BODRUM

Bodrum is a charming and fascinating little port, 270 km. south of Izmir, on the Aegean coast of Turkey. The inhabitants of Bodrum are around 30.000 and earn their living by fishing, boat-building, agriculture, weaving (the village Mumcular is famous for its carpets, kilims and other weavings) and tourism, which has become the most important industry in the last few years.
In recent times Bodrum has become not only a tourist centre but also a visiting place for famous Turkish and foreign artists and also an art center, which is a source of inspiration.
The heart of the town is around the harbor, where shops, bars and restaurants jostle together in the narrow streets under the shadow of the St. Peter Castle . The main artery is Cumhurriyet Caddesi (Republic Street), much better known as bar street.
This street is a pedestrianised showcase of what the town has to offer. Skilled artisans can make you a pair of snugly fitting leather sandals in the traditional Aegean style, while small boutiques offer stylish creations inspired by local designs and fabrics. Shopping tips mainstream Turkish Fashions (Gallery Emelce) are well represented to, with clothes designed for hot summer living . The souvenir shops sell attractive onyx, copper and brassware, along with toy camels, and Gold harem slippers. Cafes and restaurants offer a cosmopolitan choice. To accompany your meal, try the light aniseed flavoured national drink Raki or locally produced wine. After sundown, Bodrum lights up with flashing neon and laser shows to pulsating throb of the latest dance music. It's party time all over the town.

Just outside of Bodrum is Içmeler, here you find Europe's largest for wooden boat building yard. An 18 meter Gullet, that's the name for this kind of boats, can be built from scratch in 8 to 12 month.
Since the time of King Mausolos Bodrum has been an important center for boat building. Ptolemäus from Egypt had his warships made here in 300 b.c.

There is much more to Bodrum than the town itself, within easy reach by minibus, or "Dolmus", you can visit many picturesque villages on the peninsula all with a distinct character of their own.

The new airport Milas-Bodrum, opened last year in April, is now is fully connected. Scheduled Turkish Airlines and International charter flights are now arriving regularly. The long transfer from Izmir or Dalaman now belongs to the past. And there is more, now you have a chance to be in one hour in Istanbul for a romantic weekend.

SHOPPING :

Shopping through the narrow streets of Bodrum between the white walls is one of the pleasures you must try here. The Turkish crafts make it impossible to resist buying something. The most popular objects for the holiday maker are of course carpets; but the varied leather, copper and bronze wares, silver and gold, handicrafts and embroidery, and the famous Turkish meerschaum and onyx are on many peoples' lists.

Souvenir shops sell attractive onyx, copper and brass ware, toy camels, and Gold harem slippers. Carpets are of course popular but the varied leather, copper and bronze wares, silver and gold, handicrafts and embroidery, and the famous Turkish meerschaum and onyx can be found here also. There is a cloth market every Tuesday and a fruit and vegetable market every Friday in Bodrum. Many other items can also be found for sale then.

BODRUM NIGHTLIFE :

The night life of Bodrum is something very special. Even Turks will rank Bodrum after Istanbul as number 2. Bodrum probably has more bars per area than other places in Turkey, appealing to all tastes. Among them are intimate seaside cafes with magnificent views of the illuminated castle.

You will be faced this year with more live music then before. The places are mainly called meyhane, this concept has grown into a wide spread entertainment business recently. Originally a simple place for eating and drinking, to the meyhane Turks come wishing to listen to their favorite singers who all visit fashionable Bodrum over the summer. Mainly on the road to Konacik and Ortakent, various meyhanes are found, some of which look like night clubs.

The characteristic show and the custom is to join the singer as if in a concert. You can dance
- not necessarily in a dancing area but in any space you can find among the crowd. Eating and drinking abound and there is no limit to enjoying yourself.

DISCO :

 They really don't need an advert - it is so well known. We even will not get paid by them, but a page like this would be incomplete without this wonderful place

RESTURANT & BARS :

  Turkish cuisine is to a large extent the product of a rich historical background, resulting from centuries of crossbreeding between East and West and sustained by an infinite variety of fish, meat, vegetables and fruit. When the Turks were nomads their food was necessarily limited, but as they settled they adopted the dishes of the conquered, refining these continuously in the palaces of Istanbul.

  Foreign guests are over and over surprised by the rich variety and painstaking preparation of vegetable here. The market of Bodrum makes it clear: fresh vegetables have the highest value in the Turkish kitchen. They can also be roasted, fried or served with yogurt. Vegetable courses can be eaten warm by themselves or filled with mince meat and rice (Dolma). They can also be prepared with olive oil as a cold dish. In addition also lamb is offered -, calf and beef and much chicken. Pork meat is forbidden to the believing Moslem, and fish has become very expensive over the last years.

MUSEUM :

HEALTH :

Hopefully you should remain in good health during your holiday but should you happen to need a doctor please do not hesitate to. In Bodrum there are two hospitals - private and state one, and many private clinics. Medical facilities in our town are up-to-date and equipped to cope with the majority of medical problems. There are multilingual doctors and dentists all around the town open during weekly business hours. For emergency medical care, you may contact your hotel reception to request a doctor's visit in your hotel room.

HOSPITALS :
For emergencies the town hospitals are open 24 hours a day and most of the duty doctors are bilingual. An ambulance service may be requested from hospitals for emergencies.

PHARMACIES :There are a large number of pharmacies (Eczane) in the town, open during business hours. In each area there is a pharmacy open 24-hour  for emergencies. To learn which pharmacy is on duty, check with your tour operator, the notices posted on the pharmacy windows or call information on 118. All medicine is available, yet strong painkillers, tranquilizers, and some other medicine require prescription.