The seaside city of Bodrum, Turkey, is considered the hot new under-the-radar luxury travel destination.
Located on the Bodrum Peninsula on Turkey’s southwest coast, on the shores of the Aegean Sea, about one hour flight from Istanbul.
Recently this port city has been dubbed the “St. Tropez of Turkey” for its luxury resorts, villas, beach clubs, food scene, and the increasing number of super yachts drifting in its turquoise waters. Popular and known by Europeans, now also American travelers have started looking into this beautiful destination.
Bodrum doesn’t refer precisely to the town but to the large peninsula. Across the shiny marina, in Bodrum Town, is where the club singers croon and corks pop and where during the summer you can let off steam at night.
Bodrum was named one of the top travel destinations of 2020 by Architectural Digest. Laura Itzkowitz wrote “Aesthetes looking for the next great beach destination are flocking to Bodrum, on Turkey’s Aegean coast, for an under-the-radar alternative to the Greek Islands and the Amalfi Coast,”
Bloomberg, also, named Bodrum one of the best places to travel in 2019: “With slick infinity edge pools facing the Aegean, celebrity-approved beach clubs, spas with steamy hammams, and sunbathing nooks shrouded by olive groves, the see-and-be-seen destination is a revitalized alternative to St. Tropez and Mykonos,”
Bodrum is also known for its luxury resorts and villas like the villas within the Bodrum Royal Palace
or a stay at a luxurious private Villa Macakizi
Not to miss
Bodrum has so much history. It was know as Halicarnassus, the capital of the ancient region of Caria, home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the ruined Mausoleum of Mausolus. From the ruins of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus (much is in the British Museum), the Bodrum Castle was built by crusaders around 1402, reborn in 1962 as the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology, that features the world’s biggest Eastern Mediterranean amphora collection as well as rare relics from shipwrecks around the Turkish Aegean. The ancient Carians, the Greeks, the Persians, Crusaders and Ottomans have all been in Bodrum.
Bodrum | credits by Shutterstock
When in Bodrum you should not miss snorkelling over the submerged ruins of this ancient city.
Bodrum | credits Shutterstock
Shopping
The best area where to shop and luxe stores are located is the upscale yachtie heaven Yalikavak Marina. During your stay in Bodrum you should also visit the picturesque village of Etrim where the art of natural-dyed carpet and kilim weaving is still practice but slowly disappearing. Let us plan your private tours in Bodrum and discover this enchanting part of the world.
You’re Welcome
Our villas and resort in Bodrum boast panoramic Aegean views and are perched on beautiful locations, hemmed in by ancient olive groves and pines. The suites and the villas all have outside space. We love to welcome our guests serving bottles of champagne upon arrival.
Villa Macakizi, Bodrum, Haute Retreats
Time to Relax
The selection of villas we offer feature private Spa areas where you can relax and unwind.
The Wellness area at the Imperial Villas | Bodrum
Dining in style
There are great restaurants in Bodrum, we will cover the best restaurants in the next post, but we can ensure you that if you want to experience the best food during your stay you should not miss a stay at Villa Macakizi where Carlo Bernardini designed fine tailored dining experiences with culinary excellence combine with innovative cuisine and refined service. Villa Macakizi can be called also as an exclusive Mediterranean Villa.
Staying at the Bodrum Royal Palace, Tableau is considered the most prestigious place in Bodrum for traditional afternoon tea. Guests can enjoy a wide selection of local and international teas and coffees and a variety of the finest pastries and chocolates, as well as a light snack menu. Or 5555 in The Bodrum by Paramount Hotels & Resorts is a welcome oasis with a resort-like atmosphere and spectacular views of Aegean Sea. Enjoy light meals and snacks, as well as healthy smoothies and cocktails.
Sailing
‘Mavi yolculuk’ in Turkish, mean “blue cruise”, refers to the joy of sailing the Mediterranean in a hand-carved gulet. A stay in Bodrum is for sure not completed if you don’t adventure in a sailing tour.
The most interesting sites are the Lighthouse, famed for its ethereal white corals, the Big Reef, replete with beautiful marine life, and Bubble Cave – accessed through a metre-wide gap in its roof.
Halas 71 | Haute Retreats
Travel in Style with Haute Retreats, the Haute Couture of Travel!
P.S. Turkey opened borders June 12th 2020
Update July 27:
Passengers arriving from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Mali, Mauritius, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone or Somalia are not allowed to enter.
Entry Requirements for Turkey
Now that any covid-related travel bans have been lifted, there are still a few entry requirements for tourists entering Turkey:
- All nations that require an e-visa or stamp visa will obtain one prior to entering Turkey
- Tourists are required to wear a face-mask during the inbound flight to Turkey, as well as in the airport. Any tourist not wearing a mask will be denied entry.
- Travelers agree to a health screening and temperature check.
- Once in Turkey, the wearing of face-masks in public spaces is mandatory for many cities including Ankara and Istanbul.
