Situated on the hill above the Oasis Shopping Centre, this 3 bedroomed apartment (the middle one in the block) has a lovely view over Gümbet and towards Bitez and Kos. Its features include swimming pool, dishwasher, washing machine, TV with DVD player (but no satellite TV), balcony. Lovely quiet location within the Turkish community, but in very easy reach of all the hot-spots of Bodrum. This property was built for all-year-round occupation and has air-conditioning (both hot and cold air), full central heating and a fireplace for a real fire in the lounge area.

Sleeps up to 6 (4 adults + 2 Children)

Click on the small pictures to enlarge them. Then click on the return arrow to come back.

The apartment is on the ground level when accessed from its front door, which is actually the middle apartment. From the car park, enter through the gate and the apartment is right there.

View from car park and front door level, down steps to pool.

View from balcony showing some of Bodrum Bay, Gümbet Bay and Bitez to the right with the Greek island of Kos in the distance

Location. On the outskirts of Bodrum in the village of Çirkan, but has 2 local bus services to Bodrum running every 10 minutes (see below). Within easy reach of many facilities (see below).

Accommodation:

Bedrooms: 2 double bedrooms and a 3rd bedroom with bunk beds. Both double bedrooms are fitted with ceiling fans and hooks for mosquito nets.

Sizes (approx):

Bedroom 1 - 310 x 490

Bedroom 2 - 270 x 390

Bedroom 3 - 215 x 310

Bathrooms: 1 with shower, toilet, washbasin and washing machine.

Balconies:

Quantity 2. The main balcony is overlooking the pool and has views of Bitez, Gümbet with the Greek island of Kos in the distance. This balcony is accessed from the lounge/kitchen and bedroom 2. This balcony is very large, comes with patio furniture and is a perfect place to relax, dine or soak up the sun.  It has a built-in barbecue area (modified to a bigger opening than shown in this photo). The 2nd balcony is accessed from the 3rd bedroom and the front of the property. This balcony is considerably smaller, and would provide a secure play area for children (the side wall having been raised, railings installed to the front of the balcony and a lockable gate installed at the rear). Four sun loungers have been purchased for this apartment and can be used around the pool area or on the balcony.

Lounge/Kitchen/Diner:

This is an American style integrated lounge, kitchen and dining room. The kitchen has been newly refurbished to a high standard. It has the following facilities:

Dishwasher, fridge/freezer, microwave, twin sink and draining board, ceramic electric hob and oven with island extractor. There are now 4 stools for dining around this area.

Ideal if you only like to eat in; purchasing items from the local markets/supermarkets and preparing meals at a fraction of the cost of restaurant prices. After the preparation and cooking, relax and enjoy your meal with a glass of wine or Rakı (pronounced Rakku) whilst overlooking the pool and admiring the views.

However, if you like dining out, there are many, many restaurants in Oasis/Gümbet/Bodrum area, but there is a restaurant with 1st class food and service within 4 minutes walk from the apartment which has beautiful views over Bodrum and Gümbet.

The lounge facilities include air-conditioning, TV set for the DVD player (Region 2) and (if needed) both electric heating and oil central heating. In the corner of the room is an open fireplace, which has been decorated with some logs. There is a satellite dish on the roof, should you wish to subscribe to "Digiturk" satellite services (should you be staying for 12 months or more).

Hot and chilled water is available from the machine situated on the balcony.  When empty, the 19 litre water container can be replaced by exchanging the container within the complex depot (Block A), at the bottom of the steps near the swimming pool. The charge is in the region of 3 TRY (Turkish Lira) (about £1.40) to replace the container. (IT IS NOT ADVISED TO DRINK MAINS WATER STRAIGHT FROM THE TAP)

The pool is about 15 metres in length and approximately 142 cms deep.

Transport links

For the cost of £30 each way for a party of up to 3, (£45 for up to 5), you can be met at Bodrum airport and conveyed back to the apartment.  For full details and up-to-date charges see http://www.propercar.com/bodrum-airport-transfer.htm for transfer rates and information or www.propercar.com for car hire. There are many more companies that do transfer, these can be found on the internet.

Local Buses

There are now 2 local buses running from the Bus Station in Bodrum to the apartment. These are:

The Sehir Ici bus

When returning to the apartment, catch the above coloured dolmuş and check that it goes to Kale Konut (pronounced Kah-leh Con- noot) and alight at the very top of the hill. Just before it gets to the top of the hill, you will see the apartment as you look out from the non-drivers side of the bus.

The local dolmuş runs from the Bodrum Bus Station (Otogar), around the Oasis Shopping Centre through the local housing estate to the top of the hill, close to the apartment.  From here it descends the hill through more of the local housing estate to The Oasis Centre and then back to the Bus Station.  The cost of the trip into Bodrum is currently 2 TRY (Approx 90 pence).  During the day, the bus runs every 10 minutes, but in the late evening a 30 minute service is operated, with the last dolmuş leaving the bus station in Bodrum at 1 o'clock in the morning (during the months of July August and September), midnight for the remainder of the year.

The 2nd service is a blue bus marked "Konicik". The bus terminal is in the village of Çirkan, about 100 metres from the apartment. This is a new facility.

Shopping

Oasis Shopping Centre (pronounced Oh-ass-ease) is at the bottom of the hill and takes about 15 minutes to reach on foot.  For about 1.50 TRY (£0.70) you can take the dolmuş down the hill. This centre has many different shops, banks, restaurants and a multi-screen cinema complex (showing films in their original language with Turkish sub-titles).

Food shops.  The main supermarkets are in the vicinity of the Oasis Centre and one is called "CARREFOUR".  Here you can buy fresh milk (Süt) (pronounced "sewt" as in newt): this is the one with a red cap. The blue capped drink in the shop's refrigerator cabinet is a yoghurt drink (called Ayran) and does not mix well in coffee. No doubt you will find other shops in your exploration of the area.

Attractions

This complex is situated 5 min’s drive away from the brand new 5 hole Bodrum Academy Golf Course The Academy golf course also has a restaurant and beauty spa on site. (please note this is not the Tuzla Golf course).

There is also a themed Water Park located on the main Bodrum to Turgutreis road between Konıcık and Ortakent (near Metro Shopping Centre and Kipa Tesco). This is suitable for all ages and especially good for families (children under 7 are free).

Outside the Oasis Shopping Centre, you will be able to get a dolmuş to places of interest, i.e. Gümüslük (picturesque harbour with fish restaurants), Turgutreis, Bitez, Gümbet, Yalıkavak and Camel Beach. See this link for details of Bodrum peninsula. However, if you take the local dolmuş to the bus station, then your destination choice could be endless.  Here you will find a dolmuş to any other local destinations or even catch a coach further afield to other resorts i.e. Istanbul, Izmir, Fethiye, Marmaris, Dalyan and many more.

TRIP TO GREECE (KOS)

During the Summer months there is a daily boat trip to Kos.  The cost of this trip in Summer 2008 was 30 Euro or 50TRY (about £25) (but don't forget your passport and some Euro).  When you return to Turkey after your visit to Kos, provided you have not exceeded your 3 month visa limit, your passport will be restamped without having to purchase another £10 visa. (Your passport must be within the 3 month visa limit when you exit the country or you will receive a hefty fine when attempting to leave the country along with a possible time ban for re-entering Turkey). You also get the opportunity to get some duty free goods. You can purchase these before you go to Kos, or at the quayside in Bodrum on your return, before you go through customs. Please be aware that the Greek customs may make you pay duty on all bottles of spirit imported into Kos. I don't know why, but it seems to be their rule. They have also a restriction on Yeniraki and have banned this being brought into Kos

Market Days

In Bodrum, between the "Otogar" and Tansaş supermarket, is the market building where fruit and vegetables are laid out on Thursdays and Fridays. You can even get live animals and plants on these days. On Tuesdays the market building is for clothes and household items.

Yalıkavak: Market day is Thursday. (Clothes & Veg)

Turgutreis: Market day is Saturday. (Clothes & Veg)

Gundogan: Market day is Wednesday. (Clothes & Veg)

Phoning home

If your mobile phone is unlocked, you can purchase a SIM card from one of the telephone locations, on presentation of your passport. Using a Turkish mobile network phone connection is far cheaper than using a UK based network provider for calls from Turkey to UK. Once you have a Turkcell Sim (therefore a turkish telephone number), people can call you from the UK for a fraction of the BT cost.  For the current best deal for calling Turkey from the UK see: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/callchecker/

If you have a laptop with wireless connectivity, and your computer has one of the VOIP programs installed, then I can give you the location of some "hotspots" for your free internet connection and possible free telephone calls to the UK. There are several restaurants/cafes in the Oasis Centre with free WiFi access.

Currency

The main currency in Turkey is the Turkish Lira. However, many shops, restaurants and even buses will take both  € (Euro) and the American $ along with the GB£. (I am unsure how good the deal would be with these currencies). The clothes markets around the peninsular are keen to take GB£ or € from you in exchange for their produce. For the best deal at Bodrum airport duty free shop, it is best to pay in € (Euro). This is the currency used for the pricing of all goods on the shelves.

The best place to convert your English money into Turkish Lira is at the Exchanges in most of the towns. The rates are displayed prominently, most are commission free. However, some may charge for Travellers Cheques - be careful and ask before exchange. The rates at these exchanges are far greater than that obtained at the majority of your British High Street banks.

Finally, ensure you take some bottled water and snacks to the airport, as the airport prices are very very expensive (€3 for a small water and €5 for a Fanta).

Other Links

Villa in Gümüslük for rent

History of Bodrum1

History of Bodrum2  

Weather information

Map of Bodrum Peninsula

How to get to Bodrum + coach telephone numbers

Learn some Turkish

Links for Flights to Turkey

For details of Volcanic Ash over British Airports to see if it might affect your flight click here

EASYJET

Easyjet (www.easyjet.com) now flies to Bodrum from Stansted, Bristol (starting Jul 2009) and Manchester. They also fly into Istanbul (SAW) airport (not the main international airport). SAW is called Sabiha Gokcen International Airport)

Easyjet also flies from Luton and Gatwick to Istanbul. The following information has been taken from their web site:

easyJet flies to Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, which is located on the Anatolian shore of Istanbul at Pendik / Kurtkoy, at a distance of 40 km to Kadikoy, 12 km to Pendik and 50 km to Taksim.

An airport bus service, Havas, operates between Taksim Square in central Istanbul and the airport, and between the bus terminal and the airport on demand. The journey time is approximately 30 minutes.

Please be aware that, although coach travel is very cheap in Turkey, the trip from Istanbul to Bodrum takes at least 15 hours travelling. If you decide to fly from Istanbul to Bodrum, you will find that there are very few flights from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) to Bodrum so you may need to get from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport to the main airport in Istanbul, the details of which I have no idea, but I have been told that it is some distance.

There are flights from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport to Bodrum. These are operated by Pegasus Airlines http://www.flypgs.com/en/ . I believe that Turkish Airlines also operates an occasional flight from this airport.

Other operators - try www.firstchoice.co.uk or www.aegeanflights.com or www.flythomascook.com

http://www.sunsailflights.co.uk/

http://www.turkishliving.com/forums/letsgoturkey.php

http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/flights/Bodrum/index.html

http://www.cheapestflights.co.uk

http://www.charterflights.co.uk/charter_flight.php

http://www.flights-international.com/index.html

http://www.firstchoice.co.uk/flights/

http://www.flypgs.com/en/   This carrier (Pegasus Airlines) operates out of Istanbul's Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) and flies to Bodrum airport and London Stansted. There is also information on the Turkish Daily News website on Sep 18th 2008 http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=114945 saying that they may have flights direct from Stansted to Bodrum in Summer 2009, starting 3 days/week.

http://www.avro.co.uk/flights.htm

www.flythomascook.com

Flythomascook

First Choice

Goldtrail Holidays to Turkey provide reasonably priced flights, but you will need to contact them by phone.  See link for their web page.

An option is to fly to Kos, then taxi to Kos Town ferry port (about 20 Euro), then by boat into Bodrum Harbour (about 23 Euro). Taxi fare from Bodrum Harbour to the apartment is about 9 Euro (or 18 Turkish Lira). More details can be given on request.

To contact the owner, call 0044 (0) 1934 416057 or click here