BODRUM
A remixed melody of traditional echoes
Some words don’t translate well from one language to another – a perfect example of this is the Turkish word keyif. Pronounced “kayfe,” roughly translated it means “the pursuit of idyllic pleasure” or “to do nothing happily” but – as Bodrum locals will tell you, the best way to translate keyif is simply just – vibes.
Geographically part of Asia Minor, or Anatolia, most of Turkey is surrounded by seas that border Europe, Africa and the Middle East – creating the perfect fusion of colliding cultures, tastes and an aesthetic unfathomable to those who’ve yet to have the privilege of wandering through its famed outdoor bazaars.
However, Bodrum has so much more to offer than perfectly designed cuisine and instagram-worthy beauty. Dripping with a history richer than one of its homemade baklavas, Bodrum has something to offer everyone – especially the forever adventurer at heart.
Originally built as a gothic style fortress, the legendary Bodrum Castle came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire until after WWI when it was vacated and left vacant for nearly 40 years. Now serving as one of the world’s premier archaeological museums it houses a (literal) treasure trove of artifacts pulled from sunken ships and wreckage sites dating back to the Bronze age. Continue your adventure and make your way to Bodrum Castle’s neighbor, The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus – one of the seven wonders of the world.
Whether in search of a history lesson unlike any other, an over the top underwater adventure, phenomenal cuisine or to simply lay out on one of the best beaches the world has to offer, in Bodrum the only thing you have to worry about – is keyif.
Ancient Ephesus & The House of Virgin Mary
One of the earliest areas to adopt Christianity, Ephesus, has been privy to some epic history. Uncover two millennia's worth of it on a visit to the home of Mary (yes — the mother of Jesus), a Greco-Roman theater, a temple, and a carpet weaving center. Surrounded by vibrant colors and craftsmanship of tapestry artworks, you'll enjoy a folkloric dance performance and taste various samples of typical Turkish Cuisine for a glimpse of the lifestyle and timeless pride the natives have for their home.
Turkish Bath Experience
Rejuvenate your body and restore your mind with a traditional Turkish bath. Dating back to the ancient Greco-Roman times, medieval Muslims in Anatolia (Asia Minor) adopted the practice of steam bathing as a ritual cleansing, personal purification, and respect for water. Around 641 AD, Arabs implemented their own Hamam style — incorporating a cool water section after a series of steam and hot water rooms. Here you'll take part in this restorative practice that’s remained intact for centuries.
Xuma Beach Club Escape
Get the ultimate concoction of Vitamin Sea at the stunning Xuma Village — one of Bodrum's best beachside retreats. Like Turkish cuisine, this beach club's digs are simple yet bursting with laid-back elegance and a captivating personality. Featuring wide-open coastal vistas, docks extending over turquoise waters, and stylish green spaces surrounding plush beach loungers, any ordinary day at the beach becomes an extraordinary travel escape at a top beach club like this.
Bodrum Market & Culinary Experience
Bodrum
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Sustainable Tours
This tour operator has received third-party certification based on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria.
With a chef leading the way, you'll take in the sounds, aromas, and textures of a local market while walking through colorful stalls of jams, olives, and other delicacies you'll use on your culinary escapade. You’ll pass by charming homes in the village before entering the restaurant where these goods will be transformed into edible art — Turkish cuisine. As your chef goes over style and technique, you’ll help prepare a meal. Say şerefe as you clink a wine glass (or two) and feast family-style.
Energy Level
Duration
Type
Highlights
- Learn the skills and techniques used to prepare a traditional Turkish meal from a local chef
- Wander into a world of vivid colors, aromas, and textures, passing stalls of olives, homemade jams, spices, vegetables, and fruits
- The village homes are replicas of the original stone dwellings used centuries ago
- With a wine glass in hand, cheers to yourself and the sous chef crew as you enjoy your culinary family-style creation
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
- Lunch is included
- Please be aware this Shore Thing is not wheelchair accessible
- Approximately 30-minute drive to/from the port and your Shore Things destination
- Please keep in mind that cancellations made within 72 hours or less are subject to a 100% cancellation penalty
- The local currency is the Turkish Lira ₺
- Unlimited wine is included
If you make a cancellation prior to the first day of your voyage and at least 24 hours (unless otherwise stated in the tour details) prior to the start of your Shore Thing, you will be refunded to the original form of payment after midnight Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the day of cancellation.
If you make another purchase prior to midnight EST, after canceling a booking eligible for a refund, the credit from the canceled booking will be applied to your new booking. Therefore, you’ll only be charged for the price difference between the canceled and new experience. If you have remaining temporary credit left on your account after you’ve made another experience purchase, the remaining credit will be refunded to your original form of payment after midnight EST.
If you cancel a Shore Thing during your voyage and are eligible for a refund, a credit will be applied to your folio and not to your original form of payment.
Please visit this link for more information regarding Shore Things terms & conditions.
Ancient Cultures in the Contemporary World
Bodrum
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Sustainable Tours
This tour operator has received third-party certification based on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria.
Discover some of Bodrum’s most exciting cultural treasures in a day of historical exploration. Built in 1402, the Bodrum Castle (now a museum) features artifacts from sunken ships that date back to the 13th century BCE through the Middle Ages. In the village of Etrim, you'll immerse yourself in the rare nomadic lifestyle of its herding and farming community — visiting a mosque, and a home where village women hand-weave intricate Turkish rugs and serve up traditional snacks.
Energy Level
Duration
Type
Highlights
- The medieval castle and museum include treasures recovered from sunken wrecks that date back to the Bronze Age
- The Bodrum Castle stands where the famed Mausoleum of Halicarnassus once stood — one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
- Visit a local home where handmade rugs are woven, and enjoy traditional snacks in the village of Etrim
- Etrim was settled during the Ottoman Empire 500+ years ago, and the locals are mainly farmers, herders, and carpet weavers
- Approximately 20-minutes drive to Bodrum Castle
- Approximately 40-minute drive back to the Bodrum port
- Tripods are not permitted inside the religious venues
- Includes snacks and refreshments
- Sailors must be able to navigate steps throughout this Shore Thing
- Please be aware this Shore Thing is not wheelchair accessible
- This Shore Thing is not suitable for pregnant Sailors
- Cancellations made within 48 hours or less are subject to a 100% cancellation penalty for this Shore Thing
- The local currency is the Turkish Lira ₺
If you make a cancellation prior to the first day of your voyage and at least 24 hours (unless otherwise stated in the tour details) prior to the start of your Shore Thing, you will be refunded to the original form of payment after midnight Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the day of cancellation.
If you make another purchase prior to midnight EST, after canceling a booking eligible for a refund, the credit from the canceled booking will be applied to your new booking. Therefore, you’ll only be charged for the price difference between the canceled and new experience. If you have remaining temporary credit left on your account after you’ve made another experience purchase, the remaining credit will be refunded to your original form of payment after midnight EST.
If you cancel a Shore Thing during your voyage and are eligible for a refund, a credit will be applied to your folio and not to your original form of payment.
Please visit this link for more information regarding Shore Things terms & conditions.
Coastal Gulet Cruise
Bodrum
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Sustainable Tours
This tour operator has received third-party certification based on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria.
Make waves across Turkey’s waters in a traditional gulet. With a captain at the helm, you'll take in Bodrum’s stunning scenery and get *the* shot along the way. Your captain will chart your course to different seascapes, dropping anchor for you to swim. Back on your gulet, lunch will be served alfresco so that you can be fully immersed in the incredible surroundings during your half-day at sea.
Energy Level
Duration
Type
Highlights
- Set sail in a gulet — a traditional Turkish vessel with 2-3 masts and stunning wooden elements
- Cruise along the spectacular coastline, exploring the bays and coves of Bodrum
- Ride over different areas including "Aquarium" and "Meteor" with Bodrum’s coast as your backdrop
- Splash down into the water for some swimming in the Aegean Sea
- Grab some lunch (plus beer or wine) while dining alfresco along the shallow sandy beach of Kumluck
- Local lunch, beer and wine included
- Sailors should wear their swimwear, and bring a change of clothes and a towel
- Water shoes recommended
- Sailors should know how to swim
- Approximately 3.5-hours cruising the water which includes stop for you to swim
- All areas to anchor the boat for swimming will depend on the weather conditions
- Please keep in mind that cancellations made within 72 hours or less are subject to a 100% cancellation penalty
- This Shore Thing is weather dependent
- Sailors prone to motion sickness should take precautions prior to this Shore Thing
- Please be aware this Shore Thing is not wheelchair accessible
If you make a cancellation prior to the first day of your voyage and at least 24 hours (unless otherwise stated in the tour details) prior to the start of your Shore Thing, you will be refunded to the original form of payment after midnight Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the day of cancellation.
If you make another purchase prior to midnight EST, after canceling a booking eligible for a refund, the credit from the canceled booking will be applied to your new booking. Therefore, you’ll only be charged for the price difference between the canceled and new experience. If you have remaining temporary credit left on your account after you’ve made another experience purchase, the remaining credit will be refunded to your original form of payment after midnight EST.
If you cancel a Shore Thing during your voyage and are eligible for a refund, a credit will be applied to your folio and not to your original form of payment.
Please visit this link for more information regarding Shore Things terms & conditions.
Wine Tasting & Tantalizing Tapas
Bodrum
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Sustainable Tours
This tour operator has received third-party certification based on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria.
Taste the Republic of Turkey’s excellent blends at Karnas Vineyards. This family-owned winery has set out to create the “oldest new world wine” — paying homage to the area’s heritage while using modern cultivation techniques that extract bold, award-winning blends. On a stone patio on the estate grounds, you’ll sample some of the vineyard's robust vintages and an assortment of paired delicacies while overlooking a sprawling expanse of grape varietals cultivated in this ideal microclimate.
Energy Level
Duration
Type
Highlights
- Visit Karnas Vineyards — a family-owned, boutique vineyard that blends traditional cultivation methods with sustainability
- The region’s temperate climate produces a rich soil of sea salt, minerals, floral fragrances, and other delicacies native to the region
- The owner is a retired engineer — one wine-making course kickstarted her journey into creating the vineyard
- Approximately 45-minute drive to and from your destination
- Includes light bites and local wines
- Please keep in mind that all beverages must be checked in at security, and that bringing food on board is not allowed, except when in sealed packages
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
- The local currency is the Turkish Lira ₺
- Please keep in mind that cancellations made within 72 hours or less are subject to a 100% cancellation penalty
- Please be aware this Shore Thing is not wheelchair accessible
If you make a cancellation prior to the first day of your voyage and at least 24 hours (unless otherwise stated in the tour details) prior to the start of your Shore Thing, you will be refunded to the original form of payment after midnight Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the day of cancellation.
If you make another purchase prior to midnight EST, after canceling a booking eligible for a refund, the credit from the canceled booking will be applied to your new booking. Therefore, you’ll only be charged for the price difference between the canceled and new experience. If you have remaining temporary credit left on your account after you’ve made another experience purchase, the remaining credit will be refunded to your original form of payment after midnight EST.
If you cancel a Shore Thing during your voyage and are eligible for a refund, a credit will be applied to your folio and not to your original form of payment.
Please visit this link for more information regarding Shore Things terms & conditions.
Bodrum Countryside 4x4 Safari
Bodrum
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Sustainable Tours
This tour operator has received third-party certification based on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria.
In a safari-style 4x4, head off the beaten path to hidden regions of Bodrum. With a driver at the wheel, this caravan will head through the Çamlik Village for a peek into the local lifestyle. You’ll ride through panoramic scenery in Camarasi where you'll sip on traditional coffee and tea, then head into the nomadic village of Etrim, whose farmers and rug weavers give you a glimpse into a super-rural lifestyle that dates back centuries.
Energy Level
Duration
Type
Highlights
- Mingle with the locals while sipping on traditional coffee or tea in a local village
- At one point, the mighty (yet tiny) village of Çamlik had a recorded population of 134 inhabitants — now, it has about 215
- Etrim was settled during the Ottoman Empire 500+ years ago, and the locals are mainly farmers, herders, and carpet weavers
- Price is per Sailor, and each vehicle will accommodate up to 6 Sailors
- Includes snacks and refreshments
- Please keep in mind that cancellations made within 72 hours or less are subject to a 100% cancellation penalty
- There are winding, mountainous roads you'll be driving over to and from your Shore Things destination
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
- Please be aware this Shore Thing is not wheelchair accessible
- The local currency is the Turkish Lira ₺
- This Shore Thing is not suitable for pregnant Sailors
- Sailors prone to motion sickness should take precautions prior to this Shore Thing
If you make a cancellation prior to the first day of your voyage and at least 24 hours (unless otherwise stated in the tour details) prior to the start of your Shore Thing, you will be refunded to the original form of payment after midnight Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the day of cancellation.
If you make another purchase prior to midnight EST, after canceling a booking eligible for a refund, the credit from the canceled booking will be applied to your new booking. Therefore, you’ll only be charged for the price difference between the canceled and new experience. If you have remaining temporary credit left on your account after you’ve made another experience purchase, the remaining credit will be refunded to your original form of payment after midnight EST.
If you cancel a Shore Thing during your voyage and are eligible for a refund, a credit will be applied to your folio and not to your original form of payment.
Please visit this link for more information regarding Shore Things terms & conditions.
One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World is a mausoleum built for its former Persian king
The word “mausoleum” pays tribute to its entombed ruler — Mausolus.
There’s a reason there’s a specific word for vibes in Bodrum — and when it comes to “happily doing nothing,” the Republic of Turkey certainly has a lot to offer. The intentionally simplistic ivory-washed facades peppered with verdant green trees and purple-pink bougainvillea flowers will bring an unknowing smile to even the most seasoned of travelers.
Just like the classically designed wood-accented gulet sailing vessels and modern champagne-slinging luxury yachts dotting its coast, Bodrum’s mainland offers the perfect balance of old-school wonder and contemporary flair. Witness the city’s heritage unfold before your eyes through a panoramic performance of folkloric song and dance at a 25,000-seat amphitheater in the Greco-Roman city of Ephesus. Here you can also visit the house of *the* Virgin Mary and shop along the streets of the bustling nearby market — just follow the billowing finely handcrafted tapestries.
Stone windmills atop Gümbet Hill. Pink flamingo filled bird sanctuaries. Off-road Jeep safaris to the Çamlik village. Dalyan mud baths at turtle bay beach. Dancing the night away under the stars in a club on a stationary catamaran — these are just a few things that exemplify the keyif mentality.
Whether you’re looking out over the coast from a conveniently located mountain top village, enjoying a traditional meal of locally sourced ingredients that you helped create with your own hands, or staring aimlessly into the sapphire waves from a seaside lounger — in Bodrum all you have to do to have the time of your life is embrace the vibes.
