Fuck, we've just booked a holiday to Bodrum

[PolaDeVeboise]

On the crest of a ''bloody hell that's good value" wave. Are we mad?

Plenty to enjoy in and around Bodrum

But ilmmais Turkey is huuuuuge and Bodrum is at completely the other end of the country to the border with Syria.

Op, it'll be fab!

When you say Bodrum, do you mean Bodrum itself? Or somewhere on the peninsula?

^

There are some lovely parts of Turkey, but Bodrum isn't one of them!

We didn't like it at all, but others do. It depends on your expectations I suppose.

Not too keen on bodrum, but yalikavak and nearby villages are lovely, so spend your time in those!

@ScarlettDarling You are right! I do see your logic, for instance I wouldn't go to Paris currently but I'd visit the south of France. Like I said, I honestly can't explain why I think it and I really don't judge other people for making the most of a decent priced holiday if they weighed up the risks and came out with another answer to me. Bodrum itself isn't the best or classiest place I've been to but it does depend what you're after in a holiday.

I have been there. It was 20 years ago so may have changed but I found the local men a bunch of pervs - one stood across the road from me and my sister playing with his dick as we waited for a bus, another tried to grab us as we returned to our hotel. Resturant owners would literally grab our at arms to pull us into their place. A man in a gift shop said I would "look more pretty without my glasses" and took them off my face (so I couldn't see). Horrible holiday mostly. If you are travelling with a male it may be OK but females on your own - no no no.
Unless of course it's changed in 20 years.

It's myself, OH, DS (12), DS (10) and two of our friends and not in Bodrum, just in the vicinity. The recent unrest is in the back of my head, but sure lots of people go there with no issues, as evidenced above.

@bookmum08 it's nothing like that now. I stayed in Bodrum town for 6 weeks 2 years ago and never had any hassle from men.
Restaurants /bars haven't been allowed to force/strong arm /coerce people in for years now.
I live about 3 hours away from there, fairly near a "touristy" place and I found Bodrum to be much better, higher class (if I can say that without sounding like a dick).
Another vote for Yalikavak OP, it's gorgeous there. Also, as a PP said, Turkey is huge. You'll be so far away from the Syrian border.
If I thought there was any risk I wouldn't be having my family come over to visit each year.

Turkey is good value because of the exchange rate. The people are lovely, beaches beautiful, the food is excellent and the Efes is cold and plentiful. Bodrum Airport is new and efficient. You'll have a great time.
I recommend at trip to Didum's Apollo Temple for a day out and if you can manage is Ephesus is mind blowing.

Glad to hear it's changed RLABC. We did visit Ephesis and Mary's House (as in Jesus's mum) which were very interesting so it wasn't all bad.

@bookmum08 Unfortunately Turkey has quite a bad press from years gone by and I can understand that if you visit somewhere and have a bad experience it will put you off from returning but I've been here almost 20 years and wouldn't be anywhere else

Thanks for all the positive messages, just had a wee bit of a wobble. It's done now, so I couldn't go back even if I wanted to! THANKS!

Just a tip OP, change your spending money up when you get there, it's always a better rate than if you buy Lira in the UK.

Bodrum airport has the best stir fry I've ever had! You fill a box with veg and they fry it up (with meat if you like) in front of you and it's delicious

We stayed at the Hilton in October, so slightly out of season and on a resort out of the town. Most relaxing holiday ever. And Bodrum was lovely on the sea front (didn't see much else), it was lovely and quiet when we were there. Ephesus is a long day but worth doing (very hot with no shade so go prepared). And Turkish food is delicious. What's the problem?!

I've stayed in Torba, near Bodrum. Gorgeous place.
Don't remember much about Bodrum other than efficient airport nearby, bus station (think we went to Turgutreis?) and shops which sprayed lovely cool mist over their produce.
Enjoy your hol 🌞

Will do, thanks @RLABC!

I've just had a nose at your resort @Pola, very nice! I've seen it from the roadside before and it does look lovely. I'm sure you'll have a great time and I don't think you'll be needy much spending money there