Bodrum: A Perfect Place to Holiday with Family
Well we’re not having much of a summer here in the UK are we? There’s still time to book a getaway and why not venture somewhere new?
Bodrum – have you heard of it? Maybe not, but this resort town in the sunny southwest of Turkey attracts a fashionable crowd including footballing legend Cristiano Ronaldo (one to appeal to the hubby perhaps!). Bodrum’s celebrity credentials mean it is often thought of as Turkey’s equivalent to Marbella and St Tropez. I’d like to go, wouldn’t you? Well here are four good reasons you should think about travelling there this year:
1. Sun Sun Sun
During the holiday season, the weather in Bodrum is as hot as anywhere in the western Mediterranean. July tends to be the hottest month, with temperatures averaging around 29°C (83°F). Because it is right next to the sea, holiday makers benefit from a fresh sea breeze which makes sunbathing a real pleasure (no one wants to be a sweaty mess on the beach do they?).
2. Party Vibes
Bodrum is a chilled out holiday location for sure, but it also has plenty of atmosphere. The town’s marina is a focal point throughout the day, attracting visitors to its shops, eateries and markets. If you travel in July and August you’ll be just in time for the Bodrum festival, where you’ll get a chance to see the locals letting their hair down with traditional dancing and performing arts.
3. It’s Close to The Airport
Bodrum is only 20 miles from Milas-Bodrum Airport, meaning you don’t have loads of annoying travelling once you arrive in the country. After you arrive in Turkey, it should only take you around an hour before you can drop your bags off and start enjoying your holiday. With recent trouble in Turkey, I think a lot of people are probably anxious about travelling to this part of the world, but apparently heightened security means that flights to Turkey should be very safe in the coming months. You can find out more information from the big travel companies about this.
4. History and Culture
Although primarily known as a glamorous sunspot, Bodrum also has some very interesting landmarks, museums and history to explore. The most interesting place to explore is probably the Museum of Underwater Archaeology – here you’ll be able to find artifacts spanning 3000 years of maritime activity in the area. These include the dazzling gold seal of Nefertiti, rescued from a 14th century shipwreck found in 1982. The museum is located in Bodrum castle, itself an interesting historical landmark built by medieval knights.
5. Diving in Bodrum
As well as exploring amazing finds in the Underwater Archaeology Museum, why not take to the water yourself and find some of your own? Explore wrecks and see the local marine wildlife on a fantastic underwater adventure. The town plays host to an annual diving festival each May, which is a great time to visit if you love to dive.
Take it easy in Bodrum this summer, one of Turkey’s best kept secrets.
Images by neiljs, Abspires40 and www.hickey-fry.com used under Creative Commons License.
