On The Way To Bodrum

We made two stops on the way to Bodrum and found surprises in each. We loved the rugged cliffs and sleepy solitude of Selimiye in the shoulder season. Quaint, friendly, and with clear - albeit cold - blue waters, the kids were excited to use their wetsuits for some spring swimming while we soaked up the sun dining al fresco. Selimiye is definitely on my short list for possible long term living.

The town of Datça is bigger but still small by most standards with a pebbly coastline of restaurants with tables up to the water’s edge. Datça is known for their almonds and the many things produced with them, and we also stumbled on a hot spring where we squealed as the fish nibbled dead skin off our toes. Rosie, Jordan and Hannah were brave enough to swim with the fish in the warm lake. Jordan made a friend whose fathers grow olives and marijuana; in typical Turkish hospitality, they invited us for a barbecue. It might have been the most fun yet but the only thing high on our boat is the mast.

Our final stop in Datça was its eponymous winery. Sitting on a hill with views to the sea, it rivaled Tuscany. We tried wines made from local grapes with fun names like Bogazkere (bwoz-kar-ā) and, obviously needing to support the locals, went home with a case.