Bodrum
BODRUM PENINSULA
Charming beach resorts and bright lights of Bodrum and Gümbet !
The spectacular scenery and contrasting resorts of the Bodrum Peninsula have never been so accessible,so there’s never been a beter time to visit.With the opening of Bodrum’s own international airport,transfer times to Koral Travel's resorts have been cut dramatically,making this area one of Turkey’s most attractive holiday destinations. Bodrum and Gümbet,of course,have long been two of the hottest spots in the eastern Mediterranean;bustling and cosmopolitan,with an unrivalled choice of shopping, restaurants and nightlife.Away from these two centres, you’ll find a number of smaller,quieter resorts such as Yalikavak and Bitez,each with its own Turkish character and a beautiful sandy beach.All the resorts of the Bodrum Peninsula are connected to Bodrum and Gümbet by regular and inexpensive dolmus,services,which are often the best way to see the stunning scenery and dramatic volcanic landscapes that are to be found around every twist and turn in the road.
Approx transfers from Bodrum Airport ; to Bodrum and to Gumbet and to Bardakci 55 mins; to Bitez 1 hr 10 mins; to Yalikavak 1 hr 15 mins (may include a change of choach in Bodrum).
Cascading down the hillside to the water’s edge,Bodrum’s huddle of narrow streets and its picturesque mass of sugar houses make it one of the prettiest resorts on the Amongst the most striking of its many attractions is the Castle of St.Peter,standing guard over Bodrum’s twin bays, each filled with yachts and fringed by broad palm-lined promenades.There are no beaches here (you need to go to Gümbet or elsewhere),but the easy-going,almost hedonistic appeal ensures is popularity.İf Bodrum’s daylight hours are vivacious-and they certainly are-then the twilight hours are positively vibrant.From chic bars to hi-tech discos,such as the Halikarnas with its laser lights piercing the night sky and reflecting in the rippling water below;the choice is dazzling.
GUMBET
For lazy days on the beach combined with buzzing nightlife, head for the vibrant resort of Gümbet,often referred to as Bodrum’s beach.The gently-shelving beach and shallow waters benefit from a gentle breeze,making it an ideal spot for those wishing to take advantage of the excellent windsurfing school and watersports.An array of bars and restaurants line Gümbet’s beachfront,providing a convenient and attractive setting in which to eat,drink and watch the world go by.At night Gümbet takes on a party atmosphere,offering a wide choice of bars and discos,and most people take the dolmus (about 35p)to Bodrum for at least a couple of nights out. Gümbet,once merely considered ‘bodrum’s Beach’,has sprouted up to be considered a holiday resort in its own right.Little remains of the once sleepy fishimg village as Gumbet has unfolded rapidly into i sizzling,busy hot spot for beach lovers,watersports enthusiasts and those seeking a friendly,lively nightlife. Situated to the west of Bodrum just over a hill ,Gümbet centres around its crescent shaped bay lined with large hotels and a variety of beach-side cafes and restaurants to serve you when lying on your sunbed all day becomes just a bit too much and you’re in need of Bodrum’s sizzling nighlife and sightseeing delights.The beach is ideal for families with children as it gently shelves out to the Aegean Sea.for the watersport enthusiast,there is plenty to keep you absorbed-windsurfing,water skiing,jet skiing, ringos,bananas and paragliding await you(payable locally). Being i fairly small resort,it wont take you long to wander the length of the beach or the paralel main road to discover all the restaurants and bars Gümbet has on offer.Restaurants are mainly of the internatıonal kind,but you’ll also find few Turkish lokantes;Indian and Chinese and several snack bars and fast-food places serving traditional doner kebabs or delicious baked potatoes with a variety of toppings.Stroll up the hill to the main road where most of the night action is.There are numerous bars offering the latest chart-topping music ,most of which also offer ‘happy hours’to entice you and some will occasionally even offer the odd belly dancing show or two.Like neighbouring Bodrum ,you can dance away until the early hours of the morning without worrying about travelling too far to reach your bed! Over the last few years,Gümbet has seen a wealth of sprout up from Turkish Delight shops to Levi Jeans with a few cassette,jewellery,leather and carpet shops thrown in for good measure,making Gümbet fully equipped to cater to your every need.
BODRUM GUMBET
PERFECT PARTNERS
Sundrenched Days,Fun-Filled Nights-Turkey’s Perfect
With barely a kilometre of coastline between them,Gumbet and Bodrum are almost a single resort with a pair of distinctly different characters –one the daytime magnet for sunbathers and watersports enthusiasts,the other a mecca for night owls,whose heartbeat is heard after dark;one modern and growing behind its busy beach,the other a maze of historic streets overlooked by an imposing castle.While families tend to spend most of their time in Gumbet,most of the twin towns’visiting population fluctuates from one to the other with dawn and dusk. Gumbet has a leisurely and laid back ambience,its sheltered,shallow waters combining safe bathing with an excellent array of watersports. There are ample snack bars and lokantas for all its daily influx of visitors,but sunset is the signal for the competeing clubs, discotheques and casinos to spring into life.Bodrum is the honeypot for culture vultures,sightseers and party people. It’s 15th century Castle of St.Peter dominates the town. Narrow alleyways and barely broader streets are crammed with all manner of souvenir shops,punctuated with patisseries and interspersed with restaurants.Bazaars are brim full with colourful crafts and traditional mementoes and countless waterfront bars gear up for an evening in overdrive. The late and lively night scene,with the spectacular Halikarnas,Europe’s largest open air disco top of the bill, is not for the faint hearted.
YALIKAVAK
The overland trip from Bodrum to the little coastal town of Yalikavak (18kms)provides some of the most spectacular sce nery on the Bodrum Peninsula.Home to fisherman and sponge-divers,and a haven for yachts,Yalikavak has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere where locals mix with visitors.The small marina is lined with traditional Turkish restaurants,and naturally enough,seafood is a particular speciality.There are bathing spots along the coast and a Yalikavak itself there is a narrow main beach consisting of fine white sand.Aquiter,more traditional base from which to explore the many attractions of the Bodrum Peninsula.
BITEZ
Just seven kilometres from Bodrum,this is a small charming resort surrounded by tangerine groves which possessens a gently-shelving,sand -&-shingle beach lapped by the warm waters of the Aegean,making it a good choice for families.Bitez’s sheltered bay is ideal for watersports and has become a popular spot for windsurfing,attracting both experienced windsurfers and beginners.When dusk falls,you can enjoy wining and dining in the beachfront bars and restaurants,or for those in search of livelier nightlife,the heady action of Bodrum or Gümbet can be easily reached by local dolmus(about 40-50p)or by taxi.
BARDAKCI
Bardakci Bay is a relaxed holiday area with its own strech of beach,just a couple of kilometres from the centre of Bodrum which can be reached by dolmus in just 5-10 minutes ,or by a half-hourly water –taxi service offering great views of the bay.Gümbet is also equally accessible and offers watersports, nightlife,or just a change of scene. For those looking for a quiter base on the Bodrum Peninsula,Bardakçi is the perfect sunshine holiday destination.
YOUR KIND OF RESORT?
GUMBET-Families and couples of all ages can enjoy the beach and casual informality of this place without ever making the short journey to Bodrum.Young singles,based in either town,make the beach a very busy daytime venue. There are ample shops,eateries,bars and good watersports facilities. BODRUM-Gumbet’s guests are regular evening visitors and serious shoppers are in their element here. It’s narrow streets packed to the gunnels with shops and stalls,Bodrum has bags of atmosphere,though the mood is very modern after dark-the nightlife is about the busiest of all Turkish resorts. Coach transfer from Bodrum Airport to Bodrum / Gumbet is approximately 45 minutes.
Bodrum and Gumbet Days and Nights
To make your holiday in Turkey extra special, Koral Travel has pus together a range of excursions as well as fun ideas for daytime and evening activities. For example in Bodrum if you choose our Castaway Cruise,it’s achors away as you sail the Aegean Sea on a Turkish wooden gulet. Bodrum is probably one of the prettiest seaside resort towns on the South Aegean coastline.Situated virtually smack in the middle between Kuşadası (to the North)and Marmaris (to the South-east) it lies at the neck of a large peninsula that incorporates such village as Turgutreis, Bitez,Yalıkavak,Gümüşlük and many other charming,often sleepy fishing villages. Bodrum has remarkably rich history.Formerly as Halicarnassus,it was the principle centre of the ancient Caria region.In 377 BC when the famed Mausolus came to rule the powerful Carian city,he was granted the Persian title of ‘governor’and set about developing his realm.At this time Bodrum became an important naval power on the Aegean coast.After his death,his sister-wife set about the construction of his Tomb.The Tomb of Mausolus is included as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and stood relatively intact for almost 19 centuries until it was broken up firstly by an earthquake and then by the Crusaders who used pieces to build Bodrum’s famous Castle of St Peter. Bodrum has been Turkey’s most favoured resort amongst Turkey’s high society for well over 50 years,mainly due to a Turkish writer/poet who was exiled to Bodrum due to his unpopular political expression.His ensuing boks about life in Bodrum captivated like minded romantics and is largely responsible for creating Bodrum’s bohemian ambience.Although a ‘buzzing’and vibrant town,Bodrum has managed to retain its authentic style and culture.The view as you come in Bodrum over the brow of a hill is simply incredible.A visit to the Castle should be a priority on anyone’s list.ıt holds the famous Museum of Underwater Archaeology and the French,Italian and Snake Towers housing splendid coin,jewellery and glass collections. Bodrum has something to offer everyone whether it be keep on going and you’ll come to the centre of the harbour(near Bodrum Cafe)which is the focal point of Bodrum.Here,you will reach the pedestrianised bazaar area,a maze of narrow ,winding streets crammed to bursting point with atmosphereishops,restaurants,bars and discos.Shopping is a wonderful experience in Bodrum.Meander through the narrow streets to your heart’s content.you can buy anything from fake “designer”watches to designer clothing,hand-made leather sandals,Turkish carpets, jewellery,onyx,copper,cassettes and much more.Pause and have a chat with one of the local shopkeepers whilts sipping a refreshing glass of apple tea.Actually the best time for shopping is as the sun begins to set,as all the shops stay open until approximately midnight. A maze of white,sugar-cube style houses and narrow,winding streets cascade down the hillside to Bodrum’s harbour,dominated in the centre by the 15th century Castle of St Peter. For something different,take a stroll up to the amphitheatre perched on the hillside above the town ,preferably at sunset and you will get the most panoramic view of all of Bodrum and the castle illuminations-take your camera fort he best shot ever.
