Bodrum Itinerary Inspiration:  Eat, Drink & Explore your way around Bodrum with Jack Scott, Author of “Perking the Pansies: Jack and Liam move to Turkey” & “Turkey Street: Jack and Liam move to Bodrum“.

Before returning back to old Blighty, Jack and his husband Liam lived an expat life on the Bodrum Peninsula. I become an avid follower of Jack’s popular blog “Perking the Pansies” where he chronicled his observations and experiences of their new Turkish lifestyle. (Now I’m a fan to his reflections and observations about their new life in Norwich – of special interest to me, because I’m a Norfolk Broad!).

What I loved about their Turkey Tales is how they integrated themselves into the ebb and flow of daily life. They explored the local area via dolmus, delved into the area’s past, and searched for places to eat which offered delicious and inexpensive local cuisine.

This “Perking the Pansies and Turkey Street” tour, includes Bodrum Itinerary suggestions inspired by activities and favourite places mentioned on Jack’s blog or in his two books.

It’s a mixed bag of options, so just pick ‘n’ mix your activities and locations based on your mood and the time you have available.

So c’mon let’s tread in Jack and Liam’s  footsteps and wander down the ancient streets of Bodrum:

• Coffee & People Watching at Kahve Dünyası

• Leisurely Breakfast at Musto’s Bistro & Cafe

• Cheap Eats at Yeni Bodrum Ocakbaşı

• Tour Bodrum’s Crusader Castle

• Tour Bodrum’s Mausoleum of Halikarnassus

Carry on reading, to discover more details about these Bodrum Itinerary options:

1. Coffee & People Watching at Kahve Dünyası, Bodrum

Jack said: “Relax in Kahve Dünyası enjoying a sütlü Americano under the welcome shade of an enormous parasol. It can be difficult to attract the attention of the waiters there. When you do, it’s better to speak in English than poorly pronounced Turkish as the lofty boys usually feign selective deafness.

However, this minor irritant is worth it for the superior brew and the only place in town where a decent croissant is to be had (in fact a croissant of any sort, come to that). The complementary chocolate spoon on the side is a nice touch as well. 

The café is a prime location to people watch. The marina side of town is almost exclusively populated by visiting Turks. This is where the well-heeled come to get well-oiled and the young come to party. A steady stream of strollers; all ages and all types gently amble by.

Located at the end of the small arcade of up-market shops along the promenade close to Bodrum Marina. Although it’s a chain, Kahve Dünyası provides a superior brew to the Starbucks close by.“

Excerpt from Perking the Pansies Blog

Location: Neyzen Tevfik Cad. 5.Marina Çarşısı C-41-42, Bodrum

Telephone: +90 (252) 313 87 88

Website: Kahve Dünyası

2.  Leisurely Breakfast at Musto’s Bistro & Cafe

Jack said: “To rescue me from a life of drudgery and chores, delicious vet pat Vicki invited me to brunch at Musto’s Restaurant, our favourite Bodrum eatery. We were joined by a retired thespian and impresario (who shall remain nameless to save his blushes) and his Turkish partner. They’d jetted down from Istanbul for the weekend.

After feasting on a delicious Turkish breakfast banquet that just kept on coming, we spent the sunny afternoon chatting and drinking in the magical stories of a thesp’s days treading the boards. Perfect. Great food, great prices, great host and popular with the biker fraternity. Our haunt of choice.”

Excerpt from Perking the Pansies Blog

Location: Neyzen Tevfik Caddesi No: 130 BODRUM

Telephone: +90 (252) 313 33 94

Hours: 8:30 to 24:00; breakfast served until 13:30

Website: Musto Bistro Cafe

3. Cheap Eats at Yeni Bodrum Ocakbaşı

Jack said: “If it’s an ample grill you’re after, avoid the over-priced joints anywhere near the water front. Just one or two streets behind bring better quality at half the price. I would recommend a small family run establishment called Yeni Bodrum Ocakbaşı which is located along Atatürk Caddesi (the street that runs parallel to Bar Street), opposite the Istanköy Hotel.

This relaxed and unpretentious lokanta is popular with the locals and serves up a plentiful menu of fresh fare, including pide (Turkish pizza). Their service plate is a superior brand featuring spiced bulgar wheat (instead of plain rice) and a crisp salad of many colours. And, they don’t try to drag the punters in by the scruff of the neck.”

Excerpt from Perking the Pansies Blog

Location: Atatürk Cad. No: 90, BODRUM

Telephone: +90 (252) 316 43 19

Hours: not published

4.  Tour Bodrum’s Crusader Castle

Jack Says: “The Crusades is a dirty word in the Middle East. It’s hardly surprising. All those unwashed and smelly chain-mailed warrior knights, bloodied sword in one hand, crucifix in the other, brutalising the civilised Muslim world for God, glory and gain (in that order).

The perfidious Catholics even turned on the besieged Byzantines, sacking Constantinople and deposing the Emperor because he was a softer target than the Arabs and the wrong kind of Christian. The crusader legacy resonates today with the fault lines that still exist in the region. This brings me neatly on to Bodrum’s very own Crusader heirloom – the Castle of St Peter.“

Excerpt from Perking the Pansies Blog

 

Location: Çarşı area between beach and marina

Telephone: +90 (252) 316 2516

Visiting hours: 9.00am – 4.30pm (During summer the Castle is open extended hours. Also, throughout the year, some exhibits are closed during lunch-time)

Website: Bodrum Castle website

View all my articles, photo galleries and video about Bodrum Castle and Museum of Underwater Archaeology

5.  Mausoleum of Halikarnassus

Jack Says: “No trip to Bodrum is complete without a look around the meagre ruins of the once magnificent Mausoleum of Halicarnassus (Bodrum that was). Remarkably, the monument survived virtually intact for seventeen centuries before it was felled by an earthquake in the middle ages. What remained was plundered by the Knights of St John to build the imposing crusader castle that now dominates the town. 

Admittedly, visitors need a vivid imagination to visualise how the monument once looked. All that really remains is a large hole in the ground with multiple fragments of pillars and dressed stones scattered about randomly.“

Excerpt from Perking the Pansies Blog

Location: Turn off Neyzen Tevfik Caddesi near Fink Bar, and walk up Gerence Sokak, and the Mausoleum will be on your left.

Visiting hours: 8:30 to 16:30 (closed noon–13.30, and weekends)

Entrance Fee: 8TL

 

   

 

 

Thanks for providing the input and inspiration for this Perking the Pansies and Turkey Street Tour Jack .. I hope it brought back some memorable moments for you and Liam. ~~ Jay

 

 

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