The Bodrum Peninsula

Taking its name from its principal resort in the Gulf of Gökova, Bodrum Peninsula extends 42km into the Aegean, with the Datça peninsula and Greek island of Kos to the south and the Gulf of Güllük to the north. The Gulf of Gökova is where the famous Blue Voyages began, and boats today can still reach ancient sites that remain difficult to access on land. The town of Bodrum, ancient Halicarnassus, is Turkey's' premier resort, with a busy airport, Milas-Bodrum, 36km to the north. Marinas extend year by year but the peninsula maintains an insular charm, and elegant, unspoilt areas remain, so when the crowds become too pressing, the sensible traveller would do well to hire a car, flag a cab, jump on a dolmuş or catch a coach along the peninsula to the west. Here are pleasant small seaside villages such as Kadıkalesi, Göl-Türkbükü and Yalıkavak, a favoured destination, and Gumuşlük, which stages a prestigious summer classical music festival. This is also where the most beautiful new houses are to be found, including Rıfat Özbek’s, featured on the cover of Berrin Torolsan’s book At Home in Turkey.