In Bodrum Town there are no shortage of independent rental companies offering a range of different plans and vehicles, so be sure to shop around.

Bodrum’s primary landmark, Bodrum Castle, also known as Saint Peter’s Castle, is a well-preserved medieval stone fortress built by Crusaders in the 15th Century.

The castle was constructed using stones from the ruined *Mausoleum of Mausolus, once one of the *Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Its builders were the Knights of St John, (also known as the Knights of Malta or the Knights Hospitaller) who controlled, and operated from, the Greek island of Rhodes.

This order was separated into different “tongues”, each one representing a different language, encompassing different regions of Italy, France, Germany and the British Isles. Each tongue was given its own distinctive tower in Bodrum Castle, each tongue paid for their own tower and were charged with its own defence.

With the rising threat of an ever-expanding Ottoman Empire and the brilliant campaigns of Suleiman the Magnificent, it was ordered that the castle’s defences be strengthened even further to prepare for an attack. Suleiman, however, had other plans. He instead laid siege to the order’s headquarters of Rhodes, eventually forcing their surrender but allowing them to go in peace. The Knights left Rhodes and were later gifted the island of Malta by the king of Spain. It is the island of Malta which we now most associate with the order today.

After the Knights’ capitulation the region came firmly under Ottoman control and the castle’s chapel was symbolically converted into a mosque.

During the First World War the castle was subjected to naval bombardment. The damage suffered, whilst significant, was hardly critical damage, and the castle remained intact when the Italian Army used it
as a base until Turkish Independence

Today the castle is open to the public. You can explore the various towers and the castle grounds, which have all been fully restored, then climb to the top to get a fantastic view of Bodrum Bay.

The castle grounds are also the location for the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology, a showcase for the rich variety of artefacts which have been recovered from the surrounding seabed.

One of many peacocks found inside the castle walls

The islands off Turkey’s coast are dotted all over the Gulf of Gokova, and a week will fly by as you try to explore all of them. The translucent water allows you to view the marine life beneath the water without difficulty. On Bodrum Gokova yacht cruises you can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, sightseeing, or just basking in the sun with your favorite drink.

Hire an entire yacht for yourself or reserve a cabin on a passenger boat on Bodrum Gokova yacht cruises. Perfect for first-timers to sailing, Bodrum mini cruises are usually between three and five days. With shipmates from all sorts of different countries, you’ll enjoy the voyage even more.

Among the wonders Bodrum Gokova yacht cruises take you to are ruins of ancient civilizations and treasures of natural beauty. You might want to spend some time touring the ruins of ancient empires that remain underwater as well as the charming town of Karacasogut and the ancient cities of Caunos and Telmessos. Your itinerary will be based upon the particular cruise you select but anywhere you travel with Bodrum Gokova yacht cruises promises to be spectacular.

Sedir Island, filled with history and known as Cleopatra Island, is another favored stop on Bodrum Gokova yacht cruises. The island’s legendary beaches are said to be covered with sand filled with gold dust, which was brought from Egypt by Mark Anthony as a gift for Cleopatra. The ancient Roman amphitheatre located on the island definitely warrants a visit.

The typical day aboard Bodrum Gokova yacht cruises begins with a few hours of sailing followed by a stop for lunch in a charming locale. After lunch, entertainment can be found in the gorgeous waters of the Gulf of Gokova where you can swim, dive or snorkel. Or you might go on a shore excursion to a Turkish village, or visit an ancient site. Bodrum mini cruises have various itineraries, so if there is a place you really want to visit make sure you ask about it before booking your trip.

Both longer and shorter Bodrum yacht cruises guarantee you a wonderful vacation. The Bodrum Peninsula and the Gulf of Gokova are truly unique destinations. Bodrum Gokova yacht cruises give you the best opportunity to experience this paradise.

We hope that you enjoyed reading this article. If you are looking for additional information on Bodrum Gokova Yacht Cruises or Bodrum mini cruises, please be sure to check out our website.

In order to truly understand the Turkish food, you have to also understand Turkish history and the various cultures and peoples who’ve added their own flavour to the proverbial pot.

For centuries the Turkish mainland, Anatolia, served as the principal bridge between East and West, not just geographically, but politically and culturally as well. Anatolia’s enviable geographic position meant that the Ottomans could control access to east, and therefore grew quite wealthy from trading in commodities such as silks and spices.

It also allowed them to hold rival European powers, such as the Spanish and Portuguese at bay, forcing them to find alternative routes to the East, leading, inadvertently, to Columbus’ voyage to the Americas.

  
Herbs and spices at a local market

Istanbul, as a natural harbour, had always been one of the world’s busiest harbours all through Turkish history, from pre-Byzantine times, right through the Ottoman Empire and the formation of the Turkish Republic. Today it’s busier than ever as it continues to bring in all manner of exotic goods and delectable foodstuffs
from all over the world.

With its mouth-watering mix of foods and flavours; Asian, Oriental, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and of course European, Turkish cooking is perhaps the original fusion cuisine. Turkish dishes are garnished with a rich assortment of herbs and spices which are either grown locally or imported from the four corners of the world. Fruit, vegetables and other such produce is sourced domestically along with with fresh bread and pastries, honey, nuts, dried fruits and local delicacies.

Turkish Meze

A Meze is basically an assortment of snacks, such as salads and cheeses, olives, artichokes, flavoured yogurt dips and dolma. Dolma is basically the word for “stuffed” food and is found frequently in Turkish dishes, either as a starter or accompaniment or as a main course.

One of my own personal favourite dishes were the yaprak sarma which are basically vine leaves stuffed with herbs and rice and fried in olive oil. It is generally served with a wedge of fresh lemon to squeeze over.

Yaprak Sarma - image courtesy of Wikipedia.

Lemons at a local market.

Turkish Kebabs

Of course there’s also Turkey’s most famous dish, the kebab, though visitors will be surprised to find that there are, in fact, many more variations than the standard doner kebab most westerners are used to.

Another delicious food is Köfte, or Turkish meatballs, made from lamb and seasoned with fresh herbs and spices, which can be had as a main course but can also make great midday snack.

Turkish Seafood

With the Black Sea to the North, the Aegean to the West and of course the Mediterranean, seafood is, understandably, a vital part of Turkish cuisine. Indeed for seafood lovers Turkey is nothing short of heaven, with local fishermen providing restaurants with freshly caught fish, shellfish, shrimp, octopus and crab daily.

Turkish Drinks

After a nice Turkish meal nothing beats a glass of Raki.
Raki is an aniseed flavoured beverage which is used as the Turkish equivalent of a digestivo. It is generally drank mixed with water, which turns the drink white, and served in a short, narrow glass.

If you find the Raki too sweet for your pallet, you can also enjoy a glass of Efes, the Turkish national beer. Or, if you’d rather keep your head clear, I recommend a glass of Turkish tea, served piping hot in a small, clear glass, to refresh, relax and revitalise.

Perhaps the most famous nightspot in Bodrum is Halikarnas, the largest open air night club in Europe and is certainly well worth checking out.

If you are going to have a few drinks in Bodrum then you have to taste the Turkish national drink, Raki. Raki is an aniseed-flavoured alcoholic beverage, similar to Greek ouzo, which is usually drank in a tall glass mixed with water, which gives the beverage a milky white colour.

The Turks are a very proud and nationalistic people, something which one cannot help but notice when traveling through the country. Flags and banners are ubiquitous, especially on national holidays like Republic Day, where one can see the Turkish flag flying proudly wherever they look. Just as popular as the flag itself, if not more so, are banners that commemorate Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic.

Mustafa Kemal, the man who would later become known as Ataturk, or Father of the Turks, was born in 1881. Enrolling in the military at a young age, Mustafa Kemal had a distinguished career, coming to prominence during the First World War.

Despite his own remarkable efforts during the war, including a decisive role in The Battle of Gallipoli resulting in bitter defeat for the Allies, the Ottoman Empire was, none the less, defeated. In the aftermath of the war the Allies now began the process of carving up and occupying the shattered remnants of a once-mighty Empire. The Turks were far from defeated, however, and from these shattered pieces, Mustafa Kemal helped the scattered military units to regroup and form a coherent resistance movement. Mustafa’s ultimate goal was no less than complete and total independence for Turkey, a dream which came to fruition in 1923.

Though Ataturk created a secular republic, the Turks’ veneration of Ataturk is practically cult-like. In a sense, Ataturk was more than a political leader, he was also a spiritual one, even if his doctrine was deliberately non-religious. Ataturk was adamant that the new Turkish Republic be a secular, democratic and modern one, and no sooner had he pronounced the new nation, than he commenced his policies of modernisation, revolutionising every aspect of Turkish life from education and language to the nation’s economy to the very notion of nationhood itself. In “Kemalist” doctrine religion and state were irrevocably detached from one another and in its place Ataturk promoted a modern, pragmatic philosophy favouring nationalism and national unity over any form of religious devotion. By doing this, Ataturk not only fought for, created and re-invented a new secular, modern and democratic Turkish Republic, but also helped to create the very ideological glue that has, for decades, helped to bond the nation and its people together.

Since Bodrum is such a popular destination many travel agencies and airlines offer direct flights, generally during the tourist season. There are also many last-minute deals available.

Turkish Airlines also offer many flights, either directly to Bodrum, or via Istanbul.

For those looking to get around without a car there are no shortage of taxis available. There is also a very comprehensive bus service. If you get to the bus station - or otogar - is located in the centre of the town, you can go pretty much anywhere. You will also see many dolmus (minibuses) parked there, which you can board in the station, or flag one down like a taxi, wherever you are, whenever you see one. The dolmus are very cheap and are a great way to get around, see the countryside and immerse yourself in the real Turkey.

Another great way to get around is by boat. You can take a ferry to Kos or Rhodes, to visit the neighbours in Greece, or, if you really want to treat yourself, you can embark on a Blue Cruise yacht tour around Turkey, or a mini Blue Cruise, around the Bodrum area. In addition to this you can also rent or charter boats yourself. There are a number of different boats and companies to choose from, and you can even charter your very own yacht, with crew, to explore the Bodrum peninsula in style.

Straddling the Bosphorus Strait is the sprawling city of Istanbul, formerly Constantinople, the largest city in Europe and third largest city worldwide. Turkey’s second largest city is Ankara, capital of the Turkish Republic, located near the centre of Anatolia.

Turkey shares borders with a number of countries; Bulgaria and Greece, in Europe, Georgia, Armenia and a small region of Azerbaijan, to the East, and in the Middle East, Iraq, Iran and Syria. Turkey also lays claim to the northern part of Cyprus, following an, as-yet unresolved conflict between the Republic of Turkey and Greece.

The coast of Turkey touches the Mediterranean, the Aegean and the Black Sea. Turkey is also the source of both the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, which in turn, are widely considered to be the source of civilisation itself.

Due to its southerly position, Turkey enjoys a warm, Mediterranean climate. For this reason Turkey is blessed with agricultural abundance. It is also the reason why it has become so popular with sun-seeking tourists, as well as those wishing to retire or to buy property.

Image courtesy of the CIA World Factbook.