The nights are longer, the drinks more enjoyable. And then there is love in Bodrum.........

Locals and tourists alike know the sun shines differently here. You have to experience it to truly understand the attraction of Bodrum .

Until fairly recently, Bodrum was nothing more than a small and rather sleepy Turkish port town, best known for its white-washed houses, historic castle, scenic coastline and colourful bougainvillea. However, these days, the town is anything but sleepy, and Bodrum has greatly expanded, being full of life and energy and boasting a very swanky new marina, along with innumerable nightspots. The Iskele Meydani is a prominent square and marks the very heart of the town, being surrounded by eateries and home to the official tourist information centre.

Situated on a beautiful peninsula, Bodrum ,, home of the famous Greek historian Herodotus, is these days better known as a popular holiday resort. Enchanting villages of houses painted in white and trimmed with purple bougainvillea together with miles of sandy beaches and ideal locations for water sports.

Bodrum casts a magic spell. It exerts a lasting fascination on everyone who visits, irrespective of age, nationality or sex.

Bodrum always retains its charm. Women feel more beautiful, men feel more intriguing. This is Bodrum's spell.

Two meters under the narrow streets of Bodrum lies 5000 years of history. A few monuments attest to this history: the castle, the Myndus Gate, the Roman theatre and the Mausoleum.

While the nights in Bodrum town itself are vibrant, sometimes crowded and vital, the smaller villages offer cozy taverns and restaurants overlooking quiet bays and can all be reached easily by Dolmus, car or even by boat.

The town's charm is well-known, attracting a diverse population of holiday makers and property investors who stroll along its long palm-lined waterfront, while elegant yachts crowd the marina.

Not far from town, you can swim in absolutely clear, tideless, warm seas. Underwater divers, especially, will want to explore the numerous reefs, caves and majestic rock formations. The waters offering an immense variety of aquatic life.

Bodrum has gained the reputation as the center of the Turkish art community with its lively, friendly and Bohemian atmosphere and many small galleries. The evenings in Bodrum are for sitting idly in one of the many restaurants, dining on fresh seafood and other Aegean specialties. Afterwards night clubs (some with live music) and, of course, some of the best discos in Europe keep you going until dawn.

The boatyards of Bodrum have been famous since ancient times and today the craftsmen still make the traditional types of yacht: the pointed bow and stern (tirhandil) and the broad beamed and rounded stern (gulette). The latter, especially, is used for excursions and pleasure trips. The gulette is also used in the Bodrum Cup Race held every October.

There are daily ferries to the Greek island of Kos in summer, and a weekly hydrofoil to Rhodes between May and September.

Bodrum also is South Aegean's prettiest resort for scuba diving, with a yacht harbour and a port for ferries. Bodrum has several dive centers that rent out equipment, arrange excursions and even provide diving lessons for the inexperienced individual, eager to try out this underwater sport.

A different spectacle in Bodrum is its marina, which is a busy place hosting elegant yachts that come from all parts of the world.

Bodrum is the one of the starting points for an unforgettable Blue Cruise (or 'Mavi Yolculuk as it is called here) along the turquoise coast of the Gökova Gulf or down to Marmaris.

Shopping makes a delight in Bodrum . Leather goods of all kinds, natural sponges and the local blue glass beads (the Boncuk) are among the bargains to be found in the friendly little shops along the narrow, white-walled streets. Charming boutiques offer kilims, carpets, sandals and embroidery as well as original fashions.

It is a choice destination for property investment for those interested in the rich historical heritage and natural beauty of the region, while its prestigious ranking has attracted a whole galaxy of stars of the Turkish and UK entertainment world. It can truly be said that this diversity of its visitors matches well the variety of its offerings, and is an attraction all of its own.

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