I used to publish content on my Maviskies blog, but I've since moved over to a Wordpress blog and you can visit it here:

Bodrum Peninsula Travel Guide

Free Bodrum Peninsula Travel Guides

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TO VIEW MY RECENT TRAVEL ARTICLES, CLICK ON ANY OF THE "MY BODRUM TRAVEL GUIDE" LINKS IN THE SIDE PANEL, TO VISIT MY BODRUM TRAVEL GUIDE SITE

QRTG - Quick Reference Travel Guides

New in 2012!  Launched in April!  Great news - this year we've started to publish a series of Quick Reference Travel Guides covering different locations on the Bodrum Peninsula.  If you've been following press releases from the travel industry, you'll have seen Lonely Plant have just released 12 new City Guides.  Whilst not in the same league at Lonely Plant, my guides are just as useful - and what's more - they're Free!

Save or Print

These tri-fold guides are available in PDF format.  Save them on your tablet or computer to access them off-line, or print them out to use the next time you visit the Bodrum Peninsula.

Information

They're an invaluable quick reference guide, showing you key information about the destination (e.g. activities, transport etc.); as well as a list of Top-Pick recommendations from other visitors; and a great little map of the immediate area.

Hot off the Press

It was easy to choose the destination for my first QRG.  It's a popular destination on the peninsular, as well as being the most searched about destination on my site.  I know you're going to enjoy:

Published April 2012:  "Open the Door to Gümüşlük"

Published in May 2012:  "Open the Door to Yalikavak"
Published in June 2012:  "Open the Door to Turgutreis"


Next two guides will cover Kadikalesi and Bodrum

And best of all - you can receive a free copy of this and all subsequent Quick Reference Travel Guides .... as soon as they're published.  All you need to do, is subscribe to our e-mailing list.

If I subscribe - what do I get?

1. You'll receive a copy of our monthly newsletter
2. You'll receive each of the published Quick Reference Travel Guide, and a free copy of all future travel guides as soon as they're published

How do I subscribe?

1. No matter where you are on the site you can see the subscribe Link.
   1. Look in the side panel to the right, you'll see a section called "Subscribe to Our Mailing List"
   2. Click on the text or the Bodrum Peninsula Travel Guide logo
2. Or - Just click here:  Receive our quarterly newsletter + a notification each time we publish a Quick Reference Travel Guide

How do I un-subscribe?

1. If you decide you don't want to receive any more email updates, click on the "un-subcribe" link at the bottom of any of our emails, and you'll be automatically removed from our email list.

Top 5 Zesty Moment picks from Sedef

Today’s “Waxing Lyrical” Top 5 is a guest post from Sedef. I recently discovered her Zesty Moments blog over on Blogger, and devoured her multiple posts about the Bodrum area, especially her descriptions of local eateries.

She’s just got back from a trip to Turkey, and below she waxes lyrical about her most recent memories and experiences on the Peninsula.

Two Cultures

by Sedef at Zesty Moments

I must have gotten the travel bug when I took my first transatlantic flight from New York to Istanbul at the ripe age of one month old. Ever since then, traveling between America and Turkey has been a natural part of my life.

I’m currently living in New Jersey and can only get to Turkey for about one month during the summer. My husband and I love to travel and indulge our curious and demanding palates.

Renting a house in Bodrum for our extended family the past two summers, has given us the opportunity to revel in all the treasures that Bodrum has to offer in regards to food, shopping and an amazing geography.

Break of Dawn

Break of dawn – watching the sun break through the sky and colors play across the water till it is the perfect combination of deep blues, white and fuschia that we call BODRUM.

Early morning in Gümüşlük, drinking tea at the belediye cay bahcesi by the water and contemplating the little town as it slowly comes to life – fishermen coming back from their early morning catch, locals taking their morning walks and the random store or cafe opening up to serve the early birds.

Going for a swim when the beach totally belongs to us and there is not a single ripple on the water.

Lingering at the Table

Having breakfast at our balcony looking out over the most amazing view that takes my breath away every single morning.

Sitting at a table on the beach at Korfez in Kadikalesi or Palavra in Ortakentand enjoying their wonderful mezes and fish, accompanied with Raki.

Gathering with family and friends in Ana Ogul Restaurant in Turgutreis for some of the best Turkish homecooking we have ever tasted.

Discovering secluded beaches, or fish restaurants right on the water that will make you tea, and let you sit in the shade and enjoy the breeze that is passing through their shore, during a road trip to Torba.

Backroads

Driving through country roads from Yahşi to Ortakent, or Derekoy to Gümüşlük, and discovering lovely stone cottages in the middle of untouched tangerine fields.

Wandering aimlessly around Bodrum center, running into little back alleys with beautiful homes, or old rundown churches and mosques waiting to be discovered.

Just being in this beautiful geography, enjoying the unbelievable view and breathing this lovely air.

Shopping

Walking around the pazar at Ortakent and talking to the villagers and fellow shoppers, connecting…

Shopping for fruits, vegetables as well as ‘pestamals’ at Turgutreis pazar on Saturdays (feature photo)

Sunsets

Sitting at Geriş at twilight watching the moon rise as the sun sets over Yalikavak.

Watching the sunset from a different bay each evening and not being able to decide which is better – Gümüşlük, Bitez, Bodrum, Turgutreis or Yalikavak.

Why not visit Sedef’s Zesty Moments blog and read about her recent adventures on the Bodrum Peninsula.

Top 5 Zesty Moment picks from Sedef

Watercolours of Bodrum by Faruk Köksal

Treasure Hunt

I spend a lot of my time at the screen and keyboard, surfing the web looking for inspiration. One of my recent surfing trips turned into a treasure hunt. It started with a Irish Art link on Facebook, and after a few degrees of separation and multiple forward-links, I found myself at Fine Art America admiring Bodrum Watercolours – all without the aid of map or compass.

The watercolours were a great discovery. I’ve dabbled in all artistic mediums — you name it, and I’ve painted or drawn with it. I think the creative process is amazing, and wish I could create watercolours like these — they’re truly beguiling. I love the loose style, and with watercolour, what you leave out is as important as what you include. It allows the viewer to “fill in the blanks” and use their imagination to let the artwork transport them to another realm.

I’m so pleased that Faruk has graciously allowed me to showcase his artwork here.

Introducing the Artist:

Faruk Köksal is a graduate of Istanbul University, where he studied Journalism.

In his earlier years, his primary and high school teachers encouraged him to start painting. Whilst developing his skills, he chose to focus on watercolour techniques, which requires quick application – and doesn’t accept failure during the creation.

Faruk’s first personal exhibition was in 2009. He paints in his own studio, where he uses naivety, mystery and romance of the watercolour in order to depict Turkey’s cultural and touristic attractions.

Feast your eyes

Click on this Fine Art America Logo to view more of Faruk’s watercolours.

This is not a Sponsored link. I’m sharing this artwork because it’s beautiful and it should be shared

Faruk’s artwork beguiles me… what does it do for you?

Watercolours of Bodrum by Faruk Köksal

Welcome to Turgutreis

Welcome to Turgutreis

Day Boat from Gümüşlük

Alternate departure for a Day Boat

The biggest selection of daily boat trips on the peninsula head out from Bodrum and Turgutreis, but you’re not limited to these two main harbours if you fancy a day on the water.

Even small villages like Gümüşlük advertise daily boat trips during peak season.

Just head down to Gümüşlük Bay/Harbour and look out for the signs.

Day Boat from Gümüşlük

Red’s Top 5 Picks for the Bodrum Peninsula

1st Trip Memories

Here’s the Top 5 from Red, my husband. He’s my partner in crime, and was just as enthusiastic as me to travel half way around the world in 2008, for a two week trip to the Bodrum Peninsula to scope out buying a souvenir we couldn’t bring home — a house near Gümüşlük.

I’ve cajoled him into sharing his Top 5 picks with you, his only concern with this was that he had to limit his selection to 5.

Gulet day trip from Bodrum Harbour, swimming and snorkeling in the crystal blue Aegean water

Walking around Turgutreis Saturday market, amid the madness

Enjoying Octopus drizzled in olive oil, at Berk Balık, Bodrum

Turkish Coffee at a Bodrum Harbour cafe, with only the fisherman for company

Fishing off Kadikalesijetty

Red's Top 5 Picks for the Bodrum Peninsula