Luxury Kaplankaya Holidays

Located 83km north of Bodrum, secluded Kaplankaya is a private estate with tranquil, sheltered coves lapped by the crystal clear waters of the Aegean, and a rocky terrain softened by aromatic sage, thyme and flowering oleander, cypress and olive trees. There is a luxury hotel, villas and beach clubs, and a number of farms, vineyards and gardens in the surrounding area ensure a steady supply of freshly sourced produce for tasty local cuisine. Kaplankaya is a good base for exploring further afield with the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World of Ephesus an hour and forty five minutes away and the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus around 83km south, with the Apollo Temple Didyma a 50 minute drive.

Bodrum Castle

Dominating the skyline of Bodrum, the Castle of St Peter, built by the Knights of St John during the 15th century, is home to a chapel, dungeon, Turkish bath, several impressive towers, and numerous interesting displays of treasures throughout. It also houses the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology which, amongst its fascinating displays, features remains of the oldest-known sunken ship in the world.

Blue Cruise

Charter a traditional gulet from the Bodrum area and cruise around the coast discovering tranquil bays, exotic beaches and secluded islands which are dotted all around the peninsula (see pages 12-13).

Didyma

Built to revere one of the most renowned oracles in the Hellenic world, the Temple of Apollo was never completed due to its ambitious scale. Impressive remains include

a Roman Medusa head.

Ephesus

Turkey’s most famous archaeological site,Ephesus, is the best preserved classical city in the Eastern Mediterranean. Built in 1,000 BC and dedicated to Artemis the well-preserved and extensively restored remains include the Library of Celsus and a huge theatre. The Ephesus Museum in Selcuk, 3km away, houses artefacts and mosaics found at the site.

Pamukkale & Hierapolis

The cotton castle of Pamukkale is an aweinspiring natural marvel where calcium rich

spring waters stream down a 200m high plateau to a series of hollowed out circular basins. Over centuries the water has hardened into white mineral deposits called travertines which give the terraces a strange snow like beauty. This area was developed as the Roman spa town of Hierapolis, and ancient ruins include the theatre, baths, temples, and a large graveyard. In order to preserve Pamukkale, visitors cannot walk on the terraces but can enjoy the thermal waters of a nearby pool set amongst the ruins of Hierapolis.