COMING SOON – the 2021 version of my Bodrum Peninsula Travel Guide
Read about the 2019 version
The Bodrum Peninsula on Turkey’s stunning Aegean coast is the summer playground for hundreds of thousands of discerning holiday-makers offering something for everyone – the beach bum, party animal, culture vulture or adrenalin junkie.
‘The Bodrum Peninsula Travel Guide: Turkey’s Aegean Delight’ is the definitive book for visitors and expats alike from Jay Artale, part-time resident and someone in the know. The book is packed to the rafters with meticulously researched facts and fun, sites and scenes, eats and treats, must-dos and don’t-dos, both on and off the well-beaten track.
Need to know how to get about?
Want insider knowledge on the best boats trips to hidden coves and where to find ancient sites to tumble over?
Looking for the best places to eat for authentic rustic cuisine?
Fancy a high-energy water-ski ride around the bay, or a slow paced jaunt on a paddle board?
It’s all here, and much, much more. Whether dipping in for a hint or two or reading cover-to-cover in one serving, this book should be on everyone’s packing list.What’s Inside: Book Index and Contents
Section 1: Introduction to Turkey
A summary of Turkey’s history, culture and food, as well as some key travel tips that are relevant, no matter where in Turkey you travel.
- Top 5 lists “What not to miss!”
- Introduction to Turkey (Geography; Brief History; Culture; Religion)
- Customs & Traditions (Camel Wrestling; Turkish Oiled Wrestling; Turkish Baths; Haggling)
- Local Drinks (Tea, Turkish Coffee, Rakı, Ayran, Wine)
- Local Dining (Local Food Specialities)
- Travel Information (Essentials; Tipping; Visitor’s Visa; Money Matters; Credit Cards)
- Staying Connected (Mobile Phones; Wi-Fi; Internet Cafés; Key Turkish Phrases)
Section 2: Introduction to the Bodrum Peninsula
The Bodrum Peninsula is a small area in the Aegean region of Turkey, and this section provides an overview of the local area and sets the stage for discovering the individual destinations in greater detail in the next section.
- Mugla Province
- Bodrum Peninsula: First Impressions & Lasting Memories
- Bodrum Peninsula:
- Local Landmarks
- Famous Residents
- When to Go; What to Pack
- Getting there by Air;
- Ground Transportation;
- Getting there by Sea;
- Getting Around the Peninsula
- Travelling Further Afield (Excursions & Day Trips to Greece)
- Day Boat Trips;
- Weekly Farmers Markets;
- Beaches;
- Turkish Baths
Section 3: Bodrum Peninsula by Destination
Starting from Bodrum Town, we travel clockwise to all the key towns and villages located on the Bodrum Peninsula. Each location is reviewed in detail, and provides visitors with all the travel tips they need to navigate the local area, to get the most out of their visit.
Each destination section includes the following sections:
- Getting Your Bearings
- Introduction
- Getting Around
- Sightseeing
- Activities
- Beaches
- Water Sports
- Boat Trips
- Entertainment
- What’s Nearby
Here are all of the Bodrum Peninsula destinations included in this guide are:
- Akyarlar
- Bagla Bay and Aspat Bay
- Bitez Beach; Bitez Village
- Bodrum
- Camel Beach (Kargi)
- Dereköy
- Geriş & Gerişalti
- Gölköy
- Gökçebel
- Gümbet
- Gümüşlük
- Gündoğan
- Kadikalesi
- Koyunbaba; Gümüşkaya
- Ortakent Town; Yahşi Village; Ortakent & Yahşi Beach
- Turgutreis
- Türkbükü
- Torba
- Yalikavak
- Other smaller villages and bays: Gurece; Hebil Bay; Kucükbük; Paradise Cove; Karakaya; Peksimet; Yakaköy
Section 4: Appendix Reference Section
This section includes links to external websites, and additional resource information for the Bodrum Peninsula.
- My Bodrum Websites
- Other Bodrum Websites
- Books featuring the Bodrum Peninsula
- Other Travel Websites & Resources
- Transport Resources
- Local Tour & Travel Companies
- Events & Festivals
- Classes & Retreats
- Turkish Telephone Websites
- Turkish Alphabet & Pronunciation Guide
- Table of Contents
About the Author
Originally from the flatlands and big skies of rural Norfolk in eastern England, Jay is a British Expat currently living in Los Angeles.For the last couple of decades Jay has juggled her day job as a project manager with her passions for writing, photography and international travel.
In 2008, Jay bought a holiday home on the trendy Bodrum Peninsula along Turkey’s beautiful Aegean coast.Despite its popularity with Turkish and international visitors, and a destination of choice for thousands of expatriates looking for their place in the sun, well-researched and comprehensive guides to the Peninsula were thin on the ground.
Jay decided to plug this gap and enthusiastically set about capturing the local area in words and pictures.
In 2010, Jay launched this website to share her knowledge and experiences with a wider audience. What began life as random facts and observations, hand-written in little note books, has grown into a well-respected and popular travel site.
In 2012, Jay began publishing free location-specific Quick Reference Travel Guides for the area. A full-blown guide seemed to be the next logical step. ‘The Bodrum Peninsula Travel Guide: Turkey’s Aegean Delight’ was published on Amazon on May 31st 2013, an updated version was published in 2016, and this new edition has been updated in time for the 2019 Bodrum season.
E-book available to purchase on Amazon:
Do I need an Amazon Kindle to read this book?
No. You can download a free KINDLE app to your iPad, iPhone/iPod Touch, Android, PC, Mac, or other compatible device.
Read the Reviews for my Bodrum Guide
Promo Video for my Bodrum Guide
Best Seller in Middle East Travel Section on Amazon
The first edition of my travel guide hit #1 Top 100 paid books in it’s category on Amazon, and fingers crossed this 2nd edition does too.
If you're interested in finding out why I started writing this blog and publish Travel Guides about Turkey's Bodrum Peninsula... Click here to read my About Page
Click here for help on planning your Bodrum Peninsula itinerary
Look forward to reading your guide to the beautiful Bodrum Peninsula. Was planning to write my own one day but you’ve beaten me to it!
Thanks Simon, I’ll let you know when it’s published.
Roving Jay recently posted..A Unique Turkish Souvenir: Pul Biber
Looking forward to reading your book. Good luck with it all Kerry
Thanks Kerry… it’s been fun to write, and I’ll be pleased to see it on Amazon’s available list by the end of the month. Just in time for the summer season.
Roving Jay recently posted..Bodrum Peninsula: Where & What to Eat
My little sister! Hope your book is all you wanted it to be…You have done so well to do this AND have a very busy day job! You will have earned your time in the Turkish sunshine for sure.Chrisx
Thanks Chris… yes it’s taken a lot of effort, but been well worth it. That Turkish Sunshine is calling my name!
Roving Jay recently posted..Akyarlar Quick Reference Travel Guide
This site is most informative and we have just downloaded the full guide book and can’t put it down!
Yesterday morning we didn’t know where we were going on holiday…. In the afternoon booked a trip to turgutreis which we had never heard of and found very little online to help us get a feel for the area…. Now I almost feel like I know my way around
Thank you
Sarah
Hi Sarah .. what great feedback. I’m so pleased you found the guide useful – and it played a part in making your holiday plans. Now you have a fab holiday to look forward too! Jay
Roving Jay recently posted..Akyarlar Quick Reference Travel Guide
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Good luck with your travel guide.
Jim
Jim recently posted..Byteful Travel Blog Carnival Announcement
Hi Jim.. glad I stumbled on my blog… I hadn’t realized you ran a blog carnival until I saw you comment, so I submitted an entry to your July Carnival….
Roving Jay recently posted..Video by Gumusluk Belediyesi
I guess I should have done the same wuth the Eastern Algarve. I have the same start point.
Good luck with the book. I’ll watch out for it. I always enjoy a good travel read. 🙂
Johanna Bradley recently posted..Eastern Algarve, Portugal
Hi Johanna… never too late to start your E.Algarve book….. 🙂
Roving Jay recently posted..Ferry Boat Home Page
Hey Jay – this is a great info. I’ve been searching for a really good travel guide. Thanks a lot for sharing.
Emma recently posted..Bharatpur- A Paradise for the Siberian Cranes
You’re welcome Emma .. hope you enjoy this updated version.
Roving Jay recently posted..Index Page: Bodrum Peninsula Boat Trips
Loved your book! I bought it via Amazon and thought I’d flip through it quickly, but I got engrossed by the content. You write so well (and I love that your guide has photos in it too). Are you writing other books about the area?
Belinda recently posted..Belinda
Hi Belinda… glad you enjoyed the book .. and really pleased that you appreciated all the photos in it. I’m writing my second guide book… which focuses on Gumusluk called “Gumulsuk Travel Guide: Bodrum’s Silver Lining”
If you get a chance to hop on over to your e-retailer to leave a review for my Bodrum guide… it’s be greatly appreciated. 🙂
Roving Jay recently posted..A video glimpse at Gümüşlük’s past
Hi Jay,
I have a friend that was looking to visit the Bodrum Peninsula soon and around the area as part of one of those “bucket list” trips, so I am going to send him the link to this page.
Great to see all the good comments from others that have enjoyed your guide as well, I hope it continues to help people out.
Thanks
Paul
Thanks Paul… hope he finds it useful… thanks, Jay
Roving Jay recently posted..Torba Quick Reference Travel Guide
Hi
I am just wondering if you can please give me advise on which town of Bodrum to stay.
I am travelling on 18 July from UK for 10 nights period with my family,7adult no children.
It’s my first trip to Bodrum and I am very much confused to find a suitable place to stay in order to chill, relax, with sea / mountain view.
I don’t wish to stay in hotels or all inclusive packages, English Breakfast ,Clubbing ,,,,,would like a vila in resort or private to do my own fish/kebab barbeque ,,,,spend quality time with family while exploring the area.
I can also hire a car.
Have read reviews about Bitez,Gumbet, Turgurteis, Ortakent, Yalikavak, Torba, Mumcular, Konacik, Golturbuku, Gundogan, Yaliciftlik, Gumusluk, Guvercinlik and Mazi.
I am puzzled. Any tips about Bodrum region is very much appreciated.
Thanks you very much
There are lots of websites which list villas and properties for rent, some through agencies and some direct with the owner. There are certainly lots of places to choose from, and it is very much personal choice of where you choose as your final destination. Each destination offers something different, and I’d recommend reading the destination content on my website to get a feel for each of the villages and towns around the Bodrum Peninsula.
This is a good place to start:
https://www.bodrumpeninsulatravelguide.co.uk/locations/
Here’s the Welcome pages for each of the destinations:
https://www.bodrumpeninsulatravelguide.co.uk/what-are-welcome-to-pages/
This should give you some information to help you narrow down your search, or alternatively you can buy my book on Amazon! thanks, Jay
Roving Jay recently posted..Video of e-Visa Application for Turkey
Look’s like a good book. I love to get books based on one location, instead the ones that cover a large country. (AKA lonely planet) You can get more info, instead of the basic Highlights!
David recently posted..Best Adventures in Victoria Falls
Yes it’s an in-depth-look at a single area, which includes lots of little towns and villages on the Bodrum Peninsula.
This is a great travel guide! Thanks for sharing, looking forward to reading it.
Thanks Rachel … Hope you enjoy it.
Seems to be great book on Turkey travel. I will definitely read the book as I love reading about different places and their cultures. Although, I had visited Turkey once but I didn’t got a chance to visit Bodrum. Your post has motivated me to visit the place.
I hope my Bodrum Guide inspires and motivates you to take another trip to this fabulous country.