Campers and wind-surfers enjoy Gümbet, and at Bitez colorful sail boards weave skillfully among the masts of yachts in the bay. On shore you can enjoy quiet walks through the orange and tangerine groves bordering the beach. Ortakent has one of the longest stretches of sandy beach in the area and offers an ideal place for relaxing in solitude. One of the most beautiful beaches on the Bodrum peninsula, Karaincir, is ideal for lively active days by the sea and relaxed, leisurely evenings with local villagers. Finally, Akyarlar enjoys a well-deserved reputation for the fine, powdery sand of its beach.

Turgutreis, Gümüslük and Yalikavak, all with excellent beaches, lie on the western side of the peninsula and are ideal for swimming, sunbathing and wateR sports. In Turgutreis, the birthplace of a great Turkish admiral of the same name, you will find a monument honoring him. In the ancient port of Myndos, Gümüslük, you can easily make many friends with the hospitable and out-going local population. In Yalikavak white-washed houses with cascading bougainvillaea line narrow streets. Small cafes and the occasional windmill create a picturesque setting.

See the north coast of the peninsula - Torba, Türkbükü, Gölköy and Gündogan - by road or, even better, hire a boat and crew to explore the quiet coves, citrus groves and wooded islands. Little windmills which still provide the energy to grind grain crown hills covered with olive trees. Torba, a modern village with holiday villas and a nice marina is located 8 km north of Bodrum. Gölköy and Türkbükü are small and simple fishing villages with a handful of taverns overlooking a lovely bay.

After a boat trip to Karaada, half an hour from Bodrum, you can bathe in the grotto where the warm mineral waters flowing out of the rocks are believed to beautify the complexion.

The translucent and deep waters of the Gulf of Gökova, on the southern shore of the Bodrum peninsula vary from the darkest blue to the palest turquoise, and the coastline is thickly wooded with every hue of green. In the evening, the sea reflects the mountains silhouetted against the setting sun, and at night it shimmers with phosphorescence. You can take a yacht tour or hire a boat from Bodrum for a two, three or seven day tour of the gulf.

The Gulf of Güllük, and harbour of the same name, lie north of the Bodrum peninsula on the Aegean. The mythological Dolphin Boy is said to have been born a little farther to the north at Kiyikislacik (lassos). South of Güllük, Varvil, ancient Bargilya, sits at the end of a deep narrow inlet surrounded by olivve covered hillsides.

Inland from Güllük is Milas, ancient Mylasa, known for its beautiful carpets - a century old tradition which continues to the present day. The weavers rarely mind a visitor watching them at work. Plenty of old Turkish houses with carved timbers and latticed windows provide examples of the vernacular architectural style. Gümüskesen, a monumental tomb, thought to be a small copy of the famous Halicarnassus Mausoleum, stands in the west of the city.

The ancients built Labranda, a sanctuary dedicated to Zeus, high in the mountains. Today tourists have re-discovered this mountain retreat and escape to its exhilarating air and breathtaking scenery.

Situated on a bay, backed by rugged pine-clad mountains, Marmaris is one of the most attractive maritime parklands, ideal for water sports and sailing. It makes an excellent starting point for the "Blue Voyage" tour of the Aegean coastline. In May the Marmaris Yacht Charter Show provides an opportunity to meet the yachts' captains and crews. With plenty of provisions aboard you set sail in the craft of your choice and languidly explore the spectacular beauty of southern Turkey.

Mugla is the ideal destination for those who want everything at once. It is one of the most ancient cities of the Caria region. The most beautiful holiday resorts of Bodrum, Marmaris, Datca, Koycegiz and the like, are all within the borders of Mugla province. There are many quality holiday villages, comfortable hotels and hospitable guest houses Mugla and here you may enjoy every type of holiday, except for winter sports. The landscape is perfectly mingled with dozens of historical sites bearing the traces of past civilizations. The beaches are available for every water-sport, as unspoiled bays and clear waters await you in Mugla. In the city center there are picturesque views with the traditional Turkish houses and an Aegean type of living. The international airport of Dalaman (a town of Mugla) is the only one in the region.

GOKOVA
Lying on the south coast of the Bodrum peninsula, the Gulf of Gokova is a fascinating corner of Turkey, offering lovely views with charming combinations of colors. Pretty shorelines covered with woodland offer every tone of green, while the sea is a wide range of blues. The mountains shelter the setting sun under hues of red and yellow. If you would like to witness all these beauties, there are opportunities to take a yacht tour along these coastlines, and a boat trip on this gulf will make your holiday as beautiful as the place itself.

TURGUTREIS, GUMUSLUK, YALIKAVAK
Three pretty villages close to Bodrum, and Iying on the western end of the peninsula are Gümüslük, Turgutreis, and Yalikavak. Though all of them offer perfect opportunities for swimming, sunbathing and water sports with their lovely beaches by the clear blue sea, each has a distinguished beauty of its own possessing distinct natural and environmental beauties.

27 kms to Bodrum in Gümüslük lie the ruins of ancient Myndos, which was once an important Persian port. The city walls here contribute to the attractive atmosphere of the region, and the district is a peaceful and lovely one with hospitable locals.

Turgutreis, extending to the south of Gümüslük, has taken its name from the famous Turkish admiral who was born here, and he was further honored with a monument. This village is one of the most active places in Bodrum, with numerous facilities for accommodation, entertainment and sports.

Yalikavak is another pretty site, with its picturesque appearance of bougainvillea-covered white houses along the typical tiny streets, while interesting windmills adorn the land behind, providing extraordinary sights.