History Abounds | Bodrum to Ekinicik

Life in Bodrum centers on the two ports, where cafés, bars, restaurants and tavernas make it easy to slip into a lazy pace of life. While in the city, visit the Castle of St. Peter, which overlooks the harbor, and head to Cumhuriyet Caddesi (aka Bar Street) for shopping and nightlife. Setting sale is the perfect opportunity to snap photographs of the stunning city backdrop as you head out on a charter to Göcek via Knidos, Datça, Bozburun and Marmaris.

Cruise towards the culturally rich harbor of Knidos, taking in the dramatic peaks of the Taurus Mountains as you go. The ancient town of Knidos is famed for its art and culture – step ashore to discover the remains of the circular temple dedicated to Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love. Enjoy more stunning cruising along the largely uninhabited Datça Peninsula. Home to the town of the same name, the marina in Datça Harbour is a hub of activity, with shops, bars and restaurants open way into the night inviting post-dinner browsing. You can spend hours sifting through carpets, ceramics and textiles, bargaining with the store-keepers – a Turkish tradition.

Cruise towards Keçi Bükü, dropping anchor to swim in secret coves along the way. As there are so many intricate bays and coves along the coastline, it is a nice idea to take a tender ride to access some of the smaller fishing towns rarely visited by tourists. Enjoy a plate of meze in a rustic waterfront restaurant, then swim in a secluded cove or laze around on one of the beaches that dot the coastline. Spend the evening in the natural deep-water anchorage of Keçi Bükü.

Anchor in the pine-clad bay of Marmaris and enjoy an afternoon of watersports. Stroll along the waterfront, where, as with many Aegean towns, most of the social action is to be had. Browse the traditional Grand Bazaar, wander the winding streets in the older Kaleici district, catch an open-air concert in the amphitheater or simply watch the world go by from the huge array of restaurants and cocktail bars.

Cruise east to Ekincik. It is worth setting aside a day to visit Dalyan, with its fourth-century BC Lucian rock tombs carved into the cliff face. There also are local mud baths in ancient Kaunos where you can wallow in mineral-rich bliss. Factor in a few swimming stops at the breathtaking beaches and waterfalls along the way, and step ashore for lunch at a local eatery.