Sea Adventures and Historical Discoveries
Home to ancient ruins, exotic bazaars, and secluded white-sand beaches, Turkey is a place that captivates the imagination, and a trip to the southwest part of the country isn’t complete without some quality time spent relaxing around the Bodrum Peninsula coast. Life, after all, is better at the beach! And there is nothing better than feeling the warmth of the Aegean sun on your skin and cooling down with a swim in the turquoise ocean waters.
Relaxation complete, there are plenty of other things to do here. Bodrum, known as one of the most glamorous places to be in the Mediterranean, is where celebrities go to hang out. Yet, even with its plethora of upscale restaurants and superyacht-lined marinas, this Turkish Riviera retains its traditional charm. The 15th-century Bodrum Castle, perched atop a craggy peninsula, is home to a museum of underwater archeology. Other pockets of peace and serenity can be found in Bodrum’s old town, where family-run restaurants and souvenir shops are tucked into narrow alleyways.
Must-Do: Experience an ancient world at Bodrum Amphitheatre, which dates to the 4th century B.C. This well-preserved hillside Greco-Roman theater is a premier example of ancient Halicarnassus architecture, and it provides spectacular panoramic views of the peninsula. Sign up for a day’s walking tour and learn about the amphitheater’s fascinating history, as well as other popular Bodrum sites, or explore the 13,000-seat relic at your own leisurely pace.
Eat: For a taste of the sea, make a reservation at Orfoz. With nautical vibes and views of the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy an adventurous seafood-tasting menu, alongside a glass of wine. Expect simple, elegant dishes from garden and sea, such as smoked eel, oven-baked aubergine, fresh clams, and oven-cooked mussels, rounded off with a sweet finale like “mother’s dessert” or crème caramel.
Day-Trip: Orak Island is an excellent diving spot for scuba divers, with an impressive 262-foot vertical reef to explore, along with other magnificent underwater scenery. Day boats also depart to the island, some anchoring with the opportunity for a relaxing swim. The island itself is perfect hiking terrain, with its olive-tree hills overlooking the ocean — and after some island trekking, pick a sunbathing spot and simply soak in the sun and listen to the waves gently lapping on the shores.
Through Getaway offers, Interval® members enjoy highly discounted resort stays, available for seven nights or less — without trading resort weeks or points.
