The Bodrum peninsula’s diversity as a holiday resort, offering on the one hand water sports, excellent shopping, dining and nightlife, while at the same time fervently maintaining its cultural and historical heritage, make it unique as a holiday destination. Day or night, the Bodrum peninsula has it all.

Bodrum occupies a special place in many people's hearts. A popular home and resort for Turkish artists and intellectuals, who attracted like minded romantics to the town and were largely responsible for creating the Bohemian atmosphere Bodrum enjoys today.

You are never far from the sea anywhere on the peninsula. In August the average daily air temperature is 33˚C with warm seas of 25˚C, perfect for any aquatic activity.

In every village or resort, in front of hotels and seaside restaurants, there are wooden jetties for sunbathing, free for everyone's enjoyment. There is never a lack of comfortable, uncrowded space for swimming and sunbathing. Another plus is that the rent-a-bed bunch is not to be seen. While some hotels do reserve their sun beds for their own guests, first come first served is the rule on local beaches.

It is difficult to find cleaner, clearer water than that on the Bodrum peninsula. No matter where you go, visibility is always excellent. This combined with an absence of heavy seas or strong tides and currents make the Bodrum area a swimmer's and snorkeler's paradise. For those interested in spending more time underwater than one breath there are several scuba diving centres in the area offering instruction and equipment hire, for the beginner or expert.

Recently declared as one of the world's best windsurfing areas by a popular windsurfing magazine, you are never far from a board anywhere on the peninsula. Windsurf schools and rental facilities abound. If you're after speed and thrills of a different kind, water-skiing, jet skiing and parasailing are also available on several beaches.

As a major boat building and yachting centre it is only fitting that you can enjoy boating from almost anywhere on the peninsula. From canoes and pedalos to luxury motor sailors, all types of craft are available. Perhaps the most inexpensive aquatic excursions are the numerous day boat trips. Locally captained and crewed these boats make a day of it; stopping at the best swimming areas on the way and usually calling at a seaside restaurant for lunch. One popular stop on such excursions is "Karaada" or BlackIsland, where warm springs flow from a shoreline cave into a walled-in pool jutting into the sea. In addition, daily or weekly charters may be enjoyed on literally dozens of yachts, be they the traditional Turkish gulet, for motor sailing comfort, or modern sailing yachts, for those interested in serious sailing. Day trips to the Greek island of Kos are available from Bodrum.

If you prefer to spend your holiday ashore, there's plenty to do for the landlubber as well.

Turkey is the proud possessor of more recognized historical and archaeological sites than any other country in the world. Bodrum's Aegean location offers the opportunity to see some of the best. From the spectacular ancient city of Ephesus or the unique Temple of Apollo at Didyma to quaint and secluded Iasus, a two thousand-year trip into the past is only a few hours away. Travelling by organized tour, rent-a-car or public bus, numerous spectacular sites are close enough to be visited easily in a day. Bodrum's own history is second to none. Birth place of Heredotus (the "Father of History"); home of Mausolus, entombed in one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World; and visited by Alexander The Great (who enjoyed a lengthy stay), Bodrum is a unique combination of ancient and modern. Sites not to be missed in Bodrum itself include the Mausoleum, the amphitheatre on the hill above town and the early fifteenth century Castle of St. Peter. Spectacular in its own right with its lush gardens, massive stone works and diverse towers, the Castle also houses a world famous museum of underwater archaeology.

Turkey is one of the world's largest carpet producers and traditional hand made carpets are priced considerably less than abroad. Hand made jewellery, brass, copper, woodcrafts and gifts are plentiful and sales are usually conducted over a friendly glass of tea and a serious discussion about price. Turkey is also a large textile producer and modern sportswear can be had at significant savings. The local tailors are perfectly willing to custom make clothing to size, be it traditional Turkish trousers "shalvar" or a copy of the latest casual evening wear.

Market days present an opportunity to experience a real Turkish bazaar. Farmers and tradesman from surrounding villages bring their produce and wares to the bazaar. Worth a visit for the atmosphere alone, fantastic bargains can be found on everything from fresh fruit, cheese, aromatic herbs and spices, to carpets, the latest fashions, clothing and shoes, all at excellent prices.

Bodrum is definitely growing, with Turks and foreigners alike attracted to its warm, relaxing atmosphere. Growth inevitably brings change, but fortunately some things will always stay the same. In Bodrum you can always count on the sunny weather, the warm hospitality of its residents, the sight of a fully laden camel wending its way through the back streets and from the top of the minarets, the wailing cry of the muezzin, calling the faithful to prayer.

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