Last minute offers! Great hotel rates for SUMMER 2012! CALLCENTER: 004 0766 264 594

KOS ISLAND GREECE - OPTIONAL TRIP TO BODRUM TURKEY

Divided between two continents, Turkey has become a symbol of high quality international tourism. This country has it all: an incredible history, excellent hotels, qualified personnel, spectacular scenery and highly developed cities.

Bodrum is a town and a port at the Aegean Sea, located in southwest Turkey, on the southern coast of Bodrum Peninsula. The ancient city was called Halicarnassus and is famous because of the grand Mausoleum that was built after 353 BC - One of the seven wonders of antiquity. Today, Bodrum is a tourist center and an international port but also a relaxing city, surrounded by wonderful mountains, full of markets and stunning sunsets. The white sand and the water are unique, and to believe in the beauty of this place, you must visit the resort. Karaada is the best place for diving and and it is situated right across from Bodrum.

Bodrum is divided into two contrasting areas - in the eastern half there is an elongated beach, bars, nightclubs and restaurants, transforming it into a typical Mediterranean resort, and west half of Bodrum is focused around the marina and the yacht club.

Herodotus, "The father of history" was born in Bodrum. In 484 BC Bodrum was called Halikarnassus - and it is said that the city was founded by Dorian Greeks around 1200 BC. In 650 BC the Megarans expanded the settlement and since 386 BC the Persians rulled in Bodrum. The golden age of the city began in the year 353 BC, when it was named the capital of the Karia region and when Artemisia II (377-353 BC) built the famous mausoleum - one of the seven wonders of antiquity, in the memory of King Mausol ( Artemisis' brother and husband).

Bodrum was led by the Romans, then the Byzantines, and in 1522 it was conquered by the Turks led by Suleiman the Magnificent. Only after the declaration of Turkey the town was named Bodrum. Shortly thereafter, in 1925, Turkish writer Cevat Sakir Kabaagaçli was sentenced to 3 years in prison in the Castle of St. Peter in Bodrum. He was charged with "removing citizens from military service." The writer befriended the local governor and escaped from prison after a year and a half, then he bought a house overlooking the sea. The breathtaking view made Cevat Sakir write numerous essays in which he praised the beauty of this fishing village, Bodrum. His writings have attracted intellectuals and so began the transformation of Bodrum from a a small village to a famous seaside resort known all over the world.

Bodrum is situated on a peninsula. Tourists can start visiting the Bodrum peninsula in clockwise, starting with Gümbet and continuing with Bites, Akyarlar, Turgutreis, Gümüslük, Yalikavak, Gundogan, Türkbükü, Torba and back to Bodrum. The trip will last no longer than 2-4 hours, depending on how long you spend in each place. In Bodrum there are three marinas, several hotels and an airport nearby. Bodrum hotel resorts are luxurious and offer incredible facilities for tourists.

About the optional trip: We embark on a boat from Kos dock and leave at around 9:00 AM after checking passports. In 25 minutes we arrive in Bodrum (Alikarnassos). After arriving in Bodrum we start the tour with a stop for photographing small windmills, then visiting the mausoleum (the entrance here is optional), and the ancient theater, we go into a mall for a coffee break. Then we have lunch at a tavern and then visits in the city and in the port. After customs control we go back to Kos at 16:00. We arive on Kos island where we will be transported to the hotel at around 17:00. The passport is required!

Quick useful information

Cosmetics for women are very expensive here. The foundation cream here is around 20 euros. Favourite terrasses and beach clubs: Nostos, Mylos, Galateas, Da Capo; The best italian restaurant on the island: Mezzaluna

Kos island -Greece - The holiday of your dreams - Perfect Greece vacation