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Chinabloom - Two visits Finally, a quality Asian dining venue on the Aegean sea in Turkey, Chinabloom in Bodrum, is well worth hunting out. It was incredible; we loved it so much we dined here twice. Chinabloom is located right at the end of the eating street in the centre of Bodrum, directly opposite the Bodrum marina and yacht club. Stay strong and bypass all the other restaurant owners trying to talk you into their place (always a bad sign and something that we find annoying, to be honest). The service is fabulous and very attentive, without being too pushy. The team learned all about our five-month journey around Turkey, especially our extended stays in Asia, with plenty of laughs and smiles. The menu is Chinese, Japanese and Thai, with an excellent selection of all three cuisines. Where do we begin? The Peking duck is outstanding, not like the typical Hong Kong heart inducing fatty duck; instead, the skin is cooked to perfection, with the fat removed to see the tender meat. While the menu is very extensive, the quality was exceptional, with the chef showing his light touch to all the dishes we sampled. Please don't skip the Japanese beef gyoza; they were delicious! We ate here twice and honestly wished we had more time to sample more of the menu. Every dish was presented to delight your eyes, while the flavours and freshness of the ingredients ensured we thoroughly enjoyed our meal. The wine list was extensive, and we paired our meal with a French Sancerre, which held up well against all the flavours of the food. The mixologist comes in at 3 pm, allowing you to explore some unique cocktails made with passion. This restaurant oozes style with a sophisticated and stylish decor that matches the food quality, surrounded by mosaic artwork with portraits of beautiful ladies from each region. You'll be pleased with the views across the marina to the main castle, a perfect location for a slow lunch or watching the lights sparkle across the marina at night. We found the pricing to be very reasonable, especially some of the gems on the wine list and the quality of cocktails, and not to mention the outstanding level of the ingredients and preparation of the meals. The extra few steps are well worth it when considering the entire package that Chinabloom delivers. We wish we had known about Chinabloom during our visit to Ankara last year.

Divan Pub Bodrum - One visit Divan Pub in Bodrum Marina, Turkey, has the best potential due to its location and stunning design, but unfortunately, they were skipping a beat. The service levels were poor, but the wine was not poured (first world problems), difficult to get service attention, plates were not cleared, and utensils and food were scattered around on the floor on neighbouring tables. We intended to enjoy a slow lunch, but after being seated, we were quick to have a snack and drink to move on; there seemed to be a heartbeat missing. The snack we ordered was a cheese platter, which unfortunately left a lot to be desired, especially for the snack price ($18). Good selection of wines, although a little overpriced for local wines, compared to other establishments and regions in Turkey. They have the most beautiful rooftop, which is perfect for chilling and enjoying the magnificent views of the Bodrum castle and marina. The indoor dining is very stylish too. A little love and this place can become a beautiful oasis to enjoy a cocktail and lunch or dinner tucked away from the busy marina's hustle and bustle.

Cliff Bodrum Restaurant & Bar - Five visits Cliff Bodrum is the main restaurant in the luxury five-star boutique hotel Allium Bodrum, located on Bodrum peninsula, Yalikavak in Turkey. The team have a beautiful energy and vibe. The staff are always happy to talk and share wonderful stories and recommendations of their country. Nothing is too complicated; the whole team work seamlessly together. You can feel the energy and enjoyment they have working at Allium. The lovely team deliver consistently at five-star service levels, and you can see the pure enjoyment of being around the guests to make sure their experience is superior. Cliff restaurant is where the food doesn't get sidelined by the view. You'll enjoy beautiful blood orange and red sunsets that take your breath away during the evening or lunches enjoying the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea whilst sampling the culinary delights. Cliff Bodrum is not only the hotel's main restaurant, but they have a bar where you can enjoy a more casual and relaxed seating enjoying the magnificent views, sunsets over the Aegean and enjoying a signature cocktail or beverage. We enjoyed breakfast, lunch and dinner; all standout meals. Firstly, the breakfast is à la carte (very refreshing for a hotel). After so many average buffets, it was a blessing to experience breakfast on a whole new level, your choice instead of a traditional Turkish breakfast (which tends to be quantity over quality). We are talking about every item being cooked to order in an impressive open plan kitchen, freshly prepared by a passionate team of gourmet chefs. If you are new to Turkey, you can't leave without trying the pide, and Cliff Bodrum is an excellent example of the traditional pide; we love the beef cube edition; it is full of flavour with a thin crispy base. Enjoying your lunch with a cool breeze while soaking up that extraordinary view with a glass of wine, what's not to enjoy? Service is excellent and cannot be faulted. Exquisite dinner with a fantastic sunset, yes, please! We have been busy sampling the lunch and dinner menus, and the pictures speak for themselves. A very extensive wine list covering all regions of the world, while with more premium pricing, you'll find some gems in the list that are very well priced to complement your meal. Allium Bodrum is the perfect resort for a relaxing getaway, and you are blessed with having Cliff Bodrum Restaurant and Bar on your doorstep, a true luxury escape.

IKON Happy Moon's - Two visits IKON is part of the Happy Moons group located in Yalikavak on the Bodrum Peninsula in Turkey. IKON is a stylish and relaxing establishment to sit back and enjoy a few drinks and food while checking out the stunning superyachts in the marina and national park. It feels like we're constantly writing about excellent service, but the reality is service in Turkey is simply outstanding; when you leave the restaurant hugging the staff, you know you've had a great lunch that might have turned into dinner. We opted for the delicious and mouthwatering burger and a tender curry chicken, both perfect. We enjoyed Kofta and steak kebab on our next visit and treated ourselves to desserts. The team behind the bar crafted some very tasty cocktails. We loved the great big balls of ice flavoured with garnish, all the classics, and several new cocktails with a twist. The wine list was a little limited, and pricing was above average for the quality of wines on offer. The decor and design, think billowing white sheer curtains, views of yachts and the national park, and you know you're in the right location for a slow lunch. The insider's tip is to get a table right at the end of the main restaurant, it has the best views, and you can sit side by side and hidden away from the direct sunlight. Very reasonable pricing considering the location in Yalikavak and the quality of the food and cocktails, it will definitely be busy during the summer season.

Bodrum Menemene House Prv - One week This Airbnb in Turkbuku on the Bodrum Peninsula, Turkey, matches the photos on the website ideally - it is absolutely spotless, relaxing and beautiful. A bonus was the views are better over the Aegean Sea than you perceive from Airbnb. Its location is only a five-minute gentle walk to the beach and all the excellent little restaurants, bars and beach clubs. The kitchen is fully equipped, and they even supply cleaning products, e.g. dishwashing tablets, laundry detergent, surface spray, paper towel, etc., something of a rarity in Airbnb all over the world. There is a Macro Centre, an extremely impressive supermarket just a three-minute walk with absolutely everything you would require for an extended stay, including an extensive range of international wines, beers and spirits. There is also a beautiful store nearby called Hatice aunt, full of natural goodies for the home and the body, you must visit! Along with sugar-free Turkish delight. The table setting outside overlooking the bay is perfect for sitting with a nice glass of wine or cocktail and watching all the action occurring in the bay. There is also a lovely cosy setting on the deck. We found this Airbnb ideal for self-catering; we decided to stay in and just nest, as we've been travelling now for five-plus years, and after a few weeks in a hotel, it was much needed. We enjoyed home cooking, playing Turkish scrabble (which was a challenge when using English words), enjoying champagne and views, and some Easter treats. During the warmer weather, you can also enjoy the pool; there were quality sunbeds available for sunbaking; we were just on the edge of Spring, so we needed a few more weeks to enjoy the pool. Can, your host is very responsive and always there for you, Alev is the lovely onsite contact, and she is a pleasure to have around.

As we go through this life journey, we sometimes need to stop and reflect on the beautiful sunsets we are blessed to watch.

Fonda Gümüşlük - Four visits Fonda is a cafe in Gumusluk on the Bodrum Peninsula and became our local coffee shop. It is located directly below the lovely boutique hotel Liman Hotel where we stayed. The Fonda team were always bright and cheerful and were happy to talk with us in our broken Turkish, serving great tasting coffee (cappuccino) and freshly squeezed orange juice. We stayed strong and resisted the delicious looking deserts; however, they looked tempting! We even asked them for some cups and a bottle opener to take upstairs to enjoy sundowners, and they were only too happy to help. They even added ice and poured our drinks for us. We often grabbed an early morning coffee and watched this beautiful fishing village come to life from Fonda, a perfect start to the day. Definitely local pricing and excellent coffee, so this became our go-to coffee shop. Fonda also has a magical outdoor seating area by the water, relaxing and enjoying the stunning views.

Gümüşlük - Three nights Gümüşlük is a quaint seaside village and fishing port on the Bodrum Peninsula, Muğla Province, southwestern Turkey. Our first destination in the Bodrum region was Gümüşlük. It is the most charming and quaint fishing village, and the waters just offshore in its pristine little bays are littered with the ruins of ancient Myndos. The hillsides around the Gümüşlük bay area are protected against future developments, which means, unlike many other holiday destinations in Turkey, it has not been overexposed. We spent three nights enjoying the tranquillity and magic of this village and loved the sleepy vibe, the stunning views and the people, who are incredibly kind, fun and full of positive energy. Being a no-traffic zone added to the charm of the village. The beautiful waterfront seafood restaurants are all on your doorstep when staying at the impressive and recently renovated Liman Hotel; they are all furnished with fresh white decor and overflowing with fresh and colourful flowers. We recommend Fonda Cafe for your daily coffee fix and Karafaki Erhan Usta for a beautiful fresh seafood lunch or dinner, and you won't be disappointed. If you fancy purchasing a gift for someone special, the ceramic store Durmuş Bahar next to Liman Hotel is very welcoming with some beautiful gift ideas. It was also the perfect spot for a haircut, and not only are you gifted with a magnificent view but a superb hairdresser with Ali Maraz Dalkılıç. The best value haircut with a view at $10AUD. We loved our time in Gumusluk and recommend everyone visit this hidden gem; you will feel the magic too.

71 Derece Marina - One visit 71 Derece Marina (71 Degrees) is a rare fine dining restaurant with views of the marina, located in the D-Marin Yacht Club in Turgutreis, on the Bodrum Peninsula of Turkey. It was exactly what we were looking for during our stay in Gumusluk, a short 15-minute taxi drive. There is nothing better than having a slow lunch while looking over a pool and yachts docked in a marina. Even with a language barrier, the team gave us excellent service and memories, and they were very kind and attentive. Wayne had been craving a tender piece of succulent steak, and 71 Derece delivered exceptionally. We are big fans of the Turkish pide (Turkish style pizza), and this one was delicious and cooked to perfection from the wood-fired oven located in the heart of the restaurant. Unfortunately, cocktails were off the menu (but usually available during the summer season. We were visiting during shoulder season, so we missed out); however, they did have an extensive spirit list that Wayne approved. The wine list was limited, but their selection was still being replenished for summer again due to shoulder season. The decor was lovely, and great to have white-clothed tables and real fabric napkins. 71 Derece has a beautiful outdoor setting to enjoy the sun, or, like us, you can partially sit inside while still sunning your legs at the pool edge. There were also plenty of small areas where you could tuck yourself away; it was nicely designed. Pricing was very reasonable considering the location of being hosted in a Yacht club and especially the meat quality. Even in the low season, the outside was fully booked, which was positive.

Konstanze German Pub Bistro - One visit Konstanza Pub Bistro is a german pub with magical sunset views in Turgutreis on the Bodrum Peninsula, Turkey. We came for a late afternoon drink, watched a mesmerising sunset, and had a tasty dinner. The team were fun and full of positive energy, they were proud of their beautiful establishment, and customer service was their priority. They loved their work and were very attentive; we were also grateful for how they ordered a taxi, which was so kind. When the mixologist grabs fresh herbs from the garden bed to garnish your cocktails, you know you're in a great location. The Mexican margarita was a surprise too! Having a wiener schnitzel was simply an offer we could not refuse; perfectly cooked; it was great to be enjoying one of our favourite dishes that we lived on in Vienna back in 2020. The location of this place enables you to listen to all the other venues' live music while enjoying those fantastic Aegean sunsets. Pricing was very reasonable, with quality food and drinks, all served with smiles.