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The town of Bodrum and the surrounding peninsula in the south of Turkey provide a unique mix of abundant history and are a perfect holiday destination.

Tourists have booked flights to Bodrum for many years - in fact, its history as a holiday destination goes back over 5000 years. When you consider that the history of London dates back around 2000 years, you can imagine the wealth of culture to be found in Bodrum. Remains of past settlements can still be found in Bodrum with the most noteworthy being the castle overlooking Bodrum harbour which was built in the 15th Century and the Amphitheatre was originally constructed in the 4th Century BC but enlarged and completed by the Romans two centuries later. It is a testament to the building skills of the Romans that it still stands today and is frequently used for concerts and performances. It was restored during the 1970's and certainly if you are in Bodrum during an event which uses the Amphitheatre, a visit is recommended.

The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus is another great indication of Bodrum's past. This monument was named as one of the seven wonders of the Ancient world. It was constructed in 350BC so it is not surprising that only remains are visible today. It was once a columned building that stood almost 50 meters tall. If it hadn't been for earthquakes in the area during the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries and removal of some of the stones to build Bodrum castle, more of the Mausoleum would remain today. The building of a full scale replica of the building has been promised by Bodrum's current mayor. Some of the original statues from the Mausoleum can be viewed in the British Museum.

But history is just one of Bodrum's attractions. Traditional holiday destination features such as great weather, wonderful beaches and warm waters of the Mediterranean are all present in abundance. There are several beaches close to Bodrum town centre such as Bardakci beach and Gumbet beach to the west of the harbour. Travel slightly out of town and more sandy beaches can be found at Ortakent 5 miles to the west of Bodrum and Yalikavak, 10 miles away across the peninsula.