights are available to Bodrum Airport. Another popular route is flying from Istanbul to Izmir, where a few miles drive in either direction lets travelers explore the ancient ruins of Ephesus and Pergamon, respectively. Bodrum is a three-hour drive from Izmir.
About Turkey
Turkey, the site of two wonders of the ancient world, is a present-day marvel - the cradle of many civilizations, the very center of world history and a modern Westward-looking republic. It is a country of fascinating contrasts, where antiquity is juxtaposed with the contemporary, the familiar with the exotic; where sun-swept beaches beckon less than an hour away from snow-capped mountains and everywhere visitors are treated to the extraordinary warmth of the Turkish people.
To learn more about Bodrum or other exciting destinations in Turkey, call 1-877-FOR-TURKEY or contact the Turkish Culture and Tourist Office in New York at 212-687-2194 and visit their website at www.tourismturkey.org or www.goturkey.com.
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