Hi, I’m Ashleigh, a Senior Content Executive in Jet2’s Content team. Join me as I take you on a journey through one of Turkey (Türkiye)’s most stunning regions – Bodrum!

Blue Voyage boat trips, history-stuffed sightseeing, fabulous local feasts... my itinerary had it all!

Once I arrived, I settled in and got ready for an exciting week ahead...

DAY ONE:

Bodrum Castle and Museum of Underwater Archaeology

On the first day, I headed for the 15th-century Bodrum Castle. It’s right on Bodrum Harbour, so it’s really easy to get to and it overlooks the boats on the marina, so you can bank on good views. It's chock-full of amazing history and with my expert guide, I got to learn all about it!

Today, Bodrum Castle is also home to the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, which is unique in Turkey, and one of the most significant Underwater Archaeology Museums in the world. Entry for this is charged separately. Inside, there are all sorts of weird and wonderful things that have been excavated from the surrounding seas, including a full-size shipwrecked boat that’s been rebuilt!

Top tip: Look through windows and archways at Bodrum Castle – there are cracking views all around and you might miss them if you’re not careful.

DAY TWO:

Bodrum Windmills and Mausoleum of Halikarnas

Today, I travelled up into the hills to see the picturesque windmills of Bodrum. They have a typical Aegean feel to them and showcase panoramic views down to Gümbet. I finished the day at the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus which was once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

DAY THREE:

Bodrum Ancient Theatre

Today, I headed straight to this 4th-century antique theatre, fortunately only a short drive from my hotel and the centre of Bodrum. As you arrive from the road, it doesn’t look like much, but once you’re through the entrance, it’s an incredible sight!

At the time it was built, it could seat up to 13,000 spectators, but today, it’s only slightly less – around 10,000. I walked all the way up to the top and took in the views across the entire city.

I felt like I was walking in the footsteps of gladiators and performers that once graced this land. If you time your visit right, you might be able to catch live music performances and shows here too – I can just imagine what the acoustics must be like! The best bit? It’s free to enter.

DAY FOUR:

Bodrum City night tour

As the sun set, I headed on a walking tour of the city by night. We strolled along the harbour, taking in the brilliant boats, yachts and traditional gulet boats that were docked there. Passing churches and Bodrum Castle again (this time, lit up in all its twinkling lights), we were then at the heart of the town, browsing the shops and markets in the maze of winding Bodrum streets.

There were so many quirky souvenirs to buy and traditional Turkish handicrafts. We grabbed a traditional Turkish ice cream to keep cool along the way – yum!

DAY FIVE:

Gulet boat tour

This was the day I was probably most excited about, as I love boat trips and swimming. We joined the boat at Gümbet jetty, before sailing for around an hour or so and enjoying a swim stop at Aquarium Bay. I didn’t hesitate when it came to taking a dip. It was super-refreshing to jump in!

A freshly cooked lunch was then served onboard, before we sailed on to our last swim stop of the day. The gulet was really relaxing and there was plenty of space to stretch out and soak up the sunshine. The crew told us they sometimes spot dolphins too. Imagine that!

Handy hint: Gulets are beautiful wooden sailing boats, traditionally built along the coast of Türkiye. The wide stern is great for dining and there’s usually an awning that provides welcome shade from the sun. The spacious deck also has plenty of room for sunbathing.

DAY SIX:

Pamukkale

I had an early start on my last day to travel north inland to Pamukkale. Together with the ancient spa city of Hierapolis, which is next to it, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. AKA the ‘cotton castle’, this has always been somewhere I’ve wanted to visit, and once there, I wasn’t disappointed!

It’s within the grounds of the Hierapolis, which we got to explore first. We wandered around some of the vast site, which covers a whopping 2km, spotting the ancient theatre and antique pool along the way.

We then arrived at Pamukkale’s natural pools. They’re ice-white and filled with bright blue water, and said to be packed with minerals and healing properties. Just pop off your shoes and get your toes in the water. You can walk quite far along the pools which are deeper if you fancy a full-body soak. Be careful though, it can get quite slippy.

Top tip: We arrived at around midday and it was quite busy. To avoid the crowds, get down early or go late afternoon.

Best bit...

My highlight would be the boat cruise. Sailing out on the glistening Aegean Sea with the sun beaming down and the cooling breeze was pure bliss. The water was a vibrant turquoise colour and so clear too, so it was easy to spot colourful fish underneath. We even spied some ducks that came to say hello!

A special mention goes to the fantastic food I got to try as well. I loved the meze-style sharing boards, and as a vegetarian, there was plenty for me to enjoy. I also love baklava, so I was in my element here.