GEOGRAPHIC ADVENTURES Home

   Photos

TURKEY

Bodrum

We visited Bodrum during short boat excursion from Kos Island - and as such we will present the ‘one-day visitors’ point of view.  The following assessment of Bodrum is based upon our own experience and therefore description given here necessarily contains an element of subjective opinion which may not reflect your own experience on another occasion.


Bodrum in short - Key Attractions



General information


This lovely city is located on the Asian coast just around 40 minutes journey from Kos Island.  With its magnificent atmosphere it is a good example of the Middle East. This is the place where you will find plenty of narrow streets, traditional houses, bazaars and plenty of salesmen willing to bargain with you.  It is a place where East meets West.  It is also the home of Mausoleum of Halicarnassus which is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Close distance from Kos Island and relatively cheap prices (comparing with the United Kingdom) encourage lots of tourist to visit Bodrum.


Travelling from Kos


If you are on holiday on Kos and decide to go to Bodrum, you will probably have to queue for about 70 minutes before you will get on board. This may be quite difficult as you have to queue outside the port terminal under the scorching sun! This is because you are leaving the European Union Area and have to go through passport control. The process could be a lot smoother if Greek officials employed more staff. However, we have heard that this will not happen as they are trying to discourage tourists from going to Turkey, simply because they would like the holidaymakers to spend Euros on the island.

 

You can buy a one day trip to Bodrum at the local travel agents or at Kos Town marina.  Although trips usually include only the return ticket for the ferry, a free city tour and a free lunch may be added.  Since there is no such thing as a free lunch, to benefit from the above you will have to visit jewellery factory since it is the jewellers who are, in fact, paying for your Bodrum Tour and the lunch.  This also may be a perfect opportunity to buy some expensive stones etc for your love ones - if you like bargaining. The jewellery made and sold in Bodrum is really beautiful and it is a good idea to visit local jewellery factory.


Published on 6th December 2009


By Arek Zasowski

Photographs by Viola and Arek Zasowski

Bodrum

   Few points worth considering


Bodrum is a lovely place to visit. It is also great one day trip to Asia despite all the inconveniences at Kos port terminal. It is a very picturesque trip - perfect for all who want to take great photos. Unfortunately, just a few hours in the city are insufficient to explore all the sights.


If you are travelling to Bodrum from Kos, you may be interested to read the following Memo issued by Seasonal Companies’ Association of Kos Island and Kos Jewellers Association:


“Although Turkey is a lovely country please be aware of the ‘cheap market’ fairy tale of Bodrum. The ones that will talk to you about the wonderful markets will be certainly paid commission from shops that they will advise you to visit. They may fill your head with fake promises and forget to mention the hundred of deceived tourists who cry over spilled milk, because they spent their money on low quality jewellery or fake clothing and footwear. They know that, even if you realize that you have been deceived, you would not dare to ask for money back because you do not want to cause any trouble; so they take advantage of you. Please do not be fooled by the eastern way of bargaining. The price you will finally agree on, is the one that the salesman has already decided on.”


Please be aware that:


“Although tobacco and alcohol is a lot cheaper in Turkey than in the EU you are only allowed to bring certain quantity of those products from outside of the European Union.  Please refer for the local regulations which you may find in the port.  Please note that Greeks on Kos are very strict and all the excess may be confiscated without any warning.”