Tatler UK - 08.2019

A

jewel in the Aegean Coast’s glittering

crown, the Bodrum Peninsula is a

traveller’s paradise. Combining a rich

historical legacy with charming modern

culture, as well as sun-soaked beaches and

tranquil villages within striking distance, it’s no

wonder it’s become one of Turkey’s most

internationally sought-after holiday hotspots.

The buzzy marina is the beating heart of the

city; combining the glamour of the French

Riviera with a welcoming ambience, it’s

affectionately known as the St Tropez of

Turkey. Elegant gullets line the luxurious docks

(it has space for more than 450 yachts), with

many setting out on a so-called ‘blue voyage’

along the idyllic Turquoise Coast. Sophisticated

restaurants, tempting hotels and world-class

retail opportunities provide international

appeal, while quaint cobbled backstreets,

markets and meyhanes – classic Turkish tavern-

style restaurants – give a taste of the traditional.

For night owls, Bodrum’s famous nightlife,

widely regarded as the liveliest in the country

Be lured to the land where

ancient legacy and timeless

tradition meets modern glamour,

set against the glistening

backdrop of the Aegean Sea

bound for

Bodrum

outside Istanbul, offers plenty of opportunities

for evenings filled with revelry, whether it’s

casual drinks, live musical performances or

dancing until the early hours.

A significant location since ancient times,

this unique city maintains its historic charm

with a host of intriguing, well-preserved sites

and ruins. In antiquity, Bodrum was known as

Halicarnassus and the tomb built there for

Mausolus in the fourth century BC – a

monumental structure combining Greek and

Egyptian influences – was one of the seven

wonders of the ancient world. Its ruins

continue to draw many visitors, as does

Bodrum’s magnificently renovated castle and

Halicarnassus’ amphitheatre, a vast stone

structure originally built to seat 5,000

spectators – or 13,000 for gladiatorial contests.

Today, the restored theatre attracts a rather

more modest audience for a series of classical

concerts and events in the summer months,

complete with the unmissable backdrop of

dramatic, sweeping views of the bay and castle.

Tatler August 2019 tatler.com

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